Camping near Nauvoo, Illinois spans both sides of the Mississippi River, with most options located within a 30-minute drive of historic downtown. The region sits at approximately 670 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate that creates four distinct camping seasons. Summer temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F, while winter drops to 20°F to 40°F with occasional snow and ice that can affect campground access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Wilson Lake Park offers a decent-sized fishing pond where many visitors enjoy casting a line. "Nice campground with a decent sized fishing pond. Campground host is super friendly! They ran over when we pulled in and helped guide us into our site," notes Andrew P.
Historical exploration: Visit the historic sites across from Nauvoo State Park Campground, which are within walking distance. "Right across the street from the historic sites, if you're up for it it's just a little further to walk to main street," shares Gretchen F. who found the location convenient for exploring local history.
Swimming: Cool off at Lee County Pollmiller Park which features a beach area with rental options. "They have a good swimming area where u can rent canoes and different things which isn't very expensive!" reports Ashley P., who enjoyed the water recreation facilities.
Hiking trails: Explore wooded areas with short nature walks. "There was a trail that was under two miles called Locust that my wife enjoyed for birding. There is also a loop trail near the campsites," James D. mentions about trails at Nauvoo State Park.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Hickory Haven Campground receives consistent praise for its peaceful setting. "We stayed here at Hickory Haven for 4 nights on our way to Alabama it is a very nice quite place. Owner was very nice and works hard to keep it clean," writes Kimberly B.
Concrete pads: Campers appreciate the level, stable surfaces at several campgrounds. "The park streets are gravel with concrete pull-through sites. The park is very quiet," notes David B. about Camp Nauvoo, which offers full hookup sites on concrete pads.
Riverside views: Camping along the Skunk River provides scenic natural settings. "Awesome and quiet little campground with a fresh camp host. Amazing view of the skunk river and eagles flying nearby," Katherine S. comments about the Lower Augusta Skunk River Access.
Clean facilities: Many campers mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "I have to say the bathrooms and laundry were very clean. The owner, John, was very friendly and helpful. Our spot was very clean and level," reports Debbie C. about her stay at Hickory Haven Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: While several campgrounds operate year-round, some facilities close during winter months. "We stayed in mid-November when a lot of places are closed. They had electricity and the dump station was operating, but the water hookups were shut off and the bath house was closed for the winter," Stuart O. notes about Nauvoo State Park.
Varying toilet conditions: Bathroom quality differs significantly between campgrounds. "No modern facilities close and the pit toilets were very disgusting. It does have a shower house but we decided to just use ours," Ann C. reports about Nauvoo State Park.
Registration systems: Some campgrounds use self-service registration. Wildcat Springs Park in Hamilton has 17 RV slots with varying sizes. "Their website says the nightly fee is $15 for tents and $25 for RV. When we arrived we were informed that it had gone up to $20 for tent and $30 for RV," Bradley H. mentions about pricing changes.
Highway access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entrance points. "If you are southbound on Illinois Hwy 96, the left turn off the highway is very sharp and steep. Might be easier to continue about a mile south and use the scenic turnout to turnaround," advises David B. about accessing Camp Nauvoo.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campsites near Nauvoo offer play areas for children. "There are a couple of close playgrounds you can walk to," mentions Gretchen F. about Nauvoo State Park, while Hickory Haven Campground also features a playground along with a dog walk area.
Budget-friendly options: Free camping weekends occur occasionally at certain parks. "I loved it there they had a weekend that u could stay there for free! It was very nice i was the only one at the campground at the time!" Ashley P. shares about Lee County Pollmiller Park.
Bug preparation: Bring insect repellent, especially during summer months. "Lots of shade and mosquitoes! So bring plenty of spray," warns Ann C. about Nauvoo State Park during warmer seasons.
Lake activities: Lower Augusta Skunk River Access provides riverside camping with wildlife viewing. "Amazing view of the skunk river and eagles flying nearby," Katherine S. notes, which can be an educational experience for children interested in nature.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Check campground websites for specific RV length limitations. "We had room to put our 32 foot fifth wheel and room to park our truck alongside. Ours was one of a couple of sites large enough to handle our size," Bradley H. notes about Wildcat Springs Park.
Utility placement: Hookup locations vary between sites and campgrounds. "Utilities were located in different spots. 20A/30A/50A electric in the middle, water near the rear, and sewer near the front," David B. observes about Camp Nauvoo, suggesting RVers should prepare with extension cords and hoses.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads may present challenges. "The roads are very narrow and in need of repair," Stuart O. mentions about Nauvoo State Park, suggesting careful navigation for larger rigs.
Year-round options: RVers traveling off-season have limited but available choices. "Open all year here which is very important to us!" Kimberly B. appreciates about Hickory Haven Campground, which provides camping options beyond the traditional season.
