RV campgrounds in Nauvoo, Illinois sit along the Mississippi River in Hancock County, approximately 50 miles north of Quincy. The area features gently rolling terrain with elevations averaging 670 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions in the 60-70°F range. Winter camping remains available at select locations despite temperatures regularly dropping below freezing.
What to do
Lake fishing at Boulder Lake: Boulder Lake at Wakonda State Park Campground provides multiple fishing opportunities within 30 miles of Nauvoo. "A popular place, during the summer it's always full and kids running around, people walking and running and riding bikes, walking dogs. Great trails too, ranging from half a mile to 3 miles. Nice lakes, kayaking rentals available, and a swimming beach too," notes Mary N.
Mississippi River access: Ferry Landing offers dispersed camping where the Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet. "Great isolated camping at river edge... Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests. Look out for insects. Pack in/out, gather drift wood for fire, watch barges pass by," advises James M.
Historic site visits: Camp Nauvoo sits just 5 minutes from downtown Nauvoo attractions. "The park is very quiet. Great value for $32. Full hookups," writes David B. The concrete pull-through sites provide easy access to Nauvoo's historic district without navigating difficult terrain with your RV.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Driftwood Campground maintains exceptionally clean restrooms. "The showers and restroom were impressively clean. The hosts could not have made me feel more welcome," remarks Art Z., who stayed during a bike tour along the Mississippi River Trail.
Easy site access: Updog RV & Camping provides shaded sites with pond access. "Lots of trees for great shade in these hot days. Nice pond for some fun fishing. Very clean restrooms and showers," reports Joe M., highlighting the cooling advantage of trees during summer heat.
Affordable pricing: Geode State Park Campground offers budget-friendly camping options. "We stayed labor day weekend. Just pulled in and gave them our $12 a night. No electricity or water in our site. Clean bathrooms. Cheap wood for fires. Really nice fire pits with attached grill," shares Lon H., noting the unexpected value even on a holiday weekend.
What you should know
Train noise concerns: Several RV parks near highways or train tracks can be noisy. At Crossroads RV Park, John C. warns, "The issue is NOISE!! Constant train traffic all night! Horns blaring! The tracks are less than 1/4-mile away. And quite a bit of freeway noise, too!"
Seasonal campground closures: Water systems at Nauvoo State Park Campground shut down during cold 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," reports Stuart O.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Updog RV & Camping, one camper mentioned that the "shade made cell service very hard to receive," affecting those needing reliable internet access for work or navigation.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Nauvoo State Park Campground provides recreation areas within walking distance. "Lots of shade, mostly wooded spots. There are a couple of close playgrounds you can walk to," notes Gretchen F., adding that it's "right across the street from the historic sites."
Swimming options: During summer, Boulder Lake Campground offers swimming opportunities. "Elsewhere in the park is a nice swimming beach with a place to shower off the sand, and some interesting cement tunnels/bunkers that kids might have fun exploring," mentions Annie C.
Privacy considerations: For families wanting more seclusion, specific sites at Boulder Lake Campground offer more privacy. "If you can get site 44, you have probably the best site in the campground as it sits at the end of the loop with no close neighbors, close to the lake, and backs to nice trees."
Tips from RVers
RV access challenges: Some Nauvoo motorhome camping areas have difficult approaches. At Camp Nauvoo, David B. advises, "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."
Site spacing variations: Site dimensions differ significantly between RV parks. At Crossroads RV Park, Melissa A. cautions, "The sites were close together and very close to a train track. I wouldn't stay longer than an overnight," while noting it was "a nice spot for an overnight stay."
Big rig considerations: Nauvoo RV accommodations include parks specifically designed for larger vehicles, but some state parks have limitations. At Nauvoo State Park, Ann C. warns, "I felt you might have trouble in long rigs getting around. The drives are not clearly marked and it was a little confusing!"
