Tent camping areas near Newark, Illinois mainly feature primitive sites with limited amenities. Most locations provide basic facilities like fire rings and portable toilets, while requiring campers to bring their own water supplies. The Newark region contains several walk-in tent sites along rivers and canals, with campers needing to carry equipment from parking areas to designated spots. Summer months typically bring higher visitor traffic, particularly at waterfront locations where sites can fill quickly.
What to do
Kayak from your campsite: At Kayak Morris, campers can enjoy direct river access for paddling adventures. "If you want a nice riverfront camp site this place is perfect. they also have kayak rentals available," notes Eric R. The campground's position at a river confluence creates excellent fishing opportunities, with one visitor reporting, "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!"
Hike nearby state parks: The Newark area sits within driving distance of multiple state parks with hiking trails. Buffalo Rock State Park Campground offers a quieter alternative to busier parks. "This little gem is across the river from Starved Rock State Park. So, you can appreciate the bluff overlooks of the river without dealing with the crowds," explains Bill M. The park features effigy mounds and maintains a small herd of bison, making it unique among area parks.
Attend special campground events: Some campgrounds host seasonal activities for guests. At Kayak Morris, "had my first experience of a lit up kayak tour for fireworks," shares Eric R. The campground also organizes "glampouts" with morning meals, as another camper mentions, "morning breakfast after the glampout night provided by the staff, good food and quite environment."
What campers like
Waterfront privacy levels: Site layouts and spacing vary significantly between riverfront campgrounds. At Kayak Starved Rock Campground, "every site had its own fire pit with a cooking grate, as well as the option to purchase wood bundles, which was very convenient," according to Cullen S. However, he notes that "the biggest thing we disliked about this place is how close the campsites are to one another. With a tent at every site, you're almost right on top of the next site."
Clean portable facilities: Despite primitive conditions, some campsites maintain surprisingly clean facilities. Paul R. comments about Kayak Starved Rock Campground: "The Porta potties were shockingly clean! The potties also have motion sensor lights in them for at night visits. They also have wipes, spray underarm deodorant, hand sanitizer and automatic air freshener."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe animals. At Buffalo Rock State Park Campground, "Real live Buffalo are a treat for kids and animal lovers," states Bill M. The park's location along the Illinois River also attracts various bird species and small mammals, creating natural entertainment for campers.
What you should know
Flooding concerns: Low-lying campsites near rivers may experience flooding after heavy rainfall. At McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, one camper reported: "Nothing was mentioned about this site being a flood zone. Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up. We had three inches up the the fire pit."
Walk-in requirements: Most tent sites require carrying gear from parking areas. At McKinley Woods, "we didn't realize this was a walk-in campground, the details on the Will county site were vague, and the satellite photo showed a paved road. The road is a path, so the sites are ADA accessible (two of the four sites are paved as well)," explains Brian O.
Early closings: Some parks have unexpected closing times that affect access. As one camper at McKinley Woods notes, "the park closes early, 8PM in summer, and earlier still off season. Check the fine print on your reservation!" Arriving late may result in locked gates or restricted access to campground facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Secure riverfront sites early: Waterfront camping spots fill quickly, especially during summer weekends and holidays. At Kayak Starved Rock Campground, "25 sites to choose from, they fill up fast on weekends so plan to make reservations early," advises Eric R. For the best views of Starved Rock, request sites facing south across the river.
Consider ADA-accessible options: Some campgrounds offer accessible sites for families with mobility needs. McKinley Woods provides "two of the four sites [that] have concrete pads for ADA accessibility," according to Scott N. These sites feature "enormous banquet sized picnic tables with cut-out in the bench for wheelchairs."
Look for family-friendly amenities: Clark's Run Campground provides an economical option close to attractions. Stuart K. notes its location advantage: "You're right near Starved Rock and Matthiessen SPs, so if you didn't come here for either of these wonderful outdoor natural incarnations, then you should absolutely make it part of your visit." Nearby restaurants offer family dining options when cooking at camp becomes tiresome.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV site availability: Very few campgrounds near Newark accommodate RVs, with most sites designed for tent camping only. At Channahon State Park Campground, RVs must park in designated areas while campsites require walking in. "This campground is right in town. It is a bit away from businesses. However if you arrive by car you drive through the quaint town," reports Art S.
Plan for primitive conditions: RV campers should prepare for minimal hookups. Most sites lack electrical connections, water hookups, or dump stations. Instead, RVers should come fully stocked with water and plan for limited stays. The campgrounds primarily cater to tent campers seeking a more rustic experience rather than providing RV amenities.
