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Best Campgrounds near North Utica, IL

543 Reviews

North central Illinois campgrounds near North Utica focus heavily on proximity to state parks, with Starved Rock State Park Campground serving as a centerpiece destination alongside several family-owned RV parks and cabins. The region includes the confluence of mixed-use campgrounds ranging from primitive tent sites at Buffalo Rock State Park to full-hookup RV accommodations at Starved Rock Family Campground and Nature's Way RV Park. Several facilities offer cabin rentals, particularly Kishauwau Country Cabins which exclusively focuses on cabin accommodations with 17 sites. Most camping areas cluster along the Illinois River corridor, providing recreation access to both water-based activities and hiking trails through the scenic river valley.

Seasonal operations vary significantly, with peak camping season running April through October, though several facilities like Starved Rock State Park Campground and Illini State Park remain open year-round. Campground reservation requirements differ by facility, with state parks operating through the Illinois reservation system while private campgrounds maintain independent booking systems. Water and electric hookups are standard at most developed sites, though facilities like Buffalo Rock and Matthiessen State Park offer more primitive accommodations. Cell coverage is generally adequate near developed areas but may be spotty in more remote camping zones. One camper described Starved Rock State Park as "just what my wife and I were looking for. Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn't expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"

The Illinois River serves as a focal point for many camping options, with proximity to water receiving consistently positive reviews. Campgrounds located minutes from Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks provide convenient access to over 13 miles of canyon hiking trails. Several visitors mentioned the surprising topography of the area, with one noting that unlike most of Illinois, the region features noticeable elevation changes where "ice glaciers carved out the basin that created the Illinois River." Tent campers should note that many campgrounds primarily cater to RVs, though Pleasant Creek Campground maintains distinct camping areas for different camping styles. Visitors often praise the wooded settings found at most campgrounds, with abundant shade trees providing relief during hot Illinois summers while still offering the amenities most travelers expect, including clean restrooms, shower facilities, and in many cases, camp stores.

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Best Camping Sites Near North Utica, Illinois (93)

    1. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"

    "Beautiful Starved Rock is Illinois's favorite state park. Hiking through forests along the Illinois River to canyons and waterfalls with eagles soaring overhead."

    2. Pleasant Creek Campground

    27 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 431-0936

    "Within LaSalle County or for that matter, the whole of north central Illinois, I don’t know of any other privately run, multi-campground locations like Pleasant Creek that offers a total of 6 separate,"

    "There is a nice pavilion, a game room/club house, basketball court, fishing pond, firewood for sale, and a few short trails."

    3. Lasalle/Peru KOA

    14 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4988

    "Everything in the campground is within walking distance. They have a dishwashing sink and garbage cans every 30-50 feet. Convenient. Bathrooms and showers are super clean. Recommend for sure."

    "It’s adjacent a large field so you do get some wind and the occasional sound of farm equipment…but there’s a lot of nice spots."

    4. Starved Rock Family Campground

    11 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 202-2088

    "Located here in the heart of north central Illinois, where you can very easily get lost in the golden hue of sweet corn or the dizzying amounts of drilled bean fields, there’s a special quiet that exists"

    "No water hookup but spigot nearby. No sewer hookup but dump station on-site.
    So fun to hike and explore a series of canyons along the Illinois River."

    5. Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    30 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-2448

    $12 - $55 / night

    "Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view."

    "Spent a couple nights here (site 3) for Vintage Illinois at a nearby park. Quiet, fairly level, gravel sites. Electric worn but fully functional. Lots of trees and shade."

    6. Kayak Starved Rock Campground

    8 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 567-4653

    $29 / night

    "Before we begin, let me share 3 things with you: (1) I love camping, preferably primitive camping where I get to pitch my tent, leaving the comforts of modern civilization behind in the hopes of returning"

    "One such place, an oasis of tranquility and beauty nestled in the Illinois wilderness, is the Kayak Starved Rock Campground."

    7. Nature’s Way RV Park

    6 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4988

    $30 - $125 / night

    "Just outside and behind this main building, you’ll discover a rather large, covered pavilion which is great for larger groups or for anyone wanting to picnic under some shade. "

    8. Buffalo Rock State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Ottawa, IL
    6 miles
    Website

    $6 / night

    "A number of trails around effigy mounds make for a nice walk."

    "You have to walk a bit to get there but the sites are great. If you’re looking for privacy this is it. There aren’t toilets tho or running water.."

    9. Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground — Matthiessen State Park

    3 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $10 / night

    "quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update:

    Highlights: (1) Great hiking abounds in this particular Illinois"

    "to hike during the day and the friendly on-site ranger made a call over to nearby Starved Rock SP to secure me a camping spot over there, so not all was lost. "

    10. Kishauwau Cabins

    2 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 442-8453

    $129 - $499 / night

    "Perfectly perched far away from traffic, noise and the routine drudgery of day-to-day life, Kishauwau is situated far back in a thick-forested pristine patch of land that places you very near two of the"

    "The owner of the facility definitely pays attention to details and keeps the location nice and updated."

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Recent Camping Photos near North Utica, IL

178 Photos of 93 North Utica Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near North Utica, IL

543 Reviews of 93 North Utica Campgrounds

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Starved Rock Family Campground

    Nice little campsite!

    Well maintained and large campground. Sites aren’t stacked on top of each other and seem fairly level. I will say the grounds by our site seemed to have a fly/other sewer fly problem in the ground? I don’t know. Seemed to need a treatment of some sort. L7 is more in a wide open area so if you want more trees, book more in the middle of the campground. Bathrooms are well maintained and cleaned. Laundry facility easy. Bummed our trip got cut short by a RV maintenance issue.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Big Rock Campground

    Needs some shade

    This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.

    The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?

    It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.

  • Jeff and Linda L.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    Unique Park

    No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal. No reservations. We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces. Pit toilets along the canal. Well kept. Small gravel bike trail along most of the canal. Nice place to kayak and canoe. Very nice visitor center open until 3 during the week, no weekends. Only $8 We saw a class A, so they do fit.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Hickory Grove Campground

    Midwest Pasture Camping @ Its Finest

    Located just due north of Sheffield, right off I80 (2 miles to be exact), and due west of Princeton by about 20 minutes, Hickory Grove Campground, on the one hand, is so far off the grid that you will really feel as though you are truly ‘getting away from it all,’ yet on other hand, this place is just a couple stone’s throw from one of the busiest highways that runs through the great state of Illinois, making it incredibly accessible. What I love most about Hickory Grove Campground is that it is run by good folks (husband and wife duo, Dave & Joan) that have been in this particular area of north central Illinois for a very long time. On your way to Hickory Grove, you won’t help but notice that there is a supreme amount of gorgeous farmland that you will bear witness to, complete with golden rows of sweet corn or fields of drilled beans. Any way you look at it, enroute to Hickory Grove, you will feel right at home here in the heartland of the Midwest, where we take great pride in our hospitality.

    As for this pet-friendly campground itself, upon entry, you will discover that there is a main house, immediately followed by the main office, which is where you will check in. Once doing so, you’ll be able to access your slot, depending upon which one you have selected (and there is nearly 100 to choose from), whether that be an RV or 5th Wheeler slab, deluxe cabin rental or primitive camping site. There are 15 pull-through sites (all with 50 amp electric) with all RV and Trailer sites offering full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) most with shaded lots. Other amenities include a doggie park, ice for sale, scattered picnic tables, designated trash dumpsters, BBQ grills, boat launch, pedal cart rental, restroom and shower facilities, ramp and dock on the Hennepin Canal horseshoe pit and 3 miles of hiking trails.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re a biker like me, you better come bringing the cycles as from this vantage point, you’ll be able to access the 80 mile long bike trail that you’ll find is easy to access from Hickory Grove Campground; (2) As a fellow kayak enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the nearby access at Hennepin Canal; (3) After a good day of hiking, biking and kayaking, likely you’ll want to ‘whet that whistle’ and if so, nearby Psycho Silo Saloon has you covered in spades (April until October that is) with a full stocked bar of spirits, live music and some nice iced tall boys, but be sure to bring cash because this watering hole doesn’t know how to make credit cards work yet; (4) For those looking for a nice, easy and economical seasonal rental, Hickory Grove is quite affordable offering up sites for as little as $1,400 / season; (5) Specific sites that I recommend include: (a) those on the river’s edge of the Hennepin Canal: #30A, #30B, #34 – 39, #80R; (b) those on the western edge of the property: #12A – B, #13, #16 –19, #30A – B, #34 – 39; as well as (c) those sites that fall against the eastern treeline: #80, #82, #86A – C, #97 – 99; (6) When I head out camping, I like to bring 2-3 choice cuts of rare, sometimes exotic meats and whatever you might be into, should you want some fresh cut meats, check out nearby Wyanet Meat Locker, which will have the standards (NY Strip, Ribeye, hamburger patties) as well as some nice cuts from the top-shelf, including: buffalo, lamb chops and duck; and (7) For a slice of pure Midwestern joy, check out Myrtle’s Pie, which have some amazing selections including banana cream, salted caramel, lemon meringue, carrot cake cheesecake and my favorite, the coconut cream – but everyday Myrtle runs out of pies by early-to-mid-afternoon, so call ahead to order your pie or just get in there as soon as she opens for some freshly baked cinnamon roles and brewed coffee.

    Happy Camping!

  • Rick K.
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Four Star Campground

    4 STAR CAMPGROUND IS A VERY BAD SPOT TO GO

    I HAD PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAMPER AND THEY HAVE DRUGGYS FOR EMPLOYEES AND DRUNKS PASS OUT IN YOUR LOT AND I HAD TOLD OWNERS ABOUT THE WORKER HARRASSING ME THEY DID NOTHING I TOLD THEM OWNERS 3 TIMES ABOUT THE GUY HARRASING ME WELL HE BE UP MY CAMPER 20 THOUSAND DOLLAR CAMPER HE DESTRYED CUZZ HE WAS INTOXICATED AND DRUGGED UP SO I HAD TO CALL THE COPS AFTER 3 TIME WARNING THEM OWNERS SO NOW I HAVE TO GO TO OURT FOR THSES NEGLEGENCE AND SAID OH WELL TO ME

  • Fred R.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    Summer trip week 2 the return home

    Picked this spot outta the air. What an amazing history and geological area. The campgrounds were large and dark with shade trees. Limited 50 Amp sites as it is old.

  • Lex D.
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    BEWARE!!

    This park does NOT have water and sewer hook ups. You will have to fill your water tank, before parking. The facilities on site are terrible. The showers on site TRICKLED, not even enough to wash your hair. The sinks constantly run, they don’t shut off. When we called to reserve the guy told us we had to do a pull up basis. But there were slots reserved for other people. Very confusing. Not staying here again.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Whitetail Campground — Illini State Park

    We noped out 5 minutes after finally finding our site

    OMG where do I even start? It’s Illinois. It’s all corn and soy until the actual park which is just a few trees along a very industrialized and ugly river. This was just a stopover and we weren’t expecting much for nature, but it somehow had less than I expected.

    Stopped at the office which was closed (4pm on summer Saturday). A sign said to just go set up. There is an initial sign pointing you in the general direction of Whitetail, but then more intersections with no indication of which way to go so you get to drive around aimlessly until you find the right place. Hint: go in the direction of the Lock.

    Once we finally found Whitetail, I was getting quite discouraged. In the non-electrical side there is a giant ugly unnecessary lawn in the middle of a loop with sites on the outside of the loop. There is one vault toilet at the very beginning of the loop that would mean probably a 5 minute walk at least to get to the toilet if you’re on the farther end of the loop. The sites are ugly. It’s just weedy vegetation that looks more like a disturbed junk yard or ditch than a nature area.

    Our site could have been fully enclosed with shrubs or brush but had a large opening to the next site, so no privacy. But there was almost no place to put our small tent, especially since, at the end of a very long trip, our pads no longer stay inflated and we need somewhat flat ground under our them.

    The “fire pits” are weird like fireplace insert things and so previous campers have built fires on the ground all over. The vegetated area surrounding the site was covered in litter. The “fire pit” was completely full of someone’s garbage. I wish I had taken a picture before leaving. There were shingles, a charred baking pan, other garbage, and even a 10 foot long metal furniture thing? Idk what it was but the campground is clearly not managed at all or they would have cleaned that stuff up. There was a bunch of fishing line strung from the trees as if people were using it to hang things and then just left it there?

    The good thing is that there was cell service so we used it to book a hotel room and left immediately. Wasn’t able to successfully cancel my reservation. You have to call the park directly to do that and I don’t know if they are ever actually open for that.

Guide to North Utica

Camping near North Utica, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: Starved Rock State Park is famous for its stunning canyons and trails. One visitor said, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, you can enjoy kayaking and fishing. A camper shared, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campgrounds, like Mendota Hills Campground, are surrounded by nature, making it a great spot for birdwatching. One reviewer noted, "You can see all kinds of stars on a clear night."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lasalle/Peru KOA mentioned, "Bathrooms and showers are super clean. Recommend for sure."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds have a welcoming vibe. A reviewer at Starved Rock Family Campground said, "The staff was very friendly and helpful."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having enough space between sites. One camper at Green River Oaks Camping Resort remarked, "There’s space, and very good distance between you and the folks that would be your neighbors."

What you should know:

  • Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, have strict no-alcohol rules. A camper noted, "This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer."
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A visitor at Starved Rock Campground mentioned, "Verizon and AT&T both had only 1 bar."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during weekends. A camper at Pleasant Creek Campground advised, "During the summer months especially, this place fills up, so I would definitely recommend calling ahead."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. One family at Mendota Hills Campground enjoyed, "The swimming lake with all of the inflatables and beach slide."
  • Pet-Friendly Options: Many campgrounds allow pets, so you can bring your furry friends along. A visitor at O'Connell's RV Campground mentioned, "Pets allowed, which is great for families."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring snacks and easy meals, as some campgrounds are far from stores. A camper at Pleasant Creek Campground said, "You’ll need to bring with you whatever you might need for the length of time you plan on being here."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A visitor at Starved Rock Family Campground appreciated, "The utilities were centered on the pad, so that was nice."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Many campgrounds are close to state parks and other attractions. A reviewer at Green River Oaks Camping Resort suggested, "If you come bearing any sort of watercraft, while the Green River is nice, for more challenging waters to navigate, head due north to Dixon."
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some RV sites can be tight. A camper at Lasalle/Peru KOA noted, "The spots are very tight."

Camping near North Utica, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful parks and friendly campgrounds, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Utica, IL?

The Utica area offers several excellent camping options. Starved Rock Campground features quiet, wooded sites not far from the highway with a friendly host and picturesque surroundings reminiscent of northern Wisconsin. For waterfront camping, Millpoint Park provides spacious sites along the Illinois River with beautiful views and a secluded, quiet atmosphere. Other notable options include Great Falls Campground at Illini State Park with clean facilities and river views, and Kayak Starved Rock Campground for those seeking a more rustic experience. Most campgrounds in the area are open spring through fall, with limited winter availability, and typically offer both tent and RV sites.

Are there cabin rentals available in Utica, IL?

Cabin rental options are available near Utica, though they're limited compared to traditional campsites. Lasalle/Peru KOA offers cabin accommodations with amenities like electricity and beds, making it ideal for campers seeking a more comfortable experience without sacrificing the outdoor setting. Starved Rock Family Campground also provides cabin options close to Interstate 80 yet maintains a relaxing atmosphere. When booking cabins in the area, reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer months and weekends. Rates typically range from $60-120 per night depending on cabin size, amenities, and season. Most cabins require a two-night minimum stay during weekends.

What amenities do North Utica campgrounds offer?

Campgrounds in North Utica provide a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Glenwood RV Resort, located just minutes from I-80 near the Illinois River, offers full RV hookups and convenient highway access. Great Falls Campground features clean bathrooms, plenty of trees for hammocking, and scenic river views. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic facilities including water access, restrooms, fire rings, and picnic tables. Many sites have electrical hookups for RVs, while some offer full hookups with water and sewer connections. Additional amenities may include playgrounds, fishing access, hiking trails, camp stores, and WiFi availability. Campground maps and information are typically available at entrance stations or visitor centers.

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