Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near North Utica? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near North Utica. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
1170 N. 27th Road
Ottawa, IL 61350
630-567-4653
Open mid April thru mid October
Waterfront Primitive camping directly across from Starved Rock State Park. Less than 1.5 hour from Chicago! Featuring high end kayak rentals, Guided Kayak tours and riverside primitive camping right on the beautiful shores of the Illinois River. Come see Towering St. Peters Sandstone bluffs, soaring bald eagles and beautiful lotus flowers.
$29 / night
$6 / night
Located only 1 hour from Chicago! Our private Campground is PERFECT for the BEGINNER camper! Camp with your vehicle just steps from your tent. WE are right on the water! All sites are Fully wooded Sandy Beach camping.
Forget Something? Downtown Morris is just steps away, or Walmart/Jewel(5min). Need a shower? No problem! Morris Community Swimming pool (1mile away) features a shower/locker room facility and swimming pool. KayakMorris Outdoor Learning Campground is a new concept in recreational fun for all. KayakMorris' Campground was created out of a need to connect a variety of people and groups to recreational land and outdoor experiential learning programs and features GLAMPING!
We are combining easy access to kayaking, biking, canoeing, fishing, geocaching and hiking all in one great place! We make it FUN! We are even just steps away from historic downtown Morris, which features antique shops, novelty stores and great restaurants. We feature full sand beaches on the Illinois River and we are adjacent to the historic I & M canal and towpath featuring fishing, hiking, biking and geocaching.
Our Campground is specifically for families, youth and those with the utmost respect for the Great Outdoors! We cater to those that seek to escape to the wilderness and spend relaxing time with their friends and family. We pride ourselves in limiting camping privileges to families, youth and those that are truly outdoor enthusiasts.
All camping is online reservation only(unless you have camped with us before). You must be 21 y.o. to make a camping reservation.
$29 / night
The Youth Group Camping area is only reservable for approved youth groups (youth 18 years of age and younger with adult chaperones) such as scout packs and church youth group organizations.
Primitive Camping!
Opening April 1, 2021
Site rate : $25 (for 2 people)
Additional people per site: $10 each (Maximum 4 per site)
Enter and register at Red’s City Limits
“On the curve, at the Creek”
Firewood, water, basic supplies available on site
The Hennepin Canal State Park is not enrolled in the ReserveAmerica camping reservation system and DOES NOT take camping reservations. Camping at the Canal is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no set check-in or check-out times. The Canal’s site security officer makes rounds to each campsite to collect camping fees, in-person. Campers can pay by cash or check.
Camping along the Hennepin Canal towpath is PROHIBITED – camping is only allowed in the designated campsites. Fires are only allowed in the state designated fire pits at the campgrounds. Camping is not permitted in the main complex area (the area around the visitor center).
Currently, the ONLY DRINKING WATER available on the ENTIRE canal is located at the main parking lot in front of the visitor center at the large shelter. There is also a faucet on the side of the visitor center, just to the left of the main entrance. There are no operable drinking water fountains along the rest of the canal so bring your own water for your hike or camping trip.
Campgrounds with multiple campsites along the canal can be found at Lock 21, North Day Use Area
Equestrian camping is restricted to the south side of the Lock 21 area. Equestrian campers are asked to bring a shovel to clear their own horse droppings, which may be pushed off to the side of the trail. There is no tethering to trees.
If you are not familiar with the canal it may be confusing trying to find the campsites. Stop by the Hennepin Canal Visitor Center to pick up a detailed map of the canal, which shows all of the country crossroads. You can also call the visitor center and ask to be mailed a copy: 815-454-2328. I
$8 / night
Castle Rock State Park is located along the west bank of the Rock River in Ogle County, three miles south of Oregon, on Ill. Rt. 2. Castle Rock camping is centrally located in the Rock River Hills region of Illinois, and its rolling topography is drained by the Rock River. The park is representative of the Rock River Hills area with rock formations, ravines and unique northern plant associations. A sandstone bluff, adjacent to the river, has given the park its name.
$6 / night
$26 - $40 / night
$8 - $12 / night
Guide
We were so happy with the size of the tent camping sites. They were mostly all flat, plenty of space and gave privacy from the neighbors. We were at site 28 which had both sun and shade. Right across from the pit toilets which I wouldn’t pick next time. There was no shower house or running water in the loop we were at. Across the street were the electric rv sites and a few tent sites. Only compliant is even from the middle of the campground we could hear the road noise. Otherwise great!
GuideTwo main camp grounds. Main rv/ tent camp ground has clean pit toilets and well maintained sites. Primitive camp ground on the east side of the main entrence is very basic yet spaced far enough apart to have some privicy
GuideWe tent camped in the Shady Rest Loop. The B sites (we were B-36) are a strip on one side on the loop. It’s mostly RVs and a shower facility is close by. You get shower access with the B tent sites. They have reserve and walk up. There is a fairly big road that can be noisy. There are tent sites across the road but we did not check them out. Loredo Taft sculpted the large Blackhawk statue on the river (also sculpted the alma mater at U if I). There are some wide hiking trails, very shaded. AT&T got decent cell service in camp. The camp host will sell you firewood. Wed-Sun they have a snack shop with hot dogs and ice cream type stuff. There are volleyball and basketball court, playground and lots of open space if you like to use for games. Fishing is a bit tough from the shore. If you had a boat it might be easier to put in and fish off some of the islands in the river. Water quality from the pumps seemed good. The camp ground is pretty open, so if you are looking for more secluded sites, this might not be for you. That said, aside from the road, it was pretty quiet but we camped mid week. The B sites in this loop were a bit slanted. And our site, B-36 was across the road from the streetlight, our car blocked it pretty well so not a if deal for us. A video of the loo and some pics of the sites are included. Enjoy your camping!
Scout
Met up with family to fit in one last night of tent camping for the year. They didn’t really take reservations and the pricing shifted on us (quoted $75 for 6 adults 4 kids over email, then $10 per person when we actually showed up) so that was a bit weird but I’m not too concerned bc it was still a great deal. This is basic campground—flush toilets/showers and 3 cabins available but no other amenities unless you include water/electric hookups. I couldnt tell where the primitive tent sites were bc the map online doesn’t quite line up with what we saw there. You’d come here to relax around the fire, play some outdoor games, maybe do a little walking, and that’s about it. It was just what we were looking for. Some people looked like they were going to try to fish but the water in the fishing area was low which makes me wonder if it gets really buggy in the summer. We were on 2 huge pull-thru sites with just our 2 tents and we were the only tent campers I saw—maybe 1/3 of other sites had RVs. Some seemed to be permanent so not sure if that is common? Views of the river were great, kindling was plentiful, and it was SO QUIET and peaceful at night! I usually don’t sleep the first night of camping because my brain has to tune in to the new noises but we got some good rest even with temps dipping down to 45. Would love to come back in the summer for longer.
Legend
Camped here twice-once tent and once in new camper. Well kept campground. Nice lake-good fishing. RV sites fairly close together with not many/any trees for privacy. Tent sites a bit more spread apart however all traffic from campground routes by tent sites due to one way traffic. There are more hike in tent sites that would provide more rustic experience.
Scout
And fun beach!! But no tent camping
Guide
Tent-camped here with my husband and dog and loved it! Great site, very clean, very peaceful!
Traveler
Located right on the river. There are many tent sites available and at a great price. The bathrooms located near the electrical sites have showers and running water. The bathrooms that are in the tent site only area are more like port-o-potty style. So in the heat of summer there are a lot of flies and you should have something to wash your hands ie no running water. I’d stay there again and the hosts were very sweet.
Guide
It's now called nature's way campground, it's quite nice,they have several cabins,tent sites, and nice pull thru rv sites.
Scout
We tent camped for one night the weekend of Independence Day. Very quiet campground. Clean and spacious camping areas with a nice bathroom and multiple shower stalls. Bring firewood with you. We plan to stop again on our next road trip!
Traveler
Clean bathrooms and showers, well maintained sites with water and electric. A bit cramped for tent camping as sites are small and no space between neighbors.
However 2 pools, activities, green river at back of campground for fishing, tubing, and trail hiking.
Ranger
Not worth the drive here to tent camp if you live outside of Kane county. Even their 9 hike-in primitive sites hugging the treeline lack privacy. Yes, all the sites are very flat. It's a nice field if that's what you look for in a campground.
Scout
The lake is beautiful. We did some fishing from the shore.
We went last minute and got one of the few remaining tent camping spots remaining.
These are a long walk from the lake and the bathrooms. Only pit toilets within walking distance.
Not a place we would go back to.
GuidePro: it's only $10 to tent camp.
Facilities are clean.
Con: it's state Park camping. For someone who prefers a more primitive camping style, it's a bit jarring to have no privacy between sites that are packed in tight together. But for $10, it still beats a hotel.
Scout
Condit’s Ranch is family friendly and away from it all. Sue and the staff could not be nicer. We did tent camping and the setup was perfect. Huge lot. Fire pit and electric.
The small fishing pond, the swimming hole and the clubhouse were great to mix in to keep the youngsters entertained.
ScoutOur family has been camping here for years. Starved Rock State Park and nearby Matthiessen State Park offer beautiful hiking, canyons, and waterfalls along the Illinois Michigan River.
Regarding the campground: There are several options for tent camping, RVing and trailers. I definitely recommend making reservations in advance as it tends to fill up quick!
Showers and toilets are… well… camping showers and toilets… nothing special but do the job.
There is a small town close by with lovely little cafes, shops, and gas station.
There is also a Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort that has an indoor water park and amusement park.
GuideNo tent camping allowed but pop up trailers on up are welcome. Very nice grounds that are quiet. 10 minute drive to town. 20 minutes from Dekalb. Some Covid 19 restrictions. Beach and restrooms are closed. Campers must have their own toilets. Other wise very clean shower house and restrooms if there were no Covid 19.
ScoutHas rustic tent sites along with camper sites with water and electric. Privies can get ripe in summertime but depending on your site you could walk to laundry shower building. Camp store has everything you forgot to bring along with boat canoe and pontoon rentals bait and tackle
Guide
Tent sites are right across from a park with a back drop creek that runs through the camp. Fish are very abundant. When the lake is open it’s great to bring kids for the water sports. They have dances every Saturday night. It’s mostly an RV park, but really great for the family.
ScoutNice clean area to camp. Most of the sites are for travel camper or RV’s.
A couple of drive Ups.
50/30 amps hookups. Water hookups as well. Great water pressure.
Running water restrooms & non-running water restrooms.
2-dump sites they have sections for tent camping- but down fall is they do not have showers.
Overall experience was great and we will return.
Ranger
This is a working ranch where you’re able to board your horse while camping yourself. They have a game room, snack bar, swimming pond, playground, water and electric hook-ups, shower building with flush toilets, and firewood. Rates start around $20 for a tent site. They’re open from April 15th to October.
TravelerStopped into Illini State Park on a Saturday night and was pleased to see plenty of spots open to roll into. Primitive tent sites were plentiful in the woods, and some RV sites along the water were open as well. It wasn’t the best park in the world, but for $10, it was a fine place to stop.
ScoutI got here after dark and paid for a walk-up reservation. They don’t differentiate tent and RV sites, so I picked one that looked like it wouldn’t be near other RVs since I’m tent camping. Registration was easy although a bit confusing about credit card options. Everyone was quiet and the bathrooms were clean.
A dog ran up to my tent and scared the crap out of me at like 11pm, but he quickly apologized. I’m not sure if he was unleashed or on a long leash, but there were a lot of dogs.
GuideWent tent camping here and reserved our spot in advance. We bought fire wood from a locals front lawn at the entrance to the state park. Put 5$ in the bin and take a bundle. Its 30 mins away from Starved Rock and Matthiesson State Park. Good hiking. The river spots are all booked by large RVs and the tent spots have grills over the fire pits and picnic tables. lots of tree cover which came in handy when it rained in the morning. Otherwise great weather and not buggy. Dogs allowed.
GuideStarved rock has so much to offer. trails that lead to caves, waterfalls, lakes and beautiful scenery all around. great for kids too. I have a two and 10 year old and they both do great on all the trails. the campground is pretty but a typical Midwest campground. Some spots are more secluded than others. Some are wooded others are open. Clean bathrooms, RV and tent camping. Firepits. close to the park so you can get up and hike!
Guide
This campground is located just north of Kewanee, Illinois. It has a lake with seasonal canoe, kayak and paddle boat rentals and a cafe. The trails are fairly short but can be combined to include 8 miles of trail. The campground is not terribly big but has a shower house in addition to some pit toilets. One large section of the campground is walk up non-electric sites in a grove of pine trees. It’s lovely! Perfect for hammocks. Shady but open enough to get a breeze. There are electric sites as well but, since I tent camp, I’m. It familiar with those. No issues with noise either. As a matter of fact, I camped over a perfect July weekend and the campground host wasn’t even there all weekend and there were no issues.
GuideBeautiful spot for our single overnight. Staff were great; friendly and helpful. Park was well kept, with lots of green around RV and tent sites. Nice pool, dog park, store, and even a stream system that wanders through the park (no swimming in the stream). Also close to Starved Rock State Park for some neat scenery and hiking. The only downside side is that some of the RV sites are a little close together - didn’t impact our stay though. Two thumbs up! :)
Tent camping near North Utica, Illinois, offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near North Utica, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near North Utica, IL is Kayak Starved Rock Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
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