Best Cabin Camping near Orangeville, IL

Several cabin options are available within a 20-mile radius of Orangeville, Illinois, offering varying levels of amenities and comfort. Rock Cut State Park features basic cabins with electricity but no running water, while White Pines Forest State Park Campground provides rustic cabin accommodations nestled among pine trees. Most cabins include fire pits and picnic tables outside, with basic furnishings inside. According to one visitor, "We stayed in the tent section and also used the 30 amp service with our Class B van. Plenty of sites to choose from during the week but tends to get crowded on weekends." Lena KOA offers a more developed cabin experience with private bathroom facilities, while Lowden State Park Campground provides cabin options with access to nearby hiking trails.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. The more primitive cabins typically feature basic sleeping platforms, while deluxe options at locations like Timber Lake Resort include kitchenettes, furnished living areas, and private bathrooms. A recent review noted, "If you do end up renting one of the cabins, be sure to remember to bring your own bed linens, towels, toiletries and anything you need to make use of the kitchen." Most cabins require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months from May through October. Pet policies vary by location, with Rock Cut State Park, White Pines, and Lena KOA all allowing pets at their cabin sites with certain restrictions.

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities range from none in primitive cabins to basic refrigerators and microwaves in more deluxe options. The camp stores at Rock Cut State Park and White Pines Forest provide basic camping supplies, firewood, and limited groceries. Visitors staying at cabins near Orangeville can access additional supplies in nearby towns like Lena and Freeport. Cabins with electric hookups allow for heating in cooler months, making some locations like Rock Cut State Park viable for off-season visits when fewer amenities may be available. As one camper mentioned, "The park and one loop of the campground remains open year-round, however the water and facilities with plumbing shut down at the end of October."

Best Cabin Sites Near Orangeville, Illinois (29)

    1. Crazy Horse Campground

    15 Reviews
    Evansville, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 897-2207

    "Friendly staff and a nicely stocked store. Has a pool, petting zoo, kayaks, rocky beach, dog park, and a land pillow!"

    "We have camped here twice once in the fall once in the summer during the summer they provide at no charge kayaks and a shuttle to a drop-off point which you can kayak back down to the campground which"

    2. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "There are some sites out in the open and some that are totally private and secluded. "

    "Just outside of the sprawling metropolitan area of Rockford, Illinois, the recreational oasis of Rock Cut State Park awaits."

    3. Lena KOA

    3 Reviews
    Lena, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 369-2612

    "Spots are spaced apart nicely. Many activities for kids and adults. Also, a pool, showers and if you just want a weekend getaway they have cabins as well."

    "It is about 40 minutes away, but is nice to be away from the traffic. The KOA store is well stocked and has some pretty cool souvenirs!"

    4. White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Mount Morris, IL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 946-3717

    "Easy drive up style. Picnic tables and fire pits on site. Bathrooms and dumpster close by. River that is walk and drive through!"

    "Very clean, and beautiful hiking trails. My only complaint would be that at the private cabins you are not allowed to cook out."

    5. Lowden State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Oregon, IL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 732-6828

    $10 - $20 / night

    "We had a great stay at Lowden State Park. We arrived later in the evening and the park host greeted us and our name was at our reserved site already. We were at site #21."

    "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."

    6. Blue Mound State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Blue Mounds, WI
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 947-2757

    $18 / night

    "This campground is very clean and both shower house and  vault toilets are as well.  Sites are well spaced and each have fire pit/grill and picnic table. "

    "Campsites, trails and facilities were immaculate."

    7. Timber Lake Resort

    3 Reviews
    Stockton, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 244-1600

    $60 / night

    "We were surprised to have a bar right outside our campsite, but with an RV running the fan all night the noise didn't bother us at all."

    8. Milton-Madison SE KOA

    18 Reviews
    Edgerton, WI
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 868-4141

    "Big fire pits, they pick up your garbage. Lots of stuff for kids to do"

    "There are 2 playgrounds, a nice pool, games and activities for the kids over weekends, and the rv sites are well spaced. We had a back in spot right up to a field. Very pretty and peaceful."

    9. Hickory Hills Campground

    12 Reviews
    Edgerton, WI
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 884-6327

    $42 / night

    "The sites close to the store are so nice! wooded and somewhat private. Love that they have a sparkling clean (but cold!) pool and a lake with a beach!"

    "Hidden from site, the entire grounds are completely surrounded by a very thick wall of tall trees that barricades this place from most of civilization."

    10. Timber Lake Resort and Campground

    2 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 244-1600

    "Highly recommend Timber Lake Resort"

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Cabin Reviews near Orangeville, IL

267 Reviews of 29 Orangeville Campgrounds


  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2024

    Northwoods RV Resort

    New Campground Scent Emanates From this Freshly Minted RV Outpost

    My first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.

    Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 3, 2024

    Hickory Hills Campground

    Family-Oriented Campsite Hidden From Plain View

    Unless you knew of Hickory Hills Campground, you wouldn’t happen across this site by luck or accident. While technically within the small itty bitty town of Edgerton, Hickory Hills is located far enough north and east for one to scratch their head in a bit of abject confusion. Located due east of the major highway of 39/90, as you are barreling north or south in the south-central area of Wisconsin, you would have to exit off State Highway 73, where you see signs for the small hamlet of Albion, from which you’ll head north a smidge, until you catch State Highway 106 east until you run into an intersection with Hillside Road, where you’ll head north for about a few miles until you come across Hickory Hills Campground on your right.

    Directions aside, this campground will immediately feel to you as though it is certainly dated as you’ll discover that the buildings and overall infrastructure are a bit dilapidated and definitely in needed of repair. That said, the thickly wooded forest that encircles this campground creates a sense of peace and serenity that are unmatched. Plus, you are so far away from the major highway you likely just got off of, in addition to being so far away from any signs of civilization, you’ll feel completely burrowed away from all the noise, traffic and distractions you were eagerly trying to leave in the first place.

    As for the campground itself, this is an update from my previous post, where I wanted to share an update as well as some additional photos. For the most part, despite 2+ years passing since writing my initial review, not much has changed here apart from brand new management, where you’ll still enjoy a smattering of overnight accommodations, whether that’s a cottage, bunk hose, smartly outfitted cabins, substantial number of back-in and pull-through RV slots (complete with the standard electric, water and sewage hook-ups) as well as primitive tent camping spots. Other amenities include: campground store, 172 acre spring-fed lake with its own beachhead, oversized inflatables, mini-golf, shuffleboard, fully-stocked snack bar, swimming pool, rowboat & canoe rentals, athletic field, basketball courts, sand volleyball court, dedicated fishing spots, shower & restroom facilities, horseshoe pits, Gaga pit, playgrounds, space ball, water wars and a massive jumping pillow.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re looking to get your fishing on, what’s great about Hickory Hills Campground is that they provide you direct access to Rice Lake, where you’ll catch no shortage of blue gills, small and large mouthed bass, bullheads and crappie; (2) Once you grow tired of conjuring up that next meal from your roto-molded Cordova cooler or onboard RV mini-fridge, I’ll be honest, you might be challenged as you are clear out in the middle of nowhere, but that said, if you don’t mind a short drive, head east where you’ll find Outpost, which sits right on Lake Koshkonong and offers up a stunning log cabin wooden bar offering a sublime selection of local, domestic and import beers on tap, a well-stocked liquor bar and a typical Wisconsin food-shilling restaurant offering up bites like duck bacon wontons, ultimate grilled cheese, where you’ll want to splurge and get it with bacon and tomato, as well as some decently smoked brisket; (3) If you’d like a nice slice of old school Americana while you are in these parts, head on over to Little Amerricka Amusement Park that will keep your kiddos entertained and off the smart phones for at least 2-3 hours as they will enjoy this retro-1950s amusement theme park; and (4) Should you elect to learn a bit of local history, head on over to either Milton House Museum or Stoughton Historical Museum, both of which will make you more educated on the place you happen to be in than most of the folks here.

    Happy Camping!

  • M
    Aug. 13, 2022

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Camped Here Several Times

    I have camped in the tent section and also used the 30 amp service with our Class B van.  Plenty of sites to choose from during the week but tends to get crowded on weekends.  There are some sites out in the open and some that are totally private and secluded.  It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days.  Once you have a couple favorites you can then book in advance online.

    It does get congested and noisy on the weekends and holidays but can be a very peaceful and relaxing campground during the non-busy days.  There is obviously the lake, hiking and biking paths throughout the park, 2 camp stores, showers and plenty of restrooms scattered around the park.

    Pet friendly.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    An Easy Respite from City Life

    Just outside of the sprawling metropolitan area of Rockford, Illinois, the recreational oasis of Rock Cut State Park awaits. With miles of walking, hiking, biking, and even some intermediate mountain biking single track around a damned lake, there is plenty for every outdoor enthusiast to enjoy. 

    The campsites offer a spacious escape from the city, with the usual amenities of fire ring and picnic table, but most had long paved driveways and electrical hook-ups to boot.  But our site had plenty of sun, so we were able to run on solar and not worry about the hookups.

    The bathrooms appeared to have full-flush facilities with hot showers, however these were not open in November when we arrived.  Instead, pit toilets (fairly clean) were available for use. The park and one loop of the campground remains open year-round, however the water and facilities with plumbing shut down at the end of October. 

    All of the trails double as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing areas as well, so don’t think of this as just a summer time getaway. We experienced one of the best late fall summers ever in November, 70 degrees during the day and cool at night. It was perfect, and while the place was full over the weekend, it never felt too crowded.

    Just outside of the park boundary the suburban sprawl encroaches, so gas, ice, and groceries couldn’t be any more convenient. The winding park roads help slow things down and make it feel like you’ve wandered into a little slice of the wild on the edge of the prairie.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2023

    Lake LaDonna Family Campground

    Lakefront Pasture Family Campground Getaway

    Let’s begin by highlighting what an amazing family-oriented, mega-campground compound this is, perfectly situated on Lake LaDonna, which offers up non-stop fun for every member of your family - young and old alike. And it doesn’t matter if you’re driving an RV, hauling a 5th Wheel or looking to pitch a tent – whatever you are bringing to camp out underneath the stars out here in the Midwest prairieland, no worries, Lake LaDonna Family Campground has a spot for you. And even if you don’t have anything, it’s not a problem, as this campground will easily rent you one of their A/C-equipped cabins (either Primitive of Deluxe) that offer up a stove-top, oven, refrigerator, wet bar and full-sized bathroom with shower. 

    Throughout the entire campground, you’ll find there’s tons of shade with ample amounts of giant oaks lining the pathways and roads along with 2 meandering streams that create a really cool natural vibe. The most consequential amenity here at LaDonna is, of course, the lake itself, which provides a pretty amazing white sand beachhead. This is unusual because of, well, let's be frank, here smack dab in the middle of north central Illinois, there should not be any beachheads, so you’ve got to appreciate this man-made convenience that offers up a perfect spot for sunbathing, sipping Mai Tais or building a sandcastle. There’s tons of water toys here including two oversized Funbrellas that offer a decent amount of shade during a hot summer day. You’ll discover there’s a rope swing deck that sits atop a pirate ship, where you can plunge through 30 foot tall waterfalls before hitting the nice cold lake water. Waterslides, trampoline, floating innertubes and water spray cannons are also a blast for the kids that will be sure to keep them entertained all day long. As a parent, what I appreciated most of all is the fact that LaDonna has very well-trained, certified lifeguards who remain constantly vigilant about keeping an eye on your kid’s safety, leaving us parents to enjoy our time worry-free. 

    Off the water, the amenities don’t stop, and also include: basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, kids playground, outdoor stage and pavilion, live music, themed weekends, full-service lodge and market selling snacks, beverages, groceries, ice, candy, sundries, beach toys and firewood. Let’s just say, if you forgot anything, it’s definitely a drive from here back to civilization, but LaDonna has you covered, once again. For RVers, there’s full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric and water) along with flat pads that are easy to get set-up on for just about any size of RV. There’s a designated dump station in the corner of the campground that you would have passed just as you crossed the railroad tracks to access the entrance of LaDonna right on Harmony Road. Most all sites come with a BBQ grill, fire ring and picnic table. 

    As for the downsides, there are really just two to be aware of. First of all, if you are just a day camper or looking for a nice long weekend to enjoy out in the midst of nature, you will feel like a second-class citizen here at Lake LaDonna, who places much more focus and provides greater service and access to those RVers who are seasonal. And from a business standpoint, while I understand it, as a weekend tent camper, it’s certainly a draw back. What do I mean? Well, if you book a weekend like we did, you are only allowed certain spaces to choose from that are earmarked for overnight or non-seasonal campers, which have basically been isolated right next to the train tracks. This is the second, but arguably, the biggest negative for LaDonna – if you are located right next to the train tracks, at least once a night, if not 2-3 times a night, you will be startled awake by the blaring horn of the train and after it passes, a good 10-15 minutes of a roaring train, which our kids were certainly frightened of. So if you do come, a simple solution is to bring ear buds, if your negotiation efforts aren’t good enough to land you a spot somewhere far enough from the tracks where the commotion won’t disturb you. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you do end up renting one of the cabins, be sure to remember to bring your own bed linens, towels, toiletries and anything you need to make use of the kitchen. I have to admit, when I heard that the cabins didn’t come furnished with this stuff, I wasn’t as interested; (2) While the Pioneer cabins are moderately priced at $75-$85, I thought the Deluxe cabins were a bit pricey at $129-$149 for what they offered; (3) Should you be interested in getting some good hiking in, head back east to Route 2, where you can access the decent trails at Castle Rock State Park, including Pond Trail with 2 miles of easy-to-moderate trails and Oak Ridge Trail, which is a bit more challenging, but only a single mile in length, with Fox Trail the shortest at a half mile, but quite scenic. These 3 trails make up the South Trails; (4) The far better and more challenging hiking over at Castle Rock SP can be found with the North Trails, where there’s a total of 5 trails to choose from: River Bluff (.5 mile), Wildlife Viewing (1 mile), Heather Valley (2 miles), Timber Edge (1/4 mile) and Forest Ridge (1 Mile). These make up the North Trails; (5) There’s also a sweet little picnic area up here in the North Trails area called Aspen Ridge that is nice, and closer to the river, near River Bluff trail, you’ll see the picturesque Old Orchard picnic area, which I highly recommend; and (6) When you get tired of trying to figure out that next meal from your on-board mini-fridge or from the depths of your roto-molded Cordova cooler, head east to Oregon (the town, not the state, mind you) and try out Jay’s Drive-In, which will take you back to the 1950’s where you can pull up, stay seated in your car and have a server take your order from the parking lot, or head on inside, where you can put some quarters in the juke box while munching on any of the traditional burgers and hot dog combinations you might imagine, although I HIGHLY recommend trying out one of their pork tenderloin sandwiches and washing it all down with a chocolate cake shake.  Yeah.  A cake shake.  Go ahead, just process that!

    Happy Camping!

  • Debra M.
    Jul. 3, 2021

    Blue Mound State Park Campground

    Great family spot with pool and splash pad

    We visited on July 4th weekend.  This campground is very clean and both shower house and  vault toilets are as well.  Sites are well spaced and each have fire pit/grill and picnic table.  Some are electric and map  shows them as numbered  E sites.  

    This campground has a nice playground, hiking trails both short and longer and bike trails.  It is a bit hilly and there are several mountain bike trails.  The pool is very nice and very clean.  There  is a pool section and a splash section.   There are chairs and lounges around both and shade awnings.  The cost is $3 for and adult and $2 for child.  Near by is Blue Mounds Caves.  We did not go, but there is much on the internet about the caves and they are recommended for even young children.   Internet signal at the campgrounds was good.  We have Verizon and could stream movies.  We also have AT &T and could access the net but could not stream.   This is one of the nicer WI campgrounds I have visited.

  • M
    Aug. 12, 2019

    Blanding Landing

    Nice campground, near river, also near noisy train

    Overall nice campground. Hosts are friendly and I saw rangers driving through multiple times. Each site includes picnic table and fire pit. Most have electric. 

    The toilets in the back part by the electric campsites are pit toilets. Flush toilets, sink, and showers up by the check in area. There’s a playground for kids. 

    Sites by the river don’t have much shade. Sites by the tracks are the most “wooded” but also right near the trains. Trains are noisy—we slept through them but are also used to living by a train station. Your mileage may vary on that one. 

    We (tent campers) had site 24. It’s the last site in that part of the driveway and I recommend it because you have a lot of open space to one side plus not far from water or bathrooms. The most wooded sites are at the end farthest away from the entrance but tent campers should know there are a lot of RVs down there usually. 

    We used this as a stop over on a longer road trip. If you like boating or fishing this is probably a good fit. Galena and Dubuque are not far. Overall not a lot of hiking or activities in the immediate area though. Good option for an overnight.

    As a note, we have ATT and had decent cell service here.

  • Stacie H.
    May. 29, 2022

    White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    Lovely natural scenery; campground leaves something to be desired

    Let's start with the good stuff:

    • The park is beautiful. Lovely trees, lots of shade, the hiking trails are nice, well marked, and they even have an accessible trail for those with disabilities!
    • There is a restaurant and gift shop on site. Gift shop sells wood if you run low or forget.
    • The bathrooms and shower house are relatively clean and well kept.

    Now for the not so great stuff:

    • Many of the campsites are sloped and some are sloped A LOT. This isn't obvious from the booking page.

    • The campground is absolutely jammed with camp sites- it's ridiculous. I've never been to a campground where the sites were so on top of one another.

    • We stayed in the Sunny Crest loop and the drinking water well was broken so we had to travel to other parts of the campground for water. When carrying a 10 gallon jug full of water back, that really sucked.

    • The sites that are marked as "hike in" aren't secluded and away from other sites at all, as one might expect. They are jammed in with all the others but there just isn't any parking nearby.

    • It had rained the day before was went and so the road to the campgrounds was blocked off (presumably because the creek was running too high), but there was NO SIGNAGE telling us how to get there another way. There was no one in the park office or in the camping registration station to ask. We finally figured out that we had to take an emergency road/auxiliary road to get to the campground, but that was after about 30 minutes of confusion.

    • The breakfast buffet at the restaurant is mid but very pricey- $50 for 2 of us.

    • The quiet hours and no alcohol policy are not enforced at all. While we were there, there was a very loud group playing beer pong into the wee hours of the morning.

    • About half of the fire rings don't have grill grates so bring your own or bring a camp stove (See pic). Also, when you book your site, there is no way to know if your fire ring will have a grill grate or note.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2023

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Campground Jackpot in Northern Illinois

    For whatever reason you find yourself up here in northern Illinois, whether just entering the Land of Lincoln or fleeing to the 'nation of cheese curds' to the north (a.k.a. Wisconsin) – only 10 minutes from this natural outcrop by the way – be sure to stop by this multi-campus nature preserve camping outpost. With more than 3,000 acres of wetlands, tall grasses and protected forest preserves, Rock Cut SP packs a punch from a camping perspective as it offers up so much in such a concise area of land that has Pierce Lake perfectly placed in its center. 

    The biggest problem you are likely to encounter here is exactly which of the 7 (yes, I just said 7!) campgrounds to stay at: Staghorn, Prairie View, Plum Grove, Hickory Hills, White Oak, Equestrian or Youth Group. And if 7 campgrounds aren’t enough, there’s also a single rustic cabin with electricity (mind you, no running water or even a bathroom) you can rent as well as 3 other smaller, really intimate primitive camping spots (that are actually my favorite) with the following names: Hawk, Crow and Owl, which sit along the same lane opposite the Youth Group campground on this eastern stretch just due north of the lake.  Over here, you'll also see the boat launch area.

    For this particular review, I will focus my efforts on detailing Staghorn, which is the second campground (with the first campground you pass by being Prairie View) you will come across after entering Rock Cut SP from its northernmost entrance, with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east. Once you enter the park, you will follow the long winding nicely paved roadway until you begin seeing the signs highlighting where to go for the various campgrounds. Once you access this road, you’ll come across a small building with a smiling SP ranger inside where you will register, after which, you will pass by a designated dump station before coming around a small bend where you will take your second right (careful: taking that first right will have you driving into Staghorn the wrong way!). 

    The sites begin with #300 and as you circumnavigate the simple circular loop, you will pass by about 2 dozen or so slots that are nice flat paved slots perfect for just about any RV or 5th Wheel. You will note that the odd numbered sites are on the exterior while the even numbered sites are located on the interior of the loop. There are two his / her restrooms located at Staghorn with the first being placed behind the campground host sites (#302 and#304) at the beginning of the loop, while the second is strategically placed towards the end of the loop behinds sites #324 and #326. At the end of the loop there is also a designated trash area just past site #331. To access the shower, you will need to go back to the main road and hike it down the road with your towel and toiletries, which makes the latter sites (#318+) more attractive for their convenient location to the bathhouse (if that’s important to you). 

    As far as amenities go, Rock Cut SP offers up an awful lot (if the 7 campgrounds weren’t enough to help you arrive at that conclusion). In addition to all of the camping options, of course, one of the greatest assets here is the very massive Pierce Lake, which is great for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming. In the Staghorn campground specifically, in addition to restroom and waste disposal, you’ll also have access to running water spigots at each site along with running electric. A single amphitheater is located centrally just past the camp store and before reaching the Hickory Hills campground. While I'm at it, this camp store in the middle of Rock Cut SP is just decent (not amazing) and offers up ice, firewood, ice cream, snacks, games, limited groceries and a number of other sundries you might need while camping. In all, there are 5 shelters that have electricity, water and restrooms nearby, with each shelter available by reserving them well in advance. Two of the shelters (Red Oak and Puri Crest) also have children’s playgrounds nearby. To launch your watercraft, you’ll have to head south to Hickory Hills campground where on the eastern side of this area you’ll be able to find the boat launch. To make a reservation either to camp or rent out a shelter, you’ll have to visit the ExporeMoreIL site to make a reservation. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best sites here in Staghorn are those that are positioned on the exterior of the loop and located furthest from the main road, for the obvious reasons being less traffic, less noise and more privacy. As such, odd-numbered sites from #301 to #319 are the best spots as they deliver peace & quiet, privacy and thus an intimate nature experience; (2) Once you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your onboard RV fridge, fret not, and just head out of the park where you will find a handful of dining options, including: Tom& Jerry’s, Fresh Start Café, Waffle Shop, Golden Chopsticks Buffet, Sunrise Family Restaurant, Beef-A-Roo (in fact, there’s like 4 of these that the park is surrounded by, so apparently they are very popular), but one of my absolute favorites is Pig Minds Brewery Company, which is, surprisingly, a Vegan joint, but one nonetheless that you can grab a number of seriously astonishingly awesome brews; (3) If you are on the prowl to see some of the most amazing animals that call northern Illinois their home, then you’ve hit the wild animal jackpot with easy viewing of white-tailed deer, red foxes, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, woodchucks and beavers; (4) But because there are so many wild animals out here, be sure to keep your domesticated pets on a leash (as its a requirement here at Rock Cut SP); and (5) If you would like to experience a bit of Illinois history, you could go for a nice long drive to the northwest corner of Illinois where you can experience Galena or if you don’t have enough time for that, then just head south of Rock Cut SP to check out Midway Village Museum. 

    Happy Camping!


Guide to Orangeville

Cabin camping near Orangeville, Illinois offers access to the Sugar River watershed and its tributaries at an elevation of around 850 feet above sea level. Most cabin rental options lie within a 30-mile radius, creating a convenient base for exploring the region's prairie restoration areas and wooded ravines. Several campgrounds remain open through October, though many reduce services after Labor Day.

What to do

Water activities on Pierce Lake: At Rock Cut State Park, visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking on the large lake. "Lake Pierce is wonderful and great for fishing, if you want something a bit more challenging, then head due west to the Rock River, where you can drop in from a number of launch sites," notes one camper.

River tubing and kayaking: Crazy Horse Campground provides complimentary kayak rentals with a shuttle service. "During the summer they provide at no charge kayaks and a shuttle to a drop-off point which you can kayak back down to the campground which takes about an hour and a half," explains a visitor who appreciated the well-spaced shuttles.

Hiking through pine forests: The trails at White Pines Forest State Park offer unique scenery uncommon in northern Illinois. A visitor notes, "There are a handful of trails around the park that allow you to do a variety of hikes. Along the trails you'll find some spots that remain from the CCC."

Local attractions: Within 20 minutes of Lena KOA, you can visit historic sites and museums. "This is a great place to stay when in the Galena area. It is about 40 minutes away, but is nice to be away from the traffic," shares one camper who enjoyed the well-stocked store.

What campers like

Unique river crossings: At White Pines Forest State Park Campground, the road features water crossings. One camper recalled, "This was my favorite place to go camping as a kid because you could drive through the water! There's a creek/river that runs through the park and the road runs through it in two spots."

Spring-fed lake access: Hickory Hills Campground offers fishing opportunities in their 172-acre lake. "If you're looking to get your fishing on, what's great about Hickory Hills Campground is that they provide you direct access to Rice Lake, where you'll catch no shortage of blue gills, small and large mouthed bass, bullheads and crappie," shares a regular visitor.

Observation points: The elevation changes provide scenic views at some parks. A visitor to Lowden State Park Campground mentioned, "Very nice campground for weekend getaways. Less than two hours from western suburbans of Chicago. Just about a mile from Oregon where you can find a number of bars and restaurants."

Entertainment options: Several cabin rental facilities offer organized activities. At Timber Lake Resort, "There was events going on even during rain. The Margarita bar was where bingo, bags tournament and band were at," according to one satisfied guest.

What you should know

Limited water access at some sites: At Lowden State Park Campground, "Water is available at certain locations not at individual lots," a visitor points out. This requires planning for your water needs.

Cabin amenities vary widely: While some offer electricity only, others include kitchen facilities. When staying at cabins near Orangeville, remember that "If you do end up renting one of the cabins, be sure to remember to bring your own bed linens, towels, toiletries and anything you need to make use of the kitchen."

Seasonal facility closures: Many parks reduce services in fall. "The park and one loop of the campground remains open year-round, however the water and facilities with plumbing shut down at the end of October," notes a Rock Cut State Park visitor.

Site levelness concerns: At White Pines, "Many of the campsites are sloped and some are sloped A LOT. This isn't obvious from the booking page," warns one camper who found the online descriptions lacking this important detail.

Tips for camping with families

Pool and splash pad access: Blue Mound State Park Campground offers swimming options that kids enjoy. "This campground has a nice playground, hiking trails both short and longer and bike trails. The pool is very nice and very clean. There is a pool section and a splash section," notes a visitor who appreciated the shade awnings around the pool area.

Kid-friendly hiking trails: White Pines Forest State Park features hikes suitable for younger children. A parent shares, "We've gone camping here the last two Memorial Day weekends with our three kids currently aged 8, 6, and 3. The hikes are all very doable, there is a playground, ice cream at the lodge and a few wide open spaces for frisbee or playing catch."

Activity bracelet considerations: Some campgrounds charge per-person for activities. At Crazy Horse Campground, "They have a Daily Activity bracelet that allows you to partake in all activities but you need to purchase per person for each day regardless if you will utilize," explains a camper who found the activities worthwhile despite the cost.

Rainy day options: Cabin camping provides shelter when weather turns. Several parks offer indoor recreation spaces, and the cabins at Timber Lake Resort include enough space for board games and indoor activities.

Tips from RVers

Electrical limitations: Milton-Madison SE KOA offers both 30-amp and 50-amp options for RVs. "The pull through space was level and allowed staying hooked up to truck. Full hook ups was nice for the last stop before parking til next trip," reports one traveler.

Navigating tighter sites: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger units. At White Pines Forest, a visitor cautions, "The sites are a nice size although if you have something other than a tent getting it into the sites might prove difficult. We camped with the pop-up and were able to get our pop up in a spot but there are no pads."

Shower house conditions: Facilities vary significantly between parks. A Rock Cut State Park visitor noted, "Shower buildings were clean enough, but very old with bad shower heads," suggesting RVers might prefer using their onboard facilities when possible.

Off-season considerations: RVers should check which utilities remain available late in the season. Several parks maintain electricity year-round, making them viable for cooler weather cabin camping near Orangeville with proper planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Orangeville, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Orangeville, IL is Crazy Horse Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 15 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Orangeville, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 29 cabin camping locations near Orangeville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.