Cabins near Colona, Illinois cluster along the Mississippi River basin at an elevation of approximately 600 feet. This region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Seasonal availability varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering year-round cabin access while others close from November through March.
What to do
Fishing access: 4 stocked lakes at Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park offer multiple species. "Park offers 4 lakes for fishing, paddling, and a seasonal beach for swimming with concessions. Park has hiking trails, world-class disc golf course, playgrounds, picnicking, shelter rentals," notes a camper.
Canoe and kayak rentals: Available at Rock Creek County Marina and Campground for exploring Mississippi River backwaters. "They also have cabins and canoe/kayak rental, a visitor shop with food/drink and a mini museum of the local wildlife. Great place for the family," shares a visitor.
Hennepin Canal exploration: Located directly along the historic waterway, Geneseo Campground provides excellent access for water activities. "Right on the Hennepin Canal. Not far from town. Everyone was nice and very clean shower house," reports one camper.
What campers like
Secluded pine forests: Chief Keokuk Campground offers a distinctive camping environment. "The sites in the pines are very nice. They have fc/fs sites. Spacious sites. Nice facilities," mentions a reviewer. Another notes, "If you like your hammock, or anything you can string between trees, this is the place."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several cabins provide excellent wildlife observation points. "Expect to see whitetail deer as they love to make the park home," mentions a camper at Chief Keokuk Campground.
Educational facilities: Nature centers supplement cabin stays with learning opportunities. "This campground has an assortment of primitive and electrical sites. They also have cabins and canoe/kayak rental, a visitor shop with food/drink and a mini museum of the local wildlife," notes a Rock Creek County visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Many facilities close during winter months. "CG is open yest round with sites offering: fire ring/firewood, tables, water, electric, pads, office, seasonal host, recycling," reports a visitor about Summit Campground.
Shower facilities vary: Quality ranges from basic to excellent. "Bathroom facilities where fantastic and a reason for potential return. I have only seen a couple other campgrounds over ten years of camping that compared. They must have recently done a remodel."
Insect activity: Due to proximity to water, bug protection is essential. "Can be very buggy depending on season, right along backwaters, good fishing, wildlife viewing," notes a visitor to Rock Creek Marina.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programming: Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins offers nature-based activities. "The park offers miles of trails, fishing at pride Lake, a historical Pioneer Village within the park at the north, equestrian trails, bicycle trails," explains a reviewer.
Multiple playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "This campground has an assortment of primitive and electrical sites. They also have cabins and canoe/kayak rental, a visitor shop with food/drink and a mini museum of the local wildlife. Great place for the family."
Swimming options: Seasonal beach access provides water recreation. "CG sits above Railroad Lake and offers seasonal camping with standard sites including fire rings, tables, water, dump station, RR/showers,host. Firewood available, play ground, shade trees, trails. Park offers 4 lakes to fish and paddle, world-class disc golf, shelters to rent, play areas, while the beach offers swimming and concessions."
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some camping cabins near Colona have limited maneuvering space. "It was a little tricky backing into it. They put the site number posts at the end of the pad near the road and our site had a tree on the other side, so we had to use the grass across the road to maneuver in and out."
Highway noise considerations: Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA provides convenient interstate access but with associated noise. "Easy on/off the interstate. No traffic noise. Our site was across from the picnic area & we had a nice view of the lake. Nice place to relax after a day on the road."
Hookup limitations: Water access varies seasonally. "One of our favorite places to camp, kayak, and fish. The only downside side is no water/sewage hookup," reports a visitor about Chief Keokuk Campground.
