The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Ottawa, IL

481 Reviews

The Illinois River Valley surrounding Ottawa, Illinois features a diverse range of camping experiences within a relatively compact area. Starved Rock State Park, located about 10 miles southwest of Ottawa, anchors the region with its popular campground offering electric hookups and shower facilities amid wooded sites. Buffalo Rock State Park provides more primitive tent camping options with boat-in access directly in Ottawa, while nearby Illini State Park in Marseilles offers year-round camping with full hookups. The area's camping landscape includes both state-managed facilities and private operations like Starved Rock Family Campground and Kayak Starved Rock Campground, which provide riverfront sites with varying levels of amenities.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region, with summer humidity and occasional heavy rainfall requiring proper preparation. Many campgrounds operate year-round, though amenities may be limited during winter months. As one camper noted, "Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view." Reservations become essential during peak summer weekends and holidays, particularly at Starved Rock State Park. The relatively flat terrain throughout the area makes for easy site access, though some private campgrounds near Interstate 80 experience traffic noise that can detract from the outdoor experience.

River access represents a major draw for campers in the Ottawa area, with multiple sites offering views of or direct access to the Illinois River. Visitors frequently mention the unexpected natural beauty, with one camper remarking, "Didn't expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!" The region's campgrounds provide good proximity to hiking trails, particularly the canyon systems of Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Fishing opportunities abound along the river, while the I&M Canal Trail offers cycling possibilities for active campers. Wildlife viewing includes opportunities to spot bald eagles along the Illinois River, especially during spring and fall migrations.

Map showing campgrounds near Ottawa, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Ottawa, Illinois (82)

    1. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    9 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. Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    30 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    7 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."

    3. Pleasant Creek Campground

    28 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    10 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."

    4. Lasalle/Peru KOA

    14 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    10 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."

    5. Starved Rock Family Campground

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

    "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."

    "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"

    6. Kayak Starved Rock Campground

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

    $29 / night

    "We had an enjoyable weekend here relaxing and getting away from the city. We booked site 152 right from the website. The previsit instructions and tips were very helpful."

    "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"

    7. Whitetail Campground — Illini State Park

    9 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-2448

    $10 - $45 / night

    "or Illini) native American Indian tribe, who were one of the most prolific and important native American Indian tribes to have settled in the Mississippi River valley, of which large sections of Illinois"

    "It’s pretty close to Chicago so it works for weekend getaways. We stayed in the wooded loop. It’s rustic without electric/water hookups. The other loop looked more set up for rvs. "

    8. Nature’s Way RV Park

    7 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    12 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. "

    9. Buffalo Rock State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Ottawa, IL
    5 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.."

    10. Glenwood RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-6000
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 82 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Ottawa Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Ottawa, IL

150 Photos of 82 Ottawa Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Ottawa, IL

481 Reviews of 82 Ottawa Campgrounds

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Pleasant Creek Campground

    lives up to it's name, good option for Starved Rock area

    Because of it's layout, you never get a true sense of how big the whole campground is (50 acres). The largest and most open area is on top of the hill (the Highlands) but there are other areas that are shadier and more close to nature (Alcove way, Creekside, Oak Grove, the Glades). 
    Depending on the time of year, the creek may not be running, but the fishing pond is always full. Many activities in well maintained areas. It's a new campground and the general store hasn't built up much inventory yet. The firewood is dry and burns well. 

    Fire pits are basic steel circles, bring your own grill. 

    There's one central restroom with showers, clean and spacious, but it can be a walk from some areas (long hills too). 

    There are small cabins for rent and long-term sites are available.

  • J
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    Nice quiet place

    Water was available on my visit 10-7 thru 10-10. The place is clean and well kept, including the pit toilets. Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights.

  • Ray S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great campground with everything you would need

    This was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Nature’s Way RV Park

    Relaxing

    Clean and well maintained facility. Staff was organized and friendly. Pet friendly. We want to come back when we can stay longer.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • 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.

Guide to Ottawa

Camping near Ottawa, IL, offers a mix of beautiful nature 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: Explore the scenic trails at Starved Rock Campground. One visitor shared, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls and spectacular overlooks."
  • Fishing: Head to Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area for some great fishing. A camper noted, "This is the Muskie Capitol of Illinois, where you’ll find no shortage of bluegill, walleye, and perch."
  • Kayaking: Rent a kayak at Comlara County Park and enjoy the peaceful waters. One reviewer mentioned, "There are tons of little nooks and crannies around the lake to get some decent fishing in."

What campers like

  • Natural Beauty: Campers appreciate the stunning landscapes. A visitor at Starved Rock Campground said, "Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. One camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area remarked, "During the week there were just enough people for it not to feel creepily lonely."
  • Family-Friendly: Campgrounds like Blackwell Family Campground offer activities for kids. A parent shared, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have outdated facilities. A visitor at Starved Rock Campground noted, "Limited, dated and poorly maintained facilities."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise from nearby roads or trains. One camper at Paul Wolff Campground mentioned, "Heard 3 trains between 10 pm and 6 am."
  • Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can feel cramped. A reviewer at White Pines Forest State Park Campground said, "The sites are close together, and it felt like a music festival."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Blackwell Family Campground where kids can socialize. One camper noted, "Great local spot for family...lots of kids so good opportunity for the little ones to socialize."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A visitor at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area said, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
  • Pack Essentials: Bring along games and outdoor toys. One parent at Starved Rock Campground mentioned, "The campground is great for kids with plenty of space to run around."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Comlara County Park said, "The sites are nicely spaced, but some are tight for larger RVs."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Camp Bullfrog Lake. One camper noted, "The campground has nicely spaced sites with electric hookups."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure there are dump stations available. A visitor at Paul Wolff Campground mentioned, "There is a dump station on site and potable water available."

Camping near Ottawa, IL, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Ottawa, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ottawa, IL is Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 99 reviews.

Keep Exploring