Campsites near Ottawa, Illinois range from 580 to 600 feet in elevation, sitting along the Illinois River which carves through sandstone formations that formed 425 million years ago. The terrain features unique St. Peter sandstone bluffs and canyons that remain 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding areas during summer months. Most campsites in the region stay open year-round but experience peak visitation between May and October.
What to do
Kayaking the Illinois River: Launch directly from Kayak Starved Rock Campground where sites provide immediate river access. "We took advantage of that for some steaks. Yum. One of the best attributes of this campground is its natural beauty. It's right on the river and most all of the campsites are either river front or river view."
Bird watching along migration routes: Set up at waterfront sites at Illini State Park where diverse habitats attract seasonal birds. "We did take a morning walk along the river and we enjoyed MANY different birdsongs," reports one camper who stayed during spring migration.
Mountain biking the I&M Canal Trail: Access the historic trail directly from Buffalo Rock State Park campsites. "The trail is wide and mowed at least two feet on either side. Very little elevation changes and none that were steep. There are a couple of overlooks that offer beautiful views of Illinois River."
Fishing at multiple locations: Find fishing spots at both ends of the region with stocked ponds and river access. "The fishing pond is subpar" at Pleasant Creek, but Illini State Park offers "good fishing spots and boat dock down the road" according to recent visitors.
What campers like
River views and waterfront access: Many campers prize Kayak Starved Rock Campground for its positioning. "Our campsite was wonderful and was on a point on the river that has a 180 degree view of the river. There is a picnic table and fire pit at the site."
Natural surroundings: Campers frequently mention appreciating the wooded settings at Pleasant Creek Campground. "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."
Clean facilities: Many Ottawa-area campgrounds maintain better-than-expected bathrooms. At Starved Rock Family Campground, "Bathrooms are well maintained and cleaned. Laundry facility easy."
Affordability: State parks in the region offer excellent value with basic amenities. "At $10 per night for type 'C' primitive camping and $20 per night for the deluxe well-paved and connected accommodations, either campground here at Illini SP are some of the most inexpensive campgrounds you'll come across."
What you should know
Reservation timing: The most popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Starved Rock Campground, "Book early- reservations open online 6 months in advance and book up quickly. Most summer weekends are completely full."
Bathroom and shower facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Illini State Park, one camper warned "The showers on site TRICKLED, not even enough to wash your hair. The sinks constantly run, they don't shut off."
Site privacy considerations: Many campgrounds feature closely-spaced sites. At Kayak Starved Rock Campground, "The biggest thing we disliked about this place is how close the campsites are to one another. With a tent at every site, you're almost right on top of the next site."
Weather impacts: Low-lying areas can flood during heavy rain. At Pleasant Creek Campground, one visitor warned, "The bulk of the campsites are down in a valley and ours was along the creek. A heavy downpour resulted in water up over our ankles all through the site!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose sites at LaSalle/Peru KOA with children's activities. "Great one for kids. A creek runs through it so you have to check for flooding. Close to all the state parks," and "Great site spacing. Good trees, some nice shaded sites."
Family-friendly campground layout: Starved Rock Family Campground offers "amazing park for children, front office has everything you could imagine. The site is large enough for a nice dog walk and a very short drive to starved rock."
Educational opportunities: Buffalo Rock State Park offers unique wildlife viewing. "Real live Buffalo are a treat for kids and animal lovers. A number of trails around effigy mounds make for a nice walk."
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with pools during summer heat. "Staff were great and the the grounds well maintained. I stayed on site 5 which is a full hookup but best for a small camper. Campground has a cute dog park and a beautiful stream that runs through it."
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Plan carefully for departure at busy campgrounds. "The dump station was also up a one way in/out hill. You had to make a tight U-turn coming down from your site to get up to it. Plan on going early otherwise you're going to get stuck on the hill waiting."
Site selection for large rigs: At Nature's Way RV Park, "For the RV driving / 5th Wheel toting crowd, Nature's Way has spots reserved on its front porch lawn that you will encounter upon first arriving to the entrance. There's about 20 or so designated RV spots here that offer full hook-ups including 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage."
Electric hookup configurations: Watch for shared utilities at some parks. "I stayed in site 63, a back-in site with electricity that is shared with another campsite. This required some re-adjustment to my rig to reach it with the 30-foot cord that I have."
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging at some locations. "The pull through was plenty long enough for our 40' 5th wheel and F450. The utilities were centered on the pad so that was nice as I was able to dump both black tanks with a 10' hose."
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