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

Best Tent Camping near Paris, IL

395 Reviews

Tent camping opportunities near Paris, Illinois include both established campgrounds and primitive sites across eastern Illinois and western Indiana. Lake Waveland Park, located approximately 15 miles east of Paris in Waveland, Indiana, offers numerous primitive tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. The campground features both reservable and first-come, first-served tent-only sites. Rattlesnake Campground in Owen-Putnam State Forest provides more rustic tent camping options for those seeking greater seclusion.

Most tent campsites in the region offer basic amenities with varying levels of facilities. Lake Waveland's primitive tent sites don't require reservations and typically include picnic tables, though fire rings aren't always present. The grounds are well-maintained with mowed areas suitable for tent setup. Many sites feature good shade coverage, particularly in the electric sites section. Primitive campgrounds like Rattlesnake lack drinking water and other amenities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies. The camping season at Lake Waveland runs from May 15 to October 15, making summer and early fall ideal for tent camping visits.

The tent camping experience near Paris offers both convenience and natural immersion depending on chosen location. Lake Waveland's tent sites are described as secluded and quiet, particularly in the primitive camping areas. The campground's spacious layout means tent sites feel less crowded than at many state parks. According to one visitor, "The primitive sites are very secluded and quiet but get there fast because spots are first come first serve!" Proximity to water features enhances the tent camping experience, with Lake Waveland providing fishing opportunities directly from camp. Sullivan Marina and Campgrounds Resort offers another option for tent campers seeking water access, though visitors note its strict gate hours require planning for late arrivals.

Map showing campgrounds near Paris, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Paris, Illinois (4)

Show More
Showing results 1-4 of 4 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Paris Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Paris, IL

2 Photos of 4 Paris Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Paris, IL

395 Reviews of 4 Paris Campgrounds

  • E
    Jul. 14, 2022

    Lieber State Recreation Area Campground

    Great pool; rough sites and campers

    Pros: Very nice large-size pool with slide, attached playground, green space, and sand-filled soccer pitch all included on the pool grounds. These amenities are great as the pool takes a 15 minute clear-out break about once per hour. There is a concession stand with limited selection, but the benefit is that it takes credit card (and cash). 

    The camp store is not the best we've visited. Very limited supply, but they did keep a stock of bacon in their refrigerator and that made my wife happy. 

    Cons: Typical Indiana State campground. We visited for a weekend and landed in a terrible spot. The grade was severe and despite using all the travel trailer tricks to level my site, I could not get level. We dealt with it, but I noticed 4 or 5 quality spots that sat vacant through the weekend, however, were allegedly reserved. I had terrible anxiety for the entire weekend that we would roll backward into a ravine. 

    We were on an electric side of the park, and the pull-through site across from us was occupied by a tent with a minivan. No judgment here, but they were watching highly taboo movies on a wide screen projector with loud speakers around midnight, well after quiet hours had expired. 

    Verizon and AT&T cell phone service were nil, even with a booster and WiFi pack. Our site was littered with cellophane wrappers and cigarette butts. Clearly the previous campers did not adhere to the "leave no trace" doctrine. 

    DNR was very, very present at the campground, but at many sightings it seemed like they were watching for rule infractions as opposed to upholding the integrity of the park. I know that seems conflicting, but if you visit this park you will understand. 

    Bathrooms were mostly clean. Vault toilets were disgusting, but that's expected for concrete topped port-a-potties.

  • Jennifer T.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Fowler County Park

    Wonderful Family Campgrounds

    Shaded campground sites at lake's edge on east side of park, 53 electrical hookups including 1 pull-thru, 14 primitive/tent sites. Fire ring and picnic table at each site. Water hydrants nearby. Modern shower houses with rest rooms. Handicapped accessible. Dump station. Pets are welcome but must be kept on leash. Must provide own firewood. Firewood must be purchased from within state. Fishing from campsite. In park, swimming beach (Memorial Day-weekend before school opens in fall), boat ramp, trails, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, pioneer village.

    Campground open May 1 - October 15. Park open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. No reservations. Must check-in between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Night guard on duty. Electrical sites - $20 a night, weekly rate - $120, 2 weeks rate - $200. Primitive sites - $12 a night, weekly rate - $60, 2 weeks rate - $100. Price includes Indiana Sales Tax.

    From I-70, go south on U.S. 41 for 7.2 miles. Turn left onto Oregon Church Road and go .8 mile east to park entrance on left. After entering park, turn right to go to campground.

    Personal Thoughts and Experience: We had a wonderful time. We absolutely loved the pioneer village. it is a must go especially when they are having pioneer days in the fall. There is a mountain bike park close to the campground that is a premier facility. Beginner to advance trails with a practice course. Amazing! My husband competes in the Dyno series and loves to train at the facility then camp at Fowler Park!

  • Randy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2023

    Happy Campers Campground

    Off the beaten path by a lake

    See all 3

    Approx $35 / day

    Happy Campers Campground

    5.0 (1 reviews)

    Directions

    Share

    Add to trip

    Roam with care

    Remember to enjoy these campgrounds in a sustainable, respectful way. Clean up after yourself, be friendly with others, and don't overstay your welcome :)

    Read more

    Got it

    Details

    Call 812-239-6263 for reservation. Plan to arrive before dark.

    5 full hook-up sites, 1 primitive site, and one primitive cabin. On a lake stocked with fish. Port-a-potty and shower house available.

    Location

    Contact

    39.4931, -87.0188

    https://happycamperscampgroundinc.com

    Cell signal

    Verizon LTE

    AT&T LTE

    T-Mobile LTE

    Sprint LTE

    Weather

    Averages

    Forecast

    Jan

    2.57"

    34.6°

    16.8°

    Feb

    2.48"

    39.6°

    20°

    Mar

    3.39"

    50.5°

    28.6°

    Apr

    3.99"

    62.9°

    39.4°

    May

    5.41"

    72.4°

    49.3°

    Jun

    4.67"

    81.1°

    58.7°

    Jul

    5.19"

    84.2°

    61.7°

    Aug

    3.37"

    83.2°

    60.2°

    Sep

    3.73"

    77.3°

    52.3°

    Oct

    3.49"

    65°

    41.2°

    Nov

    3.98"

    52°

    31.8°

    Dec

    3.26"

    38.3°

    20.7°

    Seasonal scales

    Spring

    Summer

    Fall

    Winter

    Crowdedness

    Others between 10 and 50 feet away

    Fullness

    Almost full

    Noise

    Occasional man-made noise (trains, cars, etc...)

    Shade

    Mostly shaded, but still some spots with sunlight

    Cleanliness

    Pristine, no trash at all

    Safety

    Very safe

    Road difficulty

    No problems with any vehicle

    Features and amenities

    Water hookup

    Sewer hookup

    50A Electric

    Showers

    Picnic tables

    Toilets

    Pets allowed

    Wifi

    Fire pits

    randyorsusan

    Great place to stop overnight or for a few days. Can hear the highway; but it's not very loud or intrusive. Camp host/owner is very friendly. Plenty of room for kids or pets to roam and play. Very clean and safe.

  • T
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Shades State Park Campground

    Wooded Sandstone canyon with primitive camping.

    Located north of turkey run state park shades offers all the hiking and scenic terrain with less amenities and less crowds. Sugar creek cuts through the ancient sandstone floor creating canyon walls. The park is connected to a nature preserve that dose allow backpacking but has designated camping within the park separate from the car camping sites, so you can’t set up camp on the trail. The car camping sites, labeled as family camping, are primitive only with vault toilets. There is a shower located in the campsite with flushing toilets. Campsites are close but most have trees separating them for privacy. Avoid sites next to toilets or dumpsters their practically in your site. There’s no cellular signal in the park so heads up. Ice and wood are located for sale at the entrance. If you have little ones there are a few playgrounds located in the park including one in the campsite which is located a short hike in the woods. This park is quite, shaded, rugged at times and the canyon/creek can be breathtaking. Although I would go early or late in the season to avoid Indiana’s humid muggy summer heat.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2017

    Lieber State Recreation Area Campground

    In the woods

    Lieber State Recreation Area, Cloverdale, IN is west down I70 from Indianapolis, 2 miles down RT243. Cagles Mill Lake borders the southwestern side of the area.

    We arrived to a very quiet campground with few campers. Our site was next to the showerhouse, in the trees and had an attached grass trail out the back. All of the campsites boasted two picnic tables and some were very spacious. The sites were electric only and there were water sites positioned strategically throughout the campground.

    The showerhouse was older but maintained. There were also pit toilets throughout the campground( not much to say about typical pit toilets....)

    There were primitive sites in the adjacent campground that did not have much tree cover but appeared to be good size sites to set up in.

  • Michael M.
    Oct. 16, 2017

    Bo Wood

    Campground with all the comforts

    The Forest Bo Wood Recreation area has grown each year since I first camped there in 1979.

    In 2017 it has 150 camping sites, a boat ramp, fish cleaning station, several picnic areas and a bait shop at the entrance on Illinois Route 32 4 miles South of Sullivan. The camp sites all have parking space for a big rig and one vehicle. There are some tent only sites but most have been converted to at least 30 amp electric sites with water hookups near the site. Many lake side sites are available, some years back there was a problem with the bank, but that has been dealt with.

    Bath rooms and shower houses are very clean and there is good bank fishing near the pavilion at the turn around at the west end of the area. There is a marina just 1 mile South and across the bridge another ½ mile is the Sullivan beach. Just 1 more mile South is a Rosatti's pizza located in a gas station with a liquor store. Rossati's delivers pizza's to the 2 campgrounds that are this close to the business. People that love the comforts of home while camping love this campground, so it fills up in the spring and summer months.

    All sites are spacious and include a picnic table, lantern stand, fire pit with grill grate and some have added camp stove stands. I find that October camping at Bo Woods most agreeable with less people tent camping and less boat traffic on the lake. The fishing this time of year is also very good.

  • Mike V.
    Jul. 23, 2016

    Lake Waveland Park

    Waveland Lake and Park, near Waveland, Indiana

    Nice clean park in west-central Indiana that has a lake and a large number of camping sites along with restrooms and showers. The primitive tent camping sites don't require reservations, and each have a picnic table. There are modern campsites that have water and electrical hook-ups, and there are some small cabins that can be rented. The bath house was clean, and the grounds crew does a great job keeping the grass cut. Camp sites seem more spread out here compared to most state parks. Location is fairly close to Sugar Creek and other parks such as Turkey Run and Shades State Park. The lake is popular for fishing.

  • Sarah S.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Lieber State Recreation Area Campground

    Large tent sites - no cell service

    Nice big campsite for our tents. Flush toilets; bathrooms could use some repairs. Fishing dock and area were clean with portable toilets. Walking trail. Safe area, well lit, and patrolled often. Pool & beach. We rented a pontoon boat which was very nice. Camp store for basic supplies. No cell service at all in camp area. Just a short driving distance to Cataract Falls - which is beautiful with a nice walking trail and covered bridge.

  • Terri D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2017

    Turkey Run State Park Campground

    Nice Big Sites

    I have to say it is always nice to stay at a state park in the off season. There are a couple hundred sites in this park and we were one of about 12 occupants. Even if this park had been full, the sites offer nice space. Sites vary from full shade to wide open out in the sun. Bathrooms are clean, but they are pretty spread out. Most sites offer electricity, but no water or sewer hook-up for RV. Water spigots are pretty spread out too. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. I didn't see any camp hosts that sold firewood when office is closed. Park is located right across the street from the local high school, I thought this was sort of odd.

    We were just passing through for a nights stay, but it looked like there were some nice trails for hiking. The children playgrounds looked nice as well.

Guide to Paris

Tent camping near Paris, Illinois provides access to numerous fishing areas with established fire regulations across multiple counties. The region encompasses prairie landscapes, managed forests, and lake environments within a 30-mile radius of the town. Camping season typically runs May through October with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and occasional thunderstorms common during peak months.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake Waveland Park features a lake popular among anglers, with accessible shorelines near camping areas. Lake Waveland Park visitors note, "If fishing is your way of relaxing, you should have a good time here," according to Randy A.

Visit nearby state parks: The region offers access to several notable state parks within driving distance. "The campground is located within close proximity of both Turkey Run and Shades State Park," notes a Lake Waveland camper, making it a good base camp for day trips.

Seasonal events: Check campground schedules for special events during your stay. At Lake Waveland, they have "Fireworks in July and Halloween for the whole family in October," according to nicole B., creating additional entertainment beyond standard camping activities.

What campers like

Spacious layout: Many tent sites provide more room than typical public campgrounds. At Sullivan Marina and Campgrounds Resort, campers appreciate the "great campground with clean facilities," though ShayLin E. warns about "very strict hours" with gates closing at 10 PM.

Well-maintained grounds: Regular maintenance creates comfortable tent sites with mowed grass. "Lake Waveland's grounds crew does a very good job keeping the property in order... and that's no small task, there is a TON of green space on this property!" shares Randy A.

Bird watching: The natural setting attracts various bird species for wildlife observation. "This is a lovely space with lots of birds to observe," writes William David S. about Lake Waveland Park's primitive camping areas.

What you should know

Site availability varies: Many primitive sites operate on a first-come basis with no reservation option. "The sites fill up pretty fast so come early. No need to pay because it is first come first serve," explains kevin T. about Lake Waveland Park.

Amenities differ by location: Campground facilities range from basic to more developed. "Not fancy, some updating of infrastructure is due," William David S. notes about Lake Waveland's primitive area, while more remote options like Rattlesnake Campground have "no drinking water at campgrounds," according to nicole B.

Site identification: At some locations, campsites lack clear markers. Lake Waveland's primitive sites "aren't marked, but are indicated by picnic table and fire ring, though fire rings are not always present," explains William David S.

Tips for camping with families

Consider electric sites: Families often prefer areas with more amenities and shade. At Rattlesnake Campground, the environment is described as "Family friendly!!! Love this place!!!!" by Tracy T., though remember it offers only primitive camping.

Beach access: Some campgrounds provide swimming opportunities during hot months. Lake Waveland Park features "a beach" according to nicole B., offering water recreation beyond fishing.

Plan around campground hours: Check gate policies if arriving late. Sullivan Marina "has very strict hours, and after 10 PM you have to call to get in the gates. They're very nice about it, though! Just try to arrive early," advises ShayLin E.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger vehicles: Check campground layouts before committing to specific areas. At Lake Waveland Park, nicole B. mentions "they need more spots for those long campers. lots of pop up size sites," indicating limitations for larger RVs.

Tree coverage considerations: Dense trees can present challenges for larger vehicles. Lake Waveland has areas where "Trees need cut or maintained," according to nicole B., while Randy A. notes "The majority of electric sites are well shaded."

Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary across campgrounds. Lake Waveland offers sites that "include water and electric," according to nicole B., providing essential services for RV campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Paris, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Paris, IL is Lake Waveland Park with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Paris, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Paris, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring