Top Tent Camping near Pecatonica, IL

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Pecatonica? Finding a place to camp in Illinois with your tent has never been easier. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Pecatonica, Illinois's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Pecatonica, IL (11)

    Camper-submitted photo from Castle Rock State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Castle Rock State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Castle Rock State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Castle Rock State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Castle Rock State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Castle Rock State Park

    1. Castle Rock State Park

    7 Reviews
    26 Photos
    65 Saves

    Castle Rock State Park is located along the west bank of the Rock River in Ogle County, three miles south of Oregon, on Ill. Rt. 2. Castle Rock camping is centrally located in the Rock River Hills region of Illinois, and its rolling topography is drained by the Rock River. The park is representative of the Rock River Hills area with rock formations, ravines and unique northern plant associations. A sandstone bluff, adjacent to the river, has given the park its name.​​​​

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Trash

    $6 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus Woods State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus Woods State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus Woods State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus Woods State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus Woods State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus Woods State Park

    2. New Glarus Woods State Park

    16 Reviews
    31 Photos
    48 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $15 - $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from MacQueen Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from MacQueen Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from MacQueen Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from MacQueen Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from MacQueen Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from MacQueen Forest Preserve

    3. MacQueen Forest Preserve

    6 Reviews
    27 Photos
    60 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group
    Camper-submitted photo from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center
    Camper-submitted photo from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center

    4. Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center

    1 Review
    2 Photos
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Cabins
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackhawk Memorial Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackhawk Memorial Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackhawk Memorial Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackhawk Memorial Park

    5. Blackhawk Memorial Park

    4 Reviews
    4 Photos
    17 Saves
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Dispersed
    • Tent Cabin
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Goatland
    Camper-submitted photo from Goatland
    Camper-submitted photo from Goatland
    Camper-submitted photo from Goatland
    Camper-submitted photo from Goatland
    Camper-submitted photo from Goatland

    7. Goatland

    Be the first to review!
    9 Photos
    9 Saves

    It's not a huge place, but the goats, sheep, and a very bossy donkey will keep you company as you bake in the sun, or read under a tree by the creek. Close hwy access, but far enough from that, and in most cases the house, to afford privacy. This is a working farm.

    I have several locations for campers based upon multiple factors like weather, phase of hay growth, whether you have kids, want sun or shade, or animals in your space. I limit the number of people here at one time - there is only one bathroom.

    We're happy to have you, to answer any questions you may have, and to introduce you to the animals. We mind our own business unless you need something. If you require a lot of attention, manicured lawns, electrical service at your site, a grill at your disposal, and parking at your tent, you probably wouldn't be happy here, but if you like animals, quiet, and open space, we may be just what you're looking for.

    Reasonable driving distance to Le-Aqua-Na, Apple River Canyon, Krape and Read Parks, Cadiz Springs, Pecatonica Forest Preserve, and Head Gates Park. About an hour from the Mississippi to the southwest, Galena to the west. There's also a popular walking/biking trail less than 5 mins away.

    We are a safe space for LGBTQ+ folks.

    Lambs are born in March. Kids are born in April or May. Most are gone, or mature enough to be less fun, by Oct.

    Contact me with any inquiries, or questions.

    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Trash
    • Firewood Available

    $35 - $55 / night

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          10. Kishwaukee Valley Farms

          Be the first to review!
          1 Save
          • Tents
          • Equestrian
          • Tent Cabin
          • Glamping

          $74 - $100 / night

        Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

        Recent Tent Reviews In Pecatonica

        537 Reviews of 11 Pecatonica Campgrounds


        • Jon L.
          Camper-submitted photo from O'Connell's RV Campground
          Oct. 23, 2024

          O'Connell's RV Campground

          BULLET HOLES IN MY AIRSTREAM!

          BULLET HOLES IN MY AIRSYTREAM. Yes, you read that correctly. I had 4 bullet holes in my Airstream and to date, O'Connell's has NEVER RETURNED ANY CALLS OR EMAILS regarding this incident. A police report was made, photos were taken, and still nothing. Thousand Trails should be aware of this, but I'm guessing they are not. What if your kids were playing outside? My neighbor had a bullet hole in her shed and he also posted about it. O'CONNELL'S IS DANGEROUS, stay away from the new "Premium" lot section. I paid extra for this?

        • Linda N.
          Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA
          Oct. 16, 2024

          Milton-Madison SE KOA

          cant wait to go back

          I ended up here because I was going to a music festival in the area, and they turned me away because I have a service animal. I wasn't going to do all that work for nothing and just go home, so I decided to look up my nearest campground and it was KOA in Milton. they made me feel welcome. they understood my dilemma. it was a wonderful weekend. lots of amenities and I just absolutely can't wait to go back next year. I'm going to try to make it a couple times. so much fun, just me and my dog. And one last the thing, my fellow campers were more than hospitable and very nice and I appreciate that very much.

        • Linda N.
          Camper-submitted photo from Sweet Minnihaha Campground
          Oct. 16, 2024

          Sweet Minnihaha Campground

          music fest

          I originally went to this campground a couple years ago for a music festival, but I discovered how much fun it was. the people were incredible. the staff was really awesome so I continue to make it back at least once a year

        • Jaime P.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Badgerland Campground
          Sep. 9, 2024

          Badgerland Campground

          Great little campground

          We booked a weekend here for a soccer tournament we had in Verona, so we didn’t spend a lot of time on the property. The staff was amazing! Very friendly and helpful for us new to camping people. We booked online and they were also friendly when I messed up my reservation so thanks for that too. We booked in VIP 1, which is right next to the bath house. We wanted to be close to the showers (coin op). We figured since we’re at a sporting event that might be nice. Very quiet at night. We did have a little time to go fishing at the fishing pond. We didn’t catch anything but we had fun. The fishing pond is a ways from our camping area though. It would have been a long walk so we drove. WiFi is for a fee but it was fine. The fee wasn’t expensive (less than $5). No sewer hook up but there is a dump site so no big deal. Overall good stay.

        • Kenny P.
          Camper-submitted photo from Thomas Woods Campground
          Sep. 7, 2024

          Thomas Woods Campground

          Great place for secluded camping

          Camped here on a whim. Amazing area. Super friendly hosts. The only thing I wish was a little more accessible is the website. I didn't know what kind of site I was getting, what it looked like, or if it was a hike in site or not. Turns out mine was, but it was not an issue for me on this trip. Site 30 for anyone interested.

        • CThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Mississippi Palisades State Park
          Sep. 4, 2024

          Mississippi Palisades State Park

          Super cheap for what you get.

          I got a primitive tent site in an area all to myself, with a shower house just down the road, in a beautiful and quiet campground for $10 cash. You really can’t beat that. Campground is separate from the park so you don’t have to pay a park entrance fee to stay here.

        • Brent A.
          Camper-submitted photo from Vel Terra
          Sep. 3, 2024

          Vel Terra

          Wonderful Little Campground

          We stayed at this campground over Labor Day. The owner intentionally doesn't fill all of the sites in order to give people more space- a great luxury over a holiday like this. The sites are pretty small and only one 'sleeping structure' is allowed on each site but we found that Jeff was very willing to let us put up two tents (one for my wife & I 

          + one for the kids) because we were in the same family.

          The bathrooms and showers were very neat and well maintained. We didn't use the showers because they were paid but our friends did and had good things to say about them.

          The campground has a very nice playground (the favorite of the trip for one of my kids) and a lounge where anyone staying at the campground can rest with A/C, wifi, a phone charging area, and some board games.

          The primary drawback is that there isn't a lot of outdoor activities to do in the area. All the land is private so there's not great hiking (a little in the state park about 20 min drive away), IL law allows waterways to be privately owned so you can't kayak the river, etc. Galena is nearby if you want to go shopping and we really enjoyed going to Terrapin Apple Orchard and picking some apples (if you're there in the Fall). But all in all I would say this is a great campground to rest and relax at- probably not ideal for outdoor adventures.

        • S
          Camper-submitted photo from Holiday Acres Camping Resort
          Aug. 25, 2024

          Holiday Acres Camping Resort

          Beware

          Review: Holiday Acres Campground Our recent stay at Holiday Acres Campground was nothing short of a nightmare. From the moment we arrived, we felt unwelcome and targeted by both the staff and the locals. It's hard to say definitively if this place was racist, but the behavior we experienced certainly felt that way. Firstly, we were harassed and intimidated by the locals. They would drive around our campsite at night, yelling racial slurs and other offensive comments. This created a disturbing and unsettling atmosphere that made our stay extremely uncomfortable. The staff were equally unpleasant. We were falsely accused of peeing in the pool without any evidence, which seemed more like an excuse to target us than a genuine concern. Additionally, one staff member consistently displayed unprofessional and rude behavior. She berated one of us and treated him condescendingly, as if he were a boy rather than an adult. She exhibited this condescending behavior with the locals as well. Requests for assistance were met with eye rolls and obvious reluctance. Her dismissive and offensive attitude was consistent throughout our stay. The final straw came when we were kicked out for calling her a name after she persistently treated us with disrespect. While name-calling isn't appropriate, her behavior towards us was intolerable and unprovoked. The facilities were also abysmal. The bathrooms constantly smelled like fart, possibly due to the high sulfur content in the water, which only added to the overall negative experience. The showers were yellow with orange bits that could be scraped off, and the lack of cleanliness was appalling. The playgrounds looked so poorly maintained that you could get a splinter just from looking at them. To make matters worse, we were falsely accused of stealing by a local camper. Despite promises to review security footage, no evidence was provided, and no apology was offered for the false accusation. The pool area was another disappointment. The pool was cold, likely because it had just been filled. While the pool area itself was nice, it lacked lounging chairs, which would have enhanced comfort and relaxation. Overall, our experience at Holiday Acres Campground was horrific. The combination of harassment from locals, the hostile attitude of the staff, the filthy facilities, and the lack of amenities made for an extremely uncomfortable and distressing stay. I would strongly advise anyone considering this campground to stay far away, especially if you are looking for a welcoming and respectful environment.

        • Darshon J.
          Camper-submitted photo from MacQueen Forest Preserve
          Jul. 27, 2024

          MacQueen Forest Preserve

          Well Kept Campground

          Well maintained bathrooms, great secluded sites. Super easy no registration its first come first serve. I will be goin again with my family.

        • Sarah B.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
          Jul. 19, 2024

          Yellowstone Lake State Park

          Def do not recommend for summer 2024!

          I wanted so badly to love this campground experience, but just didn't. Site 19 was an easy walk-in that theoretically had nearby vault toilets, parking, and water.

          Each site only had space for one car to park before walking in. Not a huge deal, but annoying as there were 2 of us who drove separate and we had to problem solve. When we got to the site I was shocked to see that what was labeled as a tent site had literally NO flat space to actually set up a tent. Spacious site, but fully sloped.

          Also, what I would have loved to know, is that the vault toilets are closed because they are doing construction to build something new in that space. Construction that starts loudly each day at 7am. Honestly every site from about #35 down was affected by the noise because the construction is happening in the middle of the loop (and actually blocking some of the one-way road as well).

          The park in general was okay. Per the usual, the pet areas were lacking. No beach at all, just grass covered in goose poop and one cut out on the raised shore between tall grasses and foliage where a dog could potentially jump in. Certainly nowhere for a human to enjoy the water with their pups unfortunately.

        • Christie B.
          Camper-submitted photo from Green County Fairgrounds
          Jul. 10, 2024

          Green County Fairgrounds

          Ok but you have to work around the events going on because you have to leave when they are going on!

          Nice quiet place no neighbors usually bothering you showers and toilets could be better but overall ok

        • Rebecca C.
          Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut state park
          Jun. 30, 2024

          Rock Cut state park

          Not well maintained

          We have a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday. We called the Rangers and asked them to look at our site breaker since it kept tripping. They came, told us the park was old and not updated but then ultimately told us it was our trailer. We had to rent a motel for the night because we couldn't even pull out the slide or anything. This was after spending about 6 hours pulling apart all the electrical in the trailer. Went to camping world the next day just for us to use their plugs and it was fine. We thought maybe it was our cord so we bought a new one and still nothing. We called the Rangers again who came to look at it. Told us that the park was just so old that it probably couldn't keep up and moved us to a 50 amp sight. The 30 amp plug there would work for about 2 mins and then would keep tripping again. So we ended up having to go back to camping world to get an adapter to use the 50 amp. Wasted about 30 hours of our trip over their electrical not being updated and they knew that. Tried to reach out to get the first night reimbursed since we literally couldn't even stay there or use our trailer. Was told we had to come back the next day to speak to the head ranger, came back and he wasn't there again. Was told he would call us two different times and never got a call. Will never stay here again.

        • Danielle D.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Northwoods RV Resort
          Jun. 22, 2024

          Northwoods RV Resort

          Great for seasonal camping

          The sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all. The people are very nice. Everyone waves to everyone.

          We came here because they showed a water obstacle course on their website. When we got here, we were informed that their beach hasn't passed health tests for the past few years. So no obstacle course or beach area.

          The pool is very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival. They also have a very pretty river to fish.

          There is no store. The only thing available is firewood. If you need anything at all, there is a Walmart about ten minutes down the road.

          The site is nice and grassy but there are a ton of bugs; mostly gnats.

          All in all, it's a very clean place with great people. The pool is wonderful. The parks are great. But it's definitely a more lay back and relax kind of place. Not a ton of stuff to do for kids.

        • Susan K.
          Camper-submitted photo from Thomas Woods Campground
          May. 12, 2024

          Thomas Woods Campground

          Thomas Woods Campground

          The campground is beautiful wish it was open more than the weekend's. The campground host needs to lighten up and shes out on the gator every 30 minutes, that gets annoying, also since we have also worked as campground hosts you don't run around with the gator giving people rides. It is a shame but we won't camp here again.

          They should check up on the campground host and hire one with a pleasant personality

        • J H.
          Camper-submitted photo from Crazy Horse Campground
          Apr. 18, 2024

          Crazy Horse Campground

          Used to be a great place to camp

          Unfortunately, I can no longer say this is a great, affordable place to stay. The weekly rates increased by over $75 a week for the full hookup sites this season.  

          There was also a link to last years pricing still active until 4/16 that has since been deactivated when I asked to have my pricing adjusted to that amount. Seems deceptive to me, having 2 different prices in 2 different places on their site.  They will not honor the price and told me if I don't like it I can find somewhere else to camp. 

          Also, they no longer offer kayaks, which was the big draw to the campground. 

          We may keep our reservation this year, but likely won't be back next season.

        • K
          Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut state park
          Mar. 14, 2024

          Rock Cut state park

          So close to home

          We camp here at least 5 times a year. It’s only 8 miles from our home. Many trails and not to expensive. They have sites with electric and sites just for tents. The only negative is no drinkable water. Tons of trails, fishing and even a swimming pond.

        • Joel K.
          Camper-submitted photo from Shabbona Lake State Park
          Mar. 14, 2024

          Shabbona Lake State Park

          Really nice state park

          My daughter and I stayed here twice.  Oct 2019 and Aug 2020.  We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting.

          The store is very nice and well stocked.  Never left the park so not sure how far to “town”.

        • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Lake Kegonsa State Park
          Oct. 26, 2023

          Lake Kegonsa State Park

          Fun Oktoberfest celebration, clean park

          We arrived after 5pm and were able to find out camp spot easily with the reservation email. Everyone was super friendly and there was a little Oktoberfest celebration going on with some families a few sites down. The bathrooms were alright, and there was a fire pit and picnic table at our site which was great. The walking trails are nice and there’s a volleyball net and little playground too.

        • Justin G.
          Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut state park
          Oct. 22, 2023

          Rock Cut state park

          Fall Getaway

          A perfect spot for a weekend trip. We stayed in the White Oak area and used our tent. This location was close to the shower house (which could have been a little bit cleaner but still usable). There are plenty of scenic photo opportunities especially during the fall season.

        • m
          Camper-submitted photo from Lake Kegonsa State Park
          Oct. 11, 2023

          Lake Kegonsa State Park

          Great Group Sites

          Well-kept, fairly secluded campsite with toilets nearby and only a short walk to the lake. I would definitely recommend for larger groups (up to 20)!

        • J
          Camper-submitted photo from Mississippi Palisades State Park
          Oct. 9, 2023

          Mississippi Palisades State Park

          Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna, Illinois

          This is a great campground! The trails are well kept, clean bathrooms, nice campsites sand the best camp hosts ever!!!

        • Drew H.
          Camper-submitted photo from Mississippi Palisades State Park
          Oct. 3, 2023

          Mississippi Palisades State Park

          Great first visit

          First time visiting this park, we stayed for 4 nights. Very clean park and it was incredibly quiet. No alcohol was allowed on the grounds but it didn’t seem like it would be enforced unless there was a campsite causing issues which is fair. Clean bathrooms and showers. We showed up around 11am and saw our site was not occupied so we decided to set up and then checked in at the front at 4:00 when the host arrived. Overall very positive experience. I will absolutely go back.

          Something worth noting. There is no store on site, they do sell wood but it is cash only.



        Guide to Pecatonica

        Camping near Pecatonica, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic trails to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

        What to do

        • Hiking and Trails: Explore the numerous trails available at Rock Cut State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "There are plenty of scenic photo opportunities especially during the fall season."
        • Fishing and Boating: Head to Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area for fishing and kayaking. A visitor shared, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
        • Wildlife Watching: At Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground, you can spot various wildlife. One camper noted, "The hiking was beautiful and the scenery was stunning."

        What campers like

        • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and shower facilities. A review for Lowden State Park Campground stated, "The campground was very clean."
        • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment. A visitor at Paul Wolff Campground mentioned, "The tent area was very quiet."
        • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One review for Blue Mound State Park Campground said, "The staff was very pleasant and helpful."

        What you should know

        • No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, have strict no alcohol rules. A camper noted, "This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy."
        • Site Proximity: Campers at White Pines Forest State Park Campground mentioned that sites can be close together. One review stated, "Many of the campsites are sloped and some are sloped A LOT."
        • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Paul Wolff Campground, do not have showers. A visitor remarked, "There are flush toilets as well as vaults that were both kept fairly clean."

        Tips for camping with families

        • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids, like playgrounds. A review for Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Nice playground for kids."
        • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned, such as fishing or hiking. One camper at Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground said, "The walking trails are nice and there’s a volleyball net and little playground too."
        • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A visitor at Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground noted, "The store is very nice and well stocked."

        Tips from RVers

        • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Rock Cut State Park Campground mentioned, "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."
        • Use Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups. A camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area shared, "They have sites with electric and sites just for tents."
        • Plan for Dump Stations: Be aware of where dump stations are located. A review for Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground noted, "You will need to pass the Shower Building to access the second campground."

        Camping near Pecatonica, Illinois, provides a mix of nature, family fun, and relaxation. Whether you’re in an RV or tent, there’s a spot waiting for you!

        Frequently Asked Questions

        • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pecatonica, IL?

          According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pecatonica, IL is Castle Rock State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

          TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Pecatonica, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.