Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
fun
it was verry fun for my 2nd time
51 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several RV parks surround Pekin, Illinois, offering a range of amenities for motorhome travelers. Millpoint Park in East Peoria provides full hookup sites with 50 amp service, spacious pull-through options, and waterfront views of the Illinois River. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings on level gravel pads. Carl Spindler Campground, also in East Peoria, features big-rig friendly sites with 30/50 amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections, though some sites are positioned quite close together. Mt. Hawley Mobilehome & RV Park in Peoria remains open year-round with full hookups and is designed to accommodate larger rigs. "The sites are very level if you have a smaller rig. Longer trailers will struggle to get level," noted one RV camper about nearby Jubilee College State Park Campground.
For travelers seeking overnight accommodations, Love's RV Stop in Normal provides convenient highway access with 60 full hookup sites featuring concrete pads and 30/50 amp service. Cell reception varies across the region's RV parks, with most reporting good Verizon coverage. Dump stations are available at most locations, though Carl Spindler Campground users mentioned occasional wait times during peak periods. Pet-friendly policies are standard throughout the area's RV campgrounds, with designated dog areas at some locations. Seasonal availability differs significantly - Chillicothe RV and Rec Area operates from April 15 to October 15, while Leisure Oaks Park welcomes RVs from April 15 to October 31. Propane service can be found at nearby gas stations, with several parks offering on-site firewood sales for convenience.
"This place has beautiful views of illinois river. Nice sized campsites. Everything was clean and well taken care of! Not a lot of amenities, however that isn’t what camping is all about!"
"Peaceful campground, well maintained, beautiful views of the Upper Peoria Lake/Illinois River. We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling."
from $18 - $100 / night
Check Availability"highway next to a commercial big rig gas station, but if you are doing some heavy duty highway traveling with your RV or 5th wheel and simply need a place to hold up for the night, then this place really"
"The CG was easy to get to as it was right off the interstate and adjacent to the Loves main facility."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This place is very clean with the lake nearby for swimming or fishing. Very clean restrooms and friendly staff. There are hookups at each site and a few spots for pump out."
"Nice staff, quiet enough for being somewhat close to the highway. The trees seemed to block the noise well. They have a pool that was closed because of a virus or something."
"They deliver the firepit and wood if you need it. They have a pool, that was closed because of virus stuff. Smallish campground and good areas for kids to ride bikes and play. Nice Little swingset."
from $40 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $89 / night
Check Availability"We stopped here for a night on both ends of our trip to Southern Illinois. The campground was recently turned into a KOA."
"Deluxe patio site on the ends nearest the pond are preferable. The regular sites may be considered a bit cramped by some standards. All fire pits seem to have grill grates."
from $50 - $150 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Sites are level if you have a smaller rig. Longer trailers will struggle to get level. Our trailer is 40 ft and we had to switch sites to one that allowed us to level."
"My favorite thing about Jubilee is how quiet it is. The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall."
it was verry fun for my 2nd time
The camping was great, and fishing was amazing
Clean and peaceful with an unpolluted night sky.
Beautiful, clean primitive place! Peaceful. The night sky is majestic.
This lush, shade-rich, pet-friendly CG sits completely surrounded by the oft overlooked Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, creating the rare sensation of being deep in nature while still only a short drive from Peoria. A looping, shade-covered gravel lane guides you past roughly 80 generously spaced sites, each perched beneath tall hardwoods, before opening to the sought-after waterfront slots that frame spectacular sunset views across the water. Whether you’re casting a line, slipping a kayak off the boat ramp or simply leaning back in a camp chair during Golden Hour, this is a campground that practically forces you to exhale. As my review from a year and a half ago provided substantial detail, here I'm just going to point out the HIGHS and LOWS while adding some additional fotos of the CG.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, well-shaded sites that are far roomier than most RV parks in central IL; (2) Excellent mix of back-in and pull-thru sites with water, electric and sewer hookups; (3) Direct access to Upper Peoria Lake with a strong boat launch for anglers, paddlers and sunset chasers; (4) Two additional ponds on property for simple shoreline fishing - perfect for the kiddos; (5) Exceptionally clean restroom and bathhouse facility near the entrance; (6) Three rentable cabins for non-RV travelers; (7) Easy hiking options north and south of the property, including the small beach area at Funks Run; (8) Friendly ownership with a real character where the owner, Don, is known for going above and beyond for campers; (9) Reliable shade almost everywhere, keeping summer stays comfortable.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The well water contains noticeable iron, which MIGHT be fine for showers but not recommended for drinking; (2) Mosquitos, gnats and ticks are summer regulars here in central IL, so be sure to bring DEET and scented candles; (3) Supplies are limited on-site, so trips into town are necessary for groceries or extras, but the good news is that in less than 20 minutes south of here, you'll discover a Home Depot, Lowe's, Bass Pro Shop, Target, Walmart and Costco; (4) Primitive tent areas - which can be found in the open lot north of the property right on the river - exist but provide little separation or privacy compared to the RV loops; (5) This CG can fill up quickly on warm-weather weekends and the summer holidays, especially the waterfront stretch.
Happy Camping!
A really lovely well kept site very quite when we got here pitches are well spread out with a play park for kids a pool although not open when we was here and the bathrooms were Super clean and well kept A must stay The owners are super nice
Older campground. Some of the sites have to share hydrants for water. All utilities are at the rear of sites. Some campers may need longer hoses or cords
Pros: Full hookups. I had a long pull through site. Lots of shade. Wifi was good for tv streaming. Cons: No bathrooms, shower, etc. Fairly busy and noisy road just a outside camp area.
This was clearly a campground that used to have owners who cared for it. It is not anymore. We were there for a weekend trip. Most of the amenities listed are done through the main office which were closed at 6:45pm on a Friday with no notice. There are no hours posted for the office which means No Ice, no wood, no access to anything bc the office is where everything is.
We visited the pool and it was FILTHY. Clumps of hair pulled out left and right and if the kids went to the bottom, it stirred up terrors from the deep. We heard from many people who are regulars that it has gone down hill since new ownership took over.
Pekin, Illinois camping areas sit along the Illinois River watershed at approximately 450-500 feet elevation. The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal variation with humid summers reaching into the 90s and winter temperatures often below freezing. Camping opportunities range from riverfront sites on the Illinois River to wooded areas with hiking trails through oak and pine forests.
Fishing opportunities: Pine Campground at Sand Ridge State Forest offers unique fishing experiences in an unexpected Illinois terrain. "This is a hidden gem right in the middle of Illinois," notes Art S., who recommends asking the ranger about water sources before heading out on trails.
Trail exploration: Jubilee College State Park offers extensive trail systems suitable for various activities. "There is a really old cemetery at the college if you just want to creep yourself out at night," mentions Jonathan J., who enjoys winter camping there. The park maintains trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas around Spring Bay offer opportunities to observe riverine wildlife. Stuart K. notes that Millpoint Park is "completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing a sublime encounter with nature." The wetland environment supports diverse bird species and aquatic life.
Waterfront access: Millpoint Park provides direct water access to the Illinois River. "The campground sits along the Illinois River: many campsites face it. It's secluded and quiet. Campsites are spacious and well-distanced," explains Brett F., who recommends exploring the nature preserve with nice walking paths nearby.
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds in the region offer peaceful settings despite highway proximity. At Kamp Komfort, "the trees seemed to block the noise well" according to Ryan L., who appreciated the kid-friendly environment with areas for bike riding and a playground.
Spacious sites: Unlike some crowded RV parks, several campgrounds near Pekin feature well-spaced sites. Julie N. describes Millpoint Park: "We were on 2 huge pull-thru sites with just our 2 tents and we were the only tent campers I saw... it was SO QUIET and peaceful at night!"
Water quality issues: Several campgrounds report mineral-heavy water. At Millpoint Park, Melissa C. notes that "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," while Brett F. advises, "don't forget your RV water filter! The water here is very rusty."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds have limited seasons. Chillicothe RV and Rec Area operates from April 15 to October 15, while Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey runs from April 1 to October 31, offering full hookup sites during the camping season.
Reservation systems: Some RV parks near Pekin have modernized their booking processes while others remain informal. Julie N. mentioned Millpoint Park "didn't really take reservations and the pricing shifted on us," while Mark S. found Love's RV Stop convenient: "Did this stay completely online."
Pool access: For summer stays with children, Kamp Komfort offers a swimming pool that operates seasonally. Jennifer S. describes it as "The perfect blend of peaceful private camping and amenities! Full hook up, pool, laundry, beautiful bathrooms."
Playground equipment: Several RV parks near Pekin provide dedicated play areas. Montt B. noted that Kamp Komfort has "some playground equipment for the kids as well as a big open space for playing and running."
Nature exploration: Jubilee College State Park Campground offers educational outdoor experiences. Brooke C. mentions, "The campground has three main loops with RV pads and electric hookups... There is a decent trail system, which supports hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The trails are well maintained."
Leveling considerations: Many campsites require equipment for proper leveling. At Pine Campground, Adam F. notes "Most sites are level some have a mild incline in the drive but would still be able to level out a camper with some blocks."
Hookup availability: RV parks near Pekin offer varying levels of connectivity. At Love's RV Stop, MickandKarla W. report "We did the online check-in, but a nice gentleman met us for a formal check-in at their gate... We then proceeded to pull through site 43 with full hookups. We paid $42 for the night with a military discount."
Highway access: For travelers passing through, several RV parks provide convenient highway proximity. Wendy H. found Love's RV Stop "Right off highway 80... Very clean park with lots of shade. Spaces are a bit close together but the grounds make up for it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Pekin, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Pekin, IL is Millpoint Park with a 4.1-star rating from 19 reviews.
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