The camping options near Penfield, Illinois span across forest preserves, state recreation areas, and city-operated campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Situated in east-central Illinois, this area features rolling prairie terrain with elevations ranging between 650-750 feet above sea level. Camping season typically runs from April through October with summer temperatures averaging 85°F during peak months and spring rainfall affecting trail conditions.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Kickapoo State Recreation Area offers multiple water bodies for paddling activities. "Great Trails and Paddling. Campground is super basic but the access to trails and paddling is amazing," notes Josh M. about Kickapoo State Recreation Area.
Fishing access: Most campgrounds provide fishing ponds with catch-and-release options. One visitor to D & W Lake RV Park observed the "lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass."
Hiking exploration: Trail systems range from prairie restoration paths to wooded routes. Cassandra I. from Kickapoo State Recreation Area explains: "Trails close as well as fishing areas. Large sites for camping. Deer and wildlife seen in the mornings. Really nice way to get off the grid for a second without having to go too far."
Night sky viewing: The Middle Fork area has minimal light pollution for astronomy enthusiasts. Rachel from Harry L. Swartz Campground notes, "since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather."
What campers like
Site privacy levels: Some campgrounds offer secluded sites with natural barriers. Rachel explains that at Harry L Swartz Campground, "42 - 47 had a lot of vegetation between them and were very private."
Wildlife viewing: Morning hours provide opportunities for animal sightings. At Kickapoo, Cassandra I. mentioned, "Deer and wildlife seen in the mornings."
Water activities: Several locations offer swimming beaches during summer months. Art S. describes Harry L. Swartz Campground: "There is a swimming beach and playground that were also closed for COVID."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and shower facilities are priorities at established campgrounds. Keri W. observed that D & W Lake RV Park has "very clean restrooms/showers."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. Tim F. notes about Harry L. Swartz: "Reservations were limited in 2020 due to the plandemic (cough cough) so getting a site was a bit of a task but not in previous years."
Alcohol regulations: Some campgrounds enforce strict rules against alcohol consumption. Lucas T. advises about Kickapoo State Recreation Area: "No booze signs posted, take it serious! Watched a ranger evict and entire group late in the evening for drinking."
Site conditions: Ground conditions can affect tent camping comfort. Sadie R. observed at Harry L. Swartz: "All of the campsites were pretty tight together and surfaced with gravel. That's a personal preference thing."
Wildlife encounters: Some campgrounds have persistent raccoons that target food supplies. Alli from Harry L. Swartz warns: "One very persistent raccoon: hide your food!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. Luna L. from D & W Lake RV Park notes they have "plenty of grass, Fire Pits, Playgrounds and a Dog Park."
Swimming opportunities: Beach areas provide summer recreation options for families. Sarah M. explains that at Moraine View State Recreational Area, the "swim beach is not right in campground but nearby. $3 entry for beach."
Budget-friendly options: City-managed parks offer economical camping options. Eric P. describes Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground as "$10 a night next to a park on a slightly busy street. I pitched my tent amongst the many rv trailers and had a rest on my motorcycle trip south. Not ideal for camping but a great budget option if your tired."
Weekend noise levels: Weekends tend to be busier and louder at popular campgrounds. Rachel from Harry L. Swartz notes: "The camp was entirely full and got pretty loud Saturday night, but otherwise wasn't bad."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are standard at most sites while full-hookup options are limited. Rob G. from Kickapoo notes: "We paid only $20 for our one night stay. Big, beautiful and well maintained. We had electricity, free showers, topped off our water tank."
Site leveling concerns: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. Eric B. reports about Harry L. Swartz: "Some of the sites are weird and literally just along the roadside in the campground. Sites had a bit of space and growth between them so they felt a little private."
Pull-through availability: Several RV parks offer convenient pull-through sites for larger vehicles. Ricky L. describes visiting D & W Lake RV Park: "Check-in was easy, we were pre-paid, we were taken directly to our pull-thru site."
RV size considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. David P. notes about Kickapoo: "The RV sites are great for either rv, van, or tent camping with a lot of level ground at most sites."
