Looking for the best Penfield tent camping? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Covered Bridge Retreat is not accepting reservations at this time.
Guide
Beautiful park. All sites are very close and covered with hard concrete or rocks. Best for RV or pull behind. All sites powered. Not recommended for tent camping.
Guide
i have been to Thousand Trails in Indiana for 25 years and each time i visit i get more disappointed. its no longer a campground but an RV park. which makes me sad because tent camping is forced onto gravel or next to a septic tank hose from a neighboring RV.
however, the park is very large, has many activities such as swimming, fishing, arcades, cornhole, volleyball. you will need a vehicle to travel to activities because thry are far away. there is a general store that now serves breakfast so that is pretty nifty. it seems they are making improvements regarding grounds but i would not recommend tent camping. they do have cabins surrounding the lake.
Guide
this has a 12 mile loop for backpackers to camp on (although be sure to register for it) and tent camping! it has a really cool look out tower. definitely recommend
Traveler
RV Park with 5 tent sites, a lake, small playground, and a dog run. The bathrooms and showers were very clean and well maintained.
The host was extremely friendly and helpful. Our reserved tent site was waterlogged from torrential rainstorms just before our arrival. He created a space for us that was elevated, dry, and actually more private than the original site.
Our only “problem” with the park can’t be changed. The interstate noise could be heard all night, and at times overpowered the sounds of nature. This is probably only an issue for tenters, though.
Guide
I live about 30 minutes from Kickapoo SP and anytime I feel I need to camp I head over. Great little campground in Central Illinois. Some pretty trails overlooking, beside, and sometimes through water. The RV sites are great for either rv, van, or tent camping with a lot of level ground at most sites. There are some real diamonds of a campsite hidden here that you can basically be in the woods with clear ground for a level tent. I love this simple campground and have brought a handful of friends here who also enjoyed it.
ScoutIt’s a shame that this park is located so close to a motor speedway! The Saturday night tent camping ambience was ruined by the sound of cars rounding a track at high speeds from about 8-10 pm.
Before you book here, make sure the nearby speedway doesn’t have an event.
Guide
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this place until this year. The walk in tent sites are in a shady woody area and with lake views. Clean pit toilets, serene setting, and a really cool hike to an abandoned observatory. 🙌🏕
Traveler
First stop on a cross county trip. We were directed to Catfish Bay for tent camping. It was lightly drizzling and on an overcast day most of the tree-covered campsites were dark. There are some nice sites right on the water (be prepared to walk your gear in from parking lot). Site #21 was private, with more open sky and a shorter walk to parking/outhouse. The outhouse was in really rough shape--looked like it hadn't been swept out or hosed down for awhile. Won't be back.
ScoutWe went here with a group of tent campers sight unseen, so that’s always rolling the dice. We stayed until the main part where you could reserve online through reserve America. Would not recommend that area to anyone. Sites are right on top of each other in every direction. Not sure who would seek this out or agree to it after seeing it.
Upon finding the rustic tent sites, we’d wished we’d known about that area before going. Those were still a little close together but were at least wooded and you could walk from your car.
The dispersed camping sites were the closest to what I’d been used to coming from New Hampshire, but it was more of a hike than I would be looking for.
Guide
Il start this by saying: we prefer tent camping/primitive/atleast semi isolated spots. If you’re looking for RV camping, this is probably a decent spot so read no further!
We drove in to the Middle Fork Forest Preserve looking for a place to camp same day on our way down to Giant City. We weren’t able to make a reservation less than 5 days in advance online so we tried to call. No one in the office except Th-Sunday and it was Wednesday so we couldn’t get in touch. All good. It happens and it did say that clearly on their website and on voicemail. We needed a place for the night so decided to risk driving over from I57 S. Rolled in around 5 and all the campsites were marked reserved but there were about 3 people set up to camp there. We didn’t end up camping the night 1. Because we didn’t want to be jerks about the reservations although it seemed like no one else would be arriving until at the earliest the next day and 2. All of the campsites were pretty tight together and surfaced with gravel. That’s a personal preference thing. We always look for primitive/walk-in/hike in sites to set up tents/hammocks. This spot was mostly set up for RVs.
The hiking looked pretty lovely and the grounds/facilities looked well kept! Just maybe not our preference.
Ranger
This is our go-to campground when visiting the U of I. It is a large campground with well spaced campsites for tents and rvs. Almost every site has plenty of shade with lots of tree cover. This also means in the dog days of summer the breeze is blocked by the trees so get an electric site even with a tent and bring a fan. They have a beach and a boat launch. The loops that allow alcohol can get a bit rowdy with weekend partiers, but the alcohol restricted loops can get loud from all the families. However, with full hook-up options there is no generator noise. The showers/bathrooms are kept up well given the massive amount of people served. If you own a boat and camp, this place is ideal for central Illinois.
Traveler
A very large campground with tent and rv camping. Gets very busy.
TravelerStayed here 2 nights on our way to Northern Illinois, easy access off the interstate, sites are spacious, grounds are well maintained, staff was very courteous and friendly, nice lake with trail around it, would highly recommend this place.
ScoutClose to great hiking trails, swimming, canoeing & rafting rental. Quiet and family friendly on every visit. Rv, tent w/electric available.
Scout10$ 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
ScoutThis is an awesome place to stay. We got a first come, first serve tent spot right on the lake which made for a gorgeous sunrise. The amenities were great and there’s plenty to do around the area.
TravelerA wonderful small campground with clean shower house. A great lake for fishing and kayaking. A hidden gem in central Illinois with a great little family owned restaurant. The staff and camp host are super friendly and helpful!
Traveler
The best kept secret in Argenta, Illinois. We’re from Arizona and the lush green makes me speechless. The camp spaces are spaced far apart for privacy. The bathroom and showers are immaculate. We can’t say enough about Friends Creek.
TravelerStayed for 3 nights and loved it. Gave 4 stars instead of 5 because it was electric only. There are 4 total camp areas in the campground portion of the park. Grey Squirrel and Fox Squirrel are the RV sites and Grey and Fox Tent are the tent areas. Tents are allowed in the RV area as well. Each site has a gravel pad, grill/fire pit and picnic table, as well as electric hook up. There is one dump station near the campground entrance, and water fill there or in a few locations in the campground. There is not water and sewer hookup at each pad. Some spots have decks, but not all, and the handicap accessible spots are paved with concrete. All spots in Fox Squirrel are landlocked. In Grey Squirrel, odd numbered sites 15-25 back up to the lake. All the Grey Squirrel sites have trail access to several docks and a couple of boat launches. There are a few out house/bathrooms for each area. There is at least one communal shower house. There are playgrounds throughout the park and a concession building near the campground entrance. You have to get firewood at the concession building to burn in the park. You can also rent kayaks, purchase bait, get info, and buy snacks. The concessions has recently changed hands and is now run by the same company who handles Moraine View. Overall it’s a great little park. Nice hiking, lots of quiet fishing options. No swimming or motor boats. We will go back for sure!
GuideThis campground is a true hidden gem. Lovely, treed, clean and quiet. Tent and RV sites, including 50 amp sites! Book online and enjoy real solitude. We have just been able to do overnight stays, but would love to stay a few days to recharge.
TravelerWe group camped with about 6 tents and 12 people, had a great time, very quite secluded area for group camping. Good fishing and kayaking, facilities could be a little cleaner but not bad, the water is TERRIBLE and looks like coffee or tea. But otherwise, if you bring your own water, not bad...
GuideThis state park is just beautiful, lots of camp sites with electricity and also tent areas. The best part of camping here is the hiking trails. Also very close to lots of old covered bridges. Very neat area. Gets really busy on weekends. Worth the trip and stay.
TravelerSeveral loops. Tent loops are pretty much open fields. We stayed in a loop with electrical hook up. Sites are level and there are trees through out the campground. Sites on the interior of the loop can be close to the one behind it so check your site carefully before you choose it. Bathrooms are older but clean. Shower does not allow for adjustment of water temperature. Hiking trails are not well marked except for the mountain biking trails, which were well marked.
RangerSuper nice owners of this driving range with campsites. It's extremely close to the popular Lake of the Woods Forest preserve. We've camped here in tents with no problems, but it is mainly for RV stop overs from I74. It is a close drive or walk to hiking, or small town amenities like Filippo's family owned Sicilian pizza (excellent) or a little further to Casey's gas station. A 2 minute car ride to more restaurants downtown Mahomet, a grocery store, and Dollar General.
GuideThis hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek, gentle rolling hills, trees, birds & wildlife and a small bridge. Best place to stop in central Illinois - 13 miles from Decatur
TravelerThis is a small town park. Sites all grass. Most are only 20 amp a few have 30 amp. No fire rings. Playground is huge. Sites have water, dump station on way out. $25 for campers $15 for tents. Honor system pay at Festival Office in center of park. Sites are first come first served. 30 amp sites in center fill up fast. 31ft toy hauler. AC ran fine off 20amp.
GuideStayed on a Tuesday night in April. Only a few rvs, no tent campers besides us. Stayed at A19, the loop was quiet all day/night. Most loops look exactly the same, just the quality of the sites. Some are all dirt, some are all grass. Bathrooms are ok. Didn't use the showers. Good first time visit to the campground.
Tent camping near Penfield, Illinois offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the comforts of well-equipped campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a place to explore, there are options available that cater to tent campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Penfield, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Penfield, IL is Attica Family Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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