Best Campgrounds near Peoria Heights, IL

The Illinois River corridor surrounding Peoria Heights offers diverse camping experiences within a predominantly flat Midwestern landscape. Established campgrounds like Millpoint Park and Carl Spindler Campground provide waterfront sites along the Illinois River, approximately 5-10 miles from Peoria Heights proper. These riverside locations feature full hookup RV sites, primitive tent camping areas, and some cabin options. Woodford State Conservation Area and Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, both within 30 minutes of Peoria Heights, offer more natural settings with fewer amenities but greater seclusion. The region's camping options extend from developed RV parks with 50-amp service to primitive sites nestled among cottonwood, silver maple, and willow trees.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with Jubilee College State Park specifically open May 1 to December 31. Summer brings hot, humid conditions with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F, along with persistent insects. "If you haven't camped in central Illinois during summer, bring good DEET spray for ticks and scented candles to keep gnats at bay," notes one experienced camper. Water levels along the Illinois River fluctuate seasonally, occasionally causing flooding in low-lying areas like Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area. Cell service remains reliable near established campgrounds, though coverage may diminish in more remote conservation areas.

Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly those at Millpoint Park where campers praise the "big trees, deep shade, and beautiful sunsets over the Illinois River." Fishing opportunities abound throughout the region, with multiple boat launches providing access to the Illinois River and connected lakes. Several campgrounds feature spacious sites that accommodate both tents and RVs, though amenities vary considerably. Visitors note that water quality can be an issue at some locations, with one camper advising: "Don't forget your RV water filter! The water here is very rusty." For travelers seeking overnight convenience rather than natural settings, several retail parking areas in East Peoria and along major highways permit RV parking.

Best Camping Sites Near Peoria Heights, Illinois (66)

    1. Millpoint Park

    16 Reviews
    Peoria Heights, IL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 231-6497

    $18 - $100 / night

    "Perched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing"

    "If you’re looking to stay close to Peoria and enjoy beautiful sunsets and the water this place has it. Big trees, deep shade and it’s right on the Peoria Lake on the Illinois River."

    2. Carl Spindler Campground

    11 Reviews
    Peoria Heights, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 699-3549

    "This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that"

    "It was also a short walk to the Illinois River!!!"

    3. Jubilee College State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Brimfield, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 446-3758

    "The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."

    "Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies.

    The campsite has three main loops with RV pads and electric goo ups."

    4. Woodford State Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Chillicothe, IL
    10 miles
    Website

    $8 - $12 / night

    "They also warned us of an upcoming storm - this location can flood when the river rises. They also said to let them know if others were too loud."

    5. Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area

    6 Reviews
    Chillicothe, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 246-8351

    6. Sankoty Lakes

    2 Reviews
    Mossville, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 570-1111

    $59 - $89 / night

    7. Walmart - Peoria Supercenter

    1 Review
    Peoria, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 694-0513

    8. Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area

    1 Review
    Chillicothe, IL
    10 miles
    Website

    "This is a beautiful, off-the-beaten path ‘no frills’ campground that comes very close to being called primitive, yet offers water pit privies and a designated sanitary dump station in addition to in-ground"

    9. Comlara County Park

    33 Reviews
    Hudson, IL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 434-6770

    "Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."

    "Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."

    10. Chillicothe RV and Rec Area

    1 Review
    Chillicothe, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 274-2000

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 66 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Peoria Heights, IL

378 Reviews of 66 Peoria Heights Campgrounds


  • T
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    A trickster with premium luxury pricing.

    We decided to not stay here. We stopped, did the online reservation (Loves now uses Camplife website). Made the reservation for a single night and it's $70+ tax and fees.  We paid less per night at luxury campgrounds with waterparks and entertainment. This is a truck stop. Needless to say, we won't be using Love's anymore for our single night stays when traveling.

  • Jeff and Linda L.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    Unique Park

    No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal. No reservations. We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces. Pit toilets along the canal. Well kept. Small gravel bike trail along most of the canal. Nice place to kayak and canoe. Very nice visitor center open until 3 during the week, no weekends. Only $8 We saw a class A, so they do fit.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Hickory Grove Campground

    Midwest Pasture Camping @ Its Finest

    Located just due north of Sheffield, right off I80 (2 miles to be exact), and due west of Princeton by about 20 minutes, Hickory Grove Campground, on the one hand, is so far off the grid that you will really feel as though you are truly ‘getting away from it all,’ yet on other hand, this place is just a couple stone’s throw from one of the busiest highways that runs through the great state of Illinois, making it incredibly accessible. What I love most about Hickory Grove Campground is that it is run by good folks (husband and wife duo, Dave & Joan) that have been in this particular area of north central Illinois for a very long time. On your way to Hickory Grove, you won’t help but notice that there is a supreme amount of gorgeous farmland that you will bear witness to, complete with golden rows of sweet corn or fields of drilled beans. Any way you look at it, enroute to Hickory Grove, you will feel right at home here in the heartland of the Midwest, where we take great pride in our hospitality.

    As for this pet-friendly campground itself, upon entry, you will discover that there is a main house, immediately followed by the main office, which is where you will check in. Once doing so, you’ll be able to access your slot, depending upon which one you have selected (and there is nearly 100 to choose from), whether that be an RV or 5th Wheeler slab, deluxe cabin rental or primitive camping site. There are 15 pull-through sites (all with 50 amp electric) with all RV and Trailer sites offering full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) most with shaded lots. Other amenities include a doggie park, ice for sale, scattered picnic tables, designated trash dumpsters, BBQ grills, boat launch, pedal cart rental, restroom and shower facilities, ramp and dock on the Hennepin Canal horseshoe pit and 3 miles of hiking trails.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re a biker like me, you better come bringing the cycles as from this vantage point, you’ll be able to access the 80 mile long bike trail that you’ll find is easy to access from Hickory Grove Campground; (2) As a fellow kayak enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the nearby access at Hennepin Canal; (3) After a good day of hiking, biking and kayaking, likely you’ll want to ‘whet that whistle’ and if so, nearby Psycho Silo Saloon has you covered in spades (April until October that is) with a full stocked bar of spirits, live music and some nice iced tall boys, but be sure to bring cash because this watering hole doesn’t know how to make credit cards work yet; (4) For those looking for a nice, easy and economical seasonal rental, Hickory Grove is quite affordable offering up sites for as little as $1,400 / season; (5) Specific sites that I recommend include: (a) those on the river’s edge of the Hennepin Canal: #30A, #30B, #34 – 39, #80R; (b) those on the western edge of the property: #12A – B, #13, #16 –19, #30A – B, #34 – 39; as well as (c) those sites that fall against the eastern treeline: #80, #82, #86A – C, #97 – 99; (6) When I head out camping, I like to bring 2-3 choice cuts of rare, sometimes exotic meats and whatever you might be into, should you want some fresh cut meats, check out nearby Wyanet Meat Locker, which will have the standards (NY Strip, Ribeye, hamburger patties) as well as some nice cuts from the top-shelf, including: buffalo, lamb chops and duck; and (7) For a slice of pure Midwestern joy, check out Myrtle’s Pie, which have some amazing selections including banana cream, salted caramel, lemon meringue, carrot cake cheesecake and my favorite, the coconut cream – but everyday Myrtle runs out of pies by early-to-mid-afternoon, so call ahead to order your pie or just get in there as soon as she opens for some freshly baked cinnamon roles and brewed coffee.

    Happy Camping!

  • Fred R.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    Summer trip week 2 the return home

    Picked this spot outta the air. What an amazing history and geological area. The campgrounds were large and dark with shade trees. Limited 50 Amp sites as it is old.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2025

    Walmart - Peoria Supercenter

    Bumper Car Parking Lot

    This is one of the larger Walmart stores that I have across in my travels and is conveniently located right off of I74 just due south of Peoria and across the Illinois River. You will immediately discover that this Walmart is easily accessible from just about any entrance point that completely surrounds this blue big box retailer. And even though this retail outlet is massive, as is its accompanying oversized parking pad, the place was very frenetic, and jam-packed with lots of traffic zipping around in multiple directions.

    But hey, if lots of ping-pong match-style traffic doesn’t dissuade you from parking here, then you’ll be treated to a decent ton of amenities as you are situated within a massive retail complex that is surrounded by other big box retailers like Lowe’s and Bass Pro Shop, a number of gas stations as well as a decent assortment of smart restaurants, like Texas Roadhouse, Childer’s Eatery and Godfather’s Pizza. Of course, there’s no shortage of drive-by fast food joints nearby like McDonald’s, IHOP, Bob Evans, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, but take it from me, you’d be better off crossing the Illinois River into Peoria to check out some better haunts like Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery or Thyme Kitchen & Craft Beer.

    Should you decide to park at this oversized discount retailer parking haven, I would suggest parking either on the southern or northern perimeters as while they are next to their own respective inner 2-lane roads, the traffic is slow-moving and isn’t stopped for any lights around those areas, making for less noise pollution. You’ll find that the lot is very flat and level, well-paved albeit dated as well as offering really great lighting at night along with very good rotating security that remain constantly vigilant in this overgrown shopping mecca.

    While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:

    Convenience: 3 

    Safety & Security: 2 

    Quality: 3 

    Peace & Quiet: 2 

    Amenities: 3 

    Overall, I scored this location a 3 

    Happy Overnighting!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    Needs Some Updating

    It is a nice campground (sites are great and it was a reasonable price for out-of-state), but the facilities are in need of updating. There is only one shower for about 60 sites. Campground bathrooms are portable toilets. Campground is about 1 mile away from visitor center and park/trails.

  • Jessica H.
    May. 25, 2025

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    Perfect Pit Stop

    The campground was easy to book, easy to park, spots are pretty big and very clean. It was perfect for our short stay.

  • J
    May. 15, 2025

    Hennepin Canal Lock 22 Campground

    Very Quite 👍

    The Road there is paved, not really big but not gravel. The place is pretty small, no water, or dump station. We used the Loves T/S at Atkinson. The place needed mowed badly. We stayed during the week (it’s free then to IL residents over 65, otherwise it’s $8). It was super quiet, a few farmers and some people stop in to go fishing. We had our camper and barriers are in place to keep vehicles out of the tent camping area so had to camp in the parking lot


Guide to Peoria Heights

Camping sites near Peoria Heights, Illinois offer both managed and primitive options within a largely agricultural region. The terrain features rolling hills along waterfronts interspersed with small woodland areas, creating varied microclimates across camping locations. Water levels can rise quickly after rainfall, particularly at Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area where one camper noted the area "can flood when the river rises."

What to do

Fishing access: 4 miles
At Millpoint Park, multiple fishing spots accommodate different preferences. "We were able to do some fishing and kayaking. We caught some bluegill, buffalo, and large mouth bass," reports Marie B. The park offers both lake fishing from docks and river access for boat fishing.

Birding: 25-minute drive
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area provides habitat for numerous waterfowl species along the Illinois River. "We stood out by the boat ramps for a nice view across the river," notes Art S., who observed multiple species during fall migration. Morning hours offer the best wildlife viewing.

Hiking: Multiple loops
Jubilee College State Park maintains several miles of multi-use trails. "There is a decent trail system, which supports hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The trails are well maintained and most are used on regular basis," explains Brooke C. The park also offers "excellent horse trails" according to Rachel H., who rode with a group of eight.

What campers like

Spacious sites: 25-35 feet
Sites at Comlara County Park provide ample room for setup. "Site 111, which had a nice long concrete pad for parking cars on - fits easily 2-3 cars," reports Mike K. The park offers both open field camping and more secluded options, with "large open fields with camping spots - some are electric or not, so check while you reserve."

Affordable waterfront camping: $28/night
Riverside sites receive consistent praise for value, particularly at Carl Spindler Campground. "This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access," notes Stuart K. Many waterfront sites feature electric-only hookups but offer direct water access.

Night sky visibility: Limited light pollution
Multiple campers mention excellent star-viewing conditions at certain sites. "The viewing of stars is incredible," reports Joe M. about Jubilee College State Park. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours after 10 PM, creating good conditions for night sky observation.

What you should know

Seasonal wildlife hunting affects access
Wildlife management areas permit hunting during season, which impacts camping. "At 5 AM diesel pickup trucks pulling boats began to pull into the parking area... Eventually we heard the boats heading out along with gun shots - some were nearby," explains Art S. about Woodford State Conservation Area. When planning fall and winter trips, check hunting dates.

Water quality varies by location
Water at some campgrounds contains high mineral content. "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," notes Melissa C. about Millpoint Park. Multiple reviewers recommend bringing bottled drinking water, particularly for locations along the Illinois River.

Limited facilities at conservation areas
Wildlife and conservation areas offer basic amenities only. "A little rough, but is kept up as best as they can. Funding for the area is lacking," reports Jeny C. regarding Woodford State Conservation Area. Most conservation areas provide vault toilets and fire rings but lack showers or electric hookups.

Tips for camping with families

Playground options: Limited availability
Families seeking playground facilities should consider Carl Spindler Campground, which offers a small play area near the camp host. "VERY family oriented atmosphere - there was no nonsense loud drunkards in the evenings, relatively quiet and relaxing. This was a huge bonus to us, as we had younger kids," reports Mike K. about the overall atmosphere at nearby Comlara Park.

Swimming access: Designated areas only
Some locations restrict swimming to marked areas. "You can rent boats and kayaks to take out on the lake during the day and grills throughout the park to have a bbq at night with friends. There are a few playgrounds for the kids to stay busy," notes Sage C. At Comlara Park, "beach costs extra" according to Melissa B.

Safety concerns: Road proximity
Several campgrounds are situated near roadways. "A main road runs right behind the campsites. They have a wood fence on the electric side but not on our side," explains Art S. about Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area. Another camper warns, "I would be worried with small children moving around there."

Tips from RVers

Leveling requirements: Vary by park
Bring leveling blocks for older campgrounds. "We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling," reports Melissa C. at Millpoint Park. Conversely, at Comlara County Park, "Site 28 unlevel. Requires several lifts," according to Kathie M.

Winter camping options: Limited availability
For cold weather camping, Jubilee College State Park closes after December 31, while Carl Spindler Campground remains open year-round. "We had the entire campground to ourselves on a cold weekend stay," recalls Art S. "The pit toilets are always available in the winter, and I usually have the park to myself," notes Jonathan J. about winter camping at Jubilee College State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Peoria Heights, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Peoria Heights, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 66 campgrounds and RV parks near Peoria Heights, IL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Peoria Heights, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Peoria Heights, IL is Millpoint Park with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Peoria Heights, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Peoria Heights, IL.