Best Tent Camping near Peru, IL
State parks and conservation areas near Peru, Illinois offer diverse tent camping options along the Illinois River and Hennepin Canal. Kayak Starved Rock Campground provides about 50 primitive tent campsites directly across from Starved Rock State Park, offering riverfront views and fire rings. Buffalo Rock State Park Campground features walk-in tent sites accessible from the I&M Canal Tow Path, with four sites including a group site with shelter. For youth groups, Starved Rock State Park Youth Campground provides tent-only camping in two meadows surrounded by thick treelines, with nearby access to 13+ miles of hiking trails through canyons and along limestone cliffs.
Most primitive tent camping areas in the region require campers to bring their own water, as potable sources are limited. The Hennepin Canal Lock campgrounds (Locks 11 and 21) offer Class C primitive camping for $8 per night on a first-come, first-served basis with no set check-in times. Sites typically include fire rings, and some have picnic tables. Tent campsites at Buffalo Rock are set on grassy areas with trees at the edges providing shade depending on time of day. Castle Rock State Park offers unique boat-in tent camping with approximately 9 individual sites and a group site, but requires paddling to access. Clark's Run Campground provides basic tent sites with minimal amenities but remains a backup option during peak seasons when other campgrounds fill.
In early fall, tent campers find less crowded conditions at most sites in the region. One visitor at Castle Rock State Park noted having "the entire campground to myself" despite visiting on Labor Day weekend, highlighting the seclusion possible at boat-in tent sites. At Buffalo Rock State Park, a camper reported feeling "a little exposed being right off the trail" but found everyone friendly. The campsites at Kayak Starved Rock offer beautiful views but limited privacy, with one reviewer noting "everyone is right next to one another so you better like your neighbors." For tent campers seeking solitude, the Hennepin Canal Lock campgrounds often remain empty even during summer months, with one visitor mentioning they saw no other campers during their entire stay.