Camping sites near Pittsfield, Illinois include both established facilities and primitive options along the Mississippi River. The region sits in the Illinois River Valley with elevations ranging from 450 to 700 feet, creating varied terrain for different camping experiences. Summer temperatures typically range from 65°F-88°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Hiking trails at Siloam Springs: About 30 minutes north of Pittsfield, this park features diverse hiking paths with terrain unusual for Illinois. "I love this camground! They have great hikes throughout the area. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and boats and fish in many locations. Great for horse back riders too!" shared one visitor to Siloam Springs State Park Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities with rentals available. Another Siloam Springs camper noted, "From hiking to fishing to boating/kayaking, there is a lot offered. I prefer to spend most of my time hiking and every once in a while, I will rent a kayak."
Mississippi River viewing: Camp along the mighty river to observe barge and boat traffic. A visitor at Silo Access Area shared, "This site is a great place to watch that amazing river pass by. You sit and watch the barges and various things float by. Really great."
What campers like
Affordable primitive options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the low-cost sites available. One camper at McCully Heritage Project mentioned, "Super inexpensive for the space that you get. Free firewood. We have only stayed at the largest site as it has good fishing and a place for us to launch our paddleboards and kayaks."
Mixed-use recreation areas: Many sites offer multiple activities beyond just camping. A visitor noted about Pittsfield City Lake: "Lots to do here in the middle of nowhere! It's a county park, so you have basketball courts, soccer field, disc golf course, and a beautiful reservoir. Showers and restrooms. Electric at sites."
Riverside campsites: Waterfront camping provides unique experiences. A camper at Dupont Reservation described it as having "All sites fronting the river, shaded by trees. Mix of campers, fishermen and hunters. A few trains at night but not many. Vault toilets. No tables, no fire rings."
What you should know
Mosquitoes can be intense: Insects are particularly bad near water and in summer months. One camper at Pittsfield City Lake warned, "Real nice campground with bathrooms and showers. Only $5 to tent camp here! Great view of the lake and easy to hike trails. Only downside is that the mosquitoes will eat you alive!"
Off-season benefits: Many campgrounds are less crowded outside peak summer months. A camper mentioned, "South loop was crowded, but few people in the north loop in October. Bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but flushing toilets and showers available. Paid $15 for full service spot. Cash only payment."
Train noise: Several riverside campgrounds are near train tracks. At Silo Access Area, one camper noted, "You won't miss the train as it comes by 3-4 times a day. And lots of barges and river boats that are fun to watch. No restrooms or hook ups of any kind."
Tips for camping with families
Family activities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. At Yogi Bears Jellystone Park, a visitor advised, "Great for a family with kids of all ages. The activities are not all day, so plan on some campside entertainment before 10am and after 6pm."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. A visitor to McCully Heritage Project mentioned, "We had a picnic and the kids got to play on the playground equipment."
Seasonal water activities: Water features are particularly appealing for families in warm months. A recent visitor to Jellystone Park shared, "Came when all the water activities were closed for the season. Cannot wait to come back! Facilities very clean and family oriented. Very fun for kids."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and layouts: RV campers should check site specifications before booking. At Mark Twain Cave & Campground, a camper observed, "The 'premium pull-through' spots are a joke. All gravel, way too close together. No way we could have had a fire that close to our camper or our neighbors."
Hookup placement challenges: Some sites have inconveniently located utilities. One RVer at Pittsfield City Lake reported, "The electric and water hookups on some sites, at least ours, was at the back and on the wrong side. Our electric cord just reached the post."
Connectivity options: For those needing internet access, reception varies by location. An RVer shared detailed information: "AT&T coverage varied, with 1-2 Bars of LTE service and speeds between 0.4 and 3.5 MB/s. We had a clear view of the southern and northern sky, so we were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites."
