Campgrounds near Quincy, Illinois offer water-based recreation options along the Mississippi River and nearby lakes. The area sits at an elevation around 500 feet with humid continental climate patterns typical of western Illinois. Seasonal variations affect camping conditions significantly, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and moderate humidity from May through September.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Wakonda State Park, visitors can fish at multiple lakes. "There are 6 lakes with swimming and fishing. Boat docks, and boat rentals and great hiking trails," says Kris P. about Wakonda Lake Campground.
Hiking trails: Boulder Lake Campground offers interconnected trails around lakes. "Great trails too, ranging from half a mile to 3 miles," notes Mary N. about Boulder Lake Campground. The trails follow lakes with varied terrain suitable for beginner to intermediate hikers.
Swimming: Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas. "There is a nice swimming beach with a place to shower off the sand," writes Annie C. about Boulder Lake Campground. During summer months, water temperatures typically reach the mid-70s.
Miniature golf: Some campgrounds provide recreation facilities on-site. Victoria G. mentions Cozy C RV Campground has "minature golf and pet area," offering family-friendly entertainment without leaving the campground.
What campers like
River views: Campsites along the Mississippi provide scenic vistas. "The river front was a great view!" says Caschelle S. about Canton City River Park. Many sites position campers within 50 feet of the water.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate room to spread out. At Wakonda Lake, "The sites are very large and our rv site has a cement pad. It makes for an easy setup," reports Carleen. Sites typically provide 20-30 feet between neighbors.
Swimming areas: Designated swimming beaches help campers cool off during summer months. "There is also a large swimming pool," notes Cathy S. about Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park. The park maintains separate swimming facilities from fishing areas.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms rank high with campers. "The showers and restroom were impressively clean," notes Art Z. about Driftwood Campground. Most campgrounds clean facilities daily during peak season.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate with limited schedules. Driftwood Campground runs from March 15 to November 1, with some exceptions. "When it was supposed to be closed. They extended their season because the weather was so good," reports Gary V.
Flooding risk: Riverside campgrounds occasionally close due to high water. "I tried to camp here, but it was closed temporarily due to high water on the Mississippi River. In fact, part of the campground road was under water," Annie C. notes about Canton City River Park.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds sit near roads with audible traffic. "The park is wedged between the highway and a cow farm, so expect some noise, especially with few trees or landscaping to absorb the sound," warns Annie C. about Cozy C RV Campground.
Varying cell service: Coverage fluctuates throughout the region with carrier differences. AT&T typically provides better service than Verizon at most locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with play structures. Mary H. notes Canton City River Park has a "playground is well kept," while Boulder Lake Campground features "some interesting cement tunnels/bunkers that kids might have fun exploring."
Water recreation options: Multiple activities keep children engaged. "Being after Labor Day the water par was closed, but looked like fun. Mini golf was booming," says Cathy S. about Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park. Some parks rent kayaks for older children.
Site selection: Choose spots away from water for younger children. At Woodyz Acres RV Park & Campground, Heather B. mentions "They have a pool, kids area and a putt putt area," which offers contained recreation spaces.
Off-season considerations: Facilities may close seasonally. "One bath house was very dirty. I told front desk and they said well it's going to close soon for the winter," reports Laura about Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park during off-season.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pads: Many rv sites near Quincy, Illinois feature solid parking surfaces. "Clean facilities, full hookup sites with concrete pads," notes Joey S. These level platforms simplify setup and stabilization.
Pull-through access: Several parks accommodate larger vehicles with drive-through sites. Indian Creek RV Park provides spacious sites, with Scott M. noting it's "a good place and location...great for folks with larger RVs that can't get into time campgrounds."
Hook-up locations: Pay attention to utility placement. David B. at Camp Nauvoo observes "Utilities were located in different spots. 20A/30A/50A electric in the middle, water near the rear, and sewer near the front," which may require extension cords or longer hoses.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. Muffy Clark G. notes Wakonda State Park has "Easy access to dump station," while others require travel to separate facilities.
