Camping near Orangeville, Illinois offers varied experiences from rustic tent sites to full-service RV accommodations throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The terrain features a mix of hardwood forests, pine groves, and riverfront campsites, with elevations ranging from 750-1,000 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, with Sugar River Forest Preserve extending its season until November 19.
What to do
River activities: At Crazy Horse Campground in Brodhead, Wisconsin, campers can enjoy complimentary kayaking services. "They provide at no charge kayaks and a shuttle to a drop-off point which you can kayak back down to the campground which takes about an hour and a half," notes David H. The Sugar River is ideal for both beginners and experienced paddlers.
Hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking options of varying difficulty. At Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground, located about 30 miles east of Orangeville, you'll find "a nice beach for kids and adults to relax at and lots of kayaks on the water," according to Ryan K. The park features both wooded and prairie trails for day hiking.
Brewery tours: When camping at New Glarus State Park Campground, you can walk or bike to the renowned New Glarus Brewery. As Dana B. explains, "This park is a favorite stop of ours when we want to go visit new glarus brewery for a few beers. It's about a mile and half away." The brewery offers tours and tastings of its Wisconsin-exclusive beers.
What campers like
Private sites: Many campers value the privacy available at certain campgrounds in the area. At Sugar River Forest Preserve, the primitive sites are particularly desirable. "The primitive sites are where it's at! First come first serve and they fill up quick," reports Addie S. These sites provide more seclusion than standard electric sites.
Fishing opportunities: Apple River Canyon offers excellent fishing just steps from your campsite. "Great small spot! Beautiful setting, great fishing (stocked trout in April, Smallmouth all year)," shares Brannon M., who recommends bringing "sandals for wet wading in the creek" and heading "upstream for a 1/4 mile for really awesome views."
Clean facilities: Despite being a county-run facility, Sugar River Forest Preserve maintains high standards. Christopher R. notes, "We had a great time in this hidden gem. The bath house is easily within walking distance from anywhere in the campground. They have fire rings and picnic tables and firewood for sale at the entrance." The campground features tall pine trees providing shade throughout the camping area.
What you should know
Limited phone service: Cell coverage can be spotty throughout the region. At Apple River Canyon, one camper notes, "I love that there is minimal cell signal to keep everyone off their phones." Similarly, at Yellowstone Lake State Park, connection is limited. This provides an opportunity to disconnect but requires advance planning for navigation and information needs.
Weather considerations: Spring camping near Orangeville often means dealing with high water levels and muddy conditions. A visitor to Rock Cut State Park mentioned, "We live less than five minutes from Rock Cut and wanted to test out our pop up camper. It's off season so the showers were not open yet but there were open toilets."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Lake Le-Aqua-Na, Mike F. advises that "All sites are clean. They clean out fire pits after every weekend." However, some sites require advance planning as they "were not the most level." For holiday weekends, reservations should be made months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area offers a beach for swimming, though conditions vary seasonally. One family noted, "We had a lot of fun there playing in the water on the beach," though they cautioned that their young child "got a really bad bacterial rash from the water." The park also features fishing opportunities in a separate kids' pond.
Campsite selection: For families seeking privacy, certain campgrounds offer more secluded options. At Rock Cut State Park, Jack D. recommends the "Pine Ridge area for a quieter night," while noting that when they stayed in Hickory Hill, they found "Great shade and dense woods separated us from the RV area."
Activity options: Some campgrounds offer additional family activities beyond nature exploration. At Crazy Horse Campground, Marc W. explains they have a "Daily Activity bracelet that allows you to partake in all activities" including "pool, kayaking services, batting cages, miniature golf, peddle cars, and some others." These amenities can keep children engaged during longer stays.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Apple River Canyon, Kylie H. advises, "Though there is a dump station, I would not recommend this park for large campers. Our pop up did fine and we saw a few other tear drop campers, but the roads are pretty narrow for anything more than that."
Electrical considerations: Lena KOA, located just minutes from Orangeville, offers reliable hookups for RVs of all sizes. According to Christie S., "This is the second KOA I've stayed at and is by far the better one of the two, the staff was super friendly and there was a lot of activities for the kids to do."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Yellowstone Lake State Park, Jeanne M. recommends to "check to make sure you will get a campsite that is level enough for your vehicle. Lots of the campsites are uneven and larger vehicles may have issues getting level."
