Best Tent Camping near Rochester, IL

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Rochester? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Rochester, Illinois's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Rochester, IL (8)

    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Edward Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Spillway (IL)
      Camper-submitted photo from Spillway (IL)
      Camper-submitted photo from Spillway (IL)

      4. Spillway (IL)

      3 Reviews
      3 Photos
      4 Saves
      Shelbyville, Illinois

      Overview

      Spillway is a day use area on the shore of the Kaskaskia River just below the Lake Shelbyville dam.

      Situated in the heart of central Illinois, the river, lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, picnicking and simply relaxing by the water.

      Natural Features:

      This facility is mostly open with some wooded areas. Oak and hickory are the dominant tree species.

      Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer.

      Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink.

      Recreation:

      Spillway is a fun place to relax along the river. It has plenty of open space and a playground for children.

      Lake Shelbyville and the Kaskaskia River also offer a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. For those without boats, there are also several ponds with farmed fish available around the lake.

      Hunting areas located within a short drive offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.

      Facilities:

      This facility has a reservable picnic shelter that can accommodate 50 people. Six picnic tables, a playground, volleyball courts, fish cleaning station, flush toilets and spigots for drinking water are provided.

      Nearby Attractions:

      Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Reservable
      • Tents
      • Market
      Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Ridge
      Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Ridge
      Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Ridge
      • No image available

        6. Dam West (Day Use)

        Be the first to review!
        Shelbyville, Illinois

        Overview

        Dam West Day Use Area offers reservable group picnic shelters on the shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois.

        The lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, swimming, picnicking and simply relaxing. Boaters have year-round access to the lake, even during high lake elevations.

        Natural Features:

        This facility is mostly open with a clear view of the lake. About half of the land around the lake is forested, with oak and hickory as the dominant species. Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer.

        Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink.

        Recreation:

        Boaters have access to a multi-lane boat ramp and courtesy dock, and hikers can explore the shore using a number of trails. The General Dacey Trail begins at Dam West Recreation Area and makes its way through Shelbyvilles Forrest Park.

        Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. For those without a boat, several managed ponds with farmed fish are available around the lake.

        Hunting areas, located a short drive away, offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.

        Facilities:

        Dam West Day Use Area has four group picnic shelters; three can accommodate about 50 people each, while one can host up to 100. The shelters each have six picnic tables, and the facility provides volleyball courts, a large public beach with showers and a playground.

        Nearby Attractions:

        Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.

        • Pets
        • Electric Hookups
        • Reservable
        • Tents
        • Group
        • No image available

          7. Kaskaskia River Camp

          Be the first to review!
          1 Save
          Shelbyville, Illinois

          Tent camping. Limited electric and water. Canoe and boat rentals, bait and showers. On river bank.

          • Fires
          • Tents
          • Trash
          • Picnic Table
          • Showers
          • Drinking Water
          • No image available

            8. Dam East (Day Use)

            Be the first to review!
            Shelbyville, Illinois

            Overview

            Dam East Day Use Area sits above the shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois.

            The lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, picnicking and simply relaxing by the water.

            Natural Features:

            This facility sits above the lake with a steep descent to the shoreline. Oak and hickory trees dominate the landscape.

            Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer.

            Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink.

            Recreation:

            With a playground, volleyball court and horseshoe pit, Dam East Day Use is a fun place for families to relax along the lake.

            Within a short drive, Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. For those without a boat, several ponds with farmed fish are available around the lake.

            Nearby hunting areas offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.

            Facilities:

            This facility offers one reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 50 people. Six picnic tables, a large grill, flush toilets and electric hookups are provided.

            Nearby Attractions:

            Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.

            • Pets
            • Electric Hookups
            • Reservable
            • Tents
            • Group

          Recent Tent Reviews in Rochester

          300 Reviews of 8 Rochester Campgrounds


          • John H.
            Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
            Sep. 12, 2024

            Waverly Lake City Park

            Nice little lake and camp ground

            I've stayed here a couple times now. Each time there has only been one other person. It's quiet and peaceful, however there's not much to do. As far as I know there's no running water. There are portable toilets that are kept clean. There's also a 4 consecutive day per month limit.

          • Aaron B.
            Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
            Sep. 6, 2024

            Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

            Lakeside Relaxation

            These walk in sites check all the boxes.  At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from.  About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there.  We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well.  A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets.  Park staff and host were great.  A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64.  $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric.  A water source is also by the parking spots.  The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake.  Springfield being so close is a bonus.

            The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there.  Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park.  Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot.  Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.

          • David F.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground
            Sep. 2, 2024

            Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground

            JIM Edgar Panther Creek S.P.

            Praire Lake Campground has 3 facilities on the lake. FAMILY camp for Rv, Tentand cabins. 1. 84 sites with Electric or 19 have FHU. 2. Primitive Camp has seven three-sided shelters to camp near or in for a fee of $6 per night 3. Group camp area. A separate location has the equestrian campground, Questing Hills, with 51 electric sites.

          • D
            Camper-submitted photo from Coon Creek (IL)
            Aug. 29, 2024

            Coon Creek (IL)

            Unfriendly park attendants

            Check in crabby park attendants. Tried to change to another site that was available, I was told they only check people in and out, that was it! I was told to flag down a Ranger for help. My family will never come here again!

          • Linda N.
            Camper-submitted photo from Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
            Aug. 10, 2024

            Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

            Memorabe trip

            One of our favorite camping trips so far!

            We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on.

            Sites were somewhat open but there were tons of trees and grass behind each spot so it didn’t feel so exposed. We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole.

            We heard the toilets and shower house were brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who might not make it to the outhouse so we never used the campground toilet/facilities.

            Definitely our vibe of being more secluded and on the water.

          • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Evening Star Camping Resort
            Jul. 26, 2024

            Evening Star Camping Resort

            Campers Are Like Family

            Love to swim in the pool, play in the bags tournaments, enjoy the fundraiser in July for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, mini golf, basketball and theme weekends. My favorite is the chili cook off and Halloween weekends are a blast!!

          • Sara W.
            Camper-submitted photo from Friends Creek Campground
            Jul. 7, 2024

            Friends Creek Campground

            Clean, spacious sites, nice amenities

            Friends Creek is a small campground with nice spacious sites and super clean bathhouses and pit toilets. The fire pits are well kept and the camp host was very kind! He came around with suckers for the kids and just to check in. We hiked a bit on the trails and played in the creek. Highly recommend.

          • L
            Camper-submitted photo from Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
            Jul. 6, 2024

            Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

            Great visit with the family

            We had a fantastic time here. We came during Fourth of July and never felt like it was overly crowded. Sites were spacious but wasn’t much privacy, which didn’t bother us because it allowed for our kids to play with the other kids easily. Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole. We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family and our interests. We did not use the toilets or showers, although it looked like they were in working order as others were using then. We had a cloudless night and the stars were spectacular.

          • Olivia L.
            Camper-submitted photo from Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area
            May. 27, 2024

            Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

            Great

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          • Nick W.
            Camper-submitted photo from Kentuckiana Campground
            May. 16, 2024

            Kentuckiana Campground

            Great family atmosphere

            Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler. Spots are kind of cramped and close together, one of our favorite places though!

          • DThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Anderson Lake SFWA
            Apr. 6, 2024

            Anderson Lake SFWA

            Simple yet beautiful & peaceful.

            We have been here 3 Xs over the pas years as a stop over while traveling. They only have vault toilets, but clean. This time no water due to water break.issue. just a nice place on a beautiful lake. Nice for bird watching.

          • JThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area
            Feb. 1, 2024

            Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

            Clean park, cheap prices. Would definitely come back

            The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores

          • David F.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
            Nov. 30, 2023

            Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

            State Park away from busier Illinois

            https://camp.exploremoreil.com/ 84 electric RV sites all reservable except 21 First Come sites. 18 sites are full hookup. Several 50 amp sites but majority are 30 amp. Modern Shower house and 7 Vault toilet buildings. Newer Campground so Shade Trees are smaller still. Have camped here 4 times past 3 years. Like the quite agricultural Illinois environment but suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities as most of the few small towns are limited to a Bar and Dollar store.

          • L
            Camper-submitted photo from Kamper Kompanion RV Park
            Nov. 6, 2023

            Kamper Kompanion RV Park

            Kamper Companion Family Favy

            We really enjoyed Kamper Companion! We stay there every time we pass through Litchfield. Quiet, family friendly, and great for our dogs. We love the dog yard!

          • mThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
            Oct. 17, 2023

            Illinois State Fair Campground

            Large campground, good location, good value

            On the state fairgrounds just off gate 10 or 11. Very large number of spaces…older bathrooms/ showers but very clean. All spaces seem to have electricity and water.

          • RThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
            Sep. 28, 2023

            Illinois State Fair Campground

            Clean, beautiful urban camp

            We always leave late on the first day of a trip and get stressed. This was an easy 3/4 day trip from our house and a great place to relax. Great thick grass carpet spots if you want.Great level paved pads if you want.Friendly checking , friendly security driving around all night. Lots of showers, mine was good and hot. Some traffic noise All kinds of open spots if it isn’t fair week. Don’t just show up fair week.

          • JASON L.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
            Jul. 28, 2023

            Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

            Hickory Point Heaven

            There's really no way to describe this campground except for: Accommodating. Beautiful. Clean. Convenient. Peaceful. Relaxing. We have spent many weekends here and have never had a bad experience. Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff and crew do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!!! We appreciate them and this wonderful campground. Our favorite sites are 13, 18, 23. Please visit and enjoy!

          • Sara W.
            Camper-submitted photo from Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort
            Jul. 2, 2023

            Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort

            One of our favorites!

            This is one of our favorites. It’s close to home for us but also, very clean with nice staff and a fun environment. The pool is a huge plus, it’s so incredibly nice. There’s a small game room and little camp store with firewood and ice. The sites are kind of close together but they’re clean and have nice fire pits and tables. The campground is well cared for. We went 4th of July weekend and they even had a golf cart parade and through candy which was so fun for our son. We’ll always visit here.



          Frequently Asked Questions

          • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rochester, IL?

            According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rochester, IL is Waverly Lake City Park with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

          • What is the best site to find tent camping near Rochester, IL?

            TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Rochester, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.