Best Campgrounds near Rock Island, IL

Campgrounds in Rock Island, Illinois support several types of camping experiences along the Mississippi River corridor. Established options include Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA with cabin, tent, RV, and glamping accommodations, while Fishermans Corner on the Mississippi River provides more basic tent and RV sites with water access. Illiniwek Campground in Hampton offers riverside sites with boat-in access approximately 10 miles north of Rock Island. Most campgrounds in this area feature mixed-use sites supporting both tent and RV camping, with water and electrical hookups commonly available.

Seasonal considerations affect campground operations throughout the region, with many facilities operating from April through October. Park Terrace Campground operates from April 15 to October 15, while Shady Creek maintains a similar season from May to late October. Several campgrounds like Camelot remain open year-round, providing winter camping options when other facilities close for the season. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Most established campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with some offering full-service sites including sewer connections. As one visitor noted, "Spots are close, but level. Sewage located well to rear of most campsites, so back way in."

Campers consistently rate water access as a significant advantage at many Rock Island area campgrounds. Multiple campgrounds feature lake or river frontage with boat launch facilities, fishing opportunities, and water recreation options. Illiniwek Campground and Fishermans Corner provide direct Mississippi River access, while West Lake Park offers multiple lakes for fishing and electric-motor boating. Amenities vary considerably between locations, with some providing basic services while others feature more developed facilities. A camper described West Lake Park as having "lots to do and is a great place to come with kids. There are multiple large playgrounds, a disk golf course, large sandy swim beach, a concession stand, four lakes with boat rentals, and plenty of miles of hiking trails." Many campgrounds maintain shower facilities, sanitary dump stations, and picnic tables at individual sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Rock Island, Illinois (110)

    1. Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA

    18 Reviews
    Rock Island, IL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 787-0665

    "Close to stores, and resturants. A casino close by."

    "I had fun nice little get away from every one nature is everywhere compared to city I love it"

    2. Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River

    23 Reviews
    Bettendorf, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 259-3628

    $14 - $26 / night

    "As with all the campgrounds along the Northern Illinois Great River Trail, it is along side Rt. 84, and railroad tracks."

    "Bugs were not too bad when we were there (October) which was surprising as it was so close to the river and still warm. The after-hours check-in procedure was a little confusing."

    3. Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park

    13 Reviews
    Davenport, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 328-3281

    $27 / night

    "The host is on site plus a park ranger was frequently driving around to check on things. We were there on Labor Day weekend and everyone quieted down in the evening."

    "This campground is located in West Lake Park about 5 miles from downtown Davenport. There are two campgrounds – Summit and Park Terrace. "

    4. Buffalo Shores County Park

    10 Reviews
    Rock Island, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 328-3281

    $22 - $25 / night

    "Nice beach walk and next to a small town. Came in December to find they close the campground for the season but there’s lots of small lots to park overnight."

    "Short walk to the beach. All sites are 50 and 30 you just show up pick a spot and go to the office. Camp host stays on site. Nice sized playground for kids. Plenty of room around campers."

    5. Shady Creek

    17 Reviews
    Illinois City, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 419-0857

    $14 - $26 / night

    "We could see multiple fire works shows if we walked around the campground with the neighbors across the street putting on a pretty great "amateur" show. "

    "Still a two hundred foot walk and I am there.
    Very clean. I was next to a vault toilet did did use it for a quick #1. Clean and did not have any foul smell.

    Level cement pads."

    6. Summit Campground - West Lake Park

    8 Reviews
    Davenport, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 328-3281

    $17 - $36 / night

    "CG has new septic lines and walking paths! Sites have upgraded lanes, pads."

    "Sites offer: tables, fire rings, hard drive through pads, electric, water, showers/RR, play areas, horse shoes, trails, and 2 cabins adjacent to CG. Overflow/visitor parking."

    7. Illiniwek Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bettendorf, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 496-2620

    "The campground is also right next to a biking trail. There was public and private bathrooms. The private ones were only accessible to campers that received a key from the park office."

    "There is a section of the campground where you can camp right on the edge of the Mississippi River which is nice, but you must deal with people fishing the entire time."

    8. Clarks Ferry

    11 Reviews
    Illinois City, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 419-7594

    $25 - $26 / night

    "Great campsite close to the bathrooms for an affordable price."

    "Just off Highway 22 and runs along Mississippi River and railroad tracks. Shady sites, showers, 50 amp service, fish cleaning station, playground, and small amphitheater for naturalist programs. "

    9. Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins

    18 Reviews
    Long Grove, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 328-3282

    $17 - $36 / night

    "Enjoyed almost 2 weeks at West Lake Park, part of the Scott County, IA park system. Helpful staff, park rangers make daily patrols, nice spots, many with shade trees & decent room."

    "Although theres a small "lake" here, Ive never had great luck catching much. Pool is nice and updated. Park rangers are always frequently present and patrolling."

    10. Interstate RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Eldridge, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 386-7292

    "Easy on off from highway, cute little place but still fit a big rig towing a trailer. DoorDash in area is convenient. 50 ⚡️💩👍💧👍"

    "It’s a bit noisy due to the nearness to the interstate."

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Recent Reviews near Rock Island, IL

520 Reviews of 110 Rock Island Campgrounds


  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2026

    Summit Campground - West Lake Park

    Clean County CG

    Summit campground offers basic amenities, including firings, Tables, water, electric, sewer, hard pads, seasonal host, firewood, play area, shower, house, and restrooms. The park offers, swimming, fishing, paddling, lakes, with concessions, disc golf, course, trails, and cabins nearby.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2026

    Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park

    Well maintained County CG

    Park Terrace campground offers basic sites, including firing, water, electric septic, picnic tables, gravel, pads, firewood, on site, camp, ground host, seasonally, recycling station, shower, house, and restrooms, play area. The park itself offers lake, fishing and paddling, a beach open seasonally, disc golf course, shelters for rent, tent areas as well.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2026

    Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA

    Nice Campground

    We followed our GPS along with the campground instructions, though the written directions were slightly off. Coming off I-80 to IL-92 west, the instructions said to turn left at the third stoplight onto 78th Street, but the correct turn was actually at the second stoplight. Other than that small hiccup, both the GPS and campground directions worked fine. Check-in was quick and easy, and we were guided by golf cart to our site. We were told to make wide turns where the cart did, and by following that advice we had no issues pulling into pull-through site 31 with full hookups. The site was more than long enough for our 40-foot fifth wheel and F450. Most of the utilities were located near the middle of the pad, but we needed about 25 feet of water hose to comfortably reach the connections and align with the sewer. We had 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on T-Mobile. The campground has mature trees throughout, so satellite users may need to reposition for a clear shot, though it would be possible. Since our T-Mobile signal was solid, we used T-Mobile Home Internet instead of deploying Starlink. Water pressure was decent during our stay. The campground offers a mix of deluxe patio sites and water-view or water-access sites, though for our one-night stay we were in a basic gravel site. There are permanent and seasonal residents in the campground, but the sites were neat and orderly. Overall, this was a decent campground for a short stop or even a longer stay.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 9, 2026

    Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park

    Well maintained county park

    I live in the area we have visited many times throughout my life. The park is always well maintained, clean, friendly rangers, and good accommodations for the size of the park. There’s a swimming area, play grounds, shelters, trails, plenty of places to fish, plenty of parking, and beautiful scenery. I have stayed in both tent sites and camper sites. All were what you would expect from a county park. Nothing extraordinary or fancy but great for what it is and where it is located. It is very popular and there are always many campers even in winter.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2026

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Hidden Cave Country

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional reflections and tips as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this camp loop near the remarkable cave system of Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) The campground is nestled under a dense canopy of tall trees, offering shade, peace and a deep-woods feel rarely found so close to a major trail and cave network; (2) It’s just a short walk from the trailhead of the park’s famed 13-cave system, making it ideal for early morning spelunkers or families wanting adventure without long drives; (3) Campsites are reasonably spacious and include essential hookups with 24 of the roughly 28 sites featuring 20 / 30 / 50-amp electric and many are well separated from neighbors; (4) The modern bathhouse and showers are clean and appreciated, especially after muddy hikes through the caves; (5) Wildlife and geology lovers will be delighted, where you can expect to see deer, turkey, and perhaps even a bat fluttering near dusk, with cave formations and hiking trails that are genuinely outstanding; and (6) The campground here really is one of the best I’ve ever come across, where it is nicely tucked away AFTER you pass by the tourist trappings that these bat caves produce, but what you will enjoy most is the serenity of the place, watching as the thick mist lifts from the campground area as the sun rises higher during the day giving off a very cool vibe to this place.

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some of the access roads and pads are packed sand and gravel rather than smooth pavement, which can challenge level setup for larger rigs after rain; (2) Trail signage can be minimal and navigating the caves may get confusing without a good flashlight or headlamp; (3) Although the hookups exist, this campground is still basic compared to full-service resorts (which, TBH is why I love it here so much), so no big clubhouse or elaborate amenities; (4) Sites closer to the entrance (like #1-#3 or #27-#28) can register more traffic and less tranquility than those deeper in the loop; and (5) Bee and mosquito activity near the creek and cave edges can pick up at dusk in the summer, so a bit of bug protection goes a long way.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2026

    6B's Campground

    Two Levels of Relaxation and Riverfront Charm

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, here’s a refreshed look at this warm, unpretentious, and delightfully layered campground just east of Maquoketa Caves State Park.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) The campground’s two-tiered design offers a unique blend of rustic seclusion and riverside serenity where the upper plateau caters to tent campers with grassy lawns, mature shade trees and well-maintained fire rings, while the lower level hugs the slow-moving Maquoketa River and is more suited to the RV camping tribe; (2) Karen Townsend, who manages the place, and her welcoming crew embody true Midwestern hospitality – you know, the kind that makes strangers feel like locals; (3) The lower section features spacious riverfront sites with water and 30-amp hookups, plus a small boat ramp, diving platform and calm waters for kayaking or just floating; (4) The peace and quiet are unbeatable, with the only background noise being a chorus of crickets and the soft babble of the river; and (5) Location-wise, it’s hard to top, being just minutes from Maquoketa Caves State Park, and surrounded by scenic farmland with zero city intrusion.

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) The campground operates strictly on cash, money order, or check, so if you’re the ‘tap-to-pay’ type, plan ahead or you’ll be driving back into town for funds; (2) The gravel descent to the river level can be tricky for longer trailers or heavy rigs, particularly after a good Iowa rain; (3) Amenities are minimal here with no frills, no WiFi, no clubhouse… but that’s exactly what keeps this place authentic and peaceful.

    Happy Camping!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2025

    Iowa 80 Truckstop

    Good overnight parking and I 80 access

    This overnight access is a small town in itself. This site offers not only the basic communities and needs of fuel, including EV, charging stations, but auto parts, showers, dentist, Chiropractic, care, gifts, dog park, and is right next to the I 80 trucking museum. Good lighting in the overnight spots which has room for long RVs.

  • Ken and Sheryl C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 6, 2025

    Geneseo Campground

    Small and quiet

    Good for an overnight. Long term residents. Stayed in 42’ 5th wheel

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    Interstate RV Park

    Overnight/short stay by I-80

    This campground needs updating, including gravel lanes and roads, pads. Sites have tables, electric, water, and an Office/general store. They appear to be numerous permanent residence as well. The location is a bonus, being near the interstate with fuel, Supplies, and a Blaines Farm And Fleet store across the entrance.


Guide to Rock Island

Rock Island campgrounds provide varied camping experiences along the western edge of Illinois, where the Mississippi River creates a natural border with Iowa. The region sits at approximately 580 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate that delivers hot summers and cold winters. Most campsites near Rock Island offer mixed terrain with river bottomlands and wooded areas that provide partial shade during summer camping season.

What to do

Explore Mississippi River fishing spots: Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River provides direct river access for anglers. "Sites are shaded, with services, fire pits, wood available, site volunteer. Access along river for fishing," notes James M. The riverside location allows for watching commercial river traffic while fishing from shore.

Try disc golf courses: Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park features a challenging course that draws enthusiasts. "Park has many amenities: 4 recently retired fishing and paddling lakes with seasonal swimming beach and concessions, disc golf, new hiking trails, shelters, playgrounds," reports James M. The course has earned a reputation among serious players.

Visit historical attractions: Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins offers access to a pioneer village recreation. "We also stopped at the Pioneer Village to check it out. They do expect you to leave a $2 donation per adult and $1 donation per child, but this is based on the honor system," writes M E. "It was very cool to see how things were done back then! We would definitely recommend stopping by, and definitely stop in the ice-cream shop and get a cone!"

What campers like

Level concrete pads: Campsites in the Rock Island area frequently feature solid, well-maintained camping surfaces. "Spots are level," reports Gena B. "Paved everywhere, level concrete pads. Corps of Engineers takes really good care of their recreation areas," according to Al K. at Fishermans Corner.

Water recreation options: Illiniwek Campground provides multiple water activities. "The sunsets on the Mississippi were beautiful each evening!" reports M E. "CG has both RV and tent sites, playgrounds, volleyball, restrooms, shelters, open spaces, and fishing/boating/paddling along Mississippi River," notes James M.

Clean shower facilities: Multiple campers highlight the well-maintained restroom facilities. "Bathhouse: The bath/shower house was decent (flush toilets, soap dispensers) and it was clean," mentions Lee D. "I liked their bathroom/shower house setup, which I had not seen before. Instead of the standard men's/women's sides, there were four separate rooms, each with toilet, sink, and shower," shares Lisa H. at Clarks Ferry.

What you should know

Train noise impacts sleep: Many campgrounds along the Mississippi River corridor sit near active rail lines. "The train was just relentless, even during the night. My husband is a train loving kind of guy, but even he thought it was very loud and constant," reports Stephanie S. about Clarks Ferry. "If it weren't for the trains going by constantly, it would be a five star place."

Seasonal operating schedules: Most campgrounds close during winter months. "The campground is open year-round but they shut of the water spigots around the end of October (depending on the weather)," reports Nancy W. Some campgrounds remain partially open with limited services during off-season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rock Island campground located?

Rock Island is located in western Illinois along the Mississippi River. The area includes several campgrounds near the Rock River and Mississippi River confluence. Prophetstown State Park Campground is hidden along the Rock River in Prophetstown, Illinois, offering easy access to the water and walking distance to stores. Nearby communities like Geneseo and Atkinson provide convenient access points for travelers exploring the Rock Island area.

Can you camp with RVs at Rock Island?

Yes, the Rock Island area has several RV-friendly camping options. Little Bear Campground offers RV sites with full hookups for $33/night, featuring fire rings and picnic tables. Sites are good-sized and level. Riverview City Park provides water and electric hookups for RVs along with a dump station. For overnight parking options, Walmart — Geneseo Store offers ample space on freshly paved asphalt, making it a convenient layover for RVs traveling along I-80.

Is Rock Island good for fishing?

Yes, Rock Island is excellent for fishing with its proximity to both the Rock River and Mississippi River. Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River is an Army Corps of Engineers campground positioned perfectly for Mississippi River fishing access. Chief Keokuk Campground — Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area features a lake with seasonal boat rentals, providing additional fishing opportunities just north of Kewanee. The confluence of major rivers in this region creates diverse fishing habitats for various species throughout the year.

What amenities are available at Rock Island campground?

Rock Island area campgrounds offer varying amenities. Wildcat Den State Park Campground provides a rustic experience with 19 non-electric sites, each featuring picnic tables and fire rings. Basic amenities include water stations and toilets. For more developed options, Riverview Campground - Loud Thunder Forest Preserve offers wooded sites with more seclusion in the Silva area, while their River campground has more open sites. Many campgrounds in the region provide shower facilities, playground areas, and water access.