Best Campgrounds near Rockford, IL
Looking for the best campgrounds near Rockford, IL? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Rockford. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Illinois camping adventure.
Best Camping Sites Near Rockford, Illinois (88)
1. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground
81 ReviewsMachesney Park, IL9 milesWebsite+1 (815) 885-3311$12 - $50 / night
"Rock cut is only about a 50 minute drive from the far burbs of Chicago. It’s situated a few miles outside of Rockford so if you’re into exploring old industrial river towns, this is a nice one."
"Take a leisurely stroll, or fish in their stocked lake. Rock cut is a sweet park just outside Rockford. The sites are not private in the least, but I've met some really nice people!"
2. Blackhawk Valley Campground
9 ReviewsRockford, IL4 milesWebsite+1 (989) 671-1125"We had plans for a weekend in Rockford, but Rock Cut State Park was booked, and found this on Google maps.
In business since 1966 and the care for it shows.""Although a 15 minute drive from the main highway, this campground makes it worth it. Beautiful green common areas and a creek with small Sandy area below."
3. Lowden State Park Campground
19 ReviewsOregon, IL20 milesWebsite+1 (815) 732-6828$10 - $20 / night
"I found spot 70 that was away from most of the others. We heard no main road noise but did hear people passing us by. Even though someone camped right across from me, we really didn't see each other."
"Lots of good trees around for hammocking, especially at B38. Short walk to the shower and stall building."
4. Hononegah Forest Preserve
7 ReviewsRockton, IL14 milesWebsite+1 (815) 877-6100$11 - $31 / night
"The bulk of the primitive campsites are located on the western side of the campground near the river’s edge, while those sites offering up electric and closer access to running water are located mostly"
"Hike trail (path rather) was a great little scenic walk. Was going to upload some photos but the app wouldn't allow me to."
5. MacQueen Forest Preserve
6 ReviewsKirkland, IL13 milesWebsite+1 (815) 522-6254"You have to walk up to the sites. There's a wagon and a dolly to take your things.
There isn't much in terms of hiking trails."
"I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground."
6. Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve
7 ReviewsPecatonica, IL16 milesWebsite+1 (815) 877-6100$15 - $25 / night
"Outside Rockford ILL. I didnt stay, was just scouting. Hardly anyone here. Sites are close together. Has electric. $13 residents, $23 non reaidents. Pit toilets. Water."
"This is a nice campground that winds around through some light woods. Campsites have electric hookups. There are certainly lots of picnic tables. We saw more than one per site."
7. Sugar River Forest Preserve
10 ReviewsDurand, IL19 milesWebsite+1 (815) 877-6100"There are very tall trees around the entire campground giving you some respite from the sun and the heat. The bath house is easily within walking distance from anywhere in the campground. "
"Last time we camped in site 65, next to the path to the playground & walk-in site parking which was busy."
8. Thousand Trails Pine Country
4 ReviewsBelvidere, IL15 milesWebsite+1 (888) 707-1477"It is close to home and we start and finish the camping season here."
"We did not end up signing up as we prefer to visit many more locations than they had listed."
9. Holiday Acres Camping Resort
5 ReviewsBelvidere, IL15 milesWebsite+1 (815) 547-7846$49 - $99 / night
"Lots of people leaving bad reviews for silly little things. let me say first off this place is HUGE. plenty of room for the kids and the dogs and just a short walk from the kish. good fishing and friendly"
10. Thomas Woods Campground
17 ReviewsMarengo, IL24 milesWebsite+1 (815) 338-6223$20 - $35 / night
"While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."
"Most of the sites were right on the road and you’d need to position your car right for privacy. The tent sites are clumped pretty tight together with a couple exceptions."
Recent Camping Photos near Rockford, IL
218 Photos of 88 Rockford Campgrounds
Brian O.
Blackhawk Valley Campground
Jesse M.
Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground
Amy G.
MacQueen Forest Preserve
Marc W.
Thousand Trails Pine Country
Ryan P.
Kings Camp
Doug
Holiday Acres Camping Resort
Penny R.
Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve
Stuart K.
Pearl Lake
Christian A.
Northwoods RV Resort
The Dyrt
Walcamp Outdoor Ministries
Ron L.
Sugar River Forest Preserve
Jessie A.
Lowden State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Rockford, IL
598 Reviews of 88 Rockford Campgrounds
- KKatrina D.
ScoutFish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Not communicable, fraud administration
I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
Kay K.
LegendNew Glarus State Park Campground
Spring on our site
There was a spring on our site! We hiked in a bit to a wooded quiet site. The toilets were clean. The playground was great. We spent the day exploring our Swiss heritage in New Glarus.
- PPhillip J.
TravelerNew Glarus State Park Campground
Great Proximity
It is a smaller state park camping wise. There is hiking and mountain bike trails available. With direct access to the Sugar River Trail and the town of New Glarus, it is a great location as an overnight stop or home base to explore.
Tim L.ScoutChicago Northwest KOA
Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city
Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!
- Ron D.Scout
Pearl Lake
Low Class Trailer Trashy Park
Horrible customer service from the start. We registered online with a 35" 5th wheel for 2 nights. On checking in, we wouldn't fit in the site so the girl at the desk put us in a different site saying she couldn't escort us to our site. This was our first time being there and her excuse was they were short staffed. The street signage was very small and hard to read. Site numbers were said to be on every pedestal but they were not visible from any drive. After only a few minutes of driving around, we were astonished by all the trash and junky trailers on site. Note that if your camper is more than 10 years old, they want to first see a picture of it so as to keep their place classy. Not the case here once you have paid and are here. We call back to the office for assistance finding our site and the girl said she would have to lock the office and was hesitant about doing so but she would come out to hep us find our place. We simply asked for a refund saying we were very disappointed with the situation so far. When she told us they don't give refunds, we asked for a manager to call us back. At this point we left to find another place which we did and were at in about 30 minutes. The manager called us back offering us drinks at the bar, a premium site, tickets for kids in the bounce house, and free water craft but I and the wife were only there for 2 nights. We were not going back to that dump. She said she would have to speak with the owners about a refund but never called us back. Five days later I called several times to speak with the manager again but no call back. She did however text us saying they will not issue a refund saying the girl in the office could not leave the desk because her coworker was using the restroom. Then why did she say she couldn't leave because they were short handed? Long story short, think long and hard before you visit this trashy place. Showers were dark and dingy and smelled. The beach looked more like gravel and not pleasing. Just walking around, I couldn't get away from the awful smell of people smoking and vaping and a strong smell of pot smokers everywhere. Not at all the place we would take our grand kids ever.
- DDavid W.Traveler
Big Rock Campground
Needs some shade
This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.
The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?
It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.
- DDavid W.Traveler
Paul Wolff Campground
No showers
We would gladly stay here again!
Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.
The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.
Kaitlin M.ScoutPaul Wolff Campground
Quiet and friendly
Busy campground in July. Smaller, mainly RVs. Friendly staff and friendly people staying on the grounds. This gets 4 stars because you cannot put down a mat outside.
Truly W.
GuideTurner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Good price
Saw several ticks/mosquitoes, decent bathrooms/showers. Sites seemed pretty close together
Guide to Rockford
Camping near Rockford, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic trails to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this area.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the many trails available at Rock Cut State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, “There are plenty of scenic photo opportunities especially during the fall season.”
- Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area. A visitor shared, “We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting.”
- Swimming: Relax at the beach area in Kettle Moraine State Forest - Ottawa Lake. One camper noted, “The beach was not clean and very hard to walk on, very rocky,” so be prepared for that.
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Ottawa Lake Campground stated, “Bathrooms and showers were clean.”
- Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment at Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground. One visitor said, “It was incredibly quiet. No alcohol was allowed on the grounds but it didn’t seem like it would be enforced unless there was a campsite causing issues.”
- Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Blackwell Family Campground offer activities for kids. A parent shared, “The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and during our stay, blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around.”
What you should know:
- No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, have strict no alcohol rules. A camper mentioned, “This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer.”
- Limited Water Access: At Rock Cut State Park Campground, drinking water is not available at all sites. One review pointed out, “The only negative is no drinkable water.”
- Crowded Weekends: Expect busy weekends, especially at popular spots like Big Foot Beach State Park Campground. A visitor noted, “Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois.”
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Kettle Moraine State Forest - Ottawa Lake that have playgrounds and swimming areas. One camper said, “Family friendly (parks, beach, pet friendly).”
- Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A parent at Blackwell Family Campground mentioned, “The ranger did stop by around 5 or 6ish with some activities for the kids to do.”
- Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can help keep the little ones happy. A reviewer at Rock Cut State Park Campground noted, “The camp store offers up ice, firewood, ice cream, snacks, games, limited groceries.”
Tips from RVers:
- Check Electrical Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, “The campground seemed a little bit more geared towards RV camping.”
- Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular RV spots like Big Foot Beach State Park Campground can fill up quickly. One visitor said, “The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday.”
- Bring an Adapter: If you have a 30 amp RV, consider bringing an adapter for 50 amp sites. A review for Rock Cut State Park Campground shared, “We ended up having to go back to camping world to get an adapter to use the 50 amp.”
Camping around Rockford, Illinois, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Rockford, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Rockford, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rockford, IL is Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground with a 4-star rating from 81 reviews.
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