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Best Campgrounds near Shabbona, IL

685 Reviews

Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area serves as the centerpiece of camping opportunities near Shabbona, Illinois, offering a wooded oasis amid the surrounding agricultural landscape. The recreation area features 150 Class A Premium campsites across three distinct campgrounds: Teal Bay, Merganser Circle, and Canvasback Cove. Campers can choose from tent sites, RV spots with electric and water hookups, or two lakefront log cabins for rent. Within a 30-mile radius, additional options include Starved Rock Campground, Big Rock Forest Preserve, and Hi-Tide Recreation, providing a mix of established campgrounds with varying amenities and accommodation types.

Reservations are essential during peak season, with 90 sites available through Illinois' online reservation system (ExploreMoreIL) and the remaining sites offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The camping season runs year-round, though water is typically shut off during colder months. Facilities include scattered picnic tables, sheltered pavilions, designated dump stations, and shower buildings that serve multiple campground loops. The park strictly enforces its no-alcohol policy, which some visitors find disappointing. One camper noted, "We have been to Shabbona a few times, and have always had a great time! We really enjoy their pontoon boat rentals and fishing. The view from our site was great."

The lake represents a major draw for visitors, offering fishing (particularly for muskie), boating, and kayaking opportunities. Many campsites provide water views or access via small paths to the shoreline. Campers frequently mention the contrast between the wooded campground and the surrounding farmland, with one visitor describing it as a "wooded oasis in the midst of corn patches." Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and ice skating when conditions permit. The campground store and Pokanoka's Dockside Café provide amenities and lake views, though some visitors note inconsistent hours. Sites vary in privacy, with fall foliage enhancing the camping experience. The park's 8+ miles of hiking trails through woodlands and prairie offer additional recreational opportunities beyond the lake itself.

Map showing campgrounds near Shabbona, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Shabbona, Illinois (105)

    1. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (815) 824-2565

    $25 / night

    "If you find yourself out in these parts near Shabbona in north central Illinois it is because of either one of two reasons - you are incredibly lost and stumbled across this hidden natural preserve gem"

    "The town of Shabbona has a population of 900, and you get that homely good-natured feel while being there as well."

    2. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"

    "Beautiful Starved Rock is Illinois's favorite state park. Hiking through forests along the Illinois River to canyons and waterfalls with eagles soaring overhead."

    3. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 232-5980

    $18 - $35 / night

    "Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"

    "Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."

    4. Hi-Tide Recreation

    6 Reviews
    Somonauk, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 495-9032

    "bordering Lake Michigan, right?"

    "We camp here every year around my daughters birthday and celebrate her birthday out here...there is a lake stocked with fish and also a creek behind the campground as well...we love coming back here year"

    5. Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Somonauk, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 495-9032

    "bordering Lake Michigan – other than this, finding a proper beachhead is impossible."

    "When the lake is open it’s great to bring kids for the water sports. They have dances every Saturday night. It’s mostly an RV park, but really great for the family."

    6. O'Connell's RV Campground

    14 Reviews
    Nachusa, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    $60 - $90 / night

    "Great campground close to home. A ton of activities for the kids, plus daily Yogi sightings! We picked two great sites on the end of the row that were spacious, but I saw others were pretty cramped."

    "During the week wasn’t completely full but once Friday rolled around wow all the people. We rented a golf cart was riding around all night. Great time."

    7. Sycamore RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Sycamore, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 895-5590

    "Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort. Nice walking path around the two ponds. The ponds are very low due to drought this summer."

    "Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out."

    8. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."

    ", with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."

    9. Mendota Hills Campground

    8 Reviews
    Nachusa, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 849-5930

    "Just off Highway 52, smack dab between Amboy and Sublette, here in northern Illinois, you’ll come across this decent sized camping community of 130 or so acres, that is more designed for those campers"

    "Beautiful campground, we will be returning in the near future."

    10. The Waller Events & Camping

    1 Review
    Shabbona, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 414-1932
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Recent Camping Photos near Shabbona, IL

251 Photos of 105 Shabbona Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Shabbona, IL

685 Reviews of 105 Shabbona Campgrounds

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Starved Rock Family Campground

    Nice little campsite!

    Well maintained and large campground. Sites aren’t stacked on top of each other and seem fairly level. I will say the grounds by our site seemed to have a fly/other sewer fly problem in the ground? I don’t know. Seemed to need a treatment of some sort. L7 is more in a wide open area so if you want more trees, book more in the middle of the campground. Bathrooms are well maintained and cleaned. Laundry facility easy. Bummed our trip got cut short by a RV maintenance issue.

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago 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.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    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.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    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.

  • Jeff and Linda L.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    Unique Park

    No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal. No reservations. We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces. Pit toilets along the canal. Well kept. Small gravel bike trail along most of the canal. Nice place to kayak and canoe. Very nice visitor center open until 3 during the week, no weekends. Only $8 We saw a class A, so they do fit.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    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.

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Martin’s Camping Ground

    It’s just alright

    No laundry… Closest laundromat 10 mins away, office gives address on check in paper

    No outside comfort….spaces are small, muddy, and un level. Highway is next to campground, but we could not hear it inside. Doesn’t make it conducive to be outside, not exactly relaxing when grilling. Sewer connection at our site was technically on neighbors…we had to use extension.

    Bathhouse…super clean and modern, but no hot water…lukewarm at best. Shower is not comfortable….nozzle is from ceiling and temperature not warm enough to stay warm while not directly under water. Hooks are useless as everything gets wet inside shower.

    Staff…super nice and maintains property…clean, mowed.

    Great for Chicago visit, just don’t plan on hanging out at campsite. Looks like a lot of permanent campers who work, so camp is very quiet at night.

  • Rick K.
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Four Star Campground

    4 STAR CAMPGROUND IS A VERY BAD SPOT TO GO

    I HAD PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAMPER AND THEY HAVE DRUGGYS FOR EMPLOYEES AND DRUNKS PASS OUT IN YOUR LOT AND I HAD TOLD OWNERS ABOUT THE WORKER HARRASSING ME THEY DID NOTHING I TOLD THEM OWNERS 3 TIMES ABOUT THE GUY HARRASING ME WELL HE BE UP MY CAMPER 20 THOUSAND DOLLAR CAMPER HE DESTRYED CUZZ HE WAS INTOXICATED AND DRUGGED UP SO I HAD TO CALL THE COPS AFTER 3 TIME WARNING THEM OWNERS SO NOW I HAVE TO GO TO OURT FOR THSES NEGLEGENCE AND SAID OH WELL TO ME

Guide to Shabbona

Camping near Shabbona, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Starved Rock Campground. One visitor shared, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls and spectacular overlooks."
  • Fishing: Head to Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area for some great fishing. A camper mentioned, "We had breakfast at Shabbona Cafe in town, and we received a great portion and oh so good as well."
  • Kayaking: Rent a kayak at Chief Keokuk Campground and enjoy the nearby lake. One reviewer noted, "Had fun kayaking on the lake, caught a catfish!"

What campers like:

  • Scenic Beauty: Campers appreciate the picturesque surroundings at Rock Cut State Park Campground. A visitor said, "It’s only 8 miles from our home. Many trails and not too expensive."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the amenities at Blackwell Family Campground. One parent shared, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and during our stay, blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around."
  • Quiet and Peaceful: Campers often find a peaceful retreat at Pleasant Creek Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Wife and I had a wonderful time to ourselves."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Illinois Rock Cut State Park, have outdated facilities. One camper noted, "The electricity wasn't working... the park was old and not updated."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Expect busy weekends at popular spots like Big Foot Beach State Park Campground. A visitor commented, "Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois."
  • No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, such as White Pines Forest State Park Campground, have strict no alcohol rules. A camper mentioned, "The quiet hours and no alcohol policy are not enforced at all."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, which has a nice playground. One parent said, "The lake was beautiful and we hiked a few of the trails that go near/around it."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned, as one camper suggested, "If you are looking to get on the water... you might want to tow it down to the boat launch."
  • Check for Clean Facilities: Families appreciate clean bathrooms, as noted by a visitor at Blackwell Family Campground, who said, "The toilets on the loops are vault and the ones by the main entrance are flush."

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for Electric Hookups: Campgrounds like Camp Bullfrog Lake offer electric hookups, which are a plus for RVers. One reviewer mentioned, "The campsite overall is beautiful and the land is well kept."
  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites at places like Illinois Rock Cut State Park to ensure they fit your RV. A camper noted, "Tight getting into the spot for Class As but spots are spaced nicely."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular campgrounds can get busy, so plan accordingly. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground said, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."

Camping near Shabbona, Illinois, offers a mix of nature, family fun, and outdoor activities. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot for you to enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Shabbona, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shabbona, IL is Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 32 reviews.

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