Camping options near Shabbona, Illinois extend beyond the state recreation area, with sites scattered across a 30-mile radius of this north-central Illinois region. Situated at approximately 830 feet above sea level, the area experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging in the 80s and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that regularly fall below 20°F between December and February.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Shabbona Lake isn't the only fishing destination in the area. At Mendota Hills Campground, campers can access "3 private fishing ponds" where fish are catch-and-release only. As one camper noted, "Nice place with 3 private fishing ponds. Had a pull through site with full hook up. Very quiet when we were there."
**Hiking trails: Find scenic trails beyond Shabbona Lake. Rock Cut State Park offers extensive hiking options with "nearly 40 miles of hiking trails, including equestrian trails and an equestrian campground." A visitor mentioned, "Plenty of scenic photo opportunities especially during the fall season."
**Water recreation: Water activities vary across campgrounds. At Hi-Tide Recreation, families enjoy a small lake with numerous water features. As one camper described, "The lake has huge inflatables and a trampoline so it's unique and fun. They do have a very poor mini golf course but the kids still enjoyed it."
**Winter activities: For year-round camping options, Big Rock Forest Preserve provides open spaces for winter recreation. A camper explained the landscape: "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability. Lovely grasslands, ponds, hiking trails."
What campers like
**Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. At Sycamore RV Resort, "Bathrooms are immaculate and are locked with electronic key cards." Another visitor noted, "Very nice shower/laundry house."
**Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer structured weekend events. One camper at Mendota Hills Campground shared, "Something going on every weekend. Bathrooms and showers are very clean and there is laundry facilities very clean."
**Wildlife viewing: Natural settings provide bird and wildlife watching. A Rock Cut State Park visitor mentioned you can spot "an amazing array of foul including bald eagles, American robins, northern cardinals, barn owls, mourning doves, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, Canadian geese."
**Lake views: Water features are a major draw. At Starved Rock Campground, visitors appreciate "amazing scenery" despite noting "Illinois needs to put more money into their parks and improve their campground facilities."
What you should know
**Reservation systems: Not all campgrounds require bookings. Big Rock Forest Preserve operates on a first-come basis, with one camper noting: "Walkup only - no reservations taken. $35 a night is a bit steep."
**Electrical systems: Some older campgrounds have electrical limitations. A Rock Cut State Park visitor warned, "When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday. We called the Rangers and asked them to look at our site breaker since it kept tripping."
**Site privacy: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. At Hi-Tide Recreation, one camper observed, "Campsites are really cramped, no privacy at all."
**Alcohol policies: Unlike Shabbona Lake's strict no-alcohol policy, most private campgrounds permit alcohol. The Waller Events & Camping and Mendota Hills Campground both list alcohol as permitted on their features list.
Tips for camping with families
**Swimming options: Natural swimming areas offer alternatives to pools. At Mendota Hills Campground, "Our 12 year old and all the the friends she has brought have really enjoyed the swimming lake with all of the inflatables and beach slide."
**Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained. One visitor to O'Connell's RV Campground reported, "There is a lot of kids but is still enjoyable. You can bring your kids here and keep them busy with pools and playgrounds."
**Playground access: Check for play areas before booking. A Sycamore RV Resort visitor noted the campground includes "a small beach with a snack shack" alongside other amenities.
**Noise considerations: Event weekends can be loud. One O'Connell's RV Campground visitor warned about a DJ who "was supposed to perform from 7-10 pm. It was loud banging music and it didn't end at 10 he kept going until 11:30."
Tips from RVers
**Hookup locations: Water hookup distance varies between sites. At Big Rock Forest Preserve, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!"
**Campsite leveling: Flat sites are common but not universal. A Big Rock camper observed, "The spaces are pretty level. The trees will be terrific in about 20 years."
**Maneuverability: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. At O'Connell's RV Campground, "Sites were adequate but most sites took quite a bit of maneuvering for anything over 25 ft."
**Dump station access: Plan for potential waiting times. At Starved Rock Campground, one RVer reported, "Took about 45 min for us to dump being 5th in line at 10:30am."
