Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping near Sheffield is the perfect choice. Glamping offers the perfect opportunity to explore Sheffield and stay off the beaten path. You're sure to find glamping for your Illinois camping adventure.
Located just north of the charming city of Geneseo, IL, our little campground has it all! Whether you’re traveling with a tent, van, tow-behind or a big rig, we can accommodate you. Our RV sites have 30 and 50 amp electric connections as well as water and sewer connections on most sites. We have three cozy cabins on property as well as a yurt that can accommodate 5-8 guests.
If it’s fun and adventure you’re looking for, we’re situated right on the Hennepin Trail which offers miles of hiking and biking paths as well as fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Your furry friends will enjoy our wonderful enclosed dog park! Our newly renovated camp store has everything you might need including ice, firewood and much more. Our community room is perfect for meetings and gatherings and even has arcade games to keep the kids happy. Our restrooms are modern and very clean. Need to top off your propane tank? We have you covered! In the event you need to stay connected and productive during your stay, the entire campground has access to fast, fiber-powered WiFi.
Come see what it’s like to be treated like family at Geneseo Campground!
For more camping options - including group reservations - please visit our website at https://rol.camp/geneseo-campground or call 309-442-2662.
$40 - $95 / night
Pleasant Creek Campground is nestled in a wooded setting along a tributary of the Vermillion River, surrounded by rolling hills and mature trees. We are located 5 miles from the entrance of Starved Rock State Park in the gateway town of Oglesby, Illinois. Pleasant Creek Campground is quietly tucked away in the heart of the Illinois Valley and just minutes from unique shops, historical sites, recreational activities, and amazing dining! Campground Amenities: Spring-fed, stocked fishing pond Well supplied general store Creekside campsites On-site Trailers for rent New bathhouse and showers Basketball, Volleyball, and Tetherball Variety of sites available for RVs and tents Water & Electric available at most sites Game Room with ping pong, arcade games & more Dump Station on site and pump outs available Playground and an array of outdoor games Minutes from Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park
$50 / night
Family owned and operated, we pride ourselves on being an affordable FUN destination for families of all sizes. You will never be charged additional daily fees for your own dependent children, nor will you incur any "resort fees" typical of our industry. Your nightly site rental fee or annual Seasonal fee is all you pay to enjoy most of the amenities and services that we have to offer! Our planned activities and themed weekends will keep your group entertained for the entirety of your stay! You are welcome to participate in all of our activities or just sit back and RELAX, while taking in the beautiful scenery and serenity of our remote setting on 130 acres. We offer annual Seasonal sites and overnight, weekly and monthly site rentals for tents and campers. For those that desire the comforts of home, we offer rental options including park models, cabins and travel trailer rentals. Leave behind the hustle and bustle of your every day life, and escape to Green River Oaks Resort for a few days, a weekend, a month or join us for the whole season! We welcome reunions and camping groups of all sizes. Come see what you've been missing!
Rock River Valley is home to 385 acres of paradisiacal forest, perfect for weekend getaways and family recreation. White Pines Forest State Park offers a serene backdrop for an ideal camping trip, smack dab in the heart of the vast rolling forest and dramatic Illinois bluffs. Featuring modern camp facilities, as well as up-to-date lodging, it’s easy to see why one might consider taking a voyage here. Not only are the amenities plentiful, the local geography is pretty stunning too. Gentle creek beds run against rich earthy banks through the park’s mossy cliffs and dangling vines. During the spring, wildflowers become plentiful, as trout lily, bloodroot, spring beauty, hepatica, and more all blossom into full bloom.
One of the most notable features of the park is a concrete ford which spans across the creeks. This enables drivers to pull directly up to the creek bed, and drive through the various streams. There’s even an accessible path leading straight to the bank for those interested in checking out the wildlife or taking advantage of the fishing nearby.
It goes without saying that picnicking is extremely popular here. In fact, there are over 100 campsites that feature their own picnic area, as well as various benches and clearings placed strategically throughout the park.
Thanks to the variety of campsite options, it’s really easy to find camping here at any time of year. White Pines is unique in that it boasts Class B/S Campsites vehicle access and spacious shower/flush buildings nearby. There are also 3 electric sites, however they are non-reservable. Likewise, group campgrounds cannot be reserved so be sure to wake up early for priority camping!
$8 / night
On the picturesque Upper Peoria Lake on the Illinois River, MillPoint RV Park offers 80 shaded full hookup sites on well-maintained gravel roads. Many of our sites are spacious pull-thrus designed for the biggest of big rigs. We also offer a cluster of cabin rentals, a designated tenting area, and several primitive camping areas for those who want to get as close as possible to nature. Nature literally surrounds us, including the Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve that directly adjoins the campground. There are acres of beauty for hiking, fishing, and boating – including access to the river and beach at Funks Run, along with a private spring-fed lake that is just waiting for you to cast your line to hook a potential trophy catch! Daily, weekly and monthly rates are available from March through November. The park is conveniently accessible to the nightlife, dining and casinos of Peoria and the surrounding area.
$18 - $100 / night
$20 / night
Traveler
A beautiful hilly area, surrounded by large trees, with a small stream. If you want to camp this is a great place. Glamping - no. Most of the sites are grass, with some gravel. Only one full hookup. Getting to the dump station from the camp sites is incredibly difficult. WiFi is pay as you go - and not very good. Cell service is limited (one/two bars) at best. Restrooms (mostly portapotty style) are few and far between. One central shower/restroom was clean and warm (October visit)
Scout
first timers/ young kids- yes. Primitive campers- no. My husband had never been camping. I grew up with very primitive camping- no electricity, only pit toilets, sometimes fresh water, and no showers (milk jug showers!) Little by little, I’m warming him up to camping. This is a great place for new campers, families of young kids, or just looking for an easier trip. There’s a shower house with flush toilets, warm showers, and surprisingly CLEAN! The site was medium size. Enough room to spread out. Ground was flat so finding a tent site was no problem. Electric hookup worked. Picnic table was good. Check your site before booking! One section of sites is like an open field? No trees and full view of others. But these surround a playground- also very nice. Glamping with young kids? These sites would be a perfect. AT&T and Verizon cell service worked fine
Traveler
Great place to camp! Right on the Hennepin Canal. RV, tent, Cabins, and Yurt camping. The couple that run this campsite are so sweet! Pedal bikes for kids (and grown ups), a spray ground, and more! Two local breweries in town and tons of shopping and food options.
LegendThis is an amazing full service type private campground. Everything you could want is here: there is a creek with tent sites along it, there are RV sites with full hookups, there are cute little cabins, and there are even yurts! There is a general store where you check in, and if you get there after it closes, they leave directions on the door for reserved sites and info on how to get a non reserved site. There is a nice pavilion, a game room/club house, basketball court, fishing pond, firewood for sale, and a few short trails. I felt like I was in the Berkshires instead of northern Illinois since most of the buildings down by the creek were whitewashed with green trim. Even though sites are close together, it still felt a bit private at the tent only sites on the creek. Up top it was more open with kids running around and playing everywhere. The rates are somewhat pricey ($28 for primitive sites), but include showers in the super clean (looks brand new!) bath house.
Traveler
Quiet but tight spots. Along the Illinois River. Includes showers and laundry house.
Scout
Full hookups each site. On Illinois river. Has cabins for rent, showers. Check it out on google.
TravelerLarge sites on Illinois River. FHU. Expensive. No laundry, store, or gas. They do sell firewood, pickup your trash, and have two showers available.
TravelerThe shower houses are amazing! This campground is very well maintained and right on the Illinois river. The view of Peoria at night is beautiful
Scout
Hhidden along the Rock River in Prophetstown Illinois is the state park campground. Plenty of sites for both tents and campers, playgrounds, shower rooms that are very clean compared to others we have been to. Walking distance from stores, and easy access to the water.
LegendStayed with daughter in tent site right on shore of Illinois River. Has marina adjacent, showers, host, and laundry. Inexpensive tent sites with access for fishing, paddling, wildlife and sunset viewing.
GuidePeaceful campground, well maintained, beautiful views of the Upper Peoria Lake/Illinois River. We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling. Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird.
ScoutWe came in for Thanksgiving. We had a great spot!!! The campground was clean and quiet!! Enjoyed camping here.. Will definitely camp here again when we go visit family... We stayed in Spot 8 ... It was also a short walk to the Illinois River!!!
Legend
Located here in the north central part of Land O’ Lincoln just due south of the Illinois River Valley, Cozy Corners gets its descriptor because it sits right on an intersection where N. 25th Road meets Route 178 that is literally across the street from the entrance of Matthiessen State Park, likely the main reason you are here in the first place. And while its very close proximity to this pretty amazing nature destination makes it quite an attractive spot for those looking to access the best of what the Illinois River and surroundings have in store for them, the place itself feels more like a farmer’s front yard that got repurposed as an RV grass parking lot.
So, if you ask me, the first thing I would tell you about Cozy Corners Campground is that this likely is not going to be at the top of your list in terms of campgrounds to choose from in the area, especially if you’re a tent camper who doesn’t want to pretend they are out in nature surrounded by a bunch of RVs on what is glaringly obvious is simply someone’s farm. There’s tons of options to pitch your tent, most notably, is Matthiessen SP itself, which has some pretty amazing land to drop anchor for the night. That said, this is one of the few ‘off-the-radar’ choices you might want to consider when visiting the Illinois River Valley area, particularly during the major summer holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day), where if you haven’t booked up something WELL IN ADVANCE of arriving here, especially at nearby Starved Rock State Park, then Cozy Corners likely will have some vacancy.
With this campground in mind, there’s about 10–12 slots available with what looks to be sewer, water and electric hook-ups along with aging fire rings. If there were other amenities like BBQ grills, picnic tables or pavilions, they certainly weren’t available when we paid a visit. And at this time, to provide a visual, it’s early Spring, so what that means in Illinois out in the farmland is that all of the area surrounding this place is barren, so while I am sure the fall provides for a much better sense of privacy, at this time of year, one feels quite exposed without any degree of privacy, save the few barren trees that are on this Midwestern ranch.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While Cozy Corners can most certainly not be classified as a destination, if you are looking for a place to drop anchor for the night because you are just passing through, then this place is flat, simple and pretty cheap, but I would still recommend a number of other places for those toting RVs, like nearby Pleasant Creek Campground, which has a ton more to offer albeit at slightly higher prices. But what do they say about ‘you get what you pay for?’; (2) No doubt being this close to both Matthiessen and Starved Rock SPs, you’ll have no shortage of great trails to go hiking on with 5 miles of trails at Matthiessen and the 13+ miles of hiking trails that form snake-like patterns throughout, across and over the nearly 20 or so canyons that make up Starved Rock: (3) If you come hauling watercraft, you’ll definitely want to hit up the Illinois River, which is just down the street from here at Cozy Corners wherein my recommendation is to swing by the lower dells area of Starved Rock, where you can park and launch your kayak, canoe or boat from; (4) The three nearest towns that have any form of civilization around these parts are Oglesby, Utica or Tonica, wherein I would recommend a visit to either long-time favorite Garzanelli’s Supper Club, which has a pretty amazing Midwestern take on Italian food or Starved Rock Lodge, just due south of Utica; (5) Looking for a place to ‘whet your whistle’? Then head on over to Aces & Eights in Tonica for glorified bar food and cheap tall boys OR head into Utica and check out Obscurity Brewing Bier Garten for some unusual draft brews or August Hill Winery for some fairly mediocre wine from Illinois; and (6) Finish off your entire camping experience by visiting Two Girls and a Cupcake for some sweet, albeit overpriced, desserts and treats.
Happy Camping!
LegendWithin LaSalle County or for that matter, the whole of north central Illinois, I don’t know of any other privately run, multi-campground locations like Pleasant Creek that offers a total of 6 separate, yet interconnected set of campgrounds, each with their own name, distinct culture, elevation (yes, I just said elevation in a state that is relatively flat, more on this later), price range, # and type of accommodations, amenities as well as access to them. This review highlights the Highlands Campground, but if you want to learn about Pleasant Creek more broadly, just keep reading further down.
While not in Scotland, this campground does sit highest of all the potential spots you could pick here at any one of the campgrounds you'll find here at Pleasant Creek. Unlike many of the other options, the Highlands are really just for RVs and 5th Wheelers, so if you are a tent camper, you will want to look at some of the other campgrounds like Outback, Creekside or Glades. If you do have an oversized or rather large RV / 5th Wheeler to contend with and are concerned about making the incline up to the Highlands, you might want to look at some of the other easier to access options. That said, after entering Pleasant Creek, you’ll pass the Office, Camp Store and Arcade on the left, where you’ll also notice a small (single hoop) basketball court on the right, passing by the primary community bathhouses, you’ll veer to the left where you’ll cross the lone bridge where you’ll proceed straight and upwards to arrive at the Highlands Campground.
Up here on this plateau overlooking the expanse of the entirety of Pleasant Creek multi-campground campus, there are 55 premium and deluxe RV slots available numbered #201– 228 and #253– 258 on the exterior of the single loop, and #229–#244 on the interior upper loop with #246– 252 on the interior lower loop, all with the traditional hookups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage). You’ll discover the lone playground that exists here at Pleasant Creek is in the center of the loop sitting atop this elevated ledge, while there is a temporary makeshift his / her bathroom but no shower facilities (you'll have to head down from whence you came to the valley where you'll find this amenity). Both the altitude up here along with the thick treeline creates a completely separate feel from the rest of Pleasant Creek, preserving a unique community vibe.
The biggest tip I could give you about staying at any of the campgrounds here at Pleasant Creek is that no matter which campground you select, you will be located just 5 miles from two of the best state parks that Illinois has to offer: Starved Rock SP and Matthiessen SP. Whether you are seeking a primitive tent camping experience in a deeply wooded forest or the perfect highly elevated RV outpost, like you will discover up here in the Highlands Campground, with all of the amenities (and more) that you are usually afforded or you are simply looking for deluxe cabin, porch chair swinging accommodations with all the creature comforts of home, Pleasant Creek has an option for you that will have you loving the best of the outdoors here in north central Illinois.
On the outskirts of the Illinois River Valley amongst thick, verdant forests of old Oaks, tall Pines and even weeping Willows, you’ll discover a tributary of the Vermillion River that carves through the Pleasant Creek campus, which is beset by rolling hills one moment and open grass prairie meadows the next, completely surrounded by some of the richest farmland in the country with endless rows of glistening golden sweet corn. And within just a short drive from Pleasant Creek, you’ll be able to access the best of 5+ miles of easy-to-moderate trail hiking at Matthiessen SP or the 13+ miles of easy-to-difficult trails and 18 canyons of Starved Rock SP. Want to kayak or canoe? Then you’ll have easy access to the mighty Illinois River. Horseback riding? Sure, in just about any direction, you’ll be able to rent a noble steed to take you through pristine grassy pastures. Archery? Tick! Really, there’s just about everything here for you to enjoy out here in nature in the middle of the Midwest. During the winter months, there’s even ice fishing, tobogganing and snow mobile trails to enjoy.
No matter what unique campground setting you find yourself in here at Pleasant Creek, there’s a bounty of amenities and options to enjoy: from newly renovated his / hers community bathroom and shower facilities, catch & release pond, camp store with a wide selection of dry goods, camping supplies and sundries, kid’s playground, elevated gazebo, water spigots, recreation room with community deck featuring chairs, tables & umbrellas, basketball court, volleyball court, wading pond, designated dump site, BBQ grills, covered pavilions and scattered picnic tables. One of the most noticeable improvements to Pleasant Creek is that they have recently upgraded the winding main entrance gravel road as well as widened a number of the road pathways reaching each of the individual campgrounds.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Should you find yourself in need of anything, the amazing father and son duo of Dan & Dan, are at your 'beck & call' and will work tirelessly to ensure that your experience here at any one of the campgrounds you are staying at is nothing short of amazing, so if you need anything, just ask either of them; (2) While there isn’t much to access along the Vermillion River in these parts, heading due west, you’ll find a couple of decent natural launches where you can access the wider river OR you can access a great kayak launch site either at the lower dells in Starved Rock SP or by contacting Starved Rock Kayak Company (who have their own, very amazing riverfront primitive campsite, BTW), who will let you launch from either one of their sites on either side of the Illinois River; (3) While there’s not a whole lot of restaurants in this area (which would be a great idea for Pleasant Creek to install its own eatery), if you do want to get out to try some of the local fare, you’re either going to have to hightail it to nearby Tonica, where I would recommend Ace & Eights or Garzanelli’s Super Club in Oglesby and if you don’t mind a slightly further afield drive, head on over to Captain’s Cove for some great seafood with a brilliant view of the Illinois River; (4) For the cyclists out there, you’ll be stoked to find miles and miles to bike along the I&M Canal that parallels the Illinois River; and (5) Rappelers will enjoy bouncing off the cliffs and sharp jutting limestone crevices that are present in both Matthiessen and Starved Rock SPs.
Happy Camping!
TravelerThis place has beautiful views of illinois river. Nice sized campsites. Everything was clean and well taken care of! Not a lot of amenities, however that isn’t what camping is all about! Full hook ups at a reasonable price. Each site also has a picnic table and fire pit. The guy that runs the place is AWESOME! So nice and willing to help with anything you need. This park is close to town, so if anything is needed you are only minutes away. LOVED camping here & will definitely be back :)
GuideWe were late reserving a campsite for Memorial Day Weekend. But Don had a spot for us. We are glad we stayed.
The campground sits along the Illinois River: many campsites face it. It's secluded and quiet. Campsites are spacious and well-distanced.
There is much to do on site. The campground is situated between a nature preserve with nice walking paths and a beach. There is also an old barge to explore.
A little further away is Old Mill Vineyard. Well worth the 20 minute drive! The wine and ambiance are very nice. Ask for Ellen.
The campground only had two restrooms available during our stay. But they were nice. And don't forget your RV water filter! The water here is very rusty.
ScoutWe booked for 9 people and Pleasant creek booked three Cabins 212, 213 and 312 they says these cabins were AC We paid $700.
Few in our group were hanicape. after reservation and credit card charged we had few questions we made at least 20 calls no one picked. I live in Bolingbrook Illinois bcz I booked and was responsible drove to this place 2 hrs to check out.
Found out this place was abandant, no cabins, and looked scary and closed. I came back trying to ask my monhey back no answer or E mails replies. This place is a scam please be careful. I also, filed a police report lost my money not happy and very embrassed in front of my group.
Please, do not trust this place and do not book on credit card I lost my money.
Thanks,
Soni
GuideIf you’re looking to stay close to Peoria and enjoy beautiful sunsets and the water this place has it. Big trees, deep shade and it’s right on the Peoria Lake on the Illinois River. The place could use some TLC but the owner is super nice and the the location and shaded spots are well worth it. Took my son out fishing and had him practice casting! He is 4. If you’re looking to escape, be in nature, close to the water with nice sites, this place is it. If you’re looking for super clean and lots of amenities this is not it. Most sites are full hook up with some that are for tent camping. Plenty of room and easy to get a site. Our family enjoyed a little time in the breeze and shade by the river away from the scorching summer heat! We really loved our site!
GuideFirst of all we are so grateful for them to squeeze us in for a reservation with 1 days notice. The campground is great, views are amazing, and you are literally on the beach of the Illinois river. But some negatives they lost a star for.
LegendThis waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that is formed where Upper Lake Peoria meets the Illinois River. For campers who want to get away from it all, while still being within close driving distance to civilization, Carl Spindler offers the convenience of a nearby major city (Peoria) while still providing a decent escape for some rest & relaxation within a fairly decent vicinity to nature. The best part about this lakefront getaway – apart from the incredibly cheap prices for an overnight stay – was hands down, the very friendly staff who offer up everyone a very strong dose of Midwestern hospitality.
This pet-friendly CG offers a lot of amenities including: FHUs featuring electric, water and sewage as well as playground, community fire pit, restroom and shower facility that are in pretty good (not pristine) condition, laundry, fresh tap water, boat launch, 2 dump stations, WiFi (although very poor connection) and a beachhead. All sites are very level here and come with a picnic table, fire ring and electric, while a good number of the RV slots have a combination of electric amp options in addition to water and sewage hook-ups. At the marina, you can purchase ice, small sundries and camping supplies and / or simply use this spot to launch your boat, kayak or canoe from. There’s also options to rent a slip, store your boat and / or trailer for the winter. There’s even a deluxe cabin to rent in case you don’t have a tent or RV.
While most of Carl Spindler is designed more for the RV-driving or 5th Wheel toting kind – and to be honest, some of these look like longer-term residents and / or traveling professionals – offering up some 55 individual slots (some of which I would definitely describe as ‘very snug’), this outfit does provide 2 different options for decent camp sites with me tent pitchin’ bredren in mind, both of which sit right in front of the Illinois River. In these areas, and actually for the entire campground, there’s not much (if any) shade, tree cover or brush that contributes to an overall lack of privacy – so whatever your activities might be, you and your camping brood will be on full display to the rest of the campground. At least if you chose to set up your tent over in the primitive camping area, this area is still pretty underdeveloped (for now), so over in these parts, you’ll have a greater feeling of solitude, peace & quiet.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’d like to knock some pins down while slurping some delicious local cold brew, head on over to Landmark Bowling Center; (2) Should you be looking for some decent trails to hike check out nearby Powerton Lake State Park; (3) You will want to time your sundowners correctly, because if you do, you’ll be sipping Mai Tais leaning back in your camp chair listening to some Amy Winehouse watching the sun set in the west over the Illinois River as the twinkling stars come out to shine their brightest all with a crackling bonfire keeping you warm and lit on a gorgeous Midwestern night; (4) While I always pack a long 100 foot electrical cord for all of my electricity needs, I’ve never had to use it, except here, where the electrical outlet in the primitive tent camping area is shared by all 4 sites and ours was the furthest away – so we got lucky; and (5) In the event that you grow weary of conjuring up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge and want to check out some local flavor, there’s a handful of options, but all will require a bit of a drive, of which I highly recommend Avanti’s Ristorante for their excellent pizza and Italian subs, the Blue Duck BBQ Tavern for outstanding smoked brisket and Obed & Issacs Microbewery for the finest local taps as well as their signature dish, Kitchen Sink Pie (don’t ask, just order).
Happy Camping!
LegendPerched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing a sublime encounter with nature on top of offering direct waterfront sites that will frame one of the most beautiful sunsets as you look west to Peoria during Happy Hour. In all, there’s about 80 sites – all of which are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks – to choose from at Millpoint, where a slow meandering gravel lane will have you navigating around the campground where you’ll take good note of the excellent shade that is provided everywhere.
From an amenity standpoint, Millpoint Park packs a punch with a combination of back-in and pull-thru sites offering up standard water, sewage and electric hook-ups, relatively new picnic tables and in-ground fire rings as well as a designated dumpster upon exiting the grounds. There’s a fantastic boat launch that will have you fishing, kayaking and experiencing this body of fresh water shortly after you anchor into your spot for the night. In fact, you don’t even need to get into a boat, by accessing one of 2 small little lakes where you can simply cast a line in from the dock or around the perimeter. The meticulously clean restroom / bath house facility is located near the front adjacent to the main office, where next to this are 3 cabins that can be rented, just in case you forgot your tent or RV. Additionally, there’s decent hiking paths to explore both north and south of the property, with the latter offering up a small beachhead at Funks Run. The place also sells firewood, but if you need anything else, you’ll need to head south towards town where there’s no shortage of shops and restaurants.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are a tent camper, there’s 3-4 designated areas for primitive camping, but if you’d like something less primitive and with access to water and electricity, then book yourself into one of the 5 designated tent sites: #233-#237, of which I recommend #236 and #237 as they have a small waterfront area flanking the southern perimeter; (2) The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don’t attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it’s fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you; (3) If you haven’t camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay; and (4) The owner, Don, is quite possibly one of the most accommodating and friendly campground owners I have ever met– so don’t be shy if you need anything at all during your stay, including a discount to his pizza restaurant.
Happy Camping!
Ranger
I drove out here from the Chicago area this last nice weather weekend in October 2020. I haven't been here in years, but as every campground in Illinois was booked-up from everyone getting out during the pandemic, I took a chance on the few walk up sites still available according to Reserve Amereica. They were open, but I took a hard pass. I forgot about the "ford" crossing into the campground. It's where the water crosses the road about a foot high. My husband would have been joining me later, and I knew he would not have been happy seeing that on his motorcycle. The few walkup sites still available were in the Sunny Crest loop. I've never seen so many people camping so close together. The sites all had some form of firepit. Some had a table, but many didn't. There were hundreds of people camping on hilly terrain. It looked like a music festival, only without music and lots of families who looked like they had never been outside before so they were set up about 15 feet apart. Even if the campground would have been empty, all of the tent sites are in the open right next to the next one. Winnebago county forest preserve has a few campgrounds nearby that are much more private. This kind of "camping" is not for me.
Legend
Wow! This place is massive! That was my first impression when visiting this family-owned and operated campground located just outside of Amboy, here in northern Illinois, where the sheer veracity of this place (some 130 acres in total) is simply enormous. While when I think of anything too oversized (big trucks, big houses, big buffet lines), I tend to cringe, because, you know, oversized anything comes with pretty big drawbacks, right? But somehow, the concept of oversized here isn’t terribly bad – there’s space, and very good distance between you and the folks that would be your neighbors. These grounds are pretty well taken care of and very well organized.
As for the campground, there’s a number of snaking gravel roadways that will have you navigate the entire property, which by my count, takes up about 4-5 football fields – sometimes hilly, sometimes flat – of cleared north central Illinois farmland. Surrounding the campground is a fairly good wall of brush, ancient Oak and Walnut trees, and of course, the ever-present, and now in late Autumn, completely barren corn fields.
Amenities? Yeah, this place has more amenities than Disneyland! The basic hook-ups for RVs can be found here (30 / 50 amp electrical, water and sewage) along with 2 heated swimming pools (although they shut off the heat towards the end of the season in late October), 2 playgrounds, ball pits, carpet ball tables (don’t ask), great fishing on nearby Lake St. George where you’ll catch blue gill, bass and even some catfish as well as Green River – which is truly the gem of this place – where you can fish, canoe, kayak, inner-tube and otherwise float down this small stream), free arts & crafts for the kiddos, kayak rentals, free WiFi in select spots (trust me, the signal is not terribly great), a cost-free bike exchange program, community library, courts of all kinds (volleyball, tennis and basketball), shuffleboard, horseshoe pits, mini-golf course (I know, I can’t believe it either!), rec room with foosball, billiards (or pool as it’s called around here), air hockey, video games, card tables, etc. There’s even a baseball diamond here! You’ll discover a laundry room, folding area, general store with snack bar, proper dump station as well as even a propane filling station. Geez, this is one long list of amenities!
This place is family owned and operated by Dennis and Nanette Gillan – who are two of the nicest people I’ve ever met – and offers pricing by the night, week, month or by the season. Truth be told, you can drop anchor here for the whole year if you’d like, although it’s fairly desolate and deserted during the winter months. Best part? Even if you don’t have a tent or RV of your own, this place has you covered by offering affordable leasing options for both RV’s and some pretty sweet cabins.
Here’s something noteworthy – while I didn’t get to enjoy with my family when we were visiting during the Fall, apparently, during the summer, each week has a theme attached to it (e.g. Barnyard Palooza), and subsequent activities organized around it, so if you’ve got kids that you are thinking about putting in a camp during the summer, this might be a really good option for you. Did I fail to mention that there’s even a free arts & crafts class for the kiddos every weekend? This place is truly VERY family-friendly.
Insider’s tip? Here’s a few: (1) If you get tired of eating beans and dogs fireside, fret not, just a short drive from Green River Oaks to nearby Amboy, where I recommend the fried chicken over at Long Branch Saloon (although their family-style pasta offering is pretty good too); (2) If it’s your thirst that needs quenching, then just head on over for a tall boy at Depot Tap or Last Alarm for daily drink specials and some seriously bad Karaoke; (3) If you come bearing any sort of watercraft, while the Green River is nice, for more challenging waters to navigate, head due north to Dixon for some pretty gnarly currents on the Rock River; and (4) For a truly amazing outdoor immersion, head a bit further north to Lorado Taft, where you’ll have plenty of trails to explore, all from a scenic overlook where there’s a towering statue of the great Indian chief, Black Hawk.
Happy Camping!
Guide
Just down the street from Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park is the much smaller(and less crowded) Buffalo Rock State Park. It has some trails, camping, a playground and other facilities, and is right next to the I& M Canal Tow Path.
At a leisurely pace, it only took me a couple of hours to walk all the trails. They are nice well-kept trails. Most of the surface is gravel but some parts are just dirt. The trail is wide and mowed at least two feet on either side. I’m not sure if bikes are allowed; I did see bike tracks and did not see any sign that indicated they were not allowed. Very little elevation changes and none that were steep. There are a couple of overlooks that offer beautiful views of Illinois River.
The campsites are directly off of the towpath. The furthest site(the group site) is three miles from the ranger station. There are four sites total. One of the sites is kinda small but big enough for a single tent and two campers. The largest site is the group site which is the only site with a picnic table and shelter. The shelter needed some work but overall was in decent condition. It as a fireplace that was pretty neat. Each site has a fire ring with grill. I did feel a little exposed being right off the trail. I was nervous leaving all my gear behind when I went for a hike. Nobody messed with my stuff though and everyone I saw was very friendly. I did have a visitor around two in the morning my second night. He was looking for a place to rest for a few hours and left at daybreak. The sites are only accessible by walking or biking.
The park has a playground, restroom(with running water), and drinking fountains with spouts. The water tasted funny but it was nice having a source to refill my bottles. Also, there are buffalo and that’s pretty cool.
LegendIf you want to visit Peoria, this is an ideal place to stay. The campground is part of a marina on the Illinois River and not too far from downtown. We wanted to stay here so we could visit the Caterpillar Visitor Center which is totally worth the visit.
We visited the park in November and since it was the shoulder season the park was not very crowded. The park is open year-round and you will find more seasonal people during the off season. They close most of the park in the winter time which only leaves 22 paved sites available. Otherwise, they offer a mix of paved, full hook-up sites or electric only sites. Sites that are close to the river have a great view of the skyline at night and if you don’t mind having just electric and being on sand these are great sites. There is a small beach area where you can access the water and a community fire pit which seemed to draw a lot of people in the evening.
The park has shower/bath house that was clean as were the laundry facilities. Wifi was non-existent but our Verizon 4G phone and hotspot worked well. We were able to get a decent number of antenna television channels. The roads are paved and easy for us to navigate in our 45’ RV. Our site was paved with a picnic table and fire pit and all the hook-ups worked well.
We enjoyed the short nature trail that leaves directly from the area. The trail starts off as a boardwalk over an interesting marsh area and then transitions to a primitive trail eventually leading you to the lake shoreline. This was a great walk for our black lab who loves trails and water. Of the four times we walked the trail we only encountered people once. After a heavy rain, the low lying areas of the trail were pretty muddy so wear appropriate shoes.
The nice aspects of this park were the location to downtown Peoria, the pretty view of the skyline and the access to water if you want to kayak, fish, or swim. The price of $27/night for full hook-up was a great rate. The downside of this campground is that sites are close and there is a bit of road noise. There are a lot of seasonal people who were up and going to work in the morning which may bother late sleepers but meant for a quiet campground during the day.
Legend
If you find yourself either stuck in the middle of nowhere here in north central Illinois or actually looking to escape the hustle & bustle to find peace, serenity and a tranquil encounter with nature, then look no further than Nature’s Way RV Park, which is set amongst the golden rows of sweet corn that you’ll find out in these parts. From the winding blacktop that you’ll have to maneuver to get here, just a few minutes north of I80 and east of I39, while you will feel as though you are completely isolated, and for the most part you are, what I like most about Nature’s Way is that if you know where you are at and the surroundings, there’s actually an awful lot to explore and enjoy, but if you don’t want to go anywhere, you can simply set up camp here and allow nature to envelope you in a way that only she can.
As for the campground, what makes Nature’s Way pretty amazing is that there’s a tremendous amount of infrastructure and a ton of amenities that most private campgrounds don’t offer. Upon entry, you’ll veer left and arrive at the main office where you’ll check-in. Here also is a quaint community room chalk full of books, DVDs and VHS tapes (for anyone still using these) and board games as well as a small alcove kitchen area complete with microwave, sink, dining table & chairs along with 2 driers and 3 washers, both coin-operated. Beyond this, there’s also a seating room with two oversized dollies with freshly cut wood bundles available for purchase as well as yet another room that is the campground market store and has everything from souvenirs to camping supplies, ice, beverages and snacks to charcoal and lighter fluid, BBQ tool sets and roasting forks and just about anything else you could think that you’ll need during your stay here. Just outside and behind this main building, you’ll discover a rather large, covered pavilion which is great for larger groups or for anyone wanting to picnic under some shade.
Another reason why I love Nature’s Way RV Park so much is how they have organized the living arrangements. For mi tent pitching bredren, this campground IMHO has set aside the best spots for us – clear in the back, completely surrounded by God’s green nature, you’ll be able to pitch a tent just about anywhere under this shaded forest and will feel a world away from the caravan camping types that, rest assured, are on the other side of the careening creek that cuts this campground nearly in half. Over in these parts, just past the bridge that you would need to cross to reach this primitive camping area, there’s a K9 dog park as well as plenty of scattered picnic tables, in-ground raised BBQ pits as well as water spigots. For the RV driving / 5th Wheel toting crowd, Nature’s Way has spots reserved on its front porch lawn that you will encounter upon first arriving to the entrance. There’s about 20 or so designated RV spots here that offer full hook-ups including 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage. Apart from being located right in front of the main office / market, you’ll be straddled next to the main road, which really should be a problem as this is just a quiet, small country road with not much traffic on it. Just due east of these RV slots are 4 cabins available for rent along with small porches complete with benches, brand new grills, fire pits and picnic tables, which is great for anyone not packing a tent or hauling a makeshift campground with them. Due south of these cabins as well as west of the main building are additional RV slots, but these only offer electric and water, so if you need sewage, you’ll have to book slots #1– 19.
From an amenities standpoint, apart from what has already been covered, the ‘crown jewel’ asset here is the in-ground heated swimming pool, completely fenced in preventing the young kiddos from straying too far. Above and beyond this, there’s a designated propane refilling station, very well-maintained restroom and shower facilities, basketball court, scattered picnic tables and stand-up BBQ grills, WiFi and cable access, kid’s playground, community fire rings as well as designated dumpsters and dump stations.
Insider’s tips? Here’s but a few: (1) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge, then check out some of the local establishments, of which I highly recommend nearby Cajun Connection, which has some pretty amazing deep fried alligator tail as well as somewhat mediocre Jambalaya (but ask yourself the question: who else is serving up this dish so far away from Louisiana?!); (2) If you are a hiker and looking for some trails to blaze, then check out either Starved Rock SP, which as more than 13 miles of hiking trails awaiting you, or better, the lesser known Matthiessen SP, which has 5-6 of fairly decent challenging, but completely isolated, non-touristy-laden trails to plant your steps on; (3) Should you be wanting to get that beak of your watercraft wet on your outdoors expedition, then look no further than the Illinois River, which is literally less than 5 miles away from Nature’s Way, where you’ll be able to oar your way to some pretty epic wildlife encounters as well as some fairly decent currents as well as amazing fishing holes; and (4) Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t warn you – within just a 20 minute drive of where you have camped out, you’ll discover Rip’s Chicken, which is hand’s down, unequivocally, and judged by experts in more than 40 nations (mmm, OK, that last one may be a stretch) as the best fried chicken in the known universe. Oh, and they have Schlitz on tap. But this place only takes cash, so come prepared.
Happy Camping!
Guide
Pretty little campground amongst horse farms and along the Hennepin Canal. Great bike path right out of campsite along the canal. Nice to get some exercise on a long road trip.
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