Best Campgrounds near Somonauk, IL

North central Illinois surrounding Somonauk features a mix of state recreation areas and private campgrounds within an hour's drive. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, located about 15 miles northwest of Somonauk, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins in a wooded setting around a man-made lake. Hi-Tide Recreation in Leland provides family-oriented camping with unusual amenities for Illinois, including a sandy beach area with water activities. Big Rock Campground, situated east of Somonauk, maintains level sites with electric hookups but limited shade and no shower facilities, making it better suited for RV camping than tents during hot summer months.

Reservation requirements vary significantly across the region's campgrounds. Starved Rock State Park Campground, though farther away near Oglesby, requires advance booking during peak season as sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "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!" Many campgrounds in the area enforce alcohol restrictions, particularly state-managed properties like Shabbona Lake. Summer humidity and heat can be challenging, especially at sites lacking adequate shade. The Illinois River Valley area experiences occasional heavy rainfall, with one visitor at Great Falls Campground remarking, "Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view."

Fishing opportunities distinguish many campgrounds near Somonauk, with Shabbona Lake known as "the Muskie Capitol of Illinois" according to local anglers. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail provides cycling access to several campgrounds, making this region popular with bike tourists. Tent campers report mixed experiences with site privacy, as many facilities primarily cater to RVs with full hookups. Family-friendly amenities vary widely, from the entertainment-focused Hi-Tide Recreation with its beach activities and planned events to more rustic experiences at state parks. Winter camping options exist at several year-round facilities, with Shabbona Lake offering seasonal activities including cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing when conditions permit.

Best Camping Sites Near Somonauk, Illinois (97)

    1. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    13 miles
    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"

    "All within easy walking distance to the lake. Camp store and two boat rental spots allow for flexiblity on busier weekends."

    2. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    11 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."

    3. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    28 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."

    4. Hi-Tide Recreation

    6 Reviews
    Somonauk, IL
    5 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. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Millbrook

    6 Reviews
    Newark, IL
    7 miles
    Website

    "This location has been taken over by new management and they are absolutely the greatest! We will continue to go there for as long as we live in this area."

    6. Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Somonauk, IL
    5 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."

    7. Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    30 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-2448

    $12 - $55 / night

    "Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view."

    "Spent a couple nights here (site 3) for Vintage Illinois at a nearby park. Quiet, fairly level, gravel sites. Electric worn but fully functional. Lots of trees and shade."

    8. Rolling Oaks Campground

    2 Reviews
    Newark, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 496-2334

    $30 - $45 / night

    "Located just 7 miles south of nearby Sandwich, which is by no means a roaring metropolis mind you, but certainly a nice quaint Midwestern town that will offer up a small bit of refuge and resource, should"

    9. Mallard Bend RV Resort

    1 Review
    Newark, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 220-5011

    "Like most campgrounds in Illinois, Mallard Bend Resort, which is located just outside of Sheridan, completely in the boondocks, by the way, is a seasonal campground (open April 15 until October 15) that"

    10. Deer Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Newark, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 786-4873

    "Out of the barren, desolate field after field drive-by wasteland that is the Illinois countryside, at least in late Autumn / early Winter, you’ll be heading down winding roads with all sorts of twists"

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Recent Reviews near Somonauk, IL

651 Reviews of 97 Somonauk Campgrounds


  • Ray S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great campground with everything you would need

    This was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.

  • Heather E.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    First time at a campground in Illinois

    Nice Short walks in the woods. You can link trails together to go farther. Some signs for cross country ski trails.  Most of the sites are not flat and one in front of the other so be prepared for that. If you go after harvest be prepared to hear a grain dryer or other from the farm nearby all day and night. There’s a train you might hear a couple times in the night. Pretty quiet otherwise for other campers. Shower house had nice hot water. Restaurant was nice for dinner. The gift shop is cute. Looks like they have a dinner and show around the holidays at the restaurant. They could use extra signs to say where camping is right when you pull in otherwise you’ll end up at the restaurant or some better signs in the campground. Overall we will be back to select sites select times of year.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    King's Campground

    Where Fireflies & Faith Meet Fresh Air & Farmland

    As a mom camping with my husband and kids, I loved how this Christ-centered campground felt both safe and family-friendly, with roomy sites that offer shade, fire pits, picnic tables and clean bathhouses close enough for those urgent kid trips. The layout makes it easy to relax while still keeping an eye on little ones and the amenities, whether tent pads or RV hookups, make setting up simple. What really stood out was the nearby fun and educational activity for kids, like a nature trail, nearby working farm, local park or our visit to Blackhawk Statue near Lorado Taft that gave the kids both excitement and a learning moment. At the end of the day, this is the kind of place where parents can unwind by the fire while the kids fall asleep happily worn out from their adventures.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Nature’s Way RV Park

    Relaxing

    Clean and well maintained facility. Staff was organized and friendly. Pet friendly. We want to come back when we can stay longer.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • Operation_Fun ..
    Sep. 18, 2025

    White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    Decent getaway from the city

    Cedar Ridge campground: stayed during the week because weekends were all booked. Had the place basically to myself.

    The sites: not very private, and most are one behind the other, so you’ll be going through a campground to get to the main road if you choose one in the back. 

    Atmosphere: There are trains that pass nearby (not constantly), and I could hear some campers from the Sunny Crest campground. Neither were obnoxious, and overall, it was relatively quiet. 

    Wildlife: Turkeys wandering around, lots of different birds, I heard coyotes hooting and hollering in the distance, and an opossum wandered into my site while I was sitting by the fire. 

    Other notable items: Grab wood on the way there from a neighboring home/farmstand. There wasn't anywhere to purchase wood inside the property. 
    There are showers here. I'm not sure if they're open year-round, but the campground is. 
    The hiking trails are fun.

  • 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.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.


Guide to Somonauk

Camping spots near Somonauk, Illinois range from basic tent sites to full-service RV resorts within a 25-mile radius. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while spring camping offers milder 65-75°F weather with occasional thunderstorms. The Fox River provides a natural recreation corridor through the region, with several campgrounds offering direct river access for fishing and paddling.

What to do

Fish for trophy catches: Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area has earned its reputation for exceptional fishing. "Love going to this campground. Always nice and clean. Bath/showers are very clean with hot water. Nicely kept grounds with a beautiful lake for dock and boat fishing," notes camper Meg K. The lake is particularly known for producing trophy-sized fish.

Kayak the Fox River: Several campgrounds provide direct river access. At Mallard Bend RV Resort, "a brilliant kayak/canoe launch is located at the river basin, south of the property," according to Stuart K. The Illinois River offers more challenging paddling with the reward of spotting bald eagles along the banks.

Explore canyons and bluffs: For those willing to drive 35 miles south, the terrain changes dramatically. "Starved Rock is a great place to go hiking. We loved seeing all the waterfalls and checking out the lodge and restaurant. There were amazing views and plenty of trails to keep us busy," shares Jackie T.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. At Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds, "the on-site restroom and shower facilities are first-rate offering sparkling clean and well-maintained showers, toilets and even baby changing stations," reports Stuart K., making it comfortable for extended stays.

Spacious campsites: Big Rock Campground offers particularly large sites. "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability," writes Melissa C. This makes it easier for first-time campers or those with larger setups.

Winter accessibility: Unlike many seasonal operations, some campgrounds remain open year-round. "We stayed here twice. Oct 2019 and Aug 2020. We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting," mentions Joel K. about Shabbona Lake, noting its appeal across seasons.

What you should know

Variable water hookups: At several campgrounds, water access points may be inconveniently located. "The water hookups are kind of far from the individual sites (make sure you have extra hose)," advises Rodney D. about Big Rock Campground. This is a common issue at older campgrounds in the region.

Limited shade at newer facilities: Big Rock Campground has newly developed sites without mature trees. "This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade," explains David W. This can make summer camping challenging during the hottest days.

Crowding at water features: The limited water recreation options mean existing swimming areas get busy. "Not a lot of good things to say. I guess the lake was nice, but they let wayyyy to many people come in," reports Rodney D. about one popular destination. Weekday visits typically offer more space.

Tips for camping with families

Water recreation options: Hi-Tide Recreation stands out with unique water features. "The camping is not the best but the lake is amazing! Campsites are really cramped, no privacy at all. The lake has huge inflatables and a trampoline so it's unique and fun," reports Amanda W. These amenities provide all-day entertainment for children.

Themed weekends: Many campgrounds offer special activities on weekends. "They are always hosting movie nights and fun events. This place is all about the kids so it makes the overcrowded camping worth it," continues Amanda W. about Hi-Tide Recreation. Call ahead to learn about upcoming themed weekends.

Playground access: When selecting a site, consider proximity to play areas. "Took my daughter for a simple overnight and it was great. Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn't take advantage of the whole park to explore," shares Mike D. about his experience at Big Rock Campground.

Tips from RVers

Extension cords needed: Water and electric hookups at some campgrounds require longer connections. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises Amanda K. about Big Rock Campground. This is particularly important for larger rigs with fixed utility connection points.

Dump station limitations: Great Falls Campground at Illini State Park has basic facilities. "You will have to fill your water tank, before parking. The facilities on site are terrible," warns Lex D. Many experienced RVers recommend arriving with full water tanks.

Site selection for privacy: At Starved Rock Campground, location within the campground significantly affects experience. "The east loop has better tree coverage and more privacy. The west loop has more site in a large open space, maybe better for groups," explains Kim L., highlighting how site selection impacts comfort and privacy levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Somonauk, IL?

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