Best Campgrounds near Lacon, IL

Camping areas near Lacon, Illinois center around the Illinois River watershed, with options ranging from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV facilities and cabins. Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area provides waterfront camping with electric hookups just minutes from Lacon's city limits, while Woodford State Conservation Area offers more primitive camping experiences approximately 10 miles south. Both developed campgrounds accommodate tent and RV camping, with select locations like Millpoint Park and Condits Ranch also offering cabin accommodations for those seeking additional comfort.

Many campgrounds in the Illinois River valley are susceptible to flooding, particularly during spring and after heavy rainfall periods. As one visitor noted, "This location can flood when the river rises," a common concern for lower-lying camping areas throughout the region. Road conditions vary considerably, with some campgrounds accessible via paved routes while others require navigation on gravel or dirt roads that may become challenging during wet weather. Most developed campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, though water quality can be inconsistent. Cell coverage is generally adequate throughout the region, though signal strength diminishes in more remote conservation areas. Campground availability spans year-round at some locations, while others operate seasonally from spring through fall.

Riverfront campsites receive consistently positive reviews, with fishing access being a primary attraction for many visitors. The campgrounds provide convenient boat launches, making them popular with anglers and water enthusiasts. Several visitors mentioned spectacular sunset views over the Illinois River as a highlight of their stay. Campgrounds near major roads may experience traffic noise, with a recent review noting a "busy rural highway is behind you" at one location. Hunters frequently utilize these areas during appropriate seasons, resulting in early morning activity and occasional gunfire sounds that might disturb light sleepers. Wildlife observation opportunities abound throughout the conservation areas, with numerous waterfowl species visible along the river corridor. Shaded sites under mature cottonwoods and silver maples provide welcome relief during hot summer months at many of the established camping areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Lacon, Illinois (75)

    1. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    30 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."

    2. Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area

    6 Reviews
    Chillicothe, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 246-8351

    3. Millpoint Park

    16 Reviews
    Peoria Heights, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 231-6497

    $18 - $100 / night

    "Perched 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"

    "If 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."

    4. Condits Ranch

    4 Reviews
    Hennepin, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 437-2226

    $50 / night

    "Condit’s Ranch is family friendly and away from it all. Sue and the staff could not be nicer. We did tent camping and the setup was perfect. Huge lot. Fire pit and electric. "

    5. Woodford State Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Chillicothe, IL
    10 miles
    Website

    $8 - $12 / night

    "They also warned us of an upcoming storm - this location can flood when the river rises. They also said to let them know if others were too loud."

    6. Chillicothe RV and Rec Area

    1 Review
    Chillicothe, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 274-2000

    "This place is very clean with the lake nearby for swimming or fishing. Very clean restrooms and friendly staff. There are hookups at each site and a few spots for pump out."

    7. Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area

    1 Review
    Chillicothe, IL
    10 miles
    Website

    "This is a beautiful, off-the-beaten path ‘no frills’ campground that comes very close to being called primitive, yet offers water pit privies and a designated sanitary dump station in addition to in-ground"

    8. Pleasant Creek Campground

    27 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 431-0936

    "Within 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,"

    "There is a nice pavilion, a game room/club house, basketball court, fishing pond, firewood for sale, and a few short trails."

    9. Carl Spindler Campground

    11 Reviews
    Peoria Heights, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 699-3549

    "This 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"

    "It was also a short walk to the Illinois River!!!"

    10. Jubilee College State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Brimfield, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 446-3758

    "The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."

    "Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies.

    The campsite has three main loops with RV pads and electric goo ups."

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Recent Reviews near Lacon, IL

478 Reviews of 75 Lacon 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.

  • T
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    A trickster with premium luxury pricing.

    We decided to not stay here. We stopped, did the online reservation (Loves now uses Camplife website). Made the reservation for a single night and it's $70+ tax and fees.  We paid less per night at luxury campgrounds with waterparks and entertainment. This is a truck stop. Needless to say, we won't be using Love's anymore for our single night stays when traveling.

  • 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.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Hickory Grove Campground

    Midwest Pasture Camping @ Its Finest

    Located just due north of Sheffield, right off I80 (2 miles to be exact), and due west of Princeton by about 20 minutes, Hickory Grove Campground, on the one hand, is so far off the grid that you will really feel as though you are truly ‘getting away from it all,’ yet on other hand, this place is just a couple stone’s throw from one of the busiest highways that runs through the great state of Illinois, making it incredibly accessible. What I love most about Hickory Grove Campground is that it is run by good folks (husband and wife duo, Dave & Joan) that have been in this particular area of north central Illinois for a very long time. On your way to Hickory Grove, you won’t help but notice that there is a supreme amount of gorgeous farmland that you will bear witness to, complete with golden rows of sweet corn or fields of drilled beans. Any way you look at it, enroute to Hickory Grove, you will feel right at home here in the heartland of the Midwest, where we take great pride in our hospitality.

    As for this pet-friendly campground itself, upon entry, you will discover that there is a main house, immediately followed by the main office, which is where you will check in. Once doing so, you’ll be able to access your slot, depending upon which one you have selected (and there is nearly 100 to choose from), whether that be an RV or 5th Wheeler slab, deluxe cabin rental or primitive camping site. There are 15 pull-through sites (all with 50 amp electric) with all RV and Trailer sites offering full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) most with shaded lots. Other amenities include a doggie park, ice for sale, scattered picnic tables, designated trash dumpsters, BBQ grills, boat launch, pedal cart rental, restroom and shower facilities, ramp and dock on the Hennepin Canal horseshoe pit and 3 miles of hiking trails.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re a biker like me, you better come bringing the cycles as from this vantage point, you’ll be able to access the 80 mile long bike trail that you’ll find is easy to access from Hickory Grove Campground; (2) As a fellow kayak enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the nearby access at Hennepin Canal; (3) After a good day of hiking, biking and kayaking, likely you’ll want to ‘whet that whistle’ and if so, nearby Psycho Silo Saloon has you covered in spades (April until October that is) with a full stocked bar of spirits, live music and some nice iced tall boys, but be sure to bring cash because this watering hole doesn’t know how to make credit cards work yet; (4) For those looking for a nice, easy and economical seasonal rental, Hickory Grove is quite affordable offering up sites for as little as $1,400 / season; (5) Specific sites that I recommend include: (a) those on the river’s edge of the Hennepin Canal: #30A, #30B, #34 – 39, #80R; (b) those on the western edge of the property: #12A – B, #13, #16 –19, #30A – B, #34 – 39; as well as (c) those sites that fall against the eastern treeline: #80, #82, #86A – C, #97 – 99; (6) When I head out camping, I like to bring 2-3 choice cuts of rare, sometimes exotic meats and whatever you might be into, should you want some fresh cut meats, check out nearby Wyanet Meat Locker, which will have the standards (NY Strip, Ribeye, hamburger patties) as well as some nice cuts from the top-shelf, including: buffalo, lamb chops and duck; and (7) For a slice of pure Midwestern joy, check out Myrtle’s Pie, which have some amazing selections including banana cream, salted caramel, lemon meringue, carrot cake cheesecake and my favorite, the coconut cream – but everyday Myrtle runs out of pies by early-to-mid-afternoon, so call ahead to order your pie or just get in there as soon as she opens for some freshly baked cinnamon roles and brewed coffee.

    Happy Camping!

  • 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

  • Fred R.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    Summer trip week 2 the return home

    Picked this spot outta the air. What an amazing history and geological area. The campgrounds were large and dark with shade trees. Limited 50 Amp sites as it is old.

  • Lex D.
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    BEWARE!!

    This park does NOT have water and sewer hook ups. You will have to fill your water tank, before parking. The facilities on site are terrible. The showers on site TRICKLED, not even enough to wash your hair. The sinks constantly run, they don’t shut off. When we called to reserve the guy told us we had to do a pull up basis. But there were slots reserved for other people. Very confusing. Not staying here again.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Whitetail Campground — Illini State Park

    We noped out 5 minutes after finally finding our site

    OMG where do I even start? It’s Illinois. It’s all corn and soy until the actual park which is just a few trees along a very industrialized and ugly river. This was just a stopover and we weren’t expecting much for nature, but it somehow had less than I expected.

    Stopped at the office which was closed (4pm on summer Saturday). A sign said to just go set up. There is an initial sign pointing you in the general direction of Whitetail, but then more intersections with no indication of which way to go so you get to drive around aimlessly until you find the right place. Hint: go in the direction of the Lock.

    Once we finally found Whitetail, I was getting quite discouraged. In the non-electrical side there is a giant ugly unnecessary lawn in the middle of a loop with sites on the outside of the loop. There is one vault toilet at the very beginning of the loop that would mean probably a 5 minute walk at least to get to the toilet if you’re on the farther end of the loop. The sites are ugly. It’s just weedy vegetation that looks more like a disturbed junk yard or ditch than a nature area.

    Our site could have been fully enclosed with shrubs or brush but had a large opening to the next site, so no privacy. But there was almost no place to put our small tent, especially since, at the end of a very long trip, our pads no longer stay inflated and we need somewhat flat ground under our them.

    The “fire pits” are weird like fireplace insert things and so previous campers have built fires on the ground all over. The vegetated area surrounding the site was covered in litter. The “fire pit” was completely full of someone’s garbage. I wish I had taken a picture before leaving. There were shingles, a charred baking pan, other garbage, and even a 10 foot long metal furniture thing? Idk what it was but the campground is clearly not managed at all or they would have cleaned that stuff up. There was a bunch of fishing line strung from the trees as if people were using it to hang things and then just left it there?

    The good thing is that there was cell service so we used it to book a hotel room and left immediately. Wasn’t able to successfully cancel my reservation. You have to call the park directly to do that and I don’t know if they are ever actually open for that.


Guide to Lacon

Camping near Lacon, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at Lasalle/Peru KOA. A visitor said, "Bathrooms and showers are super clean. Recommend for sure."
  • Peaceful Environment: Many enjoy the quiet atmosphere at Moraine View State Recreational Area. One camper remarked, "After 10 pm it was completely quiet."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff at Millpoint Park. A reviewer noted, "Owner was friendly and campsite was clean and spacious."

What you should know

  • No Alcohol Policy: Some campgrounds, like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, have strict no alcohol policies. One camper pointed out, "This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer."
  • Limited Cell Service: Expect limited cell service in areas like Starved Rock Campground. A visitor mentioned, "Verizon and AT&T both had only 1 bar."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during weekends. A camper at Pleasant Creek Campground advised, "During the summer months especially, this place fills up, so I would definitely recommend calling ahead."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Chief Keokuk Campground. One parent shared, "The playground was nice for the kiddos and our dog loved jumping in the lake!"
  • Bring Your Own Water: Some campgrounds, such as Millpoint Park, have water that isn’t suitable for drinking. A camper noted, "Bring cases of bottled water."
  • Plan for Mosquitoes: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area. One camper mentioned, "The campsite itself was at the bottom of two hills and much damper than the surrounding areas."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of RV sites at Starved Rock Campground. A reviewer said, "For those bringing their kayak, canoe or boat with them, you’re really going to enjoy the Illinois River."
  • Use Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Moraine View State Recreational Area, offer electric hookups. A camper noted, "The site was level and we had 30 amp electricity."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: RVers can enjoy nearby attractions like Pleasant Creek Campground. One visitor mentioned, "You’ll be located just 5 miles from two of the best state parks that Illinois has to offer."

Camping near Lacon, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lacon, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lacon, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 75 campgrounds and RV parks near Lacon, IL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Lacon, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lacon, IL is Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 99 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lacon, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Lacon, IL.