Best Campgrounds near Sterling, IL

Recent Reviews near Sterling, IL

509 Reviews of 96 Sterling Campgrounds

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Nov. 8, 2025

  Pine Grove Campground, Scott Co Park

  Where Tent Campers Co-mingle w/ the RVing Crowd

  While there’s 7 campgrounds to choose from here in Scott County Park, if you are looking for the most centrally located campground to the entire park, as well as the CG that feels the most secluded from any other neighboring overnight accommodation in the park, then Pine Grove CG is a great choice. Another upside to Pine Grove is that it has a single hiking trail heading west that will connect you with a wider network of hiking & biking trails. And if you have water on your mind, in just about 200 yards, you can access Glynns Creek and just south of this Cody Lake for all of your oar paddling pleasure.

  The layout of the CG here is a simple oblong circle pathway with a single lane dissecting the loop that lines up campsites one after the other with sites on both the interior and exterior of all paths. Unlike some of the other CGs here at Scott County Park, Pine Grove is a spot where both RVs and tent campers live in harmony and where there’s even a deluxe cabin to rent, if that’s more to your liking. There’s very little brush on the interior of the CG save a somewhat thick treeline surrounding the entire camping area. Apart from those that back-up to the surrounding treeline, most campers will experience zero privacy as there is no natural bush or canopy that separates one camper from another, so if that matters to you, then I would suggest aiming for a spot on the exterior and to bring some makeshift buffers that would add some solitude to your stay.

  Arriving here at Pine Grove isn’t the easiest, so as likely you would have entered from the southern entrance – where you would have been greeted by some of the friendliest rangers I have ever come across, who along with providing you a map of the place, will gladly sell you some firewood, which you should take them up on – you will just want to take your first right taking you past Hickory Hills and Whispering Pines Shelter (both of which provide excellent access to Pride Lake), followed by the next available left turn, just past the swimming pool on your left) and you’ll eventually arrive to Pine Grove Campground. And if whatever reason, you don’t like the site you’ve been given, just backtrack to the ranger station and ask if they can move you.

  As far as the amenities are concerned, Pine Grove offers up a proper dump station along with impeccably clean restroom and shower facilities that do indeed produce some nice hot water. High five to the rangers here at Scott County Park who do an amazing job of keeping the facilities organized, well-maintained and incredibly clean. There’s also a playground here along with lots of open space around the perimeter for the kiddos to run around and play tag or hide-n-go-seek. There’s standard FHU’s with electric and water at each site along with standard-issued picnic tables and fire rings, both of which come in pretty good condition. The parking pads are gravel and quite level and there is considerable space at each of the campsites here, so no worries on being too close to your neighbors.

  No matter which CG you choose here at Scott County Park, it’s not so much about where you are camping for the night (although that can be important), but rather, what camping here provides you access to, which IMHO is a quite lot: 18 hole golf course, in-ground swimming pool complete with waterslides, 20 miles of hiking / biking trails, pioneer village, 14 park shelters perfect for picnics complete with tables, grills and / or fireplaces, baseball field, volleyball court, basketball court, clubhouse, dedicated exercise areas, concession areas, equestrian trails, 4 different lakes for fishing and swimming that also feature boat docks, paddle boat rentals and even a few creeks where you can attempt to kayak and canoe if the water levels are high enough. What I love most about this park is just how family-friendly and educational this experience can be for the little ones.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Not that I have personally visited every single one of the picnic shelters that exist here, but my favorite one that I did visit was Crooked Knife as it offered peace & quiet along with some very good picnic tables underneath a canopy of adolescent Oaks turning colors in the Autumn; (2) While there’s not much in the way of dining options in these parts, there is Park View Café, which has an excellent breakfast and decent coffee in the morning and is located outside of Scott County Park on its SW corner; (3) The most challenging hiking trails are those located on the park’s NE perimeter, just below the golf course; (4) For mi tent pitchin’ bredren, while Pine Grove is a fine option for you to consider, if you really wanted to get away from the RV and 5th Wheel crowd, I would recommend checking out Wilderness CG, which has been organized more for those who prefer to erect their overnight accommodations; and (5) If you are simply looking for a convenient overnight place to park without all of the fringe benefits of paying to actually camp here at any one of the CG’s at Scott County Park, there is solid parking options at the NW corner of the park to the east of the Village Office across the street from St. Anne’s Church and Walnut Grove Pioneer Village.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Nov. 8, 2025

  Scott County Park- South East Corner Campground

  Scott County Park’s Secret Saddle Spot

  Tucked away in the southeast corner of Scott County Park – yes, the same park that already has more campgrounds than a camping catalog – lurks a little-known equestrian primitive campground. It’s the sort of place that feels like you stumbled onto a secret level in a video game: no hookups, no frills, just you, your horse and the occasional squirrel judging your life choices. If SOC-Fox is the Brady Bunch middle child (see my review for this CG), this one is the mysterious cousin who shows up at family reunions in cowboy boots and doesn’t say much.

  The sites? Bare-bones, as expected. You’re not here for 'glamping.' You’re here for space to tie up your horse, throw up a tent and feel like you’ve traveled back to 1883 (minus the dysentery). Fire rings are your only luxury item here, and if you’re expecting bathhouses with spa vibes, forget it. You’ll find pit toilets that are … serviceable. Let’s call them ‘character-building.’ Roads in here are gravelly but manageable if you take it slow, but you don’t really want to be coming here if you’re toting a 5th wheel or driving an RV as this area is really more geared for mi tent pitchin’ bredren who want the opportunity to ‘rough it’ ... ideally with their noble steeds.

  What makes it shine, though, are the equestrian trails. Miles of riding paths crisscross through woods, open meadows and rolling hills. Even if you’re not on horseback, you can hike them and pretend you’re in a Western where the budget ran out before they gave you an actual horse. And because this campground is the least famous of the seven, you’re more likely to get actual peace & quiet. No cannonballing kids, no RV generators humming in the night, just plenty of crickets, the odd, stray coyote and your horse deciding 2 a.m. is the perfect time to shuffle around loudly.

  Insider Tips? Giddy-up, here’s a few: (1) Bring your own water as there’s no magic spigot here; (2) If you want solitude, this is the place. It’s basically the anti-aquatic center; (3) Hungry after a day on the trail? Eldridge’s Grille on the Green dishes out hearty comfort food, and you won’t even have to tie your horse out front; and (4) If you need supplies, hit the Tractor Supply in nearby Eldridge. They won’t blink when you walk in smelling like hay and campfire.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Nov. 8, 2025

  Incahias Campground - Scott County Park

  Open Pasture Tent Pitchen Camping Bliss

  Of the 7 campgrounds that exist here in Scott County Park, Incahias is located on the westernmost perimeter of the park sitting just opposite Woodside Campground. Unlike the other campgrounds here, which are basically organized with a simple oval loop that likely has an intersecting lane, Incahias has several lanes (to be exact, 6 of them) that are more narrow all in an open field with very little brush, save a somewhat thick treeline on the western flank. This basically means next to zero privacy, so if that matters to you, then I would suggest aiming for one of the slots furthest west and to bring some makeshift buffers that would add to some solitude.

  Having arrived here at Incahias, you would have had to enter likely from the southern entrance, where you would have been greeted by some of the friendliest rangers I have ever come across, who along with providing you with a map of the place, will gladly sell you some firewood, which you should take them up on. After passing the ranger station, you’ll want to stick to your left at every fork in the road, passing by Bald Eagle Campground on your right, Oak Tree and Crooked Knife picnic areas on your left, before arriving to Incahias, where you’ll just want to follow the signs and then park in your designated campsite. And for whatever reason, if you don’t like the site you’ve been given, go back to the ranger station and see if they can move you – when we were there, they were very agreeable to move us to another spot without too much of an issue.

  At Incahias, you’ll find there’s a proper dump station along with impeccably clean restroom and shower facilities that do indeed produce some nice hot water. Again, hats off to the rangers here at Scott County Park who do an amazing job of keeping the facilities organized, well-maintained and incredibly clean – this is always the chief complaint amongst my family of ladies, so for them to be impressed is saying something! There’s also a playground here along with lots of open space for the kids to run around or get a game of football in. There’s standard FHU’s with electric and water at each site along with standard-issued picnic table and fire rings, both of which come in pretty good condition. The parking pads are gravel and quite level, but hey, you’re in Iowa, so that shouldn't be too difficult to find.

  No matter which CG you choose here at Scott County Park, it’s not so much about where you are camping for the night (although that can be important), but rather, what camping here provides you, which is a lot: 18 hole golf course, in-ground swimming pool complete with waterslides, 20 miles of hiking / biking trails, pioneer village, 14 park shelters perfect for picnics complete with tables, grills and / or fireplaces, baseball field, volleyball court, basketball court, clubhouse, dedicated exercise areas, concession areas, equestrian trails, 4 different lakes for fishing and swimming that also feature boat docks, paddle boat rentals and even a few creeks where you can attempt to kayak and canoe if the water levels are high enough. What I love most about this park is just how family-friendly and educational this experience can be for the little ones.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) The most challenging hiking trails are those located on the park’s NE perimeter, just below the golf course; (2) For mi tent pitchin’ bredren, I would recommend of all the CG’s here that you try your luck out over at Wilderness CG, which has been organized more for you, otherwise, you can try the primitive area over in the SE corner of the park earmarked for Equestrian trails; (3) If you are simply looking for a convenient overnight place to park without all of the fringe benefits of paying to actually camp here at any one of the CG’s at Scott County Park, there is solid parking options at the NW corner of the park to the east of the Village Office across the street from St. Anne’s Church and Walnut Grove Pioneer Village; and (4) While there’s not much in the way of dining options in these parts, there is Park View Café, which has an excellent breakfast and decent coffee in the morning and is located outside of Scott County Park on its SW corner.

  Happy Camping!

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• J

  Jeff F.

  Guide

  Oct. 9, 2025

  Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

  Nice quiet place

  Water was available on my visit 10-7 thru 10-10. The place is clean and well kept, including the pit toilets. Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights.

• 

  Heather E.

  Scout

  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.

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Oct. 1, 2025

  Johnson Sauk Trail State Park

  Trails, Tales & a Big Round Barn at Johnson Sauk Trail State Park

  If you like your camping served with a side of quirk, Johnson Sauk Trail State Park near Kewanee, Illinois, delivers in spades. First impressions are of rolling hills, shady hardwoods, and wide-open prairie that feels like someone took a painter’s brush to the Midwest and got carried away. It’s big, it’s woodsy, and it has just enough old-fashioned charm to make you think you’ve stumbled into a summer postcard here in the heart of the Prairie State. Families and weekend wanderers flock here, but the atmosphere stays laid-back and the kind of place where you can still hear the wind in the trees over the laughter and screaming of kids chasing fireflies.

  The campground itself is no slouch, with more than 70 sites ranging from rustic tent pads (25 in total) to electric hook-up spots that keep RVs humming happily. Sites are generally roomy and shaded, each with picnic tables and fire rings that dare you to try out your best s’mores engineering skills. Bathhouses are clean and close, with flush toilets and showers that (miracle of miracles) actually have good water pressure. Roads are paved and very easy to navigate, though keep an eye on turns if you’re wrangling a bigger rig. Pets are welcome, kids have plenty of room to roam, and the general feel is safe and easygoing.

  And then there’s the Ryan Round Barn, the park’s crown jewel and conversation piece. Built in 1910 by Dr. Laurence Ryan, who was a local physician with a big brain and apparently had a thing for circles, this 180 degree structure is one of the largest round barns in the entire country. This wooden wonder stands 80 feet tall and 85 feet across, with four levels that once housed 50 dairy cows, horses, and enough hay to feed a small army. Walking through it feels like stepping back in time, and even kids who ‘don’t like history’ will be impressed once they realize it’s basically a giant barn spaceship from 100 years ago.And then there’s the Ryan Round Barn, the park’s crown jewel and conversation piece. Built in 1910 by Dr. Laurence Ryan, who was a local physician with a big brain and apparently had a thing for circles, this 180 degree structure is one of the largest round barns in the entire country. This wooden wonder stands 80 feet tall and 85 feet across, with four levels that once housed 50 dairy cows, horses, and enough hay to feed a small army. Walking through it feels like stepping back in time, and even kids who‘don’t like history’ will be impressed once they realize it’s basically a giant barn spaceship from 100 years ago.

  Outside the campground, Johnson Lake offers paddleboat rentals, fishing piers, and calm waters for paddling, which is ideal for wearing out the kids while you pretend you’re training for a kayak marathon! Trails wind through forest and prairie with wildlife sightings being frequent enough that you’ll start feeling like you’re starring in your own nature documentary. When hunger hits, Kewanee is just down the road, with options ranging from old-school diners to pizza joints. And don’t skip The Coop, a local gem in the hamlet of Annawan with an ice cream parlor and baked goods like cinnamon rolls, iced cookies and chocolate chunk brownies so good you’ll briefly consider moving to town just to live closer.

  Insider tips? Yep, here’s a handful: (1) Book a site in the lake loop(of which there’s some 7 or slots to choose from) for quick access to Johnson Lake, where despite a short trek to the water’s edge, you’ll get fewer complaints from the kids when it’s time to haul gear to the water and you’ll also be treated to unbeatable sunset views from one of the scattered benches along the lakefront; (2) For food, check out Cerno’s Bar & Grill in Kewanee, which was established in 1898 BTW and feels like you’re stepping back in time for massive burgers and a family-friendly vibe, Good’s Furniture for surprisingly solid sit-down meals (yes, furniture and food under one roof), and The Coop for ice cream and baked goods that will tempt you back two days in a row; (3) Don’t miss touring the Ryan Round Barn with it’s four stories of history, architecture and oddball charm that kids and adults alike will find fascinating. Just remember: it’s round, so if you get lost inside, maybe camping isn’t your sport; and (4) Bring a kayak or canoe for Johnson Lake as the calm water is great for families, fishing will likely net some channel catfish, largemouth bass and white crappie and you’ll likely spot turtles, herons and maybe even a beaver supervising your paddling skills.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Sep. 27, 2025

  Geneseo Izaak Walton League Campground - Members Only

  Hidden Gem Along the Hennepin Canal

  This is the Geneseo Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, which coming across one fine Autumn day, I was completely unaware of this organization, which apparently is America’s oldest and most successful conservation organizations. This particular chapter in Geneseo was chartered back in 1952 and shortly thereafter founded Ike’s Park located right along the Hennepin Canal, which features among other things: picnic facilities, fishing, boating and kayaking, a boat ramp, handicapped accessible fishing pier as well as a community lodge that you can book in advance, in addition to a primitive style campground offering up some 20 or so sites on a first-come, first served basis.

  To put it bluntly, this place is incredibly simple and basic, which is its beauty in a nutshell. This undiscovered little gem will make you feel as though you’ve just hit the primitive camping lottery jackpot as very few folks outside of Geneseo even know of this place. So if you’re coming from slightly further afield, you’ll appreciate getting in on something special. Upon arrival from Route 82, which if you are coming from the nearest major highway of I80, you’d be heading northbound, you need to simply hang a right onto a very modest gravel road that has an immediate declining slope upon entry. Once you turn into Izaak Walton Park, you’ll feel embraced by something truly special with mature maples and oaks surrounding you before coming across a sign marking this territory as Ike’s Place with the community lodge on the right. If you continue on, just about 30 yards further you’ll come across the self-check-in kiosk where you just need to fill out the required information and drop your$10(member) or$20(non-members) in an envelope and you can set up wherever you’d like.

  As you are literally right next to the Hennepin Canal, you’ll want to set up as near the canal as you can get, although, you could sit back a bit further south if you’d like under the canopy of a mature treeline. Beyond the beautiful, scenic riverview, there’s just a couple of community shelters, basic restroom facilities with vault toilets, a fishing pier and a large area that faces a larger swath of the Hennepin Canal that for a short bit resembles a lake, although when you are on the water, you’ll learn it’s just the bend in the river. Here at Izaak Walton Park alongside the property immediately to the south, Geneseo Prairie Park, there’s lots of decent hilly hiking trails to keep you occupied. And of course, if you’re an angler, you’ll appreciate the quick and easy access to casting a line where you’ll be able to catch panfish, small- and large-mouth bass as well as catfish.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) While you are north of Geneseo, you shouldn’t have too much problem with cell coverage out in these parts– we got 4 bars with Verizon and 3 bars with AT&T;(2) Not all of the sites are level, so you definitely want to check out a number of the sites before deciding upon which to choose from– where you’ll also want to keep in mind that not all of the sites have electricity, so either plant yourself near an outlet or bring a long electrical cord;(3) While there is a dump station on-site, when we were there, it was locked, so while we were able to place most of our trash in the garbage receptables, be prepared to haul yours out with you before leaving; and(4) You’ll want to take note that you are sitting alongside the Hennepin Canal, which if you haven’t been to before, provides about 100 miles worth of some pretty amazing slow-moving current that is excellent for kayaks and canoes, so if you’ve got one, bring it, but if not, the good folks at Geneseo Campground just due north of this location across the river will rent you one.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Maria Mercedes M.

  Ranger

  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.

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• l

  larry V.

  Scout

  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.