For those who want to get away from civilization for a weekend, but still want the comforts of home, consider renting a cabin for your Sterling camping trip. Find the best information on cabin camping near Sterling, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Each cabin offers quick access to one or more of Sterling's most popular destinations.
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!
$10 - $20 / night
Leave your worries and hassles at the entrance gate. This RV Resort in Illinois has fun the whole family can enjoy! O'Connell's RV Resort in Amboy continues to draw families to the Sauk Valley by providing great fun and the opportunity to reconnect in a relaxing outdoor environment. An Illinois campground located just 90 miles west of Chicago and 80 miles east of the Quad Cities, O'Connell's RV resort in Illinois is both convenient and inviting. At this RV Resort, we work hard to be the best campground in Illinois offering fun that the whole family can enjoy. Grab your bathing suit and bring the entire family to one of our 3 pools and 2 waterslides or let the kids play in our arcade. With the most games of any campground in or around Illinois, the fun never stops here at O'Connell's RV Resort! At O'Connell's, there's never a dull moment! The campground features an award winning themed activity program geared to all ages. Park your car, stash your keys and come enjoy the beauty of nature and the variety of activities at O'Connell's RV Resort.
$60 - $90 / 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!
The Shabbona Lake SRA campground has available 150 Class A Premium campsites, with 90 campsites available for advanced reservation through www.reserveamerica.com. Additionally, 60 campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. All sites have electricity, picnic table, fire rings, and vehicle access. A sanitary dump station is available to all campers. One family is allowed per campsite, or four unrelated adults with up to two tents. Campers must be ready to camp upon arrival. The campground may be closed during the spring thaw due to road conditions. Alcohol is prohibited. To check on the status of the campground or for further information, call 815-824-2106 during the week or the campground check station at 815-824-2565 on weekends.
There is also a Campground Store on-site that offers firewood, groceries, snacks, ice cream, camping supplies, fishing tackle, and boat rentals.
Camp Cabin Two rent-a-camp cabins are available at the park. The rustic cabins have two rooms and will accommodate a maximum of six people. They are located on the shore of Shabbona Lake. Electric baseboard heat allows year-round use of the cabins. No Pets are allowed in the cabins with the exception of service animals.
Youth Group Shabbona Lake's Youth Group camping area will accommodate two groups of up to 50 campers each. Water and privies are available at the site, but there is no electricity.
$25 / night
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
Nice grassy sites, very vlean redtrooms.
Just 5 minutes to Starved Rock state park and one mile from interstate 80. Great country setting with full hook ups, pool, laundry, camp store and showers.
Well maintained bathrooms, great secluded sites. Super easy no registration its first come first serve. I will be goin again with my family.
Hosts were very welcoming. Cozy and quiet location. Lots of room.
At some point, when walking through this thickly packed, seemingly endless supply of super-thin pencil trees that comprise this hidden gem of a forest, one realizes a pretty amazing fact: when mankind is purposeful about not just preserving, but proliferating the pristine nature that exists all around us, we can be incredibly successful in that endeavor. But only if we put our minds to it. That’s precisely the thought I had when seeing this Pencil Tree Forest for the first time. Obviously, this forest didn’t happen out of pure luck and it certainly wasn’t through preservation of what had existed before that we first stepped foot on this particular patch of land that led to this most immaculate place. No, it was actually the Corp of Engineers that purposefully planted the trees that now adorn this amazing swath of heaven no earth.
As for the campground itself, while there isn’t much brush here to provide any decent privacy, the overabundance of hardwoods, giant oaks and pines in this area creates an overwhelming sense of solace and peacefulness, despite being able to see most of your neighbors. The spots themselves are all Class A Camping, offering just electric (so, no sewer or water hook-ups for the RV-toting crowd), with 71 pads being offered and 25 Class C Camping tent sites. There is a single shower structure here and a few different bathrooms, some more permanent than a few others, that seem to either be temporary or are being worked on. There’s plenty of picnic tables and in-ground fire rings w/ fold-over BBQ grills. Beyond this, be prepared to bring what you need with you.
If you are looking to get on the water and either get some rowing in or attract some fish to your line, then nearby Lake Johnson has you covered. In fact, it’s so close, you can easily walk to it, but if you have your own kayak or canoe, you might want to tow it down to the boat launch with your SUV or truck if you have the means. And if you don’t have any watercraft, no biggie, the good folks here at the Marina will rent you one of theirs. Note that only electric trolling motors are allowed to be on the lake here.
Whether you want to stay near your campsite or go further afield, there’s no shortage of great picnic areas, whether it’s a simple picnic table set up lakeside, perhaps with its own grill or cooking stove, or under the shade of a covered pavilion, there’s lots of options here to create the absolute perfect outdoor feasting occasion.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) You’ve got to check out Ryan’s Round Barn, which you would have seen upon entering Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, and is a local landmark of sorts, which was built around the turn of the century by Protestant religious sects who designed these in a particular way so as they ‘didn’t leave any corners where the devil could hide.’; (2) If you’ve got hiking on your mind, there’s some really good, albeit basic hiking to be had here with some very great sightseeing – in all there’s about 12 miles of good hiking to explore the area here from Johnson-Sauk that will have you walking through seasoned pine and old oak forests; (3) Should you want to go fishing and find yourself in need of anything, whether its rental boats, snacks and sodas, fishing bait or souvenirs, the Marina here at Johnson-Sauk has you covered; (4) There’s also a decent restaurant here at the Marina, called Red Earth Café, but when we were there last, it was closed and we heard rumors that is was not going to reopen, which was a bummer, therefore, if you want to eat out, you’re going to have to trek it back in to nearby Annawan, just due north on 78, where there’s just a few restaurants to choose from, including Mick’s Bar & Grill, which basically has hot dogs and burgers or Purple Onion, which has typical Midwestern comfort food like country fried steak, fried walleye and pork chops; and (5) The hit of Annawan, IMHO, is Paxton’s Corner Coop, which will immediately make you feel like you have stepped foot on some film location in Hollywood, with all of its other-worldly oddities, but press on and enter the establishment to find some of the most delectable desserts I have ever come across: caramel rolls, amazing natural ice cream, delectable cupcakes and, my personal favorite, the oatmeal crème sandwiches!
Happy Camping!
CG is open all year offering: hard pads, fire rings, tables, water, electric, dump station, shades spots, RR/showers, firewood, seasonal host, trails nearby, overflow parking, and large cabin for rent. Park offers gold, hike/bike/horse trails, Pride Lake for fishing and paddling, swim pool, concessions. Pioneer Village at North end of park.
My daughter and I stayed here twice. Oct 2019 and Aug 2020. We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting.
The store is very nice and well stocked. Never left the park so not sure how far to “town”.
Primitive tent sites include: tables, fire rings, parking, water and firewood nearby, shelter for rent, seasonal host, visitor parking, 2 modern cabins adjacent.
This fairly new State Park would of merited "5 stars", but the pit (aka vault) toilet smell was just tooooooo much and we weren't even close!
PROS
Park beautifully maintained and mowed throughout S
Site 109 shady
Site 109 gravel parking pad level
Moveable wooden picnic table
Metal campfire ring with cooking grate
Roadways easy to maneuver without obstacles
Quite except for train whistle close by
Partial privacy from neighbors
Toilet/shower facility in next campground (Savanna) very clean and sufficiently stocked
Very nice 12 ft wide asphalt bike trails
Night sky friendly as no street lights in campground
Firewood for sale at entrance gate
Frequent park ranger campground drive throughs
Double lane dump station
Double lane portable water fill stations
CONS
The aroma of the pit toilet between Spruce and Savanna Campgrounds could be smelled throughout both campgrounds. Disgusting!!! No hand wash station at pit toilet
Modern toilet/shower facility only in Savanna Campground
No security gate closure overnight
All trash dumpsters near campground entrance gatehouse
5pm checkin
No interpretive programs Monday thru Thursday
Let’s begin by highlighting what an amazing family-oriented, mega-campground compound this is, perfectly situated on Lake LaDonna, which offers up non-stop fun for every member of your family - young and old alike. And it doesn’t matter if you’re driving an RV, hauling a 5th Wheel or looking to pitch a tent – whatever you are bringing to camp out underneath the stars out here in the Midwest prairieland, no worries, Lake LaDonna Family Campground has a spot for you. And even if you don’t have anything, it’s not a problem, as this campground will easily rent you one of their A/C-equipped cabins (either Primitive of Deluxe) that offer up a stove-top, oven, refrigerator, wet bar and full-sized bathroom with shower.
Throughout the entire campground, you’ll find there’s tons of shade with ample amounts of giant oaks lining the pathways and roads along with 2 meandering streams that create a really cool natural vibe. The most consequential amenity here at LaDonna is, of course, the lake itself, which provides a pretty amazing white sand beachhead. This is unusual because of, well, let's be frank, here smack dab in the middle of north central Illinois, there should not be any beachheads, so you’ve got to appreciate this man-made convenience that offers up a perfect spot for sunbathing, sipping Mai Tais or building a sandcastle. There’s tons of water toys here including two oversized Funbrellas that offer a decent amount of shade during a hot summer day. You’ll discover there’s a rope swing deck that sits atop a pirate ship, where you can plunge through 30 foot tall waterfalls before hitting the nice cold lake water. Waterslides, trampoline, floating innertubes and water spray cannons are also a blast for the kids that will be sure to keep them entertained all day long. As a parent, what I appreciated most of all is the fact that LaDonna has very well-trained, certified lifeguards who remain constantly vigilant about keeping an eye on your kid’s safety, leaving us parents to enjoy our time worry-free.
Off the water, the amenities don’t stop, and also include: basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, kids playground, outdoor stage and pavilion, live music, themed weekends, full-service lodge and market selling snacks, beverages, groceries, ice, candy, sundries, beach toys and firewood. Let’s just say, if you forgot anything, it’s definitely a drive from here back to civilization, but LaDonna has you covered, once again. For RVers, there’s full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric and water) along with flat pads that are easy to get set-up on for just about any size of RV. There’s a designated dump station in the corner of the campground that you would have passed just as you crossed the railroad tracks to access the entrance of LaDonna right on Harmony Road. Most all sites come with a BBQ grill, fire ring and picnic table.
As for the downsides, there are really just two to be aware of. First of all, if you are just a day camper or looking for a nice long weekend to enjoy out in the midst of nature, you will feel like a second-class citizen here at Lake LaDonna, who places much more focus and provides greater service and access to those RVers who are seasonal. And from a business standpoint, while I understand it, as a weekend tent camper, it’s certainly a draw back. What do I mean? Well, if you book a weekend like we did, you are only allowed certain spaces to choose from that are earmarked for overnight or non-seasonal campers, which have basically been isolated right next to the train tracks. This is the second, but arguably, the biggest negative for LaDonna – if you are located right next to the train tracks, at least once a night, if not 2-3 times a night, you will be startled awake by the blaring horn of the train and after it passes, a good 10-15 minutes of a roaring train, which our kids were certainly frightened of. So if you do come, a simple solution is to bring ear buds, if your negotiation efforts aren’t good enough to land you a spot somewhere far enough from the tracks where the commotion won’t disturb you.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you do end up renting one of the cabins, be sure to remember to bring your own bed linens, towels, toiletries and anything you need to make use of the kitchen. I have to admit, when I heard that the cabins didn’t come furnished with this stuff, I wasn’t as interested; (2) While the Pioneer cabins are moderately priced at $75-$85, I thought the Deluxe cabins were a bit pricey at $129-$149 for what they offered; (3) Should you be interested in getting some good hiking in, head back east to Route 2, where you can access the decent trails at Castle Rock State Park, including Pond Trail with 2 miles of easy-to-moderate trails and Oak Ridge Trail, which is a bit more challenging, but only a single mile in length, with Fox Trail the shortest at a half mile, but quite scenic. These 3 trails make up the South Trails; (4) The far better and more challenging hiking over at Castle Rock SP can be found with the North Trails, where there’s a total of 5 trails to choose from: River Bluff (.5 mile), Wildlife Viewing (1 mile), Heather Valley (2 miles), Timber Edge (1/4 mile) and Forest Ridge (1 Mile). These make up the North Trails; (5) There’s also a sweet little picnic area up here in the North Trails area called Aspen Ridge that is nice, and closer to the river, near River Bluff trail, you’ll see the picturesque Old Orchard picnic area, which I highly recommend; and (6) When you get tired of trying to figure out that next meal from your on-board mini-fridge or from the depths of your roto-molded Cordova cooler, head east to Oregon (the town, not the state, mind you) and try out Jay’s Drive-In, which will take you back to the 1950’s where you can pull up, stay seated in your car and have a server take your order from the parking lot, or head on inside, where you can put some quarters in the juke box while munching on any of the traditional burgers and hot dog combinations you might imagine, although I HIGHLY recommend trying out one of their pork tenderloin sandwiches and washing it all down with a chocolate cake shake. Yeah. A cake shake. Go ahead, just process that!
Happy Camping!
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 by accident OR you are incredibly knowledgeable already or resourceful. Whatever drew you to this particular location, here's the fact of the matter - you have arrived at an absolute natural treasure trove, whether in the midst of a humid and hot Illinois summer or in the bitter cold of a snow white winter looking for great cross-country skiing trails. So now that you've found yourself nearby or contemplating a stay at Shabbona Lake SP, let me just forewarn you - you are about to embark upon one of the most amazing outdoor camping experiences Illinois has to offer!
As for this campground, PLEASE NOTE: there exists not 1, but 3 separate, individual campgrounds here at Shabbona Lake State Park: Teal Bay Campground (Sites#1– 60), Merganser Circle (Sites#61– 100) as well as Canvasback Cove (Sites#101– 150). In this review, I will be isolating my contributions towards the Shabbona Lake State Park – Teal Bay Campground. That said, please do look at all the reviews that I leave behind here on TheDyrt, in order to find the absolute best campground for you and your family / friends, should that be arriving by RV / 5th Wheel, those looking for an existing wooden cabin by the sea (er, as it were, because we're in Illinois, a lake) or for mi tent-pitching bredren.
The first of these three campgrounds is the first loop you will encounter after passing the Ranger Station at the front of the park, where you’ll drive about a half mile around the bend before reaching the first of three clearly marked Camp Host spots. At this point, you’ll want to hang a right, where there will be a slight left bend where sites #2–10 will be on your right, wherein site #1 is earmarked for the Camp Host, and at site #10, you’ll see opposite this spot a small water / privy facility, following which, you will see the rest of Teal Bay campground as it encircles a small loop (effectively sites #11–31 on the exterior of the loop, interrupted by another small water / privy facility between sites #29 and #30, with sites #32– 47 being plotted on the interior of this loop and finally, you’ll see sites #48– 50 upon your exit from the loop, where you’ll encounter that first small water / privy house, before coming across the final sites #51– 60 on the right as you exit Teal Bay. Immediately to the right, once you exit this campground, you’ll come across the lone Shower Building (more on this below). You will need to pass the Shower Building to access the second campground, Merganser Circle and to access the third campground, Canvasback Cove, where you would have turned left before passing the Shower Building as you head towards the lakefront and boat launch area.
With Shabbona Lake State Park specifically in mind… Holy Cow! (nod to Harry Carey and all my Cubs loving friends there!) are you in for a treat if you find yourself in north-central Illinois right off the I39 corridor and are rolling with either your RV, 5th wheel or are packing a tent and looking for an exceptional lakeside camping experience completely surrounded by God’s greatest natural prairie! To be blunt, Shabbona Lake State Park could be, quite possibly, one of the best, most pristine camping experiences that exists in this sweet corn riddled and drilled bean harvested farmland in the entire Land O’ Lincoln.
From a clandestine entrance, beset with golden tall grasses and strategically planted old Pines along with its superbly laid out and easily sign-posted inner roadway to the non-stop 3 meter wide natural hiking trails that are jam-packed in this luscious, picturesque state park along with its signature sparkling clear blue, man-made Shabbona Lake, this is one multi-campus campground that you must prepare yourself for, because it packs quite the punch! All in, there’s 150 Class A Premium campsites with 90 of these available for reservation with the remaining open on a first-come, first-served basis through the state’s online reservation system: ExploreMoreIL.
With amenities in mind, you will discover scattered spots that accommodate both RV and tent camping brethren alike, where half of the slots are nicely paved concrete, while the other half are cleverly laid small pebble-strewn platforms. All sites come with a fire ring, picnic table, water and electric hook-ups and no matter where you go, you are surrounded by some solid wilderness so there is never the chance that you will wake up or go for a hike and feel as though you are not being embraced by one of the best wilderness areas in the country.
Beyond the basics, and this is where Shabbona Lake SP shines brightest, you’ll discover that there are tons of additional bonus features such as: scattered picnic tables and sheltered pavilions, designated dump stations, (2) lakefront log cabins for rent (complete with their own balcony / veranda, grill and fire pit), Pokanoka’s Dockside Café with spectacular views of Shabbona Lake, concession store offering wood, groceries, bait & tackle, snacks, soda and camping items, over 8 miles of hiking in pristine wood- and grasslands, fishing piers (this is the Muskie Capitol of Illinois, BTW!) where you’ll find no shortage of bluegill, walleye, perch and many other fish. If you’re into hunting, Shabbona Lake SP has you covered too with 744 acres of land that allows for archery hunting of deer, dove and waterfowl (for those wanting to use firearms, there is discretionary times of the year where deer and pheasant hunting is allowed).
Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer; (2) Tired of fixing beans and franks and want to sample some local fare? Well, you’re in luck because in the nearby hamlet of Shabbona, there’s a few options, top of which I recommend Shabbona Café, which is a no-frills local diner serving up burgers, sandwiches, skillets, salads and typical Midwestern fare followed by a few scoops at Screamers Ice Cream; (3) If you don’t mind a slight drive to arguably the best fried chicken in the universe, then check out Rip’s Chicken in Ladd and trust me, while a longer drive than you might expect, this place is legend in these parts; (4) When thinking about Winter activities, this is one of the very few SP’s that allow for snow-mobiling and cross-country skiing where trails are open between 8am to 4pm with at least 4” of snow. Ice fishing and ice skating are also allowed if the thickness of the ice is good enough; and (5) During the summer months especially, this place fills up, so I would definitely recommend calling ahead for those first-come, first served campsites. Call 815-824-2106 during the week or the campground check station at 815-824-2565 on weekends.
Happy Camping!
Looking for a safe and relaxing place to enjoy the sun naturally? Needing to get away and just enjoy some time nude? Are you raising your kids to be body shame free and want a place for them to enjoy while being safe? This is the place for you and your family to visit. Great playground, fun pond and a nice restaurant to get a good meal. All while enjoying your time without clothes. Safe and friendly along with welcoming to all. Beautiful land to wander, lots of different spots to camp and a hot tub for the cool nights. So much fun and so easy to get to from anywhere in the Midwest. Highly recommend and suggest all go check out this place.
This park is pretty huge so make sure you know which campground you’re going to. The sites here are all shaded (at least in the Pine Grove section I was in). I was next to a large shower house that had plenty of hot water and everything was super clean. The park staff were very friendly and helped me get to the campsite I needed. Beware that if you come after 10pm, there is no way to pay for your spot so you’d have to choose a random spot and come back the next morning to pay.
The sites themselves are HUGE and some of them would accommodate the largest camping rigs you could imagine. Everything in Pine Grove is 50 amp. There are playgrounds for your kids to play in. Cell service was excellent for Verizon and AT&T. Not sure about T Mobile. 60mbps down and 16 up for AT&T.
Our stay here was a great experience. The town of Shabbona has a population of 900, and you get that homely good-natured feel while being there as well. We had breakfast at Shabbona Cafe in town, and we received a great portion and oh so good as well. While leaving on the last day at the BP gas station there is even a corn 🌽 stand $5 for a dozen of oh so good and sweet corn, the best part is all you need is to drop the $5 in a cash box on the honor system, love that. Now the camping grounds was great as well. Completely surrounded by woods and nature at site 147, very close to bathroom shed, and also not far from the shower/bath house (clean). The Restaurant & Bait Shop are all in the same building. The restaurant had a great Nachos and grass-fed burger, top quality definitely. The bait shop we rented a pontoon boat (reserved online) they show you the safe areas to boat and where to look out for as well, before boarding the pontoon they also give you a refresher on operating the boat etc. Oh! I forgot about the store, the hours seemed off but once open the store has all the essentials one would need. $7 for a bundle of wood also on the honor system cash box.
We highly recommend camping here.
Camp is old with open area site, some shade, fire rings, tables and river access for fishing and paddling. You can rent rv sites with electric, water. Dump station, ice, limited concessions, lodge available. Reservation required. Many resident sites.
We stumbled upon this campground after a last minute change in plans and were very pleasantly surprised. It is a privately owned campground by a Christian owned campground. If you are not religious, don't let the fact that it's a Christian park, scare you away. There is a lake for swimming and fishing (with paddle boats and kayaks available to use for free, a very nice playground and the camp hosts kid/family activities on most weekends. The sites are a little tight but are very shaded and well maintained. The shower houses were some of the best we've seen and its very affordable at $35/night. The only downside is they don't allow alcohol. This can also be a benefit as there wasn't anyone up partying all night and the park was very quiet.
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!
Nice place, used to be a KOA, and they still take care of it like one. Everything in the campground is within walking distance. They have a dishwashing sink and garbage cans every 30-50 feet. Convenient. Bathrooms and showers are super clean. Recommend for sure.
Great staff! Helpful. Pulled out privacy tent to remedy toilet concerns. Small flies or gnats quite annoying. Pretty, quiet, lush. Would worry about mosquitoes in late summer.
This is a private owned campground not a KOA. Stayed there last fall. Owners are doing a lot of upgrades. Restroom/Shower rooms where spotless!!! If in the area a must stay for a night or a week!
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!
Beautiful, spacious and quiet campground. Park rangers and staff are so kind and respectful of keeping the areas cleaned up and cared for! Lots of tree shade for picnicking, hiking trails, and even a pool! Bathrooms were always stocked and cleaned, plus they have HOT SHOWERS! Woohoo! Such a wonderful time at Scott County Park! Can’t beat it! :D
CG is spread out along bottomland river forest and includes camping cabins, tent and RV sites, RR/showers, playground, dump and water stations, Eco Tourism store/grill, paddling rentals, Blue Heron Cruises, nature center. Sites include fire rings, tables, gravel backing pads, electric with some right near water edge.
CG is only CG open in winter in Scott County Park. CG sites offer full service including fire rings and firewood is available. Seasonal host is not available in winter. Trails are good for hike/bike/horses/xc ski/snowshoe when open conditions allow. PRIDE lake offers ice fishing with good ice. There is a large modern cabin at north end of CG for rent.
RV sites are closed for season. This CG offers both primitive tent and RV sites. Seasonal host site offers firewood, there is a play ground, shelter, RR/ showers, trails, dump station.and two cabins available for rent. Park offers trails: hike, bike, horse, golf course, swim pool with concessions, historical Pioneer Village with Soda Shop.Pride Lake offers fishing, paddling.
Stayed for 14 days. The weekends were fuller but still pretty quiet. During the week there were just enough people for it not to feel creepily lonely. The lake was beautiful and we hiked a few of the trails that go near/around it. I liked that it was a no-wake lake. It didn't have that crazy motor boat and jet skis everywhere feel.
The campsite itself was at the bottom of two hills and much damper than the surrounding areas. That meant lots of mosquitos! No grass on this site, but the ones with higher numbers have lots of grass and running around room for kids.
So nice, though I wish we could have stayed longer!
This cg has both primitive tent and full service sites though much of cg has apparent permanent campers. The office offers ice, bait, firewood, propane and more. Tent site area is dispersed depending whether you prefer shade and fire ring. These are open sites along the Mississippi River. Camp has a boat ramp and boat slips so fishing, paddling, and boating are options. There is a very nice bike/walk path all ng Highway 84 traveling up/down Great River Road. There is also train tracks along same path.
Camping near Sterling, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping around Sterling, IL, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be sure to check out the specific campgrounds and their amenities before you go!
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Sterling, IL is White Pines Forest State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 22 reviews.
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