Best Campgrounds near Stockton, IL

The northwestern Illinois region surrounding Stockton features several established campgrounds within a short drive, including Mississippi Palisades State Park and Apple River Canyon State Park. These areas provide a mix of camping styles from tent sites to RV hookups, with some locations like Lena KOA and Vel Terra offering cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in this rural area are situated along waterways such as the Rock River and Apple River, providing scenic views and recreational opportunities while maintaining proximity to small towns.

Camping is generally available from spring through fall, with most facilities operating between May and November. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground remains open year-round, offering electric hookups and shower facilities even during colder months. The terrain throughout the region consists of rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and river valleys that create diverse camping environments. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays during summer months when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with better coverage near towns and limited reception in canyon areas. A visitor noted, "This beautiful state park is small but still has room for 3 circles of camp sites... The hiking trail goes right behind this site so we saw a bit of foot traffic."

Campers consistently highlight the natural features and relative seclusion of sites in this region. The Mississippi Palisades area receives particular praise for its scenic overlooks and hiking trails along limestone bluffs. Several visitors mentioned the quality of facilities, with one camper describing Mississippi Palisades as having "shower houses that were some of the nicest we've encountered while camping - hot water immediately, hooks to hang your things, very clean, flush toilets and real mirrors." Smaller campgrounds like Vel Terra earn recognition for their well-maintained grounds and peaceful settings. Many campgrounds feature spacious sites with fire rings and picnic tables, though privacy between sites varies considerably across locations. The region's mixed hardwood forests provide ample shade during summer months, while open meadow sites offer better stargazing opportunities.

Best Camping Sites Near Stockton, Illinois (101)

    1. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 273-2731

    "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."

    "It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."

    2. Apple River Canyon

    11 Reviews
    Apple River, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 745-3302

    $8 / night

    "There is a trail that works it’s way through the back of the sites. The sites are a bit close together and separation is sometimes sparse. Restrooms are pits and well maintained stocked with TP."

    "Very close to fishing! Lots of fun hiking trails. I love that there is minimal cell signal to keep everyone off their phones"

    3. Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Lena, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 369-4282

    $10 - $30 / night

    "This was an unexpected good find in Illinois. The campground was nice with the standard set up - picnic tables, restrooms, water available."

    "There are some trails that will take you around some of the hills through open fields if you are interested in walking around the campground. This is a nice place to camp."

    4. Canyon Ridge Campground — Apple River Canyon State Park

    6 Reviews
    Apple River, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 745-3302

    $8 / night

    "I found it eventually but I'm glad I wasn't towing a camper because there was a lot of turning around. Some of the sites are able to be reserved."

    "We were in campsite #34 which had direct access to the Primrose trail, which is on top of one of the bluffs. The bathrooms were clean, but are pit toilets."

    5. Vel Terra

    4 Reviews
    Elizabeth, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 858-3866

    $25 - $40 / night

    "Galena Illinois is a major tourist spot for Chicago folks to get away too. This camp site is 20 min from Galena 5 min from Elizabeth and 15 min from Apple Canyon. Has both RV and Tent sites."

    "All the land is private so there's not great hiking (a little in the state park about 20 min drive away), IL law allows waterways to be privately owned so you can't kayak the river, etc."

    6. Lena KOA

    3 Reviews
    Lena, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 369-2612

    "It is about 40 minutes away, but is nice to be away from the traffic. The KOA store is well stocked and has some pretty cool souvenirs!"

    7. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Blanchardville, WI
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 523-4427

    "It has a large lake with three boat launches, a main one with a motor ramp, a canoe launch near the marshy end, and a fishing pier."

    "The hiking trails and the lake were very nice. Showers and bathrooms were extremely clean and well maintained. Our campsite, #92, was a little bit of like/dislike experience."

    8. Timber Lake Resort

    3 Reviews
    Stockton, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 244-1600

    $60 / night

    "We were surprised to have a bar right outside our campsite, but with an RV running the fan all night the noise didn't bother us at all."

    9. Emerald Acres Campground II

    1 Review
    Freeport, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 443-2550

    10. Winslow Community Park

    1 Review
    Orangeville, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 367-2110

    "There is the noise from the highway, but it is better than most Yogi Bears that I have been to."

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Recent Reviews near Stockton, IL

535 Reviews of 101 Stockton Campgrounds


  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Spruce Creek Park

    Great place to camp

    One of my favorites. Right on the water. Nice shower house and close to bike trail that leads to Bellevue

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Susan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Creek Valley Campground

    Trip to Mackinac

    A little cramped, nice people. We didn't use the pool but it had adults only after dark. Our site backed up to the forest, there's a short trail thru the trees. Most sites have FHU, most are back-in. We had one of the sites with only water and electric. There is a dump station, small concession, playground. A small creek runs around much of the outside of the property.

  • Sam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Loud, crowded.

    I don't think we'll be back. The best part about the whole experience was the crazy road that leads to the overlooks. The campground is stacked close together, there's no signs for directing you towards sites, no place to put garbage, only a couple vault toilets. Never did see the shower house, but we just left the next day anyways. Loud people singing, playing music and snapping limbs till almost 4am, trains run all night. Not really my kinda place.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Blanding Landing

    Safe, peaceful and friendly! Will definitely be back!

    I stayed at site 36 over the Labor Day weekend, and it was incredible. I was a solo female traveler with my two service dogs. When I arrived, the site was clean, and we had a site with an open site on one side making it feel twice as big. The other campers were friendly, and the one site neighbor we had (a young couple about my age with a pup too!) even came to visit and meet my dogs and gave them organic dog treats.🥹 The icing on the cake was the woman who monitored the sites, Anne. She was so kind and welcoming, and made me feel comfortable and safe. I can’t wait to come back and visit again. Highly recommend!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Great campground

    Beautiful park. The campground has less than 30 sites, most of which have power. The walk in sites are very private but still less than 75 yards from your car. You are in thick forest and will hear lots of animal sounds at night.

  • M
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Serene Campground with Great Amenities

    Everything about our stay was enjoyable. Campsites were spaced out well and amenities were great. Don’t forget to check out the hiking trails!


Guide to Stockton

Camping near Stockton, Illinois offers access to limestone bluffs and canyon terrain unlike the flatter areas common throughout much of Illinois. Campgrounds in this region typically sit at elevations between 700-900 feet above sea level, creating more varied camping environments than visitors might expect. The region's karst topography contributes to unique water features and camping challenges during wet seasons.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Apple River Canyon offers productive trout fishing in spring. "Great spot for quiet tent camping. Not a big commercialized campground... Very affordable camping!" notes Marissa F. about Apple River Canyon.

Rock climbing: The limestone formations provide modest climbing routes for various skill levels. "My wife and I tent camped here last weekend... We try and here whenever we rock climb in the area as it allows us to get to the climbing sites earlier," shares Ben W. from Mississippi Palisades State Park.

Water activities: Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area maintains a swimming beach despite occasional water quality issues. "We have only been to this campground one time because we wanted to try something new. We had a lot of fun there playing in the water on the beach," reports Meg K. about Lake Le-Aqua-Na.

Hiking variety: Trails range from river walks to ridge paths with elevation changes. "Hiking trails range from super short and easy with amazing views, to winding around the forest for a mile or so," according to Scott M. who visited Mississippi Palisades.

What campers like

Secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious, private camping spots away from crowds. "The sites are secluded and provide privacy. Great spot for quiet tent camping," writes Marissa F. about Apple River Canyon.

Unique terrain: The limestone bluffs and canyon landscapes create distinctive camping environments. "I loved this state park growing up. I remember lovely hikes here in hardwood forests. Sandstone bluffs speckled the landscape," recalls Ashley Y. who camped at Mississippi Palisades.

Off-season camping: Several campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced crowds. "Terrific access to electric site near the bathroom! All to ourselves," shares Big R. about Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground during the off-season.

Affordable options: Camping fees remain reasonable compared to other regions. "Very affordable camping!" notes Marissa F. about Apple River Canyon, while Vel Terra earns praise for its complementary firewood: "Free wood for your stay. Great hosts. Mature trees," according to Ryan M.

What you should know

Cell coverage limitations: Mobile service varies significantly across the area. "Tmobile cell service was spotty at best," reports Sarah B. about Apple River Canyon, while another camper notes: "No service for us with Verizon if that's important to you," at the same location.

Seasonal bug concerns: Spring and summer bring significant insect activity. "The bugs are no joke though. Mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying friends were definitely swarming," warns Sarah B. from Apple River Canyon.

Water quality variations: Lakes and swimming areas occasionally face closures or water quality issues. "Lake was brown looking. A lot of rain in area caused flooding. No swimming or boating currently on lake," observed Rose T. at Lake Le-Aqua-Na.

Campground maintenance: Budget constraints affect some public facilities. "The roads are a pot-hole obstacle course, and the bait shop/boat rental, and restaurant is closed," mentions Sebastian G. about Lake Le-Aqua-Na during a previous visit.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "The campground has a very nice playground (the favorite of the trip for one of my kids) and a lounge where anyone staying at the campground can rest with A/C, wifi, a phone charging area, and some board games," shares Brent A. about Vel Terra.

Swimming beaches: Several locations maintain beach areas suitable for families. "This might be one of our favorite campgrounds in the area. It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both," notes Scott M. at Mississippi Palisades.

Kid-friendly activities: KOA campgrounds typically offer organized events for children. "This is the second KOA I've stayed at and is by far the better one of the two, the staff was super friendly and there was a lot of activities for the kids to do," reports Christie S. about Lena KOA.

Space considerations: Reserve sites with adequate room for family activities. "We chose 2 sites that were connected and even then they were a good distance from one another. The sites were also removed from the road so when people walk or drive by it doesn't feel like they're walking through your campsite," explains Jamie M. at Apple River Canyon.

Tips from RVers

Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach angles for larger RVs. "The rise angle to our space was almost too much to back in without dragging the bumper. Once in, the concrete pad was level," warns Jeff G. about Timber Lake Resort.

Electric options: Multiple campgrounds offer electric hookups with varying amperage. "Very well set up campgrounds with plenty of electrical, non-electric sites," notes Mi G. at Mississippi Palisades.

Sanitary facilities: Dump stations and bathroom quality vary significantly between locations. "All sites are clean. They clean out fire pits after every weekend. Some sites were not the most level. All Roads are newly paved. New/Updated Dump station," explains Mike F. at Lake Le-Aqua-Na.

Site selection: Elevation and drainage affect RV camping experience. "Lots of the campsites are uneven and larger vehicles may have issues getting level," cautions Jeanne M. about Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Stockton, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stockton, IL is Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.