Tent campers near Washington, Illinois can access several primitive and established sites within a 30-mile radius. The region sits within the Illinois River Valley watershed at elevations between 700-800 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions between 50-75°F.
What to do
**Hiking trails access: ** Rock Island Trail State Park Campground offers tent campers hike-in opportunities with direct access to nature paths. One camper at Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area notes, "Deer run hiking trail is right in camp and gets you a bit of a hike."
**Fishing spots: ** Many campgrounds in the region provide shoreline fishing. The Illinois River and connecting waterways offer multiple species. At Woodford State Conservation Area, a visitor explains, "Locals came in all day long to fish. Some launched their boats but most stayed on shore. We walked along the levees to explore the area."
**Paddling opportunities: ** Bring your own kayak or canoe to navigate local waterways. The Hennepin Canal offers unique exploration options, though a reviewer at Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground cautions, "Should you have your own kayak or canoe, the Hennepin Canal is very nice to explore, although at times difficult to navigate, especially when you come to each of the sets of locks and dams."
What campers like
**Riverfront views: ** Camping along waterways provides scenic vantage points throughout the day. A visitor at Kayak Starved Rock Campground shared, "The campsites are right on the water and the price was right." This location offers direct views of Starved Rock across the Illinois River.
**Rustic experience: ** Many sites maintain a primitive camping feel despite being established. A camper described Woodford State Conservation Area as "a rustic yet charming place was a welcoming respite for the weekend. The hosts are kind and friendly."
**Budget-friendly options: ** Most tent camping sites in the region remain affordable. At Hennepin Canal Lock sites, a reviewer noted, "There are no set check-in or check-out times. The Canal's site security officer makes rounds to each campsite to collect camping fees, in-person. Campers can pay by cash or check."
What you should know
**Seasonal flooding: ** Several campgrounds experience periodic flooding during heavy rain seasons. At Woodford State Conservation Area, a camper advised, "This rustic yet charming place was a welcoming respite for the weekend. The hosts are kind and friendly. They were willing to help bring picnic tables to a site if they weren't already there. They also warned us of an upcoming storm - this location can flood when the river rises."
**Water availability varies: ** Many primitive sites lack reliable drinking water. As noted by one visitor to Hennepin Canal Lock 11, "There are no operable drinking water fountains along the the canal so bring your own water for your hike or camping trip."
**Reservation systems: ** Most campgrounds near Washington operate on first-come, first-served basis, especially the more primitive sites. One exception is Hickory Hill Campground where a camper reported, "We called in the afternoon and got a full hook up, pull through spot."
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: ** Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. At Hickory Hill Campground, a visitor noted the "amount of amenities at Hickory Hills is a pretty long list that includes an in-ground pool opened between Memorial Day and Labor Day, basketball court, mini golf, shuffleboard, pool table, ping pong and various soda and snack vending machines."
**Security considerations: ** Assess site layout for family comfort. One solo female traveler at Hennepin Canal Lock 11 shared, "The camp sites here are right between the parking lot and the fishing spots so all the fishermen and hikers go right through your site. No privacy at all. As a single female traveler, i didn't feel safe enough to stay here."
**Group camping options: ** For scout troops or youth organizations, dedicated areas exist. The Starved Rock State Park Youth Campground provides "two wide-open meadows encircled by thick treelines providing a number of choices as to where you want to pitch your tent for the night."
Tips from RVers
**Site spacing: ** RV campers should note the varied spacing between sites at different campgrounds. At Hickory Hill Campground, one visitor observed, "The sites are kind of tight. Gravel sites but mostly level."
**Road conditions: ** Access roads to some campgrounds may present challenges. A Woodford State Conservation Area visitor noted, "In fact they are waiting for more money from the state to finish improving the entrance road. It was bumpy but not too bad."
**Off-grid preparation: ** Many Washington-area campgrounds have limited hookups. A Hickory Hill Campground reviewer called it an "Off-The-Grid Midwest Camping Outpost" mentioning it's "located just a short drive west of I39 and completely off the grid, due to the slight incline of this heavily forested campground outpost."
