Best Campgrounds in Illinois

Recent Reviews in Illinois

2975 Reviews of 536 Illinois Campgrounds

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  Maria Mercedes M.

  Legend

  Jul. 1, 2026

  White Pines Forest State Park Campground

  Camp Beneath Towering White Pines

  If your family loves the feeling of discovering a place that seems untouched by time, White Pines Forest State Park is one of those rare destinations you'll want to return to again and again. Nestled among one of Illinois' last remaining stands of virgin white pines, this peaceful campground offers spacious campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, a clean central shower house, EZ access to hiking trails and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere where towering trees and winding creeks become part of everyday camp life. One of my favorite memories was watching our boys laugh with excitement as we slowly drove through the park's famous creek crossings before spending the afternoon exploring forest trails, searching for wildflowers and listening to nothing more than the gentle rush of water beneath the pines. Some campgrounds help you unplug; this one quietly reminds you how beautiful the world becomes when you do. From what we experienced, the campsites tucked deeper into this campground, closer to the creekside trails, offer the nicest combination of shade, privacy and EZ access to the park's natural beauty. We would wholeheartedly recommend this campground for families because of its enchanting forest setting, peaceful surroundings and the wonderful balance of outdoor adventure, history and simple moments together.

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• 

  Maria Mercedes M.

  Legend

  Jul. 1, 2026

  Rock Cut Equestrian Campground

  A Peaceful Retreat for Horse-Loving Families

  If your family's perfect camping trip includes saddling up and exploring miles of wooded trails together, the Equestrian Campground at Rock Cut State Park offers a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a few days. Tucked away from the park's busier camping loops, this rustic first-come, first-served campground provides spacious sites designed for campers traveling with horses, along with nearby potable water, restrooms and direct access to more than 14 miles of designated equestrian trails. While amenities are intentionally simple (erring on non-existent), the extra room to accommodate horse trailers and the quiet natural surroundings create exactly the kind of setting many riders are looking for. One of my favorite moments was watching families quietly prepare their horses in the early morning light before disappearing beneath the trees for a day on the trails, returning later with tired horses, dusty boots and smiles that needed no explanation. Arriving early is the best way to secure a site since camping is first-come, first-served and availability is limited. This campground is ideal for equestrian families given its spacious layout, direct trail access and peaceful atmosphere that allows both riders and horses to truly unwind.

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Jun. 30, 2026

  Hennepin Canal Lock 22 Campground

  Quiet Primitive Camping Off I-80

  Set just off I-80 near Sheffield, the Lock 22 Campground offers some of the simplest, most serene camping you’ll find in the Hennepin Canal State Trail system. Here, you’re not at a full-service campground– this is the kind of place where the canal’s old lock whispers history and the towpath beckons walkers and anglers. First impressions? A flat, grassy expanse with scattered trees, picnic tables, pit toilets and a quiet canal-side vibe that is refreshingly basic, peaceful and full of charm if you’re into low-maintenance camping.

  As a Class ‘C’ campground, Lock 22 offers primitive facilities only, meaning no showers, no hookups and no electricity(yes, a whole lot of‘Nos’), but it does include toilets and drinking water. Campsites are vehicle-accessible and the$8/night per-family fee is collected in person by a site security officer(if they show up), on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth groups follow a separate fee schedule with minimums and supervision rules. Camping is quiet, basic, and outdoors-first here.

  What really sets this spot apart is its location and simplicity. It’s under the lock bridge itself, so be sure to bring a chair, toss a line in the canal and wander the towpath trails that take you past aqueducts and marshes. Cell service is reported as excellent, making it a surprisingly connected getaway. Nearby, Sheffield offers a few basic services, and you're within easy driving distance of I-80 and surrounding towns.

  Insider Tips? Here’s a handful:(1) For the flattest, quietest camping, choose a grassy site closest to the canal but back off from the parking area;(2) Bring all the water you'll need as while Lock 22 has drinking water, it’s only at a designated faucet and not at the campsites themselves;(3) The canal towpath is fantastic for peaceful walking, biking, fishing and bird-watching, but for the best experience, get there early;(4) Check the Visitor Center north of I-80 for trail maps so that you can plan your canal hiking and camping;(5) No campfires outside of designated fire pits, so I would strongly encourage you to bring alternative cooking options like a butane or propane-fueled stove or range; and(6) If you drive into Sheffield check out Wings Café serving hearty comfort food, or try The Dug-Out Sports Pub for pub-style eats and local atmosphere.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Jun. 30, 2026

  Lakefront Cabins - Shabbona Lake

  Lakefront Seclusion Meets Cabin Convenience at Shabbona Lake

  Tucked along the shore of shimmering Shabbona Lake, just under two hours west of Chicago mind you, are two rustic yet welcoming camp cabins at this particular SP. These modest structures, each around 200 sq ft, offer a cozy hideaway for up to six people. Facing southeast over the lake, the cabins are shaded and tucked away for privacy, with only a nearby boat launch dock reminding you of civilization.

  Inside, the cabins keep it simple: two basic rooms in each, with electricity, baseboard heat, air conditioning and a ceiling fan. There are no cooking facilities or bathrooms (which I have to admit, I was surprised to learn) although there is a multi-leveled adjustable BBQ grill along with a very good sized firepit, so bring your own plans for cooking meals and preparing food. Guests rely on nearby campground amenities, including showers with running hot water, flush toilets, potable water, a dump station and the handy Camp Store that is a very short walk from these cabins and comes stocked with supplies, snacks, firewood and fishing gear.

  What sets these cabins apart is the lakefront view combined with practicality. You step right from your door onto a serene, wooded lakeshore offering a perfect perch for early-morning fishing, sunrise coffee on the veranda or unwinding at sunset. The proximity to stocked waters featuring large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, channel catfish, walleye and muskies adds fishing convenience, while the quieter, smaller-scale lodging feels exclusive. Additionally, the Camp Store’s rentals(boats, bait, paddleboats) keep the fun within reach.

  Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Reserve early as only two cabins exist, and they’re popular from May 1 through October 31 on ExploreMoreIL™; (2) Drive gently on the access path as the lake road can be narrow and shaded; (3) Expect no kitchen or plumbing, so prep meals or plan to dine at nearby Pokanoka’s Dockside Restaurant that sits inside the SP on the western side of the lake or, for a short drive to Shabbona, check out Shabbona Café, Chumley’s Pizza followed by some sweets at Screamers Ice cream after saving campfire cookouts for the fire ring; (4) Bring your own bathrooms habits as restrooms are shared in the main campground; and (5) Check out the Camp Store early for spare fishing poles, firewood or ice cream before being tempted into relaxation.

  Happy Camping!

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• N

  Neil P.

  Scout

  Jun. 30, 2026

  Jubilee College State Park Campground

  Nice RV/ camping Park

  I live near this park and have used it regularly for years. It is certainly nothing special... just a nice average park. I usually do a combination van and tent camp here and it is totally adequate for that. It looks to be fine for RVs as well. The pit toilets are usually clean and relatively bug free. The shower house is clean and adequate. I just think of this as my "local campground"... my go to for a quick weekend getaway to set up and use my gear, and have friends out to share a fire. The park itself is nice, quiet and clean. You will see deer and raccoons. Jubilee is off a County Highway (Rt 150), about 5 miles off I-74. Small town with DG and Gas stations are about 5 miles away; Peoria IL is 15ish miles away.

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• 

  Gypsy J.

  Scout

  Jun. 30, 2026

  Lakeside Campground — Lincoln Trail State Park

  Stayed on a Monday in late July 2025 Peace and quiet.

  I had the entire Lake Side Tent section to myself on a Monday, last week of July 2025. It was quite and there were all sorts of birds singing until dark, then the insects and frogs took over. The fire tray and grill were great for cooking up some steak and peppers I bought in nearby Marshall, IN. I will be staying again in 2026 on a coast to coast and back motorcycle trip. Definitely recommended👌

• 

  Suz P.

  Scout

  Jun. 30, 2026

  Hickory Grove Campground

  Really nice spot

  Even in this incredible heat ( high 90's) the woodsy campground feels pleasant. Birds tweeting, lots of space between sites. The zero entry swimming pool is new and spotlessly clean, as are the showers. The owners are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend.

• 

  OneofaKind D.

  Scout

  Jun. 29, 2026

  Double M Campground

  Awsome rv campsite

  Took a road trip in are RV over the summer last year and stumbled across this place they had it all water hookup waste hook up and were very reasonable on price definitely recommend

• I

  India J.

  Traveler

  Jun. 28, 2026

  Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park

  Great campground, private and quiet primitive sites!

  We've stayed at Hickory Point before, but this was our first time at Deer Run. It has not disappointed! The primitive sites (there are 5 with no electric or water hookups) are off set in the back of the campground, providing privacy and quiet, which is what we were going for this time. The primitive sites without electric or water are $6 a night, and you can for pay up to 14 nights at a time. There are electric and water hook up sites for $8 a night, they just aren't as private but still lovely! The showers are at the Hickory Point campground (just a minute or two drive) and available for use with the Deer Run camp sites as well. There are well water spigots at Dee Run and Hickory Point, but the city water spigot is at Hickory Point only. It rained quite a bit our first two nights here, but there are so many trees covering the primitive sites you couldn't really feel it until it was thunder storming. We stayed nice and dry inside the tent. There are a LOT of sassy raccoons who will still your food - and the containers that never had food in them in fact- as well waking up to crows cawing every morning- may not be everyone's thing, but I sure enjoy that aspect. The hosts are fantastic and make rounds every 2-3 hours each day, anything we've needed they e been able to help with or point us in the direction to go next. Great campground to stay at, whether for a night or a week, no complaints here thus far!

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