RV campgrounds near Wilmington, Illinois are spread across rural landscapes with several waterways including the Kankakee River. Most Wilmington-area campgrounds sit between 500-700 feet above sea level on relatively flat terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons can fluctuate between 40-70°F with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Fishing at local waterways: Lake Alexander RV Park provides easy access to the Kankakee River where many campers enjoy fishing and boating. "The camp is 120 acres of natural beauty on the banks of the Kankakee River. The wooded habitat abounds with fish, wildlife, and native plants," reports one reviewer. Another camper mentions, "you can walk down to the Kankakee river" directly from the campground.
Hiking at nearby state parks: Nature's Way RV Park serves as a convenient base for exploring multiple state parks. A reviewer notes, "If you are a hiker and looking for some trails to blaze, then check out either Starved Rock SP, which has 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."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming facilities for cooling off during hot Illinois summers. At Nature's Way RV Park, a camper highlights "the 'crown jewel' asset here is the in-ground heated swimming pool, completely fenced in preventing the young kiddos from straying too far." Lake Alexander campers can enjoy river swimming, with one visitor noting they found "a river that's a 5 min walk from the campground that we swam in and it kept us cool from the heat."
What campers like
Proximity to Chicago: Several RV parks and campgrounds near Wilmington provide a rural escape within reasonable driving distance from urban centers. At Enchanted Shores RV Park & Campground, one camper emphasizes this value: "$20. Yes, it's an hour from the city, but I'd take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel." Another reviewer states it's "a great stop-over for passing through Chicagoland or Joliet."
Year-round availability: Some Wilmington area RV campgrounds remain open throughout winter months. Glenwood RV Resort offers year-round camping, with one long-term visitor noting, "We stayed here for several months while working in the area. We chose it because they have 'winter water,' which was great to have."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention clean bathrooms and shower facilities as a major plus. At Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, a visitor noted the "clean campsite, clean showers & bathrooms!" Another camper at Lake Alexander RV Park stated, "This campground was clean and spacious. The bathroom and shower facility was well maintained."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds near Wilmington operate seasonally. Lake Alexander RV Park is "open from April 15 to October 15" according to a reviewer, with rates of "$38 (30-amp electric service)" and "$42 (50-amp electric service)" for overnight RV camping.
Water quality concerns: Water issues affect several campgrounds in the region. Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort has seasonal water availability, with one camper reporting "Not a bad spot. Average and relatively inexpensive" but warning about "No water before 4/15." At Enchanted Shores, a camper complained about "The stinkest water we've ever smelled, horrible!!!"
Varied site sizes and conditions: Campsite quality varies significantly between and within campgrounds. One camper at Enchanted Shores noted, "The lots are verious sizes of tiny. Most sites you're back to back to your neighbor." At Glenwood RV Resort, a reviewer mentioned "the powdery gravel sites (muddy when wet) that were not very level, and the long road in is very rough."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: When booking campgrounds with children, prioritize those with designated recreational facilities. Fox Bluff CottageS & RV received high marks from a family camper: "The new pool, the game room, the playground, the beautiful new bath house and the grounds are just wonderful." They added, "We've developed quite a lovely community of really nice people."
Holiday-themed events: Several campgrounds host special family-friendly events throughout the camping season. Glenwood RV Resort is known for seasonal activities: "They do an extremely large Halloween event Columbus Day weekend. Jam packed for this event. Awards for site decoration. Campsites set up haunted houses, candy for kids, drinks for adults. Fun to see adults and kids all dressed up."
Minimum stay requirements: Check reservation policies before planning weekend trips. Fox Bluff requires advance planning as "The location requires a 2 night stay minimum," according to a recent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options vary: RV campgrounds near Wilmington offer different levels of service. Nature's Way RV Park provides tiered options - "There's about 20 or so designated RV spots here that offer full hook-ups including 30/50 amp electric, water and sewage" while "additional RV slots, but these only offer electric and water."
Site selection matters: Choose sites based on your RV size and needs. At Love's RV Hookup-Morris IL 859, "there's 10 back-in RV slots available" with "all of the typical hook-ups (water, 30/50 amp electric and sewage) along with WiFi." The reviewer noted they also found "7 individual shower stalls (all of which were in pristine, brand-new shape when we stopped by) along with a laundry facility."
Convenient overnight options: For RVers passing through, several easy-access options exist. Love's RV Hookup provides "EZ on- and off-access" to major highways with "safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby)."
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