Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park
Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jan. 28, 2021

Very popular state park

General: 133 site campground in two loops; we camped in the East Loop so most of my comments are regarding this loop. The very friendly attendant at the check-in booth (this is potentially luck of the draw) spent time answering all our questions. 

Sites/Facilities: Many of the sites are fairly close together but have trees separating them. All in the East Loop are shaded except for Sites 59-68 and 128-130, which are in full sun with no physical separation between them. The driveways are all dirt/gravel and most appear to be level. Most of the sites are 30 amp with about 20 of them having 50 amp. All sites have a large picnic table and fire grate. Each loop has a bath/shower house but depending on which site you are in, it can be quite a hike to get to it. Of note is there are seven handicap accessible sites, all in the west loop – more than I’ve seen in any other campground. 

Bathhouse: The East Loop bathhouse was ok but not great (could use a facelift). Was going to use the shower but it was very chilly the next morning (I was assured at check-in that there was plenty of hot water). There are more than sufficient vault toilets, including a handicap accessible one, in each loop. 

Activities/Amenities: There is a camp “store” (more of a trailer vending machine) offering 24-hour self-serve ice and firewood. There was also a small gift shop, but it was not open when we were there. There is only one playground, at the end of the East Loop so not centrally located for campers. One dumpster (closer to the west loop) and the camp host is in the west loop. 

Conclusion: My main beef with this campground is that it is quite a distance away from the rest of the park and is not accessible to the hiking trails, visitor center, etc. by foot. (although some see this as an advantage!) Not the fault of the campground but I was dismayed at the amount of trash in sites (as well as on the hiking trails).

Site79 (East Loop)
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park by Lee D., January 28, 2021