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$25 - $40 / night

$25 - $40 / night

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Vel Terra

4 Reviews

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Location

Vel Terra is located in Illinois

Detail location of campground

Address

1478 S. Vel Terra Road
Woodbine, IL 61028

Coordinates

42.35192042 N
90.15100055 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Lena KOA

Lena KOA

18 min away

Central Park

Central Park

1 hr 21 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

Brent A.
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2024

Wonderful Little Campground

We stayed at this campground over Labor Day. The owner intentionally doesn't fill all of the sites in order to give people more space- a great luxury over a holiday like this. The sites are pretty small and only one 'sleeping structure' is allowed on each site but we found that Jeff was very willing to let us put up two tents (one for my wife & I 

+ one for the kids) because we were in the same family.

The bathrooms and showers were very neat and well maintained. We didn't use the showers because they were paid but our friends did and had good things to say about them.

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.

The primary drawback is that there isn't a lot of outdoor activities to do in the area. 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. Galena is nearby if you want to go shopping and we really enjoyed going to Terrapin Apple Orchard and picking some apples (if you're there in the Fall). But all in all I would say this is a great campground to rest and relax at- probably not ideal for outdoor adventures.

Site7
Month of VisitSeptember
Jim C.
Reviewed Jun. 19, 2021

Small but great

Small but great. The owner Jeff helped is alot made us feel at home

SiteRV 8
Month of VisitJune
Ryan M.
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2020

Great Place

Not a lot of spaces but very nice place... Free wood for your stay. Great hosts. Mature trees. Good trails. Nice restrooms (Showers = 5 min for 50 cents). Nice wooden play structure.

  • Review photo of Vel Terra by Ryan M., June 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Vel Terra by Ryan M., June 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Vel Terra by Ryan M., June 20, 2020
  • (4) View All
Lauri J.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2019

Vel Terra on oasis outside of major tourist destination in Illinois

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. Fire pits and picnic tables are at each site. They porta John at the one end of camp is unbelievably clean! The bathrooms and showers at the other end of camp are also very very clean. Jeff the owner left a lovely note inviting me to pick my spot as I was the only tent/car camper that night even though I had reserved spot 12. He also pointed out that there were some walking trails but to be wary of a poisonous plant.
The grounds are impeccably kept. He provides wood for you to burn. Give this place a try for a nice weekend get away from the city. There is so much to do in the area but if note Apple canyon has some really nice hiking trails they label from easy to rugged. There is also plenary of kayaking and other neat outdoor things to do. Add in there are several winery’s and great restaurants if you don’t want to cook fireside!

  • Review photo of Vel Terra by Lauri J., August 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Vel Terra by Lauri J., August 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Vel Terra by Lauri J., August 12, 2019
  • (4) View All
Showing results 1-4 of 4 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make reservations at Vel Terra Campground?

To make reservations at Vel Terra Campground, you'll need to contact the campground directly. The owner, Jeff, personally manages reservations and is known for being very helpful and accommodating. Note that the campground has a limited number of sites and a policy of allowing only one sleeping structure per site. For holiday weekends and peak seasons, it's advisable to book well in advance as the owner intentionally keeps some sites vacant to provide more space for guests.

What recreational activities can I enjoy at Vel Terra Campground?

Vel Terra Campground offers good hiking trails on the property for nature exploration. The campground is strategically located near several attractions: just 20 minutes from Galena (a major tourist destination), 5 minutes from Elizabeth, and 15 minutes from Apple Canyon, providing numerous off-site recreational options. The wooden play structure on-site offers entertainment for children. With its mature trees and natural setting, the campground is also ideal for relaxing outdoor activities like bird watching and stargazing.

What amenities are available at Vel Terra Campground?

Vel Terra Campground offers both RV and tent sites, each equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. The campground provides free firewood for your stay, which is a nice perk. Restroom facilities include a clean porta-john at one end of the camp and shower facilities (5 minutes for 50 cents). The grounds feature mature trees for shade and a wooden play structure for children. The owner intentionally limits bookings to provide campers with more space, particularly during busy holiday weekends.

What are the access roads like to Vel Terra Campground?

Vel Terra Campground is conveniently located about 20 minutes from Galena, 5 minutes from Elizabeth, and 15 minutes from Apple Canyon. While specific details about the access roads aren't extensively documented, the campground's proximity to these established towns suggests reasonable road access. The campground accommodates both RVs and tent campers, indicating that roads are suitable for various vehicle types. For the most current road conditions or specific directions, contacting the campground directly is recommended, especially during adverse weather conditions.

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