Best Glamping in Illinois

There’s a lot more to Illinois than the great city of Chicago. Along with this exciting urban hub there are many natural areas where locals and residents alike enjoy getting outside. With 141 parks it’s no wonder the DNR created the motto, “State Parks, Great Parks” in 2013. This phrase is the title of their initiative to continue improvements on local natural areas with upgraded campgrounds and additional staff to cater to the more than 44 million yearly visitors looking for hiking and camping in Illinois.

People from all over the state – and even outside the country – take the short 1.5-hour drive from Chicago to Starved Rock State Park, where they can hike 13 miles of trails offering elevation gains on wooded pathways along the Illinois River. The 18 canyons serve as great places to spot waterfalls after a rain and families love ending the day with s’mores around the bonfire at the nearby Starved Rock State Park campsites.

Those looking to learn about the state’s heritage while camping in Illinois may head farther south to Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park & Memorial. This 162-acre park is 12 miles southwest of Decatur near Harristown, IL, and features the land where Abraham Lincoln first resided in the state. If you visit be sure to check out the memorials commemorating this important president.

People who want to mountain bike in this Midwestern state will enjoy heading to Palos Park, a forest preserve known for its excellent biking, hiking and equestrian trails that cover over 50 miles of terrain. When it comes to camping in Illinois, this locale offers beautiful facilities at Camp Bullfrog Lake where you can put up a tent next to a lake and hike short or long loops that end up back at your campsite.

If you want to check out the beautiful Lake Michigan drive to Illinois Beach State Park to spend time in the water along the 6.5 miles of sandy shoreline. The park is 4,160 acres offering ample opportunities for hiking, watersports, picnicking, fishing and camping. With The Dyrt, you can be sure to find the best camping in Illinois during your stay in the Prairie State.

Best Glamping Sites in Illinois (98)

    1. Shawnee Forest Campground

    33 Reviews
    Vienna, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-0619

    $40 / night

    "Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great."

    "There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area

    Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property

    Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!"

    2. Comlara County Park

    33 Reviews
    Hudson, IL
    Website
    +1 (309) 434-6770

    "Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."

    "Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."

    3. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    28 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits."

    "The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc)."

    4. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-3015

    $15 - $30 / night

    "The shower houses are clean and air conditioned, there's a nice camp store that serves breakfast and basic lunches, and there is a nice large zero entry pool for a $5 fee on weekends."

    "We had reservations nearly one month ahead, and the campground was full, yet quiet and restful."

    5. Giant City State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-4836

    "The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground."

    "The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel."

    6. Pere Marquette State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Brussels, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 786-3323

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Larger sites but no pull through sites. 2 Handicapped sites next to the restrooms/showers. Electric only in the RV sites, but water available to fill your tanks. Dump station in the park also."

    "Campgrounds close to Pere Marquette Lodge. Is located just north of Grafton that has many food and drink and antique shops. Campground is on the Illinois River with the Mississippi River nearby."

    7. Pleasant Creek Campground

    26 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    Website
    +1 (815) 431-0936

    "A little creek runs through the campground and you can walk along that. They sell firewood and the bathrooms are really nice."

    "Within LaSalle County or for that matter, the whole of north central Illinois, I don’t know of any other privately run, multi-campground locations like Pleasant Creek that offers a total of 6 separate,"

    8. Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Rochester, IL
    Website
    +1 (217) 498-9208

    "These walk in sites check all the boxes.  At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. "

    "Most sites have lake views and have electric hookup but no water hookup. However communal bathrooms and showers are clean. Sites are fairly close together tough."

    9. Gun Creek

    20 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $18 - $30 / night

    "Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site."

    "Arrived just as the sun was setting which was beautiful over the lake. We were in Eagle 81. Large wooded site next to the lake."

    10. White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Mount Morris, IL
    Website
    +1 (815) 946-3717

    "Easy drive up style. Picnic tables and fire pits on site. Bathrooms and dumpster close by. River that is walk and drive through!"

    "Very clean, and beautiful hiking trails. My only complaint would be that at the private cabins you are not allowed to cook out."

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Glamping Reviews in Illinois

882 Reviews of 98 Illinois Campgrounds