Best Tent Camping 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 Tent Sites in Illinois (55)

    1. Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    16 Reviews
    Goreville, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 995-2411

    $18 / night

    "There are a lot of hiking trails and we really enjoyed them all! The tent camping accommodations were less than stellar, simply because of the “outhouses “."

    "It was easy to find firewood with out having to go very far, becareful there is a good amount of poison ivy. The only trail I hiked was Happy Hollow."

    2. Kayak Morris

    11 Reviews
    Morris, IL
    Website
    +1 (630) 567-4653

    $29 / night

    "We stayed when there were not many people there so we had plenty of space but could see it getting crowded when it’s full."

    "It was quiet, relaxing, and very well maintained. 1 trash area, 4 porta Potties for use for the campground. You can rent kayaks for the day, fish, wade in the river (no swimming)."

    3. Kayak Starved Rock Campground

    8 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    Website
    +1 (630) 567-4653

    $29 / night

    "Before we begin, let me share 3 things with you: (1) I love camping, preferably primitive camping where I get to pitch my tent, leaving the comforts of modern civilization behind in the hopes of returning"

    "One such place, an oasis of tranquility and beauty nestled in the Illinois wilderness, is the Kayak Starved Rock Campground."

    4. Castle Rock State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Oregon, IL
    Website

    $6 / night

    "Located about 100 miles West of Chicago, Castle Rock State Park features one of the ONLY campgrounds that I've visited this close to the city in which I was completely alone."

    "Site selection is first come, first serve and the registration and payment is done on the honor system, and they do have rangers that monitor."

    5. MacQueen Forest Preserve

    6 Reviews
    Kirkland, IL
    Website
    +1 (815) 522-6254

    "This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs. There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy."

    "You can't see the campsite next to you, and they all have a picnic table and a fire ring. You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in."

    6. Camp Cadiz Campground

    6 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    Website

    "On a gravel road, in the back country like most everything else on this side of Illinois , fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill. "

    "There was potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going. No showers. Over all a nice site. I would stay there again."

    7. McCully Heritage Project

    5 Reviews
    Kampsville, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 653-4687

    $20 - $100 / night

    "Super inexpensive for the space that you get. Free firewood. We have only stayed at the largest site as it has good fishing and a place for us to launch our paddleboards and kayaks."

    "Great for tent camping and hiking."

    8. Tower Rock Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cave-In-Rock, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    "Campground is smaller but the sites are spread out well, most have fire ring with grill stand and table, firewood available to gather onsite when I was there, vault toilets, right on the river so may be"

    "There is a pit toilet, but no water. "

    9. Hickory Hill Campground

    4 Reviews
    Secor, IL
    Website
    +1 (309) 744-2407

    $26 - $40 / night

    "Nestled in the verdant rolling hills of central Illinois, you’ll discover Hickory Hills Campground located just a short drive west of I39 and completely off the grid, due to the slight incline of this"

    "Clean, quiet, and plenty of shade. Friendly staff and other campers."

    10. Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area

    3 Reviews
    Enfield, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 773-4340

    "Great fishing, 15hp motors allowed on the lake. Lake side camping spots available. Cabins are nice, FYI No mattress, bring your own."

    "Beautiful lake."

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Showing results 1-10 of 55 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in Illinois

2555 Reviews of 55 Illinois Campgrounds



Guide to Illinois

Tent camping in Illinois offers a diverse range of experiences, from serene riverside spots to well-equipped campgrounds, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to connect with nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Kayak Morris, campers can enjoy picnic tables, firewood, and trash disposal, making for a comfortable stay.
  • MacQueen Forest Preserve features well-maintained bathrooms and secluded sites, ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat.
  • Hickory Hill Campground offers a variety of amenities, including electric hookups, a swimming pool, and a general store stocked with essentials.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tips for tent camping near Illinois

  • Be prepared for a rustic experience at Buffalo Rock State Park Campground, where sites are basic but offer a quiet escape from the crowds.
  • If you're looking for a more social atmosphere, Hickory Hill Campground is known for its friendly community and family-friendly activities.
  • For those who enjoy solitude, Mac Finn's Landing is a hidden gem with excellent fishing spots and a peaceful environment.