Natural Falls State Park near Proctor offers tent and RV camping options with sites nestled in a forested setting. The park sits at approximately 1,150 feet elevation with the 77-foot waterfall forming its centerpiece attraction. Camping facilities in the area range from rustic riverside spots along the Illinois River to established campgrounds with concrete pads and electrical hookups.
What to do
Disc golf course: Natural Falls State Park features an extensive disc golf course that winds through the wooded areas. "Love this campground so much. Great spots with really level pads set in a beautifully treed park. Surrounded by disc golf, waterfalls, and hiking. Would totally come back over and over," notes Jennifer O. about Natural Falls State Park Campground.
Trail hiking: The park offers multiple hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. "There are 4.5 miles of great hiking trails at the park. You can find some great hidden spots along the river and enjoy the quiet," shares Richard in his review of Natural Falls State Park.
Bird watching: Lake Wedington provides excellent bird watching opportunities within driving distance of Proctor. "Small clean lake with lots of wildlife and close to Fayetteville. Kayak, canoe, and fishing, with bird watching, RV and tent camping, and day use areas among the trees," explains Donna H. about Lake Wedington.
What campers like
Off-season tranquility: While summer brings crowds to many campgrounds, fall visits offer more solitude. "This is a great set up especially later in the season when other places are closed. We camped along the river mid October and had plenty of privacy and campsites to choose from," reports Carlyn F. about her stay at Eagle Bluff Resort.
River swimming: The Illinois River provides excellent swimming opportunities with varying depths. "We discovered this beautiful, peaceful site by accident on a hot summer day. The Illinois River, at this point, is a beautiful green and it is understandable why it is called Horseshoe Bend," writes N I. about Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area.
Tent site locations: Some campgrounds offer waterfront tent camping separate from RV areas. "We stayed in the north end of the Choctaw Campground, nearest the converted cabin and heated showerhouse. All facilities (water, toilets, info) were open and working," explains Leni K. about Sequoyah State Park.
What you should know
Camping status changes: Always verify camping status before planning your trip. "This is a great area by the river. It is a bird watcher's paradise, and we saw a lot of people fishing. We did camp there in a tent for one night, but were politely told by a game warden the next day that, though it used to be open for that, it is no longer allowed," reports Rachel R. about Horseshoe Bend Primitive Area.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds require high-clearance vehicles. "After you see that 'Pack in, pack out' sign, keep going straight and veer off to the right onto a dirt road along the river/lake. Definitely bring a 4x4, and check the weather. Dirt road was rough, but a camaro managed to get through somehow," advises Sydnee L.
Shower facilities: Bathroom and shower quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The showerhouse was a little creepy and not well maintained. No hot water, it may have been off due to end of season BUT I paid full price and expect full service," notes Shelly S. about her Eagle Bluff Resort experience.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Flint Creek provides family-friendly swimming areas with varied depths. "They have a nice, Expansive swimming and wading area all along the creek. There are deep pools and shallow wading areas to fit all ages and abilities," explains Stephen R. about Flint Creek.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. "Our site had plenty of tree cover that kept us from seeing the bluffs. The reason it gets 4 stars is because the sites are too close to one another. Our kids loved the two playgrounds. The weather was great," shares Sean R. about Natural Falls State Park.
Pet deposits: If bringing dogs, prepare for possible pet deposits. Jenny M. notes about Eagle Bluff Resort: "The supervisor apologized over and over but the owner still has yet to call me and fix this!" This demonstrates the importance of understanding pet policies before arrival.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose RV sites based on your specific needs for access and privacy. "The park is set up in several sections. There is the family campground which we were in, and the late night campground, which is intended for late night drinking and music," explains Troy about Diamondhead Resort.
Hookup variations: Hookup options vary between campgrounds near Proctor. "We were in the middle full hook up site F16, of the middle aisle of three. Had the park been at capacity there would have been room for our camper, vehicle and a strip of grass with picnic table and fire ring," reports Shelly S. about her Eagle Bluff Resort stay.
Weather considerations: Monitor weather conditions when planning your RV trip. "When we had a 'monsoon' the night after the start of the race that entire area was flooded. The next morning there were several areas sitting in large puddles throughout the resort," cautions Shelly S. about camping at Eagle Bluff.
Ranger
