Marshmallows? Check. Tent? Check. It’s all about priorities. Anyway, it’s getting to be that time of year when you want to get out in nature and sleep under the stars. Illinois has some awesome places to camp, whether you’re into those oh-so-rustic sites or prefer to glamp. Here are 15 of the best campgrounds in Illinois.
- Starved Rock State Park, Utica Township
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr There are 129 campsites available here that have electricity, showers and flush toilets. Bring your tent or park your RV or camper on the cement pad provided at each site. There are also seven sites for people with disabilities. Buy firewood from a local gas station or the campground store which also sells items like ice and batteries. For more information on the Starved Rock State Park Campground, visit the webpage.
- Kayak Morris, Morris
Kayak Morris/Facebook Kayak Morris will camp with you at multiple sites throughout northern Illinois, but they have their own private campground that abuts William G. Stratton State Park. Their campground offers both wooded and sandy beach campsites. For more information on the Kayak Morris Campground, visit the website.
- Camp McCormick, Stillman Valley
Camp McCormick/Facebook This place has 400 acres of wilderness to offer you. This is a Girl Scouts camp, so unless you’re a girl, the only way you’re camping in this sweet campground is to go for family camp. For more information on Camp McCormick, visit the webpage.
- Cave-in-Rock State Park, Cave-in-Rock
David Wilson/Flickr This ultra-scenic campsite offers 34 Class A sites and 25 Class B/S tent sites on the north side. There’s also a lodge in case you forget how to pitch a tent. It features four duplex guest houses with eight suites. For more information on camping at Cave-in-Rock State Park, visit the webpage.
- Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach, Zion
Peter Ciro/Flickr You can camp at the southern unit of the Illinois Beach State Park. There are 241 Class A Premium sites. You will have access to electricity and showers. For more information on camping at Illinois Beach, visit the webpage.
- Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, Shabbona
EarlRShumaker/Flickr This state park covers over 1,500 acres, and camping couldn’t be more enjoyable in its semi-wooded area. This is one of the most scenic camping spots in Illinois. There are 150 campsites for you to choose from. They come with electricity and showers. There is also a playground, two rustic cabins available for rent, and a camp store. For more information on camping at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, visit the webpage.
- Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, Volo
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort/Facebook Located in Volo, this is a camping resort. There are many camping options for you here, whether you are planning on camping in a tent, RV, or rental unit. There is a beach, pool, playground, and other activities to enjoy while you’re here. For more information on Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, visit the website.
- Giant City State Park, Makanda
nathanmac87/Flickr This well-kept, varied campground keeps campers coming back for more. There are 85 Class A campsites. This includes access to water, electricity, showers and sanitary facilities. There is also a separate equestrian campground. For more information on camping at Giant City State Park, visit the webpage.
- Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park
Brian Patrick/Flickr There are 210 premium Class A sites and 60 Class B sites. The campground has showers, toilets, and playground equipment. There is also a primitive cabin for rent. For more information on camping at Rock Cut State Park, visit the webpage.
- Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton
stannate/Flickr If you want a rustic camping experience, Pere Marquette has many options for you. There is a Class A campground with 80 sites, two of which are handicap accessible. There is a youth tent camp area as well as three organized group camps for larger groups. For more information on camping at Pere Marquette State Park, visit the webpage.
- Moraine View State Recreation Area, LeRoy
James Jordan/Flickr This well-maintained park also has a nice, well-maintained campground. There is a concessions area, open for both hikers and campers. The campground is quiet and serene. For more information on camping at Moraine View State Recreation Area, visit the webpage.
- Pharaoh Campground, Herod
Shawnee National Forest/Facebook After spending all day enjoying Garden of the Gods, relax at Pharaoh Campground. You are really right by the action. There is a small picnic area for you, too. For more information on Pharoah Campground, visit the webpage.
- Castle Rock State Park, Oregon
David Wilson/Flickr If you are looking for primitive camping in Illinois, this area is super cool because it is only accessible by canoe or boat. That means you’ll have to pack light. However, since it is so hard to access, you won’t have to compete with a lot of people. For more information on camping at Castle Rock State Park, visit the webpage.
- Mississippi Palisades State Park, Savanna
CinCool/Flickr There are 241 Class A and B campsites. They are available in shaded and open areas. 110 sites come with electrical hookups. There is also water and two sanitary dump stations. For more information on camping at Mississippi Palisades State Park, visit the webpage.
- Lake Shelbyville, multiple camping locations
Dan/Flickr There are three state campgrounds along the shores of Lake Shelbyville: Eagle Creek, Hidden Springs State Forest, and Wolf Creek which has its own beach. You can reserve some sites in advance, but most are first-come, first-serve. For more information, visit the campsites’ webpages: Eagle Creek State Park camping
Wolf Creek State Park camping
Hidden Springs State Forest
Have you been to any of the best campgrounds in Illinois? What did you think and are there any others you would add?
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr
There are 129 campsites available here that have electricity, showers and flush toilets. Bring your tent or park your RV or camper on the cement pad provided at each site. There are also seven sites for people with disabilities. Buy firewood from a local gas station or the campground store which also sells items like ice and batteries. For more information on the Starved Rock State Park Campground, visit the webpage.
Kayak Morris/Facebook
Kayak Morris will camp with you at multiple sites throughout northern Illinois, but they have their own private campground that abuts William G. Stratton State Park. Their campground offers both wooded and sandy beach campsites. For more information on the Kayak Morris Campground, visit the website.
Camp McCormick/Facebook
This place has 400 acres of wilderness to offer you. This is a Girl Scouts camp, so unless you’re a girl, the only way you’re camping in this sweet campground is to go for family camp. For more information on Camp McCormick, visit the webpage.
David Wilson/Flickr
This ultra-scenic campsite offers 34 Class A sites and 25 Class B/S tent sites on the north side. There’s also a lodge in case you forget how to pitch a tent. It features four duplex guest houses with eight suites. For more information on camping at Cave-in-Rock State Park, visit the webpage.
Peter Ciro/Flickr
You can camp at the southern unit of the Illinois Beach State Park. There are 241 Class A Premium sites. You will have access to electricity and showers. For more information on camping at Illinois Beach, visit the webpage.
EarlRShumaker/Flickr
This state park covers over 1,500 acres, and camping couldn’t be more enjoyable in its semi-wooded area. This is one of the most scenic camping spots in Illinois. There are 150 campsites for you to choose from. They come with electricity and showers. There is also a playground, two rustic cabins available for rent, and a camp store. For more information on camping at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, visit the webpage.
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort/Facebook
Located in Volo, this is a camping resort. There are many camping options for you here, whether you are planning on camping in a tent, RV, or rental unit. There is a beach, pool, playground, and other activities to enjoy while you’re here. For more information on Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, visit the website.
nathanmac87/Flickr
This well-kept, varied campground keeps campers coming back for more. There are 85 Class A campsites. This includes access to water, electricity, showers and sanitary facilities. There is also a separate equestrian campground. For more information on camping at Giant City State Park, visit the webpage.
Brian Patrick/Flickr
There are 210 premium Class A sites and 60 Class B sites. The campground has showers, toilets, and playground equipment. There is also a primitive cabin for rent. For more information on camping at Rock Cut State Park, visit the webpage.
stannate/Flickr
If you want a rustic camping experience, Pere Marquette has many options for you. There is a Class A campground with 80 sites, two of which are handicap accessible. There is a youth tent camp area as well as three organized group camps for larger groups. For more information on camping at Pere Marquette State Park, visit the webpage.
James Jordan/Flickr
This well-maintained park also has a nice, well-maintained campground. There is a concessions area, open for both hikers and campers. The campground is quiet and serene. For more information on camping at Moraine View State Recreation Area, visit the webpage.
Shawnee National Forest/Facebook
After spending all day enjoying Garden of the Gods, relax at Pharaoh Campground. You are really right by the action. There is a small picnic area for you, too. For more information on Pharoah Campground, visit the webpage.
If you are looking for primitive camping in Illinois, this area is super cool because it is only accessible by canoe or boat. That means you’ll have to pack light. However, since it is so hard to access, you won’t have to compete with a lot of people. For more information on camping at Castle Rock State Park, visit the webpage.
CinCool/Flickr
There are 241 Class A and B campsites. They are available in shaded and open areas. 110 sites come with electrical hookups. There is also water and two sanitary dump stations. For more information on camping at Mississippi Palisades State Park, visit the webpage.
Dan/Flickr
There are three state campgrounds along the shores of Lake Shelbyville: Eagle Creek, Hidden Springs State Forest, and Wolf Creek which has its own beach. You can reserve some sites in advance, but most are first-come, first-serve. For more information, visit the campsites’ webpages: Eagle Creek State Park camping
Wolf Creek State Park camping
Hidden Springs State Forest
If you prefer to go glamping instead of camping, check out this luxury glampground at Kinnikinnick Farm.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Utica Township, IL, USAAddress: 801 Kayak Morris Rd, Morris, IL 60450, USAAddress: 9995 N Girl Scout Rd, Stillman Valley, IL 61084, USAAddress: IL-1, Cave-In-Rock, IL, USAAddress: 39150 Illinois Beach State Park Rd, Zion, IL 60099, USAAddress: 4201 Shabbona Grove Rd, Shabbona, IL 60550, USAAddress: 32223 N US Hwy 12, Volo, IL 60073, USAAddress: 235 Giant City Rd, Makanda, IL 62958, USAAddress: 7318 Harlem Rd, Loves Park, IL 61111, USAAddress: Visitor Center Pere Marquette State Park, 13112 Visitors Center Land, Grafton, IL 62037, USAAddress: Moraine View Park Rd, Dawson Township, IL, USAAddress: Herod, IL 62947, USAAddress: 1365 W Castle Rd, Oregon, IL 61061, USAAddress: 16327a IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074, USAAddress: 2341 Eagle Creek, Findlay, IL 62534, USAAddress: 1837 N Wolf Creek Rd, Windsor, IL 61957, USAAddress: 2438 700 N, Strasburg, IL 62465, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Campgrounds In Illinois April 17, 2021 Melissa M Where can I go primitive camping in Illinois? You don’t have to camp at a traditional campground. There are plenty of places to rough it out in the wilderness without the amenities around Illinois. In fact, some of the most beautiful state parks allow primitive camping. So, go ahead, pack your backpack and all your camping gear and head out to find a camping spot at Mississippi Palisades State Park, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, Ferne Clyffe State Park, Shawnee National Forest, and many more! Are there any glampgrounds in Illinois? For those who don’t want to stay in a tent, glamping is quite the upgrade. Sankoty Lakes is a newer glampground with gorgeous cabins, RV spots, and lake views. Surrounded by 200 acres, there are countless opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, scuba diving, bird watching, hiking, biking, and more! A stay here will be time well spent. What are some of the best hiking trails in Illinois? Some of the best hiking trails leading to the most scenic spots in Illinois happen to be places where you can also go camping. Hiking and camping go hand-in-hand nicely, don’t they? We put together a handy list of some of the most incredible hikes you can take in our previous post, 15 Marvelous Trails You Have To Hike In Illinois Before You Die.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Campgrounds In Illinois
April 17, 2021
Melissa M
Where can I go primitive camping in Illinois? You don’t have to camp at a traditional campground. There are plenty of places to rough it out in the wilderness without the amenities around Illinois. In fact, some of the most beautiful state parks allow primitive camping. So, go ahead, pack your backpack and all your camping gear and head out to find a camping spot at Mississippi Palisades State Park, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, Ferne Clyffe State Park, Shawnee National Forest, and many more! Are there any glampgrounds in Illinois? For those who don’t want to stay in a tent, glamping is quite the upgrade. Sankoty Lakes is a newer glampground with gorgeous cabins, RV spots, and lake views. Surrounded by 200 acres, there are countless opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, scuba diving, bird watching, hiking, biking, and more! A stay here will be time well spent. What are some of the best hiking trails in Illinois? Some of the best hiking trails leading to the most scenic spots in Illinois happen to be places where you can also go camping. Hiking and camping go hand-in-hand nicely, don’t they? We put together a handy list of some of the most incredible hikes you can take in our previous post, 15 Marvelous Trails You Have To Hike In Illinois Before You Die.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
You don’t have to camp at a traditional campground. There are plenty of places to rough it out in the wilderness without the amenities around Illinois. In fact, some of the most beautiful state parks allow primitive camping. So, go ahead, pack your backpack and all your camping gear and head out to find a camping spot at Mississippi Palisades State Park, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, Ferne Clyffe State Park, Shawnee National Forest, and many more!
Are there any glampgrounds in Illinois?
For those who don’t want to stay in a tent, glamping is quite the upgrade. Sankoty Lakes is a newer glampground with gorgeous cabins, RV spots, and lake views. Surrounded by 200 acres, there are countless opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, scuba diving, bird watching, hiking, biking, and more! A stay here will be time well spent.
What are some of the best hiking trails in Illinois?
Some of the best hiking trails leading to the most scenic spots in Illinois happen to be places where you can also go camping. Hiking and camping go hand-in-hand nicely, don’t they? We put together a handy list of some of the most incredible hikes you can take in our previous post, 15 Marvelous Trails You Have To Hike In Illinois Before You Die.
