Illinois is a hiker’s paradise, with abundant RV campgrounds to accommodate your large mobile home. There’s more to the Prairie State than meets the eye. Venture off the beaten path and explore the RV campgrounds Illinois has to offer in these forested areas for some of the most epic panoramic views and limestone cliffs you’ll ever see. Here are the 10 best RV campgrounds in Illinois to check out this season. 

RV Camping in Illinois: 10 Must-Visit RV Parks

RV camping in Illinois is fun for the whole family! With plenty of nature trails, and access to creeks, lakes, and even beaches, you will never run out of things to do. Read on to learn more about the best parks for RV camping in Illinois. 

1. Starved Rock State Park Campground

This spacious and popular RV campground is situated in Starved Rock State Park, a stunning natural area that was recently voted among the top attractions in the state of Illinois. The state park was also registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1966, and for good reason: you’ll love the winding trails, refreshing creeks, and rugged canyons surrounding the campground. 

Amenities: There are shower houses, clean restrooms, picnic tables, a camp store, and even a dump station. Campers gain access to more than 13 miles of trails that feature waterfalls, natural springs, and sandstone overhangs.

“Great hiking, scenic views, good playground by the showers. Will definitely be back again and again.” -Rachel C.

Fast Facts: 

• Price: $25-35
• Number of sites: 129
• RV sites: Yes, max length 50 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes 

2. Rock Cut Campground

You’ll find this large and well-equipped campground around 10 miles to the northeast of the city of Rockford, Illinois. There are between 40 and 50 miles of biking and hiking trails in the nearby area. 

Amenities: This RV campground in Illinois offers sites with picnic tables, grills, electrical hookups, and access to water faucets, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. For water access, visit Olsen Beach for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming.  

“The campsites offer a spacious escape from the city, with the usual amenities of a fire ring and picnic table, but most had long paved driveways and electrical hook-ups to boot.” -Shari G.

Fast Facts: 

• Price: $25-35
• Number of sites: 270 
• RV sites: Yes, max length 65 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes 

3. Illinois Beach Campground 

This campground is located along the shores of Lake Michigan, in the north of Illinois. Nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers will relish the opportunity to spot some of the rare wetland birds that feed and nest in the surrounding marshland at Illinois Beach State Park. You can also walk along the dunes that protect the beach and enjoy looking at the hundreds of wildflower species that grow in this habitat. 

Amenities: This is hands down one of the best RV campgrounds in Illinois. It provides flat campsites, with picnic tables, fire rings, and water and electric hookups. In addition, there are showers and restrooms, a dump station, and easy access to the beach. 

“This location is an absolute treasure. The beach is stunning and the trails are awesome. There is a ton of beach space and the beach is a short walk from the campsites.” -Ranko K.

Fast Facts: 

• Price: $25-50
• Number of sites: 241 
• RV sites: Yes, max length 30 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes 

4. Garden of the Gods Recreation Area

The Garden of the Gods Recreation Area is a stunning campground at one of the most photographed destinations in the state of Illinois. In addition to camping, you can hike, picnic, and bird watch. The Observation Trail is known for its incredible panoramic views and vast sandstone formations surrounding the forested area. The trail is a ¼-mile long with benches along the way for novice hikers to rest and soak in the scenic views.  

Amenities: In terms of amenities, the RV park offers standard ones such as restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and drinking water. There is also a camp store and Wi-Fi connectivity. 

“This place really is "Of the Gods.” The Geological formations are very majestic.  It is so different from the rest of the state of IL. AMAZING place to visit.”  - Jade G.

Fast Facts: 

• Price: $10-69
• Number of sites: 191
• RV sites: Yes, max length 56 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

5.  Shabbona Lake State Park

Camp near the beautiful shores of Shabbona Lake and enjoy water-based activities like fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Shabbona Lake offers memorable orange sunsets and nights around the campfire for individuals who want a classic camping experience.

Amenities: All sites have electricity, a picnic table, a fire ring, and access to restrooms and showers. There is a camp store that keeps firewood, snacks, camping supplies, fishing tackle, and more in stock. Boats are available to rent at the camp store.    

“Love going to this campground. Always nice and clean. Bath/showers are very clean with hot water. Nicely kept grounds with a beautiful lake for dock and boat fishing.” -Meg K.

Fast Facts: 

• Price: $25
• Number of sites: 150
• RV sites: Yes, max length 40 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

6. Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

The Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area has a massive campground with plenty of space for any size group of campers. Enjoy swimming and canoeing on the lake, or opt for a dip in the pool, a favorite feature of many previous visitors to this campsite. You can purchase firewood on site, and these primitive camp lots cater to walk-in and RV camping. 

Amenities: The Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area offers electric sites with water and sewer hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. There are several playgrounds, a volleyball court, a basketball court, and an outdoor pool during the summer season.

“This is a decent place with quite a few spots with lake views. Well maintained. Plenty of shade. Tents and RVs. Crowded most holidays. Close to grocery. Great Mexican restaurant in town.” -Lynn A.

Fast Facts:

• Price: $20
• Number of sites: 328
• RV sites: Yes, max length 50 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

7. Chain O’Lakes State Park

The Chain O’Lakes State Park campground offers a variety of campsites for all budgets. Soak in the lake view as the sun sets, or rent a kayak and explore the open waters more closely. This is a fantastic campground for fishing enthusiasts with waters full of walleye, catfish, crappie, northern pike, muskie, and bass.

Amenities: As one of the top places to go RV camping in Illinois, this campground has clean showers and restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, drinking water, and a camp store. Firewood is available for purchase and canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats are available for rental.

“Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring setups.” -Ali

Fast Facts: 

• Price: $12-35
• Number of sites: 238
• RV sites: Yes, max length 42 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

8. Giant City

The Giant City Park Campground offers camping spots for RVs surrounded by natural forests and breathtaking rock formations. Avid hikers will love this site for its many trails that cater to all skill levels. Experienced hikers can enjoy the 12-mile Red Cedar Trail loop, while novices can stroll on popular routes like Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Stand Table Trail. 

Amenities: The sites at Giant City Campground have water and electricity, access to clean restrooms and showers, picnic tables, fire pits, and a dump station. There are ponds throughout the park open for bank fishing and a 12-mile equestrian trail for those who bring their own horses.

“Park is extra clean. Pads are level. Lots of shade. You will love this campground. About a dozen wineries nearby. Love this area and camping ground.”  -Glenn C.

Fast Facts:

• Price: $20
• Number of sites: 135
• RV sites: Yes, max length 40 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

9. Ferne Clyffe State Park 

Ferne Clyffe State Park is a stunning Illinois campground located in the Shawnee National Forest that offers hiking trails, limestone bluffs, and caves. Horseback riders can make use of the equestrian trails in the park as well. Outdoor enthusiasts who thrive in rocky terrain will love exploring this campground. 

Amenities: The Class A sites come with gravel pads, picnic tables, cooking grills, access to drinking water, restrooms and showers, and even a dump station. There are trash receptacles in the parking lot and hitching rails at equestrian sites. 

“The campground is wonderful! There are lots of well-maintained trails to hike... hikes that include bluffs, caves, creeks, etc...We will be back again next year. One of our favorites!” -Dani B.

Fast Facts:

• Price: $8-20
• Number of sites: 60
• RV sites: Yes, max length 70 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

10. White Pines Forest State Park

White Pines Forest State Park is located amidst a vast forest and the gorgeous Illinois bluffs. Up-to-date amenities and stunning local geography make this a dream campground for individuals with an RV rental. A standout feature of the park is a concrete ford across the creeks that allows you to drive through streams and pull your vehicle right up to the creek bed. 

Amenities: This campground offers plenty of picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, sanitary restrooms and shower houses, as well as a dump station. There are seven marked trails, all less than a mile long for relaxing strolls through the forest.

“Great forests and trails! Nice for camping in that the campsites are not too close together but there are still bathrooms.”  - Caroline R.

Fast Facts: 

• Price: $10
• Number of sites: 100
• RV sites: Yes, max length 40 feet
• Hookups: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

Whether you love camping for the opportunity to explore new hiking trails, or you’re searching for the perfect lake to watch the sunset over, Illinois has it all. These 10 RV campgrounds in Illinois are just a glimpse at what this amazing state has to offer. For more ideas about where to take your RV rental from Cruise America in this state, check out The Dyrt’s complete list of Illinois RV campsites.