Illinois RV Campgrounds for Families – Public and Private

Illinois is home to a wide variety of natural backdrops covering 390 miles from North to South. There are fantastic, family-friendly RV campgrounds across the state.

The following is a mixture of public and private campgrounds depending on your preference for amenities, site size, and access to nature.

• Starved Rock State Park – Oglesby
• Illinois Beach State Park – Zion
• Kankakee River State Park – Bourbonnais
• Giant City State Park – Makanda
• Chain O’Lakes State Park – Spring Grove
• Rock Cut Concession and Campground – Loves Park
• Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort  – Pittsfield
• Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday – Union
• Crazy Horse Campground – Ashland

Compare these options and your desired travel distance to see which campgrounds might be best for your family:

Starved Rock State Park Campground – Oglesby:

• • Nestled along the Illinois River, Starved Rock State Park offers scenic beauty, hiking trails, and waterfalls, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
  • The campground features spacious RV sites with 30 and 50 amp electric hookups and modern amenities such as showers, restrooms, and a camp store (operates May through October). Sites do not offer water hook up.
  • Families can enjoy activities such as hiking, picnicking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, as well as ranger-led programs and seasonal events.
  • Also nearby in Utica, IL is Grand Bear Resort, a hotel and cabin resort, with a waterpark offering day passes. This is perfect if you have a mixed group that does not all have an RV or for enjoying a rainy day indoors.
  • This campground is extremely popular and can be booked up to six months in advance via their online booking site.
  • For more information, Starved Rock State Park Campground

Illinois Beach State Park Campground – Zion:

• • Located along 6.5 miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan, Illinois Beach State Park offers sandy beaches, dunes, and nature trails, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • The campground provides RV sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, as well as access to modern facilities including restrooms, showers, and a playground.
  • Families can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, birdwatching, hiking, and biking, as well as fishing in the lake and nearby streams.
  • Boat can be rented nearby at North Point Marina for a day on the lake.
  • The Northern Chicago suburbs in this vicinity offer many amenities in restaurants, shops, etc.
  • Reservations are highly recommended for this busy campground. Many campsites offer shade. Water hookups are not available.
  • For more information, visit Illinois Beach State Park.

Kankakee River State Park Campground – Bourbonnais:

• • Situated along the scenic Kankakee River, this state park offers diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, prairies, and woodlands, ideal for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
  • The campground features spacious RV sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits, as well as amenities such as restrooms, showers, and a camp store.
  • Families can participate in activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation, as well as educational programs led by park rangers.
  • Site may be reserved online. There are no water hookups available. The Chippewa (recently reopened) and Potawatami campgrounds boasts many mature trees for shady camping.
  • The Kankakee River Trail is a ten mile trail (you don’t have to cover it all) that leads you to a suspension bridge over one of the river’s tributaries.
  • The city of Kankakee offers many amenities when families want a break from the campground.

Giant City State Park Campground – Makanda:

• • Known for its unique rock formations, scenic trails, and lush forests, Giant City State Park offers a tranquil setting for outdoor adventures and family-friendly camping.
  • The campground provides RV sites with electric hookups, as well as modern facilities including restrooms, showers, and a camp store.
  • Families can explore hiking trails, climb sandstone bluffs, go horseback riding, and enjoy picnicking, as well as nearby attractions such as Giant City Lodge and the Shawnee National Forest.
  • Popular trail routes take you through massive sandstone bluffs and a substantial variety of trees.
  • Reservations should be made in advance online. Water hookups are not available.
  • Campers looking for a tasty meal indoors should visit the Giant City Lodge.

Chain O’Lakes State Park Campground – Spring Grove:

• • Situated in the heart of the Chain O’Lakes region, this state park offers abundant recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
  • The Chain O’Lakes area is known for ten lakes connected by the Fox River and tributaries. It is popular for high-end suburban communities and lake-oriented vacation homes. The park borders three of the lakes.
  • The campground features RV sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, as well as amenities such as restrooms, showers, and a playground.
  • Families can enjoy water activities like swimming, boating, and waterskiing on the interconnected lakes, as well as exploring hiking trails, biking paths, and nature centers within the park.
  • Be sure to visit Fox Waterway Agency to purchase boating stickers and understand the current status of waterways. Visit Gillson’s on the Chain for more  info about boat rental.
  • Sites can be reserved online up to six months in advance.

Rock Cut Concession and Campground – Loves Park:

• • Located within Rock Cut State Park, this public campground offers a tranquil retreat surrounded by nature, with easy access to outdoor activities and family-friendly amenities.
  • The concessions and water rentals are privately operated. The concession are more of a restaurant with homemade items and lots of camp supplies.
  • The campground features RV sites with electric hookups, as well as tent sites, cabins, and group camping areas, along with modern facilities including restrooms, showers, and a camp store.
  • Families can explore the park’s hiking trails, fishing lakes, and scenic picnic areas, as well as nearby attractions like Rockford’s Anderson Japanese Gardens and Discovery Center Museum.
  • Find more information here and reservations can be made online here.