Illinois offers campers nearly 70 state parks, where you can explore nature, history, and geology, as well as fish and hunt.
State parks are also budget-friendly, making for excellent weeklong getaways or quick overnight stops.
With so many to choose from, we decided to find some of the highest-rated Illinois state parks with electrical hookups for our RVing community.
Let’s take a look!
What’s So Great About Camping in Illinois?
The Prairie State offers incredible outdoor opportunities for those who live there or visit. You can fish, paddle, or swim in 2,900 lakes and over 87,000 miles of rivers and streams. And don’t forget Lake Michigan!
Hikers and backpackers will love exploring Shawnee National Forest or the 120+ state parks and wilderness areas. Luckily, campers get to experience all of it.
Of course, Chicago offers tons of places to explore and good food to taste. Chicago-style pizza, anyone? The metropolis hosts over 100 festivals from May through September and contains 80+ museums. You’ll want to stick around for a while if you’re a blues or jazz lover. We counted at least 25 blues or jazz clubs in The Windy City.
Illinois weather can be slightly different depending on if you’re in the northern or southern part of the state. However, on average, it sees 255 to 265 days of sun every year, and temperatures are moderate from spring through fall. Most rain happens in May and June, so heading there later in the summer or fall might be your best bet to stay dry.
Fair warning. The state does experience tornadoes, seeing around 29 each year. The majority occur during April through June, but they can show up any time of the year. The Prairie State also sees a good number of thunderstorms during the summer months with only a few dropping hail.
So, where should you set up your home base? You’ll find thousands of places to rest your head, but these state parks offer amazing views, partial hookups, and plenty to do.
#1 Ferne Clyffe State Park
This state park is at the southern tip of Illinois, about two hours from St Louis, Missouri, and just under three hours from Nashville, Tennessee. Fern Clyffe is known for, well…its ferns and geology.
Trails from ¼-mile up to eight miles wind throughout the 2,470-acre property, offering lush green surroundings and funky rock formations, often with a lake or waterfall as your reward for your effort.
Hunting, fishing, and rock climbing are allowed there, but boating and swimming are not. Be aware that the neighboring Round Bluff Nature Preserve prohibits hunting or going off trail.
The Deer Ridge campground offers electrical hookups (20, 30, and 50 Amp), a public bathroom with showers, potable water, and a dump station. It contains 58 gravel campsites, 36 reservable, and reviewers say they’re mostly level. People report decent cell service, especially for AT&T and Verizon. Many of the sites are pull-throughs and can accommodate big rigs.
Check out the Best Things to do Along Route 66 in Illinois!
#2 Fox Ridge State Park
Fox Ridge is a state park in eastern central Illinois, smack in between Indianapolis and St Louis. Rolling hills, densely wooded ridges, and lush green valleys are the hallmarks of this park. Water lovers will be happy to find a river and a lake.
Eight miles of trails cover the 2,064-acre park, leading to 18 covered bridges with plenty of wildlife and gorgeous views along the way. Plus, benches sit along the routes to provide a place to rest after hiking the steeper parts.
Fishing and canoeing in the river are well-loved activities here. However, Ridge Lake requires anglers to make a reservation as it’s part of a research facility.
The park permits hunting on its northern side, but you’ll need a windshield card before you get started.
The campground at Fox Ridge is for those who want a more primitive setting. It offers electrical hookups up to 50-Amp, but not in all sites, so be sure to check before you reserve. Reviewers say it’s quiet, and the gravel pads are level. Most will fit a big rig; however, only one pull-through space exists.
It has a vault toilet, bathhouse, and dump station with potable water spigots throughout. Since cell service is minimal, this is the place to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Here are the Best Lakes in Illinois (and Nearby Campsites)!
#3 Shabbona Lake State Park
This state park is just two hours west of downtown Chicago in Northeastern Illinois, next to a forest preserve. The 318.8-acre human-made fishing lake sits amongst green prairie, lush meadows, and the surrounding woods.
Shabbona Lake State Park contains over six miles of hiking trails, plus an eight-mile snowmobile trail for those braving the winter weather. Additionally, you can hike or snowmobile in the neighboring preserve.
The lake has been named one of “Illinois’ best Fishing Lakes” and offers walleye, bass, muskie, and many other types of fish to anglers. You can fish from the shore or your boat, and launches are available at the day-use area and the campground. Hunting is also popular but only allowed in certain locations.
Shabbona’s campsites have electrical connections ranging from 20-Amp to 50-Amp, and most allow a 35-foot vehicle length. One reviewer said they camped in a 39-foot rig and that the sites all seemed “relatively level.” Check your chosen site’s details before you reserve to ensure you get the amperage and size you need. Potable water is available throughout the park.
Cell service is average to just below average, depending on your provided. Of course, each site has a fire ring and table, plus there’s a dump station near the entrance. An on-site store provides basic camping supplies and food, in addition to fishing tackle and rental boats.
Know Before You Go: Check the fishing and hunting regulations before you head to the park.
#4 Giant City State Park
The park is toward the southern tip of Illinois, about 20 miles northwest of Fern Clyffe. Giant City received its name because of the huge sandstone bluffs that make it feel like you’re winding your way through stone buildings.
Trails starting at small loops of ⅓ mile or less up to 12 miles long will take you all over this 4000-acre park. Along the way, you’ll see caves and massive bluffs, and one hike will even take you to an old stone fort.
You’ll find caves to explore and good spots to practice your rock climbing, rappelling, and archery skills. Anglers will love the ponds scattered throughout, and hunting is allowed for certain species. If you’re an amateur botanist or herbalist, check out the 75+ kinds of trees and other flora located in the park.
Giant City State Park’s main campground offers nine sites with 50-Amp connections, and the rest are 30-Amp. Most of the spaces will fit a 40-foot vehicle length, but keep in mind that usually includes your tow vehicle. Cell service is decent, especially AT&T.
Potable water is available, as are showers and a dump station. The lodge offers elevated amenities, including a restaurant, swimming pool, gift shop, and bar. Reviewers talk about the park’s pleasant environment and hosts, cleanliness, and the many things to do. One reviewer was quite happy with the all-you-can-eat fried chicken day!
#5 Lincoln Trail State Park
Lincoln Trail State Park is in eastern Illinois, about 1.5 hours west of Indianapolis, off I-70. Officials named it after the trail that President Lincoln’s family took while traveling from Indiana to their future home state.
From the campground, a short trail leads to the lake, where you can launch a boat or just hang out on the shore surrounded by lush forests. Another two-mile hike will take you through the hickory-oak forest around the lake.
Anglers and hunters will be happy in the 1,023-acre park, as will nature lovers who simply want to enjoy the trees and water.
The Lakeside and Plainview campgrounds offer the basics, including showers, toilets, tables, and a dump station. Potable water is available throughout the area. Most sites provide electrical hookups of at least 30-Amp with around 25 50-Amp spots.
Some spaces are pull-through, and some are back-in. Check the site details before making your reservation to ensure you get what you need. Cell service is minimal here, so it’s probably not the best place if you’re trying to work online.
The park has a full-service restaurant and camp store where you can rent gas-powered boats or rowboats, grab fishing bait, and stock up on camp supplies. Most reviewers enjoyed the quiet and noted the facilities were clean.
Start planning your trip with the Illinois Bucket List Adventure Guide!
The Land of Lincoln Won’t Disappoint!
Whether you’re stopping overnight or camping for a week, Illinois state parks offer wild beauty and plenty of outdoor activities. Clean facilities and on-site restaurants can make up for the lack of full hookups.
If you love fishing and simply enjoy being in nature, you might want to make one or more of these your destination!
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
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