Campers visiting “The Prairie State” can explore 57,915 square miles of flat prairies, rolling hills, and dense forests. Core Illinois regions include the Central Plains, Shawnee Hills, and Gulf Coastal Plains. Camping in Illinois ranges from backcountry areas to rustic boondocking to fully featured campgrounds with modern amenities. Campers should try to visit Starved Rock State Park, Shawnee National Forest, and the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway.
Rend Lake is a 13-mile (20.9 km) long, 3-mile (4.8 km) wide reservoir located in Southern Illinois in Franklin and Jefferson Counties near the town of Benton. It contains 18,900 acres (76 km2) of water, stores 185,000 acre-feet (228,000,000 m3) of water, and supplies over 15 million gallons of water per day to 300,000 persons in over 60 communities. The reservoir is up to 35 feet (10.7 m) deep,...
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Lake Shelbyville is a reservoir located in Shelby County, Illinois and Moultrie County, Illinois created by damming the Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville, Illinois. The lake's normal surface pool is 11,100 acres (44.9 km2) at an elevation of 183 meters (600.4 ft). The area that surrounds the lake is the Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area. The lake is managed by the United States Army Corps o...
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Carlyle Lake is a 25,000-acre (101.2 km2) reservoir largely located in Clinton County, Illinois, United States, with smaller portions of the lake within Bond and Fayette counties. It is the largest man-made lake in Illinois, and the largest lake wholly contained within the state.
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Fort Defiance, known as Camp Defiance during the American Civil War, is a former military fortification located at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in the city limits of Cairo, in Alexander County, Illinois. The strategic significance of the site has been known since prehistoric times with archaeological evidence of warfare dating to the Mississippian era. It is the southernmos...
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Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a 43,890 acre (180 km2) National Wildlife Refuge primarily in southwestern Williamson County, but with small extensions into adjacent eastern Jackson and northeastern Union counties of southern Illinois, in the United States. Its land and water contain a wide diversity of flora and fauna. It centers on Crab Orchard Lake. Major habitat types on the refug...
More informationIs the Illinois park you want to camp at sold out? We can help! Campers often cancel their camping reservations. Campnab monitors Illinois parks and can text you when a suitable campsite one opens up! 🙂
Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Provides comprehensive information on Illinois' state parks, including details on camping facilities, activities, and park amenities. Users can explore various camping options, from tent sites to cabins, and access resources for trip planning.
ExploreMore IL: The official reservation portal for Illinois' state parks, allowing users to book campsites, cabins, and other accommodations. The site offers real-time availability, site photos, and detailed descriptions to assist in planning stays.
National Park Service – Illinois: Offers information on Illinois' national parks and historic sites, including camping options, park activities, and visitor guidelines. The site provides resources for planning visits to sites like the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and the Pullman National Monument.
Forest Preserves of Cook County: Provides information on camping facilities, hiking trails, and other recreational activities within the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Users can find details on available campsites, reservation procedures, and park amenities.
Illinois State Parks | Support Illinois Parks: Offers resources and information to support and enhance Illinois state parks, including details on volunteer opportunities, events, and park improvements. The site provides ways for individuals to get involved and support the preservation of natural resources.
Illinois County and City Campgrounds – Allstays: Provides a map and directory of county and city campgrounds across Illinois, offering information on locations, amenities, and contact details. Users can explore various local camping options beyond state and national parks.
Camping at Illinois State Parks: Offers detailed information on camping within Illinois' state parks, including types of campsites, amenities, and reservation procedures. Users can find specific details to assist in planning their camping experiences.
Rent-A-Camp – Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Provides information on the Rent-A-Camp program, which offers an opportunity to experience camping at an Illinois State Park in an easy, inexpensive, and enjoyable way. The site includes details on available cabins, reservation procedures, and amenities.
Camping and Cabin Fees – Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Offers a comprehensive fee schedule for camping and cabin rentals within Illinois state parks. Users can find information on costs associated with various camping options to assist in budgeting for their trips.
FAQ Parks and Recreation – Camping: Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding camping in Illinois state parks, including information on reservations, regulations, and amenities. The site serves as a helpful resource for campers planning their visits.
Tell us when, where, and how long you want to camp for. We’ll notify you (via SMS) when a suitable spot opens up at that campground—so you can nab that sold-out campsite reservation!
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