***Originally published in The Kewanee Voice Summer Adventure Guide 2025
If you’re looking for a restful retreat in nature or a family-friendly campground with plenty of amenities, Kewanee and its surrounding areas offer some great spots to pitch a tent or park your RV.
From scenic lakeside views to well-equipped camping sites, this guide to six campgrounds near Kewanee, detailing their features, amenities and contact information, will help you plan your next outdoor adventure.
Well-known to Kewanee and area residents, Johnson-Sauk Trail Park’s Chief Keokuk Campground, located just a few miles north off Hwy 78, offers campers options, including tent, RV sites and even a cabin.
ACCESS
Drive-in, Walk-in, Boat-in
SITE TYPES
Tent, RV sites, Standard (tent-RV), group camping, cabin
ADA accessible, pet friendly, showers, picnic tables, firewood available, phone service, electric hookups, drinking water, restroom, reservable
FOR VEHICLES
Sanitary dump, pull-through sites, big rig friendly
Contact information: website: dnr.johnsonsauktrail@illinois.gov, phone: 309-853-2425
Near Oglesby, Ill., Starved Rock is the perfect spot to commune with nature while enjoying some creature comforts. The sites are spacious and include picnic tables and fire rings.
ACCESS
Drive-in, Walk-in
SITE TYPES
Tent, RV sites, Cabins, Standard (tent,RV), group camping
FOR CAMPERS
Market, ADA accessible, trash, picnic tables, phone service, reservable, showers, drinking water, electric hook-ups, toilets, pet-friendly, fires
To reserve, go to dnr.StarvedRock@illinois.gov.
Located at 22978 Il. Hwy 82, Geneseo, the campground features 72 sites ideal for tents and RVs. The compound is situated on the Hennepin Canal, which provides more outdoor amenities such as hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Cabins are available at the campground and there are even Yurts for those interested in glamping.
ACCESS
Drive-in
FOR CAMPERS
Market, trash, picnic tables, firewood available, phone service, reservable, wi-fi, showers, drinking water, electric hookups, toilets, alcohol, pets, fires
FOR VEHICLES
Sanitary dump, sewer hookups, water hookups, pull-through-30 amp hookups, 50 amp hookups, big rig friendly
Want to escape the daily grind? Jubilee College State Park Campground, located near Brimfield, at 13921 W Route 150, is a great place for those looking to unwind in nature. The campground provides a mixture of tent and RV sites, for group camping or the go-it-alone outdoorsmen.
ACCESS
Drive-in, Walk-in
SITE TYPES
Tent sites, RV sites, Standard (tent-RV), group camping, equestrian
FOR CAMPERS
ADA accessible, trash, picnic tables, firewood available, phone service, reservable, wi-fi service, showers, drinking water, electric hookups, toilets, pets and fires
FOR VEHICLES
Sanitary dump, sewer hookups, water hookups, pull-through sites, 30-amp hookups, big rig friendly
For more information, phone (309) 446-3758.
Located three miles east of Kewanee stands Woodland Palace, the home of Fred Francis, constructed in the 1890 using bricks, stone and native wood. The house, given to the city of Kewanee, is surrounded by a park that offers a camping site and picnic facilities and is perfect for those campers who want to step back in time and rough it.
ACCESS
Drive-in, Walk-in
SITE TYPES
Sixty sites, 30 with 30 amp service, 30 with 20 amp service, Tent camping in north field
FOR CAMPERS
Water supply for tank filling, public restrooms, picnic tables
FOR VEHICLES
Dump station
The sites are first-come, first-served basis. For more information, email FrancisPark@cityofkewanee.net.
Horse lovers rejoice. At Matthiessen State Park, you’ll be able to combine your love of horse ownership with camping. Located in Utica, Ill., the park was originally referred to as “Deer Park” in reference to the large deer population. The original 176-acre park consisted of a long canyon with a small stream flowing through it.
ACCESS
The campground for horseback riders and their horses only is located west of Rt. 178 between Route 71 and the Dells Area entrance. Horseback riders’ camping and multi-use trails are open from May 1, weather permitting through the second week of November. Call 815-667-4726 to inquire before traveling to use the facilities.
SITE TYPES
First come-first serve, no reservations allowed. Tent camping. No electricity and tie lines available. Campers should bring their own generators.
FOR CAMPERS
Restrooms, water hydrants, alcohol permitted, picnic table, grill, mounting station
