Camper submitted image from Sugar River Forest Preserve - 1

Camper submitted image from Sugar River Forest Preserve - 2

Camper submitted image from Sugar River Forest Preserve - 3

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Sugar River Forest Preserve - 4

Activities

Camper submitted image from Sugar River Forest Preserve - 5

Camping

Established Camping

Sugar River Forest Preserve

8 Reviews

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About

County

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Location

Sugar River Forest Preserve is located in Illinois

Directions

From town: Go N on Boswell Rd, then W on Forest Preserve Rd to the end.

Coordinates

42.47848891000003 N
89.23552081999999 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Brian O.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 11, 2023

Second visit was as enjoyable as the first 3 yrs ago

We visited in Early June this time, and this time had a campsite on the East side under the very, very tall pine trees (sites 32-47). Less privacy between sites, but a beautiful effect.
Last time we camped in site 65, next to the path to the playground & walk-in site parking which was busy. You might want to choose a sit away from the pit toilets for the usual reasons, but also to avoid the light from the streetlights over them.
The river was low this time, so we didn't do any canoeing, but we saw many people tubing from Sugar River Adventures having fun, Walking a tube over a sandbar is nothing compared to dragging a canoe.
BIGGEST NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE there's a farm nearby that has Peacocks, and they screamed until well into the night. we thought it was bobcats attacking wild turkeys until the lady at the front gate set us straight. I hope this is only a seasonal mating thing and not a new feature.
One more note, biggest picnic tables we've seen, and our site had two.

Site44

Month of VisitJuly

(14) View All

Terran B.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 25, 2022

Great sites

This site is great, but seems like a local party spot. A large group was allowed to be noisy well past quiet hour, I went over to talk with them and they still were bumping music until at least midnight. No one seems to care about being quiet.

Site61

Month of VisitOctober

James

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2021

NIce Forest Location in Northern Illinois

Spent 3 days here as part of a trip to Galena. The showers are nice and cleaned regularly. Host is constantly driving around making sure firewood is available to campers and is very reasonably priced. Great location right along river, however it was very low this time of year. Will defiantly return.

Site66

Month of VisitJuly

Brian O.

Ranger

Reviewed Nov. 12, 2020

Great for canoeing/ kayaking

Winnebago County does a great job of maintaining their Forest preserves and campgrounds. They charge a fee for non-residents, but it's worth it. Not spectacular, but very pleasant and relaxing. Sites are open, but well spaced. Plenty of shade. Hike-in sites are on the riverbank, about 200 yards from parking.
The Sugar river is scenic, and easy to paddle up or down, so you can do round trips without having to arrange drop-offs.
The Pecatonica river is nearby as well. A good day trip is Monroe, Wisconsin, home of the National Cheese Museum and Alp & Dell Chees works, a great place to shop for chees lovers. Van Eyck Orchard is a great stop as well.

Month of VisitAugust

Wendy R.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 7, 2020

November camp!

This was the perfect end to our camping season. The smell of pine is heavenly here! Shower house still open!

(17) View All

Ron L.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2020

Great Forest preserve campground!

We spent a weekend at Sugar River and thoroughly enjoyed our! The sites are large and well maintained, the hosts were great, and it is less than two hours from home!

Diana Q.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2020

Accommodating Staff!

There are a bunch of different kinds of campsites to choose from. Rustic ones right near the river are my favorite! There’s an indoor restroom complete with a shower. We’ve done some fishing and plan to kayak there soon!

Melissa B.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 21, 2017

Lots to do if you like the river

Not a bad place for exploring the river. Big sites. Lots of mosquitoes so come prepared!

Month of VisitSeptember

(14) View All