The Kewanee area sits on the northern Illinois plains with elevations around 800 feet above sea level. Camping sites near Kewanee, Illinois feature predominantly deciduous forest patches interspersed with agricultural land. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions with overnight temperatures that can drop significantly.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Frakers Grove Farm, the pond provides excellent fishing. One camper noted, "Fishing is amazing. The red-winged blackbirds are very active in the cattails."
Biking along the canal: The Hennepin Canal system offers miles of flat, scenic riding. A visitor to Hickory Grove Campground shared, "Great bike path right out of campsite along the canal. Nice to get some exercise on a long road trip."
Paddle sports: Multiple waterways support kayaking and canoeing. At Chief Keokuk Campground, campers can rent equipment. One reviewer mentioned, "They rent kayaks, paddleboats, and basic fishing boats. There's some good fishing, if that's your thing."
Horseback riding: Some campgrounds accommodate equestrian camping with dedicated facilities. The Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground features an "equestrian campers" area with "wooden hitching post to tie your horses down."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Geneseo Campground, tent campers appreciate the layout. One reviewer mentioned, "The tent sites are nicely tucked away from the RVs, with a row of bushes to separate you from your neighbor. Nice shade."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the peaceful settings. A visitor to Hickory Grove Campground remarked, "It was just lovely. Owners were like you'd known them forever and eager to help in anyway. Sites were huge and not crammed into one another."
Pine forest camping: The distinctive pine groves at Chief Keokuk offer a unique setting. A camper observed, "Our family stayed on site 21 in our popup and had a great time. We LOVED the pencil tree forest. There are only a handful of campsites w electric in this circle of trees."
Farm-based camping: Some sites offer agricultural experiences. A camper at Frakers Grove Farm shared, "Dennis is a great host and one of the nicest people you'll meet. Our site by the pond is fantastic. Listening to the birds and frogs as you sit by the fire is perfect."
What you should know
Limited facilities at canal sites: Most Hennepin Canal locations have minimal amenities. One camper at Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground noted, "This is a good spot for an overnight rest but there isn't much more to the amenities than the campsites."
Seasonal availability: While some campgrounds operate year-round, many have limited seasons. Geneseo Campground operates from "Apr 1 to Oct 31," which matches most area campgrounds.
Security concerns: Some primitive sites experience after-hours visitors. A camper at Hennepin Canal Lock 22 described, "Apparently this is a favorite haunt for the local late-night scene. For as rural as the area seems to be, there were a surprising number of cars just passing through the parking lot, starting at about 10:30 pm."
Water access issues: Potable water can be limited. Stuart K. warned about Hennepin Canal Lock 21: "There is no potable drinking water anywhere at any of these locks up and down the Hennepin Canal apart from at the Visitors Center, so ensure you bring your own water or a filtration system."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer rentals for family entertainment. At Cabin Fever Campground, "Water and electrical hookups. Great place to spend a weekend fishing and swimming in the 5 ponds available."
Swimming options: Swimming areas provide relief from summer heat. A Cabin Fever visitor shared, "Swimming lake was awesome!" while another noted the campground was "Beautiful, well maintained."
Wildlife viewing: Children enjoy spotting local animals. At Frakers Grove Farm, "Absolutely great place to come safe for a weekend. It was very quiet here. The red-winged blackbirds are very active in the cattails."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play equipment. Geneseo Campground features "an amazing kid's playground" with "pedal carts and other kid activities."
Tips from RVers
Site sizes and access: Many campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs. At Francis City Park, "The campground is small and almost like an open field among tall trees. We drove along a road but part of it was driving on the grass. Sites are marked with electric."
Electric-only hookups: Most sites offer limited hookups. At Chief Keokuk Campground, "One of our favorite places to camp, kayak, and fish. The only downside side is no water/sewage hookup."
Dump station availability: Finding sanitary disposal can require planning. Francis City Park provides "sanitary dump" facilities, while Geneseo Campground offers full hook-ups including sewer for longer stays.
Parking considerations: Some primitive sites have limitations. At Hennepin Canal Lock 22, one RVer reported, "Barriers are in place to keep vehicles out of the tent camping area so had to camp in the parking lot."
