Best Glamping near Peoria Heights, IL

Glamping Reviews near Peoria Heights, IL

118 Reviews of 13 Peoria Heights Campgrounds

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Jan. 30, 2026

  Great Oaks Camp

  Hidden Haven for Groups, Camps & Quiet Reflection

  Set on a serene 105-acre site perched above the Illinois River valley, Great Oaks Camp delivers an atmosphere of peaceful serenity blended with purposeful programming. First impressions are warm and welcoming with well-kept grounds, cabins, tent camping spots and lodges arranged thoughtfully, with a sense of intentional space that beckons people to settle in, reflect and connect.

  The facility includes multiple lodging options for larger groups including Poplar Lodge that sleeps up to 60 guests across four dorm rooms, complete with a small kitchen and a fireside meeting room with TV/DVD. Hickory Lodge houses 20 people with two dorm rooms, couches and its own meeting area. Stafford Chapel offers two cabins sleeping up to 20 campers each, plus a large multipurpose room equipped for presentations. Eagle Nest and Turkey Roost cabins offer 16–20 beds in comfortable bunk setups, ideal for combined retreats. All buildings are heated and air-conditioned, with fully equipped bathrooms and showers.

  Group activities are abundant and included at no additional charge. You can access archery, canoeing, paddle boats, fishing, disc golf, swimming, basketball, sand volleyball, Gaga ball, hiking, field games, high ropes, paintball, challenge initiatives and even an escape room. Meeting spaces like Pine Tree Lodge (with its commercial kitchen) ensure that meals are satisfying and communal. Free firewood is provided too.

  Insider Tips? Here you go: (1) For large groups, consider reserving Poplar Lodge and Stafford Chapel together, offering both comfort and flexible meeting space; (2) If your group enjoys outdoor challenges, the high ropes course and escape room are standout features and make for great group bonding; (3) Pine Tree Lodge is ideal for meal prep or rainy-day hangouts as it’s got a commercial kitchen, card tables, and plenty of room; (4) Bring athletic gear as even casual games are covered: disc golf, volleyball, basketball and Gaga ball fields are included; (5) Rates include food, firewood and nearly all activities, which is great for budget planning and simplifying logistics; and (6) For meals outside camp or a short nature walk, consider heading into nearby Lacon where you’ll find a small host of restaurants like Wildey’s Country Diner, Mr. Mike’s Place, FroSmokes Meatery and Rita’s Kitchen & Bar all serving up delectable Midwestern staples.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Dec. 26, 2024

  Carl Spindler Campground

  Waterfront Camping Bliss with City View

  This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that is formed where Upper Lake Peoria meets the Illinois River. For campers who want to get away from it all, while still being within close driving distance to civilization, Carl Spindler offers the convenience of a nearby major city (Peoria) while still providing a decent escape for some rest & relaxation within a fairly decent vicinity to nature. The best part about this lakefront getaway – apart from the incredibly cheap prices for an overnight stay – was hands down, the very friendly staff who offer up everyone a very strong dose of Midwestern hospitality.

  This pet-friendly CG offers a lot of amenities including: FHUs featuring electric, water and sewage as well as playground, community fire pit, restroom and shower facility that are in pretty good (not pristine) condition, laundry, fresh tap water, boat launch, 2 dump stations, WiFi (although very poor connection) and a beachhead. All sites are very level here and come with a picnic table, fire ring and electric, while a good number of the RV slots have a combination of electric amp options in addition to water and sewage hook-ups. At the marina, you can purchase ice, small sundries and camping supplies and / or simply use this spot to launch your boat, kayak or canoe from. There’s also options to rent a slip, store your boat and / or trailer for the winter. There’s even a deluxe cabin to rent in case you don’t have a tent or RV.

  While most of Carl Spindler is designed more for the RV-driving or 5th Wheel toting kind – and to be honest, some of these look like longer-term residents and / or traveling professionals – offering up some 55 individual slots (some of which I would definitely describe as ‘very snug’), this outfit does provide 2 different options for decent camp sites with me tent pitchin’ bredren in mind, both of which sit right in front of the Illinois River. In these areas, and actually for the entire campground, there’s not much (if any) shade, tree cover or brush that contributes to an overall lack of privacy – so whatever your activities might be, you and your camping brood will be on full display to the rest of the campground. At least if you chose to set up your tent over in the primitive camping area, this area is still pretty underdeveloped (for now), so over in these parts, you’ll have a greater feeling of solitude, peace & quiet.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’d like to knock some pins down while slurping some delicious local cold brew, head on over to Landmark Bowling Center; (2) Should you be looking for some decent trails to hike check out nearby Powerton Lake State Park; (3) You will want to time your sundowners correctly, because if you do, you’ll be sipping Mai Tais leaning back in your camp chair listening to some Amy Winehouse watching the sun set in the west over the Illinois River as the twinkling stars come out to shine their brightest all with a crackling bonfire keeping you warm and lit on a gorgeous Midwestern night; (4) While I always pack a long 100 foot electrical cord for all of my electricity needs, I’ve never had to use it, except here, where the electrical outlet in the primitive tent camping area is shared by all 4 sites and ours was the furthest away – so we got lucky; and (5) In the event that you grow weary of conjuring up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge and want to check out some local flavor, there’s a handful of options, but all will require a bit of a drive, of which I highly recommend Avanti’s Ristorante for their excellent pizza and Italian subs, the Blue Duck BBQ Tavern for outstanding smoked brisket and Obed & Issacs Microbewery for the finest local taps as well as their signature dish, Kitchen Sink Pie (don’t ask, just order).

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Mar. 17, 2026

  Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Campground

  Camp Where 100-Year-Old Locks Gaze Over Your Tent

  Nestled along a 104.5-mile corridor across parts of northwestern Illinois, Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park offers a unique and unexpectedly charming, albeit primitive camping experience. Spread across multiple sites like Lock 6, Lock 11, Lock 21, Bridge 14, and Lock 22, this park stretches its campsites along a historic towpath beside century-old canal locks. First impressions? Think gentle grass clearings, basic picnic setups and a nostalgic vibe that combines outdoor adventure with engineering heritage all the while living up to bare-bones camping ethos.

  Facilities remain strictly primitive as this is ‘Class C’ camping, meaning no hookups, no showers, no modern frills … just a pit toilet and a fire ring at each site. Cost is only $8 per night per family. Youth groups pay a minimum daily fee starting at $20. Other perks: senior citizens and disabled campers may qualify for free stays, depending on day and status. You’ll need to stop by the Visitor Center near Sheffield to pay (no reservations and everything at each lock is considered first-come, first-served), and all the drinking water is only available at central locations at each lock, not at individual campsites, so plan accordingly. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and campfires must stay in designated pits.

  The setting is deeply outdoorsy and expansive. The canal’s towpath is a cyclist’s and hiker’s dream, with up to 155 miles to explore (miles of level surface, biking, hiking, horseback riding in some sections and even snowmobiling when it’s seasonally open). Anglers love the Hennepin Canal system as the waters are regularly stocked with bass, bluegill, walleye, catfish and even trout during special stocking events. Canoeing and kayaking are permitted with portage around non-operational locks and birding or historical sightseeing along the route is a delightful bonus.

  Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Pick campsites closest to the canal but slightly back from parking that will deliver land that is flatter, vistas that are more scenic and spaces that are quieter; (2) Swing by the Visitor Center near Sheffield first for maps and essential info as you’ll need drinking water from there in case you didn’t bring your own;(3) If traveling with a dog or horse, check designations as only certain sites (e.g. Lock 21) allow equestrian camping; (4) Fishermen should bring rods early as anglers that I encountered say the catches here are worth the effort; (5) No pumps / dump stations so pack accordingly and use nearby towns for full services; and (6) Post-camping grub: head to Sheffield afterward for local eats like Belluccio’s for deep dish pizza, Italian beef & sausage sandwiches, Café 129 with its smoked prime rib and Red’s Bar & Grill for fantastic deep fried pork tenderloin sandwiches, which is a staple in these parts.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Mike P.

  Scout

  May. 13, 2020

  Condits Ranch

  Family friendly. Great getaway.

  Condit’s Ranch is family friendly and away from it all. Sue and the staff could not be nicer. We did tent camping and the setup was perfect. Huge lot. Fire pit and electric. 

  The small fishing pond, the swimming hole and the clubhouse were great to mix in to keep the youngsters entertained.

• 

  Amanda W.

  Guide

  Jul. 17, 2018

  Pleasant Creek Campground

  Nice Campground

  This campground is nice, but not our favorite. It’s really expensive. Most sites have no privacy at all. the kids loved going to the playground and they do have an arcade but other that that there’s not much to do. A little creek runs through the campground and you can walk along that. They sell firewood and the bathrooms are really nice. The staff is also very nice and live on site so are there to help whenever you need. RV and tent sites. fire pit and picnic table provided. Close to the state parks where they have tons of amazing hiking. Overall good campground just a little expensive.

• 

  Brett F.

  Guide

  Jun. 1, 2021

  Millpoint Park

  Location, location, location!

  We were late reserving a campsite for Memorial Day Weekend. But Don had a spot for us. We are glad we stayed.

  The campground sits along the Illinois River: many campsites face it. It's secluded and quiet. Campsites are spacious and well-distanced.

  There is much to do on site. The campground is situated between a nature preserve with nice walking paths and a beach. There is also an old barge to explore.

  A little further away is Old Mill Vineyard. Well worth the 20 minute drive! The wine and ambiance are very nice. Ask for Ellen.

  The campground only had two restrooms available during our stay. But they were nice. And don't forget your RV water filter! The water here is very rusty.

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• 

  Nancy W.

  Legend

  Jul. 1, 2017

  Carl Spindler Campground

  Good location to downtown Peoria

  If you want to visit Peoria, this is an ideal place to stay. The campground is part of a marina on the Illinois River and not too far from downtown. We wanted to stay here so we could visit the Caterpillar Visitor Center which is totally worth the visit.

  We visited the park in November and since it was the shoulder season the park was not very crowded. The park is open year-round and you will find more seasonal people during the off season. They close most of the park in the winter time which only leaves 22 paved sites available. Otherwise, they offer a mix of paved, full hook-up sites or electric only sites.  Sites that are close to the river have a great view of the skyline at night and if you don’t mind having just electric and being on sand these are great sites. There is a small beach area where you can access the water and a community fire pit which seemed to draw a lot of people in the evening.  

  The park has shower/bath house that was clean as were the laundry facilities. Wifi was non-existent but our Verizon 4G phone and hotspot worked well. We were able to get a decent number of antenna television channels. The roads are paved and easy for us to navigate in our 45’ RV. Our site was paved with a picnic table and fire pit and all the hook-ups worked well.

  We enjoyed the short nature trail that leaves directly from the area. The trail starts off as a boardwalk over an interesting marsh area and then transitions to a primitive trail eventually leading you to the lake shoreline. This was a great walk for our black lab who loves trails and water. Of the four times we walked the trail we only encountered people once. After a heavy rain, the low lying areas of the trail were pretty muddy so wear appropriate shoes. 

  The nice aspects of this park were the location to downtown Peoria, the pretty view of the skyline and the access to water if you want to kayak, fish, or swim. The price of $27/night for full hook-up was a great rate. The downside of this campground is that sites are close and there is a bit of road noise. There are a lot of seasonal people who were up and going to work in the morning which may bother late sleepers but meant for a quiet campground during the day.

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• 

  Stephanie S.

  Guide

  Apr. 24, 2022

  Comlara County Park

  Maiden Voyage Dream

  We may have set the bar too high with our first camping trip. Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground. Although we don’t fish, we saw many people fishing from the shore line and enjoying the water in boats and canoes. There is a designated swimming area (beach), but it wasn’t open at this time. There are many hiking and walking trails within the park that are within driving distance of the campground. There is one main shower house and several single outhouse style men/women bathrooms scattered throughout. The showers were very adequate, nothing fancy, but serve their purpose. There are fire pits and picnic tables at each site along with 30 or 50 amp hookups. Some have shared water hookups nearby also. There is also a typical dump station and potable water by it.
  The camp sites are spread apart nicely with some moderate elevation change giving many great views of the lake. All campsite pads were gravel and the access roads were paved. Site 40 where we stayed was right by the lake and absolutely beautiful!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Jan. 1, 2025

  Millpoint Park

  Waterfront Camping Bliss @ Family-Friendly CG

  Perched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing a sublime encounter with nature on top of offering direct waterfront sites that will frame one of the most beautiful sunsets as you look west to Peoria during Happy Hour. In all, there’s about 80 sites – all of which are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks – to choose from at Millpoint, where a slow meandering gravel lane will have you navigating around the campground where you’ll take good note of the excellent shade that is provided everywhere.

  From an amenity standpoint, Millpoint Park packs a punch with a combination of back-in and pull-thru sites offering up standard water, sewage and electric hook-ups, relatively new picnic tables and in-ground fire rings as well as a designated dumpster upon exiting the grounds. There’s a fantastic boat launch that will have you fishing, kayaking and experiencing this body of fresh water shortly after you anchor into your spot for the night.  In fact, you don’t even need to get into a boat, by accessing one of 2 small little lakes where you can simply cast a line in from the dock or around the perimeter. The meticulously clean restroom / bath house facility is located near the front adjacent to the main office, where next to this are 3 cabins that can be rented, just in case you forgot your tent or RV. Additionally, there’s decent hiking paths to explore both north and south of the property, with the latter offering up a small beachhead at Funks Run. The place also sells firewood, but if you need anything else, you’ll need to head south towards town where there’s no shortage of shops and restaurants.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are a tent camper, there’s 3-4 designated areas for primitive camping, but if you’d like something less primitive and with access to water and electricity, then book yourself into one of the 5 designated tent sites: #233-#237, of which I recommend #236 and #237 as they have a small waterfront area flanking the southern perimeter; (2) The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don’t attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it’s fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you; (3) If you haven’t camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay; and (4) The owner, Don, is quite possibly one of the most accommodating and friendly campground owners I have ever met– so don’t be shy if you need anything at all during your stay, including a discount to his pizza restaurant.

  Happy Camping!

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