Best RV Parks & Resorts near Peru, IL

RV Park Reviews near Peru, IL

529 Reviews of 75 Peru Campgrounds

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Mar. 30, 2026

  Barney's Lake Camping

  Roadside Refuge with a Pond-Side View

  Following up on my review from over two years ago, here’s an updated look at Barney’s Lake Camping, a small RV-centric stopover tucked just off Interstate 80 in north central Illinois. 

  HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Convenience is king here as you can veer off I-80 and parked within minutes, making this an incredibly convenient, quick overnight or weekend landing pad for RVers passing through; (2) Despite its close proximity to the interstate, the little man-made pond adds a touch of serenity, especially for those who manage to snag one of the back sites farthest from the road; (3) The campground provides free kayaks and canoes - WHICH IS HUGE - for guest use, plus a few small piers for light fishing or a sunset beer on the water; (4) The loop layout is easy to navigate, with roughly twenty sites, all offering full hookups (30/50 amp electric, water & sewer) with decent level gravel pads;(5) The staff - often a one-person show - keep things casual but welcoming, and you’ll likely find a few long-term residents ready to share stories or a drink from their makeshift porch decks, which was nothing short of AWESOME when we visited.

  LOWLIGHTS: (1) Facilities in the main building, especially restrooms and showers, are functional but far from polished with most campers wisely stick to their onboard bathrooms; (2) Noise from I-80 is a constant companion, especially for sites nearest the entrance; (3) The grounds show their age, with weathered signage, patchy grass and some semi-permanent setups that make it feel more like a lived-in RV enclave than a vacation park; (4) Amenities here are minimal and definitely NOT family friendly - no playground, pool or organized recreation - so this is best viewed as a layover, not a destination, unless you are a 'road warrior' simply looking for an easy and convenient patch of land to 'drop anchor' to call home for the night (or a few); (5) If you’re tent camping, this probably isn’t your spot as there’s little shade or flat grass and, overall, this patch of flat prairie grassland is designed for self-contained rigs. 

  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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• 

  Kim L.

  Ranger

  Sep. 2, 2019

  Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

  Convenient campground for nearby hiking

  The campground is pretty basic. For $25-35 per night, you can get a site with electrical hookup. The east loop has better tree coverage and more privacy. The west loop has more site in a large open space, maybe better for groups. I give 3 stars because there is not much to do at the campground itself. You have to get in your car and drive to any hiking at Starved Rock State park, just 10 min away, and battle the crowds for parking. The campground has just 2 real bathrooms, one for each loop. Each has 2 flush toilets and 2 showers. Showers were pretty rough, no temp control and spraying everywhere but your body. Some portapotties are scattered around, but pretty ripe by the end of August. Use the woods. There are 2 small playgrounds, but one is just a swing set. So if you have kiddos, there is not much for them to entertain themselves with at the campground- no hiking trails, no pond or fishing or swimming, no DNR programs, etc. Park has posted signed that there is ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL allowed, so keep it private and quiet. that being said, the hiking in the general area is awesome!!! Lots of canyons, bluffs, and overlooks. Just be prepared to drive. A very basic “store” open after 3pm, just had fire starters, marshmallows, bug spray, ice cream, and pop. Some little souvenirs. No milk or eggs. For a 30 ft travel trailer, our campsite has just enough room for our slide out and awning. The fire pit was well placed and had a grate for cooking. Electrical was confusing- our site was listed at 50A only. It really was 50/30/20A(see pictures). Easy to back in to, mostly level site for quick set up. Our campsite, 85, had nice shade and lots of trees. You can see and hear your neighbors but there is decent separation. We had space to hang a hammock and have a fire, with a full picnic table as well. There are a few sites for fresh water fill, and a dump station. Took about 45 min for us to dump being 5th in line at 10:30am. Book early- reservations open online 6 months in advance and book up quickly. Most summer weekends are completely full. Spring and fall camping is great here- waterfalls are rain fed and often dry in summer. Sites 96 and 97 would be my picks if I could choose: both are private and have large camping pad areas. Avoid the sites by water spouts and roads, there is no privacy when everyone is cutting through your site! Overall, a basic campground with what you need for camping, no frills, no activities or recreation, but close to the hiking at Starved Rock State Park about 10 min away by car. Biking nearby would be an extreme sport, the roads are very narrow with extreme drop offs and no shoulder. Not for kids.

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• 

  Art S.

  Legend

  Oct. 31, 2020

  Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area

  Road and river side camping with no frills

  We had the entire campground to ourselves on a cold weekend stay. There isn’t much area to explore- just the campground and the river shoreline within it. However we witnessed the most spectacular sunset over the river. It was well worth the night’s adventures. 

  We stayed in the non-electric loop. A bunch of sites with divisions obscured by crunchy, fallen leaves. We had a picnic table and fire pit. A pit toilet and water pump are located at the building used to clean up your fishing/hunting catches. The electric sites are on the opposite side and have a couple sites that look more long term campers. The host is over there but we never saw them. Once it was dark half a dozen bright lights came on in the parking area between the two camping loops. It was close to us so our teardrop camper was well lit up inside. I covered the window to block some of the light but I would suggest camping further down away from the building and those lights. 

  A main road runs right behind the campsites. They have a wood fence on the electric side but not on our side. It obscures some of the headlights. Sound died off pretty early even with a few locals pulling in to meet up with friends in the parking lot. We walked to the river and found a short trail. We stood out by the boat ramps for a nice view across the river. 

  A sign shows a hiking route that you can drive to. We planned to hike it in the morning but unexpected events changed our minds. At 5 AM diesel pickup trucks pulling boats began to pull into the parking area. It was cold and dark so we stayed inside. Eventually we heard the boats heading out along with gun shots- some were nearby. We started packing up and in the process saw that they were hunting birds from the boats along the river. We chose to skip the hiking trail with the onset of hunting season. 

  A 30 minute drive got us to the Hennepin Canal Trail and we hiked along it for a few miles before returning to our car and heading home. We did make one more stop at the Flour House Bakery in Princeton and highly recommend it. 

  The spectacular sunset made this worth a weekend getaway but it doesn’t seem like a nice spot for an extended stay unless you plan to make more use of the river access.

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  May. 28, 2023

  Nature’s Way RV Park

  Splendid Countryside Campground Experience

  If you find yourself either stuck in the middle of nowhere here in north central Illinois or actually looking to escape the hustle & bustle to find peace, serenity and a tranquil encounter with nature, then look no further than Nature’s Way RV Park, which is set amongst the golden rows of sweet corn that you’ll find out in these parts. From the winding blacktop that you’ll have to maneuver to get here, just a few minutes north of I80 and east of I39, while you will feel as though you are completely isolated, and for the most part you are, what I like most about Nature’s Way is that if you know where you are at and the surroundings, there’s actually an awful lot to explore and enjoy, but if you don’t want to go anywhere, you can simply set up camp here and allow nature to envelope you in a way that only she can. 

  As for the campground, what makes Nature’s Way pretty amazing is that there’s a tremendous amount of infrastructure and a ton of amenities that most private campgrounds don’t offer. Upon entry, you’ll veer left and arrive at the main office where you’ll check-in. Here also is a quaint community room chalk full of books, DVDs and VHS tapes (for anyone still using these) and board games as well as a small alcove kitchen area complete with microwave, sink, dining table & chairs along with 2 driers and 3 washers, both coin-operated. Beyond this, there’s also a seating room with two oversized dollies with freshly cut wood bundles available for purchase as well as yet another room that is the campground market store and has everything from souvenirs to camping supplies, ice, beverages and snacks to charcoal and lighter fluid, BBQ tool sets and roasting forks and just about anything else you could think that you’ll need during your stay here. Just outside and behind this main building, you’ll discover a rather large, covered pavilion which is great for larger groups or for anyone wanting to picnic under some shade. 

  Another reason why I love Nature’s Way RV Park so much is how they have organized the living arrangements. For mi tent pitching bredren, this campground IMHO has set aside the best spots for us – clear in the back, completely surrounded by God’s green nature, you’ll be able to pitch a tent just about anywhere under this shaded forest and will feel a world away from the caravan camping types that, rest assured, are on the other side of the careening creek that cuts this campground nearly in half. Over in these parts, just past the bridge that you would need to cross to reach this primitive camping area, there’s a K9 dog park as well as plenty of scattered picnic tables, in-ground raised BBQ pits as well as water spigots. For the RV driving / 5th Wheel toting crowd, Nature’s Way has spots reserved on its front porch lawn that you will encounter upon first arriving to the entrance. There’s about 20 or so designated RV spots here that offer full hook-ups including 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage. Apart from being located right in front of the main office / market, you’ll be straddled next to the main road, which really should be a problem as this is just a quiet, small country road with not much traffic on it. Just due east of these RV slots are 4 cabins available for rent along with small porches complete with benches, brand new grills, fire pits and picnic tables, which is great for anyone not packing a tent or hauling a makeshift campground with them. Due south of these cabins as well as west of the main building are additional RV slots, but these only offer electric and water, so if you need sewage, you’ll have to book slots #1– 19. 

  From an amenities standpoint, apart from what has already been covered, the ‘crown jewel’ asset here is the in-ground heated swimming pool, completely fenced in preventing the young kiddos from straying too far. Above and beyond this, there’s a designated propane refilling station, very well-maintained restroom and shower facilities, basketball court, scattered picnic tables and stand-up BBQ grills, WiFi and cable access, kid’s playground, community fire rings as well as designated dumpsters and dump stations. 

  Insider’s tips? Here’s but a few: (1) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge, then check out some of the local establishments, of which I highly recommend nearby Cajun Connection, which has some pretty amazing deep fried alligator tail as well as somewhat mediocre Jambalaya (but ask yourself the question: who else is serving up this dish so far away from Louisiana?!); (2) If you are a hiker and looking for some trails to blaze, then check out either Starved Rock SP, which as more than 13 miles of hiking trails awaiting you, or better, the lesser known Matthiessen SP, which has 5-6 of fairly decent challenging, but completely isolated, non-touristy-laden trails to plant your steps on; (3) Should you be wanting to get that beak of your watercraft wet on your outdoors expedition, then look no further than the Illinois River, which is literally less than 5 miles away from Nature’s Way, where you’ll be able to oar your way to some pretty epic wildlife encounters as well as some fairly decent currents as well as amazing fishing holes; and (4) Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t warn you – within just a 20 minute drive of where you have camped out, you’ll discover Rip’s Chicken, which is hand’s down, unequivocally, and judged by experts in more than 40 nations (mmm, OK, that last one may be a stretch) as the best fried chicken in the known universe. Oh, and they have Schlitz on tap. But this place only takes cash, so come prepared. 

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Mar. 25, 2026

  Green River Oaks Camping Resort

  A Flashback to Summer Camp With a Side of Quirks

  Green River Oaks Camping Resort near Amboy is a throwback kind of place with equal parts family fun, quirky charm and "I can’t believe this is still here” vibes. Think swimming pools, organized weekend events and a heavy dose of nostalgia for anyone who grew up chasing fireflies until dark. I’m following up on my review from over a year ago with some additional photos, videos and because there was so much detail in my previous review, a quick summary of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS. 

  HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Multiple swimming pools that instantly turn into kid magnets, so be sure to bring goggles and plenty of Advil; (2) Planned activities like crafts, bingo and hayrides, making it feel like summer camp with electric hookups; (3) A camp store stocked with everything from ice cream to RV odds & ends; (4) Shady, mature trees that keep the sun at bay and give the place that cozy ‘deep woods’ feel; (5) Decent-sized sites with full hookups available, so no wrangling with dump stations (unless that's your thing?); (6) Seasonal campers who bring the neighborhood vibe, complete with pink flamingo decorations and lawn ornaments galore; (7) Family-friendly atmosphere where kids roam in packs on bicycles, scooters and skateboards like happy little coyotes on wheels; (8) On-site mini golf that looks like it came straight from the 1980s (complete with Cindi Lauper and Tiffany greatest hits playing in the background!), but in the best possible way; (9) A game room that keeps kids (and more adults than I care to count) reliving their Pac-Man glory days on a busy, rainy afternoon; and (10) Close proximity to Amboy & Sublette for fuel, groceries, and the occasional ‘get me out of here for a bit’ moment, wherein I HIGHLY recommend a stop by Long Branch Saloon for 'family style' fried chicken and pasta or Depot Tap for, well, bottle beers (cause surprisingly, there are no beer taps!) and deep fried everything from mushrooms, cod and cheese sticks.

  LOWLIGHTS: (1) Restrooms and showers that can get crowded and aren’t exactly spa-like; (2) Weekend crowds, so if you don’t like the sound of laughter, splashing and karaoke drifting through the night, brace yourself (or get noise-cancelling ear plugs!); (3) Some sites can be tight, especially for larger rigs, so good luck backing in while your audience of seasoned campers provides ‘helpful’ commentary and (unwanted) critical maneuvering advice; (4) Wi-Fi that ranges from ‘not bad’ to ‘did the squirrels chew the cable again?’; (5) Mosquitoes that could probably organize their own HOA; (6) Roads in the campground are narrow and sometimes more pothole than pavement; (7) If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you may want earplugs (see earlier point ... yes, there's truth in repetition) – this is a social campground; (8) Seasonal sites can sometimes feel more like little fortresses than open camping; (9) Not much in the way of hiking trails, unless you count laps around the pool; and (10) Cell service is hit or miss depending on your carrier and your willingness to stand on a picnic table holding your phone to the sky.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Lee D.

  Legend

  Jan. 28, 2021

  Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

  Very popular state park

  General: 133 site campground in two loops; we camped in the East Loop so most of my comments are regarding this loop. The very friendly attendant at the check-in booth (this is potentially luck of the draw) spent time answering all our questions. 

  Sites/Facilities: Many of the sites are fairly close together but have trees separating them. All in the East Loop are shaded except for Sites 59-68 and 128-130, which are in full sun with no physical separation between them. The driveways are all dirt/gravel and most appear to be level. Most of the sites are 30 amp with about 20 of them having 50 amp. All sites have a large picnic table and fire grate. Each loop has a bath/shower house but depending on which site you are in, it can be quite a hike to get to it. Of note is there are seven handicap accessible sites, all in the west loop – more than I’ve seen in any other campground. 

  Bathhouse: The East Loop bathhouse was ok but not great (could use a facelift). Was going to use the shower but it was very chilly the next morning (I was assured at check-in that there was plenty of hot water). There are more than sufficient vault toilets, including a handicap accessible one, in each loop. 

  Activities/Amenities: There is a camp “store” (more of a trailer vending machine) offering 24-hour self-serve ice and firewood. There was also a small gift shop, but it was not open when we were there. There is only one playground, at the end of the East Loop so not centrally located for campers. One dumpster (closer to the west loop) and the camp host is in the west loop. 

  Conclusion: My main beef with this campground is that it is quite a distance away from the rest of the park and is not accessible to the hiking trails, visitor center, etc. by foot. (although some see this as an advantage!) Not the fault of the campground but I was dismayed at the amount of trash in sites (as well as on the hiking trails).

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• 

  Lee D.

  Legend

  Dec. 30, 2021

  Carl Spindler Campground

  Good for passing through

  General: City camping is generally challenging but this was a good place for us to land for the night as we were passing through. Very easy access as soon as you cross Peoria Lake to East Peoria. The flip side of this is that you will hear constant road noise and an occasional train. Reservations are made by phone and when I called to make mine, was told we would be in Site 33. Typical for us, we arrived after the office was closed and saw Site 33 was occupied. We took Site 36 and when I went to pay the following morning, I discovered this is where we had been moved to as site numbers are not supposed to be guaranteed. It appeared that there were many long-term campers staying here. The rate of $24 for an electric site was reasonable. Full hookup sites and a few tent sites are also available. 

  Site Quality: Site sizes are, for the most part, very generous and can accommodate a large RV and extra vehicle/s. Some are very close to each other (beach and overflow) and there is no physical separation between them. Each site has one (or two) picnic tables and a fire ring. Some sites have paved pads while the ones closest to the water are either gravel or sand. There are also several cabins.

  Bathhouse: Clean but the only downside is there is only one sink, and it is located in an awkward place (perpendicular to and close to one of the stalls). Showers were small and I did not use so cannot comment on how well they worked. Hot water was appreciated. 

  Activities/Amenities: If you are a boater, this is a great place for you as this is a marina! Small and outdated playground and a basketball stand but no basket or net. There is also a laundry room. 

  Conclusion: For us, passing through, this was an ideal place to land for the night but since we don’t have a boat, we wouldn’t stay longer than one night.

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Jul. 28, 2025

  Hickory Grove Campground

  Midwest Pasture Camping @ Its Finest

  Located just due north of Sheffield, right off I80 (2 miles to be exact), and due west of Princeton by about 20 minutes, Hickory Grove Campground, on the one hand, is so far off the grid that you will really feel as though you are truly ‘getting away from it all,’ yet on other hand, this place is just a couple stone’s throw from one of the busiest highways that runs through the great state of Illinois, making it incredibly accessible. What I love most about Hickory Grove Campground is that it is run by good folks (husband and wife duo, Dave & Joan) that have been in this particular area of north central Illinois for a very long time. On your way to Hickory Grove, you won’t help but notice that there is a supreme amount of gorgeous farmland that you will bear witness to, complete with golden rows of sweet corn or fields of drilled beans. Any way you look at it, enroute to Hickory Grove, you will feel right at home here in the heartland of the Midwest, where we take great pride in our hospitality.

  As for this pet-friendly campground itself, upon entry, you will discover that there is a main house, immediately followed by the main office, which is where you will check in. Once doing so, you’ll be able to access your slot, depending upon which one you have selected (and there is nearly 100 to choose from), whether that be an RV or 5th Wheeler slab, deluxe cabin rental or primitive camping site. There are 15 pull-through sites (all with 50 amp electric) with all RV and Trailer sites offering full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) most with shaded lots. Other amenities include a doggie park, ice for sale, scattered picnic tables, designated trash dumpsters, BBQ grills, boat launch, pedal cart rental, restroom and shower facilities, ramp and dock on the Hennepin Canal horseshoe pit and 3 miles of hiking trails.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re a biker like me, you better come bringing the cycles as from this vantage point, you’ll be able to access the 80 mile long bike trail that you’ll find is easy to access from Hickory Grove Campground; (2) As a fellow kayak enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the nearby access at Hennepin Canal; (3) After a good day of hiking, biking and kayaking, likely you’ll want to ‘whet that whistle’ and if so, nearby Psycho Silo Saloon has you covered in spades (April until October that is) with a full stocked bar of spirits, live music and some nice iced tall boys, but be sure to bring cash because this watering hole doesn’t know how to make credit cards work yet; (4) For those looking for a nice, easy and economical seasonal rental, Hickory Grove is quite affordable offering up sites for as little as $1,400 / season; (5) Specific sites that I recommend include: (a) those on the river’s edge of the Hennepin Canal: #30A, #30B, #34 – 39, #80R; (b) those on the western edge of the property: #12A – B, #13, #16 –19, #30A – B, #34 – 39; as well as (c) those sites that fall against the eastern treeline: #80, #82, #86A – C, #97 – 99; (6) When I head out camping, I like to bring 2-3 choice cuts of rare, sometimes exotic meats and whatever you might be into, should you want some fresh cut meats, check out nearby Wyanet Meat Locker, which will have the standards (NY Strip, Ribeye, hamburger patties) as well as some nice cuts from the top-shelf, including: buffalo, lamb chops and duck; and (7) For a slice of pure Midwestern joy, check out Myrtle’s Pie, which have some amazing selections including banana cream, salted caramel, lemon meringue, carrot cake cheesecake and my favorite, the coconut cream – but everyday Myrtle runs out of pies by early-to-mid-afternoon, so call ahead to order your pie or just get in there as soon as she opens for some freshly baked cinnamon roles and brewed coffee.

  Happy Camping!

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