How to Find the Top State Park Campgrounds in Illinois

Illinois has an amazing variety of state parks, which are managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Although approximately 70 percent of Illinois land is used for agriculture, it has incredibly rich biodiversity. The state parks of Illinois reflect this diversity from the thousand-year-old trails along the Mississippi River in northwestern Illinois to the thousand-year-old cypress trees of southern Illinois. Illinois offers a wide range of campsites available in over 80 state parks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Web site and print out the campground reservation page. You will need this to reserve a campsite.
2. Determine the area of Illinois in which you want to camp. To enjoy a side trip to the great city of Chicago, you may want to camp at Illinois Beach State Park which is on Lake Michigan just north of Chicago.
3. Locate the state parks that have campsites in the region of Illinois you selected. Consider visiting some of the top campgrounds in Illinois: Argyle Lake, Chain-O-Lakes, Giant City, Pere Marquette and Wolf Creek. With all the campgrounds to choose from, you're sure to find one to suit your tastes.
4. Choose one of the many Illinois state parks which have hiking and biking trails, if those activities interest you. Biking enthusiasts may want to plan a trip around the sites connected by the extensive Illinois greenways and trails.
5. Reserve your campsite by mailing the completed Campsite Reservation Form, the five dollar reservation fee and the fee for the first night's stay to your chosen campground. E-mail reservations are not accepted.
6. Plan to enjoy other activities during your visit to Illinois state parks. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also oversees the state museums and state scientific surveys. These organizations often offer workshops and field trips on biodiversity, geology and anthropology. There may be a natural resource activity near your campground.

Tips & Warnings

• Reserve your campsite early. Do not wait and do not forget to mail the check with your reservation.
• Illinois is a big state, so select the area of the state you want to visit before you look for a state park campground.
• Consider side trips to well-known cities such as Chicago or St. Louis; some of the larger and more popular parks are located in these areas.
• Each park maintains its own campsite availability list and you must contact them directly.