Pets

Campfires

Trash

East Woods on the IL River

This 25 acre parcel was once owned by a sand mining company.  There are mounds and valleys all along the Illinois River.  We purchased the property in 1987, and cut in the road.   The city of Ottawa recently annexed the property into the Ottawa city limits.  It's like owning our own wild park.

Potable water

Toilets

Cohen’s Nature Retreat Riverwoods

One acre land. Enjoy a glamping set up in the heart of Chicago’s Northshore. Minutes to the beach, golf courses,  nature preserve biking, canoeing, horseback riding, kitesurfing, kayaking, restaurants, rock climbing, museums, trains to Chicago and Milwaukee. 

Access to the 12 person swim spa, grill, bonfire, outdoor fireplace.

Aurora

It’s possible to camp near Chicago with a stay in Aurora.

Find & reserve the best campsites near Aurora, Illinois with climbing. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

Discover the best campgrounds near Aurora, Illinois with climbing

Best tent camping near me

Hipcamp campgrounds near me

Best RV camping near me

Hipcamps ready for RVs near me

Best glamping near me

Cabins, yurts, treehouses and more

Cazenovia

Starved Rock State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park

Muskegon State Park

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Brown County State Park

Traverse City State Park

Shawnee National Forest

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Glamping

Camping with showers

Camping with horseback riding

Beach and dog-friendly camping

Beach camping

Beach camping with hiking

Cooking equipment

The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun!

Twenty years of growing this farm... Not what grows here but the farm itself!  Stone and brick pulled from the ground till we found the beautiful earth beneath and built an incredible community around it.  Or rather, it grew itself from the energy that surrounds it.  It's a special spot where you may happen upon a fire in the sugar shack while we boil city collected sap into maple syrup or have an open jam night with world class jazz musicians.  Enjoy the morning serenade of our rooster! Really, just come and be here.  Though we think we're pretty cool, a few things to note that you may not think are so cool: There is a train that runs directly behind the farm.  Light sleepers, may want to bring ear plugs.  We try to accommodate parking your car on site but it's weather and situation conditional. Assume the possibility that you may need to park on the street.

Bring your tent to The Vaudeville! (RVs, campers, trailers, vans please see the ** at the bottom). Our urban farm is smack in the middle of Chicago only a 10 minute bike or train ride from Downtown, Lake Michigan, The Mag Mile and all Chicago has to offer! Bike the Lake Shore Trail, walk the 606, kayak the Chicago River, catch a blues show or Hawks game or just relax with the goats and chickens in the 9,000 square foot farm that we absolutely love to share with fellow campers!

** We have stopped hosting RVs, campers/vans, pull behinds and larger vehicles because we are finding it difficult to get them in the entrance gate but if you feel amazingly capable with your backing in skills in your rig and you're super patient, laid back and extra cool, let us know and we may be able to make it work!! :)

Welcome to our Magical Woods

Cicadas 2024 are GONE It's so quiet! Except for the birds and other soft singing insects.  LOTS of tree frogs are chirping. 

Grundy County Fair July 3 - 7 in Morris, IL. Fireworks from stadium seating July 3rd. Every day there is a carnival, horse show, truck/tractor pulls, auto races and more! https://grundycountyfair.org/

Nearly every local town has something going on for 4th  of July, from very small towns to our larger cities in this area - just ask! 

LaSalle County 4H Fair July 10 - 14 Tractor and truck pulls, rodeo, demolition derby and of course lots of critters and kids. Best lemon shake ups on the planet https://www.facebook.com/lasallecountyjrfair/

Stargazers delight! We have very little light interference out here which makes for excellent stargazing!

Upcoming celestial events: 

Comet 13P/Olbers Visible beginning 6/29/24 The comet is currently approaching its perihelion — its closest point to the sun. It will reach that point on Sunday, June 30. It will reach its closest point to Earth on July 20

More here: https://wgntv.com/news/comet-not-seen-since-1956-set-to-fly-by-earth/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0aLalFEmpJV7zTJP3RG-LVLfChe6COXzKPHX8oXK-YrA6zVXdpkqbdPZg_aem_Df1Swwdh287nWq04ev5N_g

     ************

Peaceful and enchanting. Very rustic and private.  we are in the best part of the Illinois wilderness. Our woods transport you a world away, yet you are just a short walk from your vehicle and a short drive to stores, sites and restaurants. 

Our campsites are treated with a light essential oil to help repel bugs, like mosquitoes and ticks. Our pond is treated weekly for mosquitoes. We work hard so that you are comfortable. Your campsite is clean and stocked for you with a picnic table, five pieces of firewood, a lighter, fire starters, a couple of chairs and peace and quiet.  A clean port a potty is available at the trail head and next to the stables. There is a stocked handwashing station next to the port a potties. 

No bears, no wolves, no mountain lions. Plenty of owls, birds, frogs, and small critters plus the shy deer are all about. 

Our "camp host" Tiller the big lovable doggo will patrol to scatter any trash pandas that might happen by. We keep track of him using GPS, so we know if He is hanging with you around the campfire. When his collar lights up and plays a tune, it's time for him to come home! Please send him on his way - thank you. 

Cicadas 2024 are GONE It's so quiet! Except for the birds and other soft singing insects. 

Up coming events:

Marseilles Fundays Now - June 30th. Carnival, food, fun, fireworks and Sunday PARADE https://www.cityofmarseilles.com/marseilles-fun-days-2024/

Grundy County Fair July 3 - 7 in Morris, IL. Fireworks from stadium seating July 3rd. Every day there is a carnival, horse show, truck/tractor pulls, auto races and more! https://grundycountyfair.org/

Golden pond is treated regularly for mosquitos

Kayak Morris Riverside Tent Campsit

Enjoy your stay on our sandy wooded shores of the Illinois river.  Spend your time kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching.  Forgot something?  Starbucks, Walgreens, jewel and Walmart are only 2 miles away. Stroll 2 blocks away to historic downtown Morris and peruse antique shops specialty stores or take in a cold one at one of the many local watering holes

Kayak Morris Campground Camping Rules

Our Rules are to promote a family friendly and safe camping experience

We reserve the right to evict anyone without refund for improper behavior or failure to observe our rules and regulations.

All Campers must check in/show ID at the Kayak Morris kayak Rental office and sign a waiver and receive a parking pass/wristband.  All Campers are required to wear wristbands.  All vehicles must have a Parking pass on the dashboard.  Anyone within camp area must have a wristband on.

You must be 21 y.o. to make a camping reservation.  If anyone in the camping reservation is under 21 then someone 20 years older must be present at all times camping with the person(s) under 21

 

NO GENERATORS!!!

Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am and is Strictly Enforced Vehicular entry/exit is not permitted between these hours. Children should be on campsite by 9:00 pm.  If you violate this rule we may call the police file a report, you will be evicted without refund and you will be banned from ever camping again.

IF YOUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PARKING PASS IT WILL BE TOWED AT YOUR EXPENSE!   

Check-in is at 3:00 pm. Check-out time is 3:00 pm.

Footwear must be worn at all times in the camping area.

No vehicles may be driven within the area where tents are placed at any time.  You must park your vehicle next to the road behind the barriers(which is only steps from your tent.)

The speed limit is 10mph in the campground.

We have Jumbo wood bundles for sale($8) at the front office.

You may not use any wood(&gt;3”diameter) found within the campground for your campfire. 

Swimming is prohibited from any beach in the campground. You may wade up to your thighs however, ALL CHILDREN MUST HAVE A LIFE JACKET ON AND BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES

Glass containers/bottles of any sort are prohibited in the campground.

Garbage must be bagged and placed into the Dumpster(opposite campsite #3)  within the Campground upon leaving.  If any garbage is left at your site you will be charged a $50 cleaning fee.

No fires permitted except in fire rings.

Absolutely no firearms or fireworks! IF FOUND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE.

No ATVs, dirt bikes, generators, motorized scooters (battery or gas) or trailers in the park.

power boats or jet skis are only allowed in campsites  12 and up.

Dogs are NOT allowed in the Campground or in any rented boat(at this location)

WE are not responsible for damage or theft of your personal belongings.  Please leave all valuables at home.

Rancho Comienzo

Rancho Del Comienzo is located at the intersection of Somonauk Creek and the Fox River. 150+ years ago, it was a commonly used Native American encampment. Now it is the site of Rancho Del Comienzo Hay and Horses. We ask that if you find an arrowhead that you respect the land and leave it where it lays.

Somonauk Creek is a known spawning ground of musky and other Illinois river fish. There is access to both the Fox River and Somonauk Creek for kayaking, canoeing, fishing and other water-activities!

We have two unique camping sites that are level and allow campfires. We look forward to hosting you!

Wonderful, Relaxing site overlooks our fields and CRP (conservation) land!

Camping near Aurora with climbing

Popular camping styles for Aurora

2 top campgrounds near Aurora with climbing

East Woods on the IL River

Cohen’s Nature Retreat Riverwoods

Camping near Aurora with climbing guide

Overview

Popular Aurora trips

Top parks near Aurora

Top cities near Aurora

Best camping near me

Safety at Hipcamp

Safety partners