The best campgrounds near Lacon, Illinois with swimming

Swimming is the main draw for campers in Lacon, with over 7 places where you can pitch a tent right by the water. Expect riverbanks, creeks, and easy access to cool off after a day in the sun. The average campsite runs about $39 a night, but you’ll find options dipping as low as $30. Top picks include Horseshoe Bend (422 reviews), where locals rave about sandbars and private river spots, and East Woods on the IL River (227 reviews), which sits right on the water’s edge. Foreaker Farm/Creek Side Valley (10 reviews) offers quieter swimming holes and open skies. Campsites here allow pets, campfires, and come with toilets. Hiking trails weave through nearby woods, and winter brings a bit of snow sports for the adventurous. You’ll find this stretch of Illinois is built for campers who want quick access to the river and plenty of room to swim.

99% (790)

Top-rated campgrounds near Lacon

Swimming is the main draw for campers in Lacon, with over 7 places where you can pitch a tent right by the water. Expect riverbanks, creeks, and easy access to cool off after a day in the sun. The average campsite runs about $39 a night, but you’ll find options dipping as low as $30. Top picks include Horseshoe Bend (422 reviews), where locals rave about sandbars and private river spots, and East Woods on the IL River (227 reviews), which sits right on the water’s edge. Foreaker Farm/Creek Side Valley (10 reviews) offers quieter swimming holes and open skies. Campsites here allow pets, campfires, and come with toilets. Hiking trails weave through nearby woods, and winter brings a bit of snow sports for the adventurous. You’ll find this stretch of Illinois is built for campers who want quick access to the river and plenty of room to swim.

99% (790)

Top-rated campgrounds near Lacon

1. Horseshoe Bend

99%

(650)

23mi from Lacon · 15 sites · Tents, RVs

WE ARE CLOSED OCTOBER 1, 2025 - JANUARY 30, 2026 FOR THE SEASON. Family owned private campground since the 1940's. Very secluded and private. We offer a very unique experience that you will not find any public campground. I many ways we have a "private state park". Nice trails for hiking or biking. There is even a small "race track" in the bottom bowl near the creek. There are several direct access points to the creel for fishing or wading. We have miles of marked trails that are easy for everyone. Horseshoe Bend Main is a larger campground with four dispersed sites which a very spread out. This site has (3) 30 amp outlets for RV's. Porta potties are also provided. The Horseshoe Bend Creekside sites are designated spots that are on the West Panther creek bank. There are porta potties, but no electric or water.

2. East Woods on the IL River

97%

(324)

38mi from Lacon · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

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.

3. Foreaker Farm/Creek Side Valley

98%

(31)

6.6mi from Lacon · 3 sites · Tents

Great place for train lovers! Many train enthusiasts come and take pictures and videos Great place for fishing and relaxation! Kayaking down the creek Our specified 2 acres has been turned into a park like setting with beautiful trees and the creek around it! Small town near by with amenities ..

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Tom

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to East Woods on the IL River

This trip was much colder than our typical trips to Katie's land, but we still had such a nice time!

A

Andy

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at East Woods on the IL River

It was secluded, quiet and nice. Owner was kind and very responsive!

M

Mark

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at East Woods on the IL River

I drove down a path, leading to the campsite. There are a lot of deep ruts along the way. Small, low profile vehicles might not make it! My SUV did. It is very secluded, in the woods, next to the Illinois River, only about 100 yards away. I had a great experience. And would do it again.

Sherri

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to East Woods on the IL River

Such a beautiful piece of land! We really enjoyed our stay. Mornings and evenings are magical by the water watching the birds.

T

Tammy

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Horseshoe Bend

We loved our tent camping weekend at Horseshoe Bend. We have a camper and decided to tent camp since we haven't in many years. We picked the perfect place!! Our site was right on the creek and next to an old bridge. Perfect! The site was very spacious with plenty of trees for shade and hammock hanging. We listened to the wildlife all day (and night. The sound of birds & coyote are exactly what we were looking for:) The stars at night were amazing! We walked the trails through the woods with our dog and just had such a peaceful weekend. If you're looking for a reset this is exactly what you will find. Everywhere we went it was clean & quiet. There were other people there but only saw a few because the sites are so spread out. We had an amazing time and will definitely return!!

W

William

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Horseshoe Bend

It was our first time booking a campsite with hipcamp and based on our experience at Creekside 1 at Horseshoe Bend we will definitely be using hipcamp again, and will likely visit Horseshoe Bend again. Loved the seclusion of our campsite, had plenty of firewood, and enjoyed walking the trails around the property! 10/10 would recommend!

Melissa

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Horseshoe Bend

This is our second stay at horseshoe bend, and once again we enjoyed it very much. It’s beautiful here, and there are more trails to hike this time which we enjoyed as well. We again appreciated the free firewood and the spaciousness and privacy of our site. I’m sure we will be back here again sometime in the future.

n

nicholas

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Foreaker Farm/Creek Side Valley

We had a nice private escape enjoyed the creek water and our dog met a new friend the owners dog Willie!

Jody

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Horseshoe Bend

This was a very pretty spot, shady and secluded.

Stephanie

September 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Horseshoe Bend

Loved how private each individual camp sight was. Bathrooms were kept clean and well stocked as well as the showers with on demand hot water. It was a beautiful area with a creek running through and wild life galore. Plenty of trails you could bike or walk that were well maintained. And our host, Brady, could not have been nicer and more accommodating. Left us plenty of wood and directions on where to get more if needed. Definitely going back. Loved this place.

Corey

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Horseshoe Bend

Brady‘s campsite are really nice. They are spread out from the other sites with lots of trees and birds.. We will definitely be back and hopefully can stay longer next time.

T

Tina

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Horseshoe Bend

This is our 2nd visit, we were just as welcomed as on our first! This site is always clean. The grounds are fabulous and the host suplies a generous amount of fire wood We really enjoy the entire area and surounding towns. Looking forward to coming back for a 3rd stay!

Shar

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Foreaker Farm/Creek Side Valley

Second time camping there this year, the camp site is very nice and The host are very welcoming and nice. Would definitely love to come back again.

A

ALAN

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Horseshoe Bend

Brady's campsites are spaceous and well-spaced out from each other. Enjoyed the peace and solitude of nature all hours of the day/night. Plenty of miles of enjoyable walking/hiking. Will definitely be visiting again.

Mike

September 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at East Woods on the IL River

Great spot little spot tucked back in a wooded area with plenty of space for us to relax. There is also a large field to run around/stretch our legs. The host, Katie, was very accommodating and met us beforehand to show us exactly where to go. Only downside is the proximity to the train tracks, which woke us up a few times in the night. Otherwise, fantastic spot and would stay again!

Erin

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to East Woods on the IL River

The camping spot was charming and Katie was very friendly! Gave me a full tour upon check in and was very accommodating to my check in time. The spot has trains that pass through often (I didn’t mind) and you can hear children playing sports across the way occasionally but overall the spot is pretty secluded. my dog loved exploring the creek. would come again.

R

Rishi

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Foreaker Farm/Creek Side Valley

Had a wonderful time. Lots of space and our dog loved having a buddy to run around with. The family was really nice and meeting them was a treat. We hope to be back.

G

Gregory

August 2025

16 ft car

With pets

Weekend Trip to Horseshoe Bend

Great secluded site right on the creek. Dogs could be off leash...super site

J

Jean

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to East Woods on the IL River

Katie's land is beautiful. The camp site has a lot of trees and it is right next to the beautiful river. It is an very exclusive site with a lot of privacy. We have an off-road vechicle and it is easy to get through to the site. Truly love it there.