Lake Camping Near Leonore, Illinois, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2025

If you're looking for camping near Leonore, Illinois, Hipcamp has over 210 options to choose from. With options as low as $10 per night, you'll find something to fit any budget. Check out highly rated campsites like The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun! (136 reviews), R&L Farm with Tent & RV Camping (51 reviews), and The Old Rugged Barn (51 reviews). Enjoy popular amenities like potable water, campfires, and trash disposal. And if you're into wind sports, fishing, or horseback riding, you'll find plenty of opportunities to get active in the great outdoors.

97% (343)

Top-rated campgrounds

If you're looking for camping near Leonore, Illinois, Hipcamp has over 210 options to choose from. With options as low as $10 per night, you'll find something to fit any budget. Check out highly rated campsites like The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun! (136 reviews), R&L Farm with Tent & RV Camping (51 reviews), and The Old Rugged Barn (51 reviews). Enjoy popular amenities like potable water, campfires, and trash disposal. And if you're into wind sports, fishing, or horseback riding, you'll find plenty of opportunities to get active in the great outdoors.

97% (343)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. East Woods on the IL River

97%

(324)

14mi from Leonore · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Ottawa, IL

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.

2. Posey Ridge

96%

(103)

45mi from Leonore · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Danvers, IL

I have a lake with lots of fish to go fishing, canoeing, kayaking. I also have small jon boat available for fishing. My property also has a outdoor his and hers privys..(bathrooms) No water though. I also have two construction trailers that we remodeled with couches chairs tables and refrigerators and TV's. These have a microwave in them to. These are available for people to stay in if wanted. They also have heat and AC. No water though. They cost extra to stay in.There's also places with camper plug ins. So power is available. Also have horseshoe pit and overhead cooking area. Great place for tent camping also. Have fire pit. And fire rings available. Also have access to firewood. Just no water. Great quiet enjoyable place for getaway to go fishing,canoeing or kayaking. Conveniently located between Peoria and Bloomington Illinois. Only about 3/4 from the Mackinaw river. For those who love to canoe and kayak on the river. Paddle boats will be available please inquire. ** PLEASE CONTACT HOSTS ABOUT PETS**

3. Paradise Quarry

97%

(52)

50mi from Leonore · 1 site · Tent, RV · Sugar Grove, IL

Welcome to our beautiful property! This is a very special place, located an hour from Chicago and only minutes from the west suburbs, you will be transported to another time! This has to be the best “swimming/ fishing hole” in Chicagoland and you can have it all to yourself. The property features 20 acres of woods, prairie and an 8 acre lake!!! The lake is crystal clear because it’s so deep (reportedly 125 ft) and is sandy on the bottom. We created a massive beach area with many camping spots to choose from. The kids will love exploring the trails on foot and on bike. Everyone will love lounging under the umbrellas on the comfy chaise lounges and enjoying the views. You won’t want to leave, but if you need to restock, there a gas station 1/4 mile away and full service grocery store and restaurant under a mile away. We even get pizza delivered! There’s a nice driveway of gravel that leads to a nice open field for RV campers. Tent campers can continue to the beach and set up in style. The property was once an active quarry and was then basically abandoned for 40-50 years. Nature took over over, Trees matured, the stocked lake grew some massive fish. A few years ago we started camping out there and just loved it. We’ve worked hard to make it amazing and we want to share it with you.

4. Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

7 sites · Hopewell, Illinois

Three distinct areas of this park offer varied outdoor activities.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area

100%

(1)

12 sites · Rome, Illinois

Spend the weekend surrounded by luscious flora and fauna at Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area along the eastside of the Illinois River. With 2,462 acres of water, you won’t be surprised to see waterfowl, beaver, muskrat, and mink as you tool around the waters. Fish for crappies and bullhead in the Upper Peoria and Goose Lakes, but keep an eye on the sky! A bald eagle or two have been known to grace visitors with their appearance! Spend all day or camp all weekend long. You can’t go wrong either way!

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

6. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

100%

(4)

92 sites · Shabbona, Illinois

Follow the yellow brick road, follow the yellow brick road (otherwise known as Route 30) about an hour west of Chicago and find yourself amidst 1,550 acres of rolling prairie! Shabbona Lake encompasses a unique mix of habitats, providing superb outdoor recreation in an untarnished environment. There’s prairie restoration areas where you can spy a variety of native wildflowers and grasses. Spot your feathered friends on their vacation in the 15-acre migratory waterfowl seasonal nesting area.And for the fishers: the park concession stand sells bait and tackle and rents boats, so you can take a spin and cast a line on the 318.8-acre lake. Tent, RV and cabin camping is available, as well as endless picnicking opportunities. FYI: no booze is allowed in the park, so maybe save your famous margs for another occasion.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

7. Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area

22 sites · Channahon, Illinois

Experience an echo of the expansive natural prairies of an Illinois past when you come to Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area. The tranquil vibes of the park will refresh your soul. The smooth flowing rivers and natural prairie lands stretch across the horizon—making that campfire glow all the more spectacular. There is so much diversity at this park; woodland turns to farmland, prairie turns to swamp, calm waters turn to rushing rivers. This makes for an exceptional array of epic outdoor activities to partake in. We’re talking something for nature lovers and huntsmen alike. The fishing here is on point, with bass, walleye, northern pike, and catfish jumping at the bait on the banks of Miliken Lake and Kankakee River. Explore the acres of naturally preserved beauty, embrace the lush water sources, and just have a hell of a good time all around at this park.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

8. Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area

97 sites · Annawan, Illinois

There’s nothing quite like a day outdoors, are we right or are we right!? For an exceptional day outdoors, head out to Johnson-Sauk Trail Recreation Area. Don’t let the name trip you up, it’s all smooth sailing when you’re on the lake or take to the trails. Visit the Ryan’s Round Barn for a look at a historic and...interesting take on barn architecture. Swing by any day of the year, winter or summer. Close your eyes and breathe in the fresh air.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Leonore

Marshall Campground

26mi from Leonore · 7 sites · in Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

100%

(1)

Woodford Campground

34mi from Leonore · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area

100%

(4)

Shabbona Lake Campground

38mi from Leonore · 92 sites · Tents, RVs · in Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

Des Plaines Campground

41mi from Leonore · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area

Chief Keokuk Campground

48mi from Leonore · 97 sites · Tents, RVs · in Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area

Stories from the 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!

R

Rachel

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Posey Ridge

Shane is amazing good times been there several times. Wouldn't go anywhere else. Amazing land amazing people

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!

A

Andrea

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Posey Ridge

Shane was a terrific host & his property is beautiful! Would definitely recommend & plan to return!

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.

Anatol

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Posey Ridge

Shane was great, and the campsite was perfect for our needs

A

Angie

October 2025

Tent

3 nights at Posey Ridge

I loved tent camping here! The property was beautiful and many fish were caught in the lake. The pavilion, picnic tables, and fire pit were amazing. Next time we come, we're going to rent out the entire place! I will definitely visit again. I highly recommend renting the pedal boats.

C

Christopher

October 2025

With kids

3 nights at Posey Ridge

We had brought a party of eight adults and two children with us, and could not have asked for a better experience. Shane is an outstanding host who accommodated any request we made. The site is beautiful, the fishing was rewarding, and the kids had a blast frog hunting all day long. We will be returning next year. 10 out of 10!

D

Daddy

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Paradise Quarry

Ms. B’s, Quarry is a beautiful private property. Easy to find the property. Very close to town and yet has the feel of being secluded. On an A,B,C grade scale I give it a solid “A”. I would book Ms. B’s property again in the future. I left some fire wood for the next hip campers. Ms. B is good on responding back to messages. Our dogs absolutely loved it. Please clean up after yourself & respect this paradise as we have! Truly this place is worth every penny spent. Also as anything there could be improvements, but really it’s perfectly beautiful as is and the ports potty was extremely clean!

D

David

October 2025

21 ft travel trailer

1 night at Paradise Quarry

We picked this site because it was private with only one site and a small lake. The weather perfect! We would go back again. A small draw back that should be fixed is the gate. As stated in other reviews, it is very hard to open! Very hard. Also out of now where three people showed up to fill in a hole. We were not expecting visitors. A little earlier an we all would have been very embarrassed

T

Todd

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Posey Ridge

What a great place to relax and also do some fishing. Accommodations in the sleep 3 unit were superb. Shane is top notch with all he does for his visitors.

J

Josh

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Paradise Quarry

Great spot, plenty of room and we caught some fish!

j

joe

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Posey Ridge

just a peaceful place to push the reset button … Shane is an awesome host … not too far from home for us so we will return again and again

K

Kevin

September 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Posey Ridge

Beautiful site and Shane was an excellent, kind host!

C

Clark

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Paradise Quarry

Had a great time camping here - enjoyed the views and the paddle boards. Great spot for a campfire and plenty of places to sit! Anyone who complains of bugs… it’s the great outdoors get over yourself!

B

Brandon

September 2025

4 ft travel trailer

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Posey Ridge

Shane was a great hose the place was really nice and peaceful

Allan

September 2025

16 ft car

Group trip

1 night at Posey Ridge

Great place , Now one of my favorite places to go . The fishing is amazing the spot is amazing . Shane and his mom where very helpful ! Would recommend this place ! No complaints ! Nothing but beautiful vibes !

Krista

September 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Paradise Quarry

We’ve stayed two years in a row, and will most likely make this place a tradition! It’s perfect for a weekend camp get away.

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.