89% (118) • 47 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Ottawa
Paradise Quarry
1. Paradise Quarry
97%
(53)
36mi from Ottawa · 1 site · Tent, RV
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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$108
/ night
Kayak Starved Rock Campground
2. Kayak Starved Rock Campground
87%
(171)
6mi from Ottawa · 40 sites · Tents, RVs
Waterfront Rustic Primitive(no water/no electric/no showers) Camping we allow primitive tent camping(whole campground), tear drop campers, pop up campers(sites 60 and up) and campervans(whole campground) we are right on the illinois river across from Starved Rock State Park. Towering views of St. Peters sandstone bluffs, soaring bald eagles and sandy islands. We are primitive. no water no electric. Just rugged natural beautiful riverside camping with ultra clean pimped out porta potties that have wipes, underarm spray deodorant, air freshener and hand sanitizer. Please note kayak rentals or guided kayak tours are not included but may be purchased onsite or from our website kayak starved rock campground. showers are available nearby at Ottawa or Oglesby swimming pool for a small fee
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
Check-in time
Mon-Thurs 3:00 pm-5:30PM
Friday-Sun 3:00PM-7:30PM
Check-out time is 3:00 pm.
KAYAK STARVED ROCK 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 KSRC office and sign a waiver and receive a parking pass/wristband. WE DO NOT ALLOW GUESTS! ANYONE ON THE PROPERTY MUST BE REGISTERED AHEAD OF TIME AS A CAMPER AND PAID FOR! 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.
NO GENERATORS!!!!!
NO MUSIC IS TO BE PLAYED THROUGH SPEAKERS AT ANY TIME QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10PM TO 7AM THAT MEANS NO NOISE WHATSOEVER. 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 you will be evicted without refund and you will be banned from ever camping again.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$39
/ night
Starved Rock State Park
3. Starved Rock State Park
93%
(28)
State park 8.8mi from Ottawa · 128 sites
Gushing waterfalls, ice sculptures, white-tailed deer and soaring eagles offer year-round excitement
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area
4. Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area
State park 42mi from Ottawa · 7 sites
Three distinct areas of this park offer varied outdoor activities.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Kankakee River State Park
5. Kankakee River State Park
100%
(2)
State park 46mi from Ottawa · 207 sites
Walk among sacred land and water at this unspoiled state park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area
6. Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area
100%
(1)
State park 47mi from Ottawa · 12 sites
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
89% (118) • 47 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Ottawa
Paradise Quarry
1. Paradise Quarry
97%
(53)
36mi from Ottawa · 1 site · Tent, RV
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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$108
/ night
Kayak Starved Rock Campground
2. Kayak Starved Rock Campground
87%
(171)
6mi from Ottawa · 40 sites · Tents, RVs
Waterfront Rustic Primitive(no water/no electric/no showers) Camping we allow primitive tent camping(whole campground), tear drop campers, pop up campers(sites 60 and up) and campervans(whole campground) we are right on the illinois river across from Starved Rock State Park. Towering views of St. Peters sandstone bluffs, soaring bald eagles and sandy islands. We are primitive. no water no electric. Just rugged natural beautiful riverside camping with ultra clean pimped out porta potties that have wipes, underarm spray deodorant, air freshener and hand sanitizer. Please note kayak rentals or guided kayak tours are not included but may be purchased onsite or from our website kayak starved rock campground. showers are available nearby at Ottawa or Oglesby swimming pool for a small fee
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
Check-in time
Mon-Thurs 3:00 pm-5:30PM
Friday-Sun 3:00PM-7:30PM
Check-out time is 3:00 pm.
KAYAK STARVED ROCK 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 KSRC office and sign a waiver and receive a parking pass/wristband. WE DO NOT ALLOW GUESTS! ANYONE ON THE PROPERTY MUST BE REGISTERED AHEAD OF TIME AS A CAMPER AND PAID FOR! 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.
NO GENERATORS!!!!!
NO MUSIC IS TO BE PLAYED THROUGH SPEAKERS AT ANY TIME QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10PM TO 7AM THAT MEANS NO NOISE WHATSOEVER. 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 you will be evicted without refund and you will be banned from ever camping again.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$39
/ night
Starved Rock State Park
3. Starved Rock State Park
93%
(28)
State park 8.8mi from Ottawa · 128 sites
Gushing waterfalls, ice sculptures, white-tailed deer and soaring eagles offer year-round excitement
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area
4. Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area
State park 42mi from Ottawa · 7 sites
Three distinct areas of this park offer varied outdoor activities.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Kankakee River State Park
5. Kankakee River State Park
100%
(2)
State park 46mi from Ottawa · 207 sites
Walk among sacred land and water at this unspoiled state park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area
6. Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area
100%
(1)
State park 47mi from Ottawa · 12 sites
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
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
G
Gemini
February 2026
Tent
If you’re looking for a truly unique waterfront camping experience, this is it. This beautiful quarry-turned-campsite is an absolute hidden gem. The family has thoughtfully transformed the land into a peaceful, scenic escape that feels worlds away from the city. Waking up by the water, surrounded by quiet and natural beauty, was exactly the reset I needed. It’s rare to find a place that feels both secluded and welcoming at the same time — but this spot absolutely delivers.
The hosts were fantastic — responsive, kind, and genuinely accommodating. Since I camped in the winter (which made the experience even more serene), they graciously allowed me a late checkout because bookings are lighter this time of year. That flexibility made my stay even more relaxing and showed how much they care about their guests’ experience.
For future campers, just a couple helpful tips: the gate could use a bit of maintenance, as it was somewhat heavy to open and close — especially as a solo camper. And be sure to bring heavy-duty tent stakes designed for rocky ground. Standard stakes are tough to drive into the soil, which is completely understandable given that the property is a former quarry.
Overall, this was an incredible stay. Peaceful, picturesque, and thoughtfully hosted — I would absolutely return and highly recommend it to anyone who loves camping by the water and wants a special getaway.
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D
Daddy
October 2025
Tent
With pets
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!
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D
David
October 2025
21 ft travel trailer
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
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J
Josh
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Great spot, plenty of room and we caught some fish!
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Y
Yaroslav
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Great place for camping, nearby there are places to go hiking, kayaking, rocks, I definitely recommend it!!!
See moreC
Clark
September 2025
Tent
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!
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J
Jay
September 2025
17 ft campervan
Beautiful quiet place to stay. It was nice to kayak and visit Starved rock.
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R
Robert
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
Kayaking was really fun. Alot of cool things on the river.
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Krista
September 2025
Tent
With kids
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.
See moreI
Ian
August 2025
Tent
We had a great time tent camping here! Directions were super clear and there was a nice sandy spot for our tent. The place was very private, looked like somebody else had a dock on the pond too, but never saw anyone on it. Campsite was well equipped with chairs, picnic table, umbrella, and water floats. 5 star review!
See moreC
Connor Cunningham
August 2025
Tent
With kids
This is a hidden gem! My family and I had an awesome time the kids loved swimming and paddle boarding. Great for a quick family get away. I could also imagine a great spot to bring a group of friends too. Lots of room to set up and camp. The beach and the fire pit area was the perfect set up. Definitely will be coming back!
See moreK
Karen
August 2025
29 ft Class C
With pets
This is a wonderful place to camp with some understanding of what you are getting! The water is fantastic and we would return for that alone. We stayed on a hot August weekend and sent 2 texts and needed to call the host before we received our code for the gate. The gate rolls and requires a lot of force to roll aside. I had two offensive linemen with me, but would not have been able to open it alone. (The gate does need to be serviced.) The porta potty was clean, had paper, but was relatively full. The umbrella looked a little worse for wear and the place needed a trim...but the little quarry was private and a wonderful oasis to float, splash and paddle board. There were some rafts and beach toys in various conditions that were a nice surprise. The clearing for an RV is not huge so that could be a factor for some. Close restaurant called Burnt Barrel was great. An electric hook up would have been quite welcome, but all in all it was worth $200/day. A later check out would be nice or an earlier check in could be offered if available! We did not have issues with mosquitos or ticks.
See moreS
Samantha
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Fantastic place to stay!! Camp site was very private while still being close to everything. The lake was clear and the site had floats and paddle boards. The fire pit and porta potty were a big plus. The adults loved it, the dogs loved it and the 3 year old loved it. Will absolutely be back.
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Robyn
August 2025
Tent
Another great trip to Kayak Starved Rock Campground! We really love our campsite. We don’t feel overcrowded, and it’s a great view of the river. This time we took some paddle boards and had a blast exploring the water. We paddled over to Starved Rock State Park during the day and went back out at sunset. Like the laid back atmosphere of the place.
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Noah
August 2025
B
Berkay
July 2025
Tent
Kayak’s land is a peaceful, nature filled spot that feels like a true escape from the city. What stood out most was how secluded and quiet the area was perfect for relaxing or stargazing at night.
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R
Rachel
July 2025
3 nights at Kayak Starved Rock Campground
Very pretty open space. Lots of different sites to suite your needs. Wooded areas, clearings, by the water. The sites are close together but by the water they are deep, so you can set your tent back from others to feel more private. Very quiet and serene. We watched the moon reflecting off the water at night. Very dog friendly. Just know to bring what you know you’ll need to be comfortable. They have tents to rent and wood to by. Very clean potties.
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J
Jesse
July 2025
Tent
With kids
My family has a blast! The kids caught at least 15-20 fish ( caught and released) we lounge in a 8 person inflatable and the weather was perfect.
Thanks for the memories!!
Ortiz family
See moreB
Brian
June 2025
Tent
Secluded getaway an hour from downtown. Perfect for groups of 2-10 w or without kids/dogs. Ours dogs loved it! Great fire pit, dock to jump off of. Beach is small and it’s a straight, steep drop off a few feet into the water so keep kids in a life vest at all times. So much fun and will be coming back, a lot.
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M
Mitchell
June 2025
Tent
With pets
Kayak Starved Rock was an amazing campground! Very family friendly, and maybe the best porta potties I've ever used. We loved the kayaking, and it was so close to Starved Rock, and the I and M canal Trail. 100% recommend this place and will be coming back!
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