Lake Camping Near Ottawa, Illinois, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2026

Looking to go camping near Ottawa, Illinois and enjoy a lake? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 118 available options specifically tailored to your preference for a lake experience in this area, you'll have plenty of choices. And with an average price per night of $40 and options as low as $25, you can find something that fits your budget. Check out top campsites like East Woods on the IL River (135 reviews), The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun! (136 reviews), and Sophie's Hidden Acres Homestead (14 reviews). These campsites offer popular amenities like potable water, toilets, and showers, as well as activities such as fishing, off-roading (OHV), and historic sites to explore. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

97% (278)

Top-rated campgrounds near Ottawa

Looking to go camping near Ottawa, Illinois and enjoy a lake? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 118 available options specifically tailored to your preference for a lake experience in this area, you'll have plenty of choices. And with an average price per night of $40 and options as low as $25, you can find something that fits your budget. Check out top campsites like East Woods on the IL River (135 reviews), The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun! (136 reviews), and Sophie's Hidden Acres Homestead (14 reviews). These campsites offer popular amenities like potable water, toilets, and showers, as well as activities such as fishing, off-roading (OHV), and historic sites to explore. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

97% (278)

Top-rated campgrounds near Ottawa

1. East Woods on the IL River

97%

(324)

0.5mi from Ottawa · 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.

2. Paradise Quarry

97%

(52)

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.

3. 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

Toilets

Campfires

4. 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

Toilets

Campfires

5. Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

7 sites · Hopewell, Illinois

Three distinct areas of this park offer varied outdoor activities.

Pets

Campfires

Toilets

6. 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

Public campgrounds near Ottawa

100%

(4)

Shabbona Lake Campground

26mi from Ottawa · 92 sites · Tents, RVs · in Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

Des Plaines Campground

31mi from Ottawa · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area

Marshall Campground

39mi from Ottawa · 7 sites · in Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area

100%

(1)

Woodford Campground

48mi from Ottawa · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area

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.

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

J

Josh

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Paradise Quarry

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

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!

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.

I

Ian

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Paradise Quarry

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!

Tom

August 2025

Tent

With pets

3 nights at East Woods on the IL River

As always, we had a great time at Katie's property!!

Joe

August 2025

Tent

1 night at East Woods on the IL River

Really remote and secluded. Nice place. Lots of firewood. 100% worth it.

C

Connor Cunningham

August 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at Paradise Quarry

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!

K

Karen

August 2025

29 ft Class C

With pets

Weekend Trip to Paradise Quarry

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.

S

Samantha

August 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Paradise Quarry

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.

J

Julie

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to East Woods on the IL River

Had a great time!! Such a nice secluded spot but close to everything you need!

Noah

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Paradise Quarry

Very nice peaceful place, great place to bring the kids

Tom

July 2025

Tent

4 nights at East Woods on the IL River

This was our 13th time at Katie's property, and we loved it even more!

J

Jesse

July 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Paradise Quarry

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