Apple River Canyon State Park, Illinois
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Northwestern Illinois sure does feel like a different world compared to the Chicago metropolitan area. The rolling hills are full of lush forests along the Mississippi River valley and offer a nice contrast to the city life nearby. The Apple River is a far smaller, but highly popular river in the area that flows down from Wisconsin and, during the course of many thousands of years, carved out a beautiful canyon from the limestone rock beds below.
The first settlers to explore the area were French traders looking to mine extensive lead deposits along the eastern Mississippi River valley. A small town also once existed within the park land as a timber and sawmill hub, but a massive flood washed it all away in 1892. Today, the park is a scenic forest, fed by the Apple River and adorned with striking geological features.
Apple River Canyon State Park has five distinct trails that wind through the canyon and surrounding forest. Although the longest trail is a mile and a half, significant elevation changes earn ‘moderate’ difficult ratings for four out of five of these scenic trails. Keep an eye out for deer, eagles, and hawks on your routes since these animals, too, are also drawn to the river.
The River Route Nature Trail is the best option if you’d like to stay near the water. This trail is a great choice for anglers to bring a pole along and fish from the banks as they explore. For some more elevated views, the Tower Rock Nature Trail will take you along the steep cliffs of the canyon.
The Apple River has extensive connections with other streams and creeks which creates a pretty diverse fish population. Cast a line for feisty smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, carp, and suckers. The flow of the river and fairly open banks also give you an opportunity to try your hand at fly fishing.
Speaking of fly fishing, the Illinois DNR stocks the Apple River with trout each spring. The cold spring water is perfect for trout to thrive, but the warm summers are tough on them. If you are fortunate to be fishing here in the spring, consider purchasing a special trout stamp to harvest and cook your own Apple River trout.
The Mississippi River valley creates a microclimate and soil conditions that happen to be excellent for certain wine grape varieties. A number of wineries in northwestern Illinois have taken advantage of this natural resource and offer visitors a chance to try the fermented fruits of their labor. Many of the wines made from grapes grown on-site will likely be a little different than you are used to since these varieties are often hybrids that have been bred for cold hardiness.
Within 30 miles of the park, you’ll find a significant variety of vineyards and tasting rooms. Most of these will be out west towards the Mississippi. A popular one that is closest to Apple River Canyon State Park is the Galena Cellars Vineyard. Visitors can tour the vineyard itself as well as taste a nice variety of their offerings.
Hope you packed your clubs. There are 10 different golf courses within 30 miles of Apple River Canyon State Park. The hilly and forested landscape is the perfect setting for a great day on the links. Most of these courses will also be out to the west.
Your closest golfing option is also highly rated. The Woodbine Bend Golf Course is a classic par 72 links style course that measures 6,539 yards from the tips. The openness of the course makes it enjoyable for amateurs and the blind shots and strategically placed bunkers will be a welcome challenge for experts. After your round, enjoy a frosty beverage or sandwich at the casual clubhouse restaurant.
The land around Apple River Canyon State Park is classified as “driftless,” meaning that massive ancient glaciers left the area relatively undisturbed (from a geological standpoint). This lack of movement has left the remains of many animals from thousands of years ago near the soil surface. In 2009, a quarry operator found a five-foot long squid fossil in the area.
Fossil hunting is a great activity for adults and children. It keeps everyone engaged and interested in the task at hand. Some campers may get bored with the usual hikes, but a fossil-hunting excursion is sure to pique their interest. For your best fossil chances stick around the river.
The sole campground in the park does put you in the middle of the action but be prepared for a primitive camping experience. The Canyon Ridge Campground has 49 sites with no hookups available and no running water (except for the river). There are pit toilets available, however. For campers looking for that more authentic, out-in-the-wilderness campsite, you’ve found it. Be aware that these sites are available on a “first-come, first-served” basis so during the busy summer months, it’s wise to have a backup plan.
About 12 miles to the southwest, Vel Terra Campground has beautiful grounds and is sure to please. The rolling hills of Vel Terra are full of mature trees and the campsites are well spread out to give you a peaceful camping experience. The 12 RV sites offer water/electric hookups and there are dump stations available for guests. Bathhouses with hot water, free Wi-Fi, and complementary firewood are also great bonuses. For the golfer, the Woodbine Bend Golf Course is just a short drive away.
Some of the closer campgrounds to Apple River Canyon State Park are actually across the border in Wisconsin. Wolf Creek Campground up in Gratiot (12 miles) has 24 RV-friendly sites with water/electric hookups. Amenities include a dump station, bathhouses, and playgrounds. For entertainment, the campground has access to a walking bridge that will lead you into town for a bite to eat and a little exploring. The Wolf Creek that runs through the property is also a great trout stream where you can enjoy hours of fishing fun.
If you are looking for a campground with tons of exciting activities, the Lena KOA Holiday is where the action is. Campers will love the group campfires, pancake breakfasts, hayrides, traction ‘fun train’ rides, the jumbo jumper, pool, ice cream socials, and mining for gemstone and fossils at the campground's own sluice station. You will also be only a mile or so from downtown Lena where you can find dining options and a little shopping. For your RV campsite, you may choose either for hookup access or just water/electric. In addition, all basic amenities are also present (e.g. bathhouses, Wi-Fi, etc.).
The Backyard Campground is another option up in Gratiot, Wisconsin. At just over eight miles away, this campground is one of the closest in the area to Apple River Canyon State Park. Situated near farmland, the grounds have an open, greenspace feel with fairly limited trees. More than 70 RV campsites on the property feature full hookup access with 30/50-amp electrical service. There’s plenty of fun to be had at the Backyard Campground with mini golf, a pool, a rec room, and a whole bunch of weekend activities including music and dancing. You may also be lucky enough to stay during one of the themed weekends like a Hawaiian Luau or campground-wide poker tournament.
There are no dining facilities at Apple River Canyon State Park, so you will need to plan on stocking up before you arrive. You can, however, enjoy the meals you prepare at one of the four nicely appointed picnic areas within the park. All picnic sites have grills, drinking water, and vault toilets available as well.
Finding restaurants in the area is a little tricky and what you do find will be on the limited side. About five miles to the south, the closest dining ‘hub’ would be the town of Stockton. Here, there are an assortment of American cafés, sports bars, a steakhouse, and a couple of chains. There are also a couple of grocery stores if you prefer to make your own food. Beyond that, there are a few coffee shops and grills scattered throughout the small towns, although there is no significant concentration of restaurants within a reasonable driving distance.
No matter where you stay or play, the rugged limestone cliffs of Apple River Canyon State Park will be an enjoyable and memorable experience along your RV camping trip through the ‘Land of Lincoln.’