Renting an RV in Illinois

There are some from Illinois who say all of the state is divided into two parts: Chicago and everything else. And while The Windy City is absolutely a travel destination in its own right, the rest of Illinois is a rich source of natural wonder—especially for RV renters. Ready to strap in for an RV trip that will show you everything Illinois has to offer? Take a look at the state’s top attractions along with some tips just for RV renters to help you get the most from your trip.

Why Renting an RV in Illinois Is the Way to Go

Like much of the American Midwest, Illinois is a place of wide-open spaces. From North to South and along the Mississippi River to the West, the prairies and rolling hills of the Land of Lincoln hide treasures just waiting to be discovered.

Rent an RV

What better way for campers to experience everything that Illinois has to offer than behind the wheel of an RV? A rented RV puts your next vacation’s hotel room on wheels, and with so many natural wonders and RV-friendly campgrounds dotting the landscape, where you are is wherever you want to be.

10 Wonderful Places to See in Illinois in Your Rental RV

Illinois is home to vast national forests, one-of-a-kind geological formations, and some of the largest manmade earthworks in all of North America. No matter where you go and no matter your favorite outdoor activities, there are remarkable attractions that promise all the wonder, history, and fun you can handle.

1. Starved Rock State Park

Millennia ago, glaciers shaped the American Midwest into the winding landscape it is today—flat in some parts, and filled with bluffs and canyons carved by glacial melts. Sitting above the Illinois River in Utica, IL is Starved Rock State Park, a testament to those ancient forces with 18 canyons dug into the sandstone. 13 miles of trails take hikers in and out of these gorgeous canyons, complete with seasonal waterfalls and creeks.

Visit Starved Rock to see some of the most beautiful landscape Illinois has to offer and stay in one of the park’s 129 class-A campsites. While there, enjoy the trails, and also fishing and kayaking along the Illinois River. This park is also great for hunters.

Learn more about Starved Rock State Park.

2. Giant City State Park

Just outside of Carbondale in Makanda, IL there stands a collection of, well, giant sandstone formations that could easily be mistaken for a city built directly into the rock itself. Giant City State Park is a verdant area where hikers can find among the stone pillars an explosion of flowering trees, mosses, and wild mint. You can call this city at home in one of the park’s RV-friendly electric campsites.

While there, explore the stone structures by foot on the hiking trails, or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, strap in for some world-class rappelling. Equestrians can see the sights by horseback with a visit to the Grant City Stables. After a long day on the trail, enjoy dinner at the Giant City Lodge or a relaxing dip in the pool.

Learn more about Giant City State Park.

3. Apple River Canyon State Park

Once part of a sea spanning most of the Midwest, the Apple River is all that remains of a more watery world—but its imprint is big. Where the river still winds in northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border, it has carved out a canyon with towering limestone walls. Illinois made this beautiful area a state park in 1932, and ever since it has played host to campers looking to hunt, fish, and explore the canyon.

Apple River is a particularly great spot for fishing, with regional mainstays like crappie and sunfish in abundance, plus seasonally stocked trout. The campsite in the park has 49 class C campsites—which means you’ll be going without electricity or showers if you bring your RV.

Learn more about Apple River Canyon State Park.

4. Shawnee National Forest

At the southern tip of Illinois, nearly 290,000 acres of pristine woods are home to the Shawnee National Forest. This massive national forest is an RV camper’s dream destination, with a near-endless supply of sights to see. Looking to hit the water? Try Bay Creek Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake Tecumseh, and others that dot the landscape. Trails wind through the forest, with glimpses at waterfalls and untouched wilderness.

The Shawnee National Forest is home to multiple campsites, including Pine Hills Campground, Camp Cadiz Campground, and others still. That said, many of the sites are not RV-friendly. The Lake Glendale Recreation Area within the forest allows for RVs and is a safe bet; otherwise, make sure to research your preferred campsite thoroughly before you go.

Learn more about Shawnee National Forest.

5. Fabyan Forest Preserve

On the Fox River outside Geneva, IL, the Fabyan family lived in a farmhouse renovated by Frank Lloyd Wright himself. The house, a great example of Wright’s prairie style, sits on a large estate that has since become a publicly accessible nature preserve that’s a must-see for the RV crowd. The most notable attraction here is the Japanese Garden, which was famous in its day for its tranquil beauty.

As you plan your RV trip to Illinois, make room for a quick day visit to this beautiful destination. Enjoy a visit to the original Fabyan house, which has been converted into a museum preserving the family’s collection of antiques and artworks. Take a breather from the bustle of the road in the Japanese Gardens, and tour a 19th-century Dutch windmill,

Learn more about Fabyan Forest Preserve.

6. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Nowhere in Illinois can you get a better look at the rich history of the state than Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, an interpretive history center built around sacred mounds built by the Native American population that once called the area home. The star of the show is Monks Mound, the largest earthwork in North America standing at over 100 feet. The grounds offer both self-guided and guided tours of the earthworks.

Cahokia Mounds is also home to a world-class museum with permanent exhibit galleries, an orientation show theatre, and all the amenities you’d expect from a museum attraction like this. There are numerous RV-friendly campsites in the surrounding area, including St. Louis RV Park just over the river in Missouri, Safari RV Park in Fairmont City, IL, and Cahokia RV Parque in East St. Louis, IL.

Learn more about Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.

7. Mississippi Palisades State Park

Where the Mississippi meets the Apple in Savanna, IL lies Mississippi Palisades State Park, home to an ancient trail used by countless generations of Native Americans and European settlers. Sentinel trail wraps its way through the southern end of the park and offers hikers the chance to walk a route charted through the area’s bluffs by pathfinders centuries ago.

Mississippi Palisades State Park offers overlooks of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers, with a clear view of the surrounding river valleys and bluffs. The jewel in the park’s crown is Sentinel Rock, a captivating landmark of split stone towering above the river. The park’s campground offers 110 electric campsites, where you can park your RV for a good night’s rest after a day of hiking and sightseeing.

Learn more about Mississippi Palisades State Park.

8. Burden Falls

Some campers prefer the most natural, untouched hiking experiences possible. If that’s you, don’t miss Burden Falls inside the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. The site is home to two sets of waterfalls—the Upper Falls, which are visible right from the parking lot, and the Twin Falls, which require a bit more effort to discover. These two separate waterfalls, one of which falls nearly 50 feet to the forest floor, require hands-on hiking down the bluff for safe viewing—no stairs, no trails, nothing but you and the earth itself.

As you consider your camping options for Burden Falls, check out the writeup of Shawnee National Forest above. Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers camping for RVs, and the broader National Forest area offers ample opportunity for dry camping off service roads.

Learn more about Burden Falls.

9. Matthiessen State Park

The only on-site camping at Matthiessen State Park is for horse riders—but that doesn’t mean RV campers shouldn’t fit this destination into an Illinois road trip. If your trip is bringing you through Northwestern Illinois, Matthiessen is a must-see for its geological formations and natural beauty. Deep sandstone ravines, waterfalls and bluffs make hiking the area a delight.

In addition to the hiking, the park also houses an archery range, fishing, and a robust geocaching community that can provide the family with their very own treasure hunt in nature. Nearby Pleasant Creek Campground is RV-friendly and even features a stocked fishing pond.

Learn more about Matthiessen State Park.

10. Tunnel Hill State Trail

Where packed train cars once made their way through a tunnel in the hillside of Vienna, IL, the aptly-named Tunnel Hill State Trail now carries hikers and bikers from Karnak in the south to Harrisburg in the north. Today, this trail offers a beautiful 45-mile route through rocky ravines and verdant Illinois woodlands.

If your RV has room for your bikes, Tunnel Hill State Trail is a perfect day’s activity as part of your trip to the Shawnee National Forest. Make camp in any of the RV parks dotting the broader area, and trek out with bikes in tow to the trail for a memorable and active day.

Learn more about Tunnel Hill State Trail.

Campgrounds and RV Parks in Illinois

Looking for a place to set up camp for the night in between the destinations listed above? Illinois is full of RV-friendly parks and resorts, like:

O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Park in Amboy, Illinois. Located in Northern Illinois’ Sauk Valley, O’Connell’s is all about family fun. Waste the day at the park’s on-site waterpark, or enjoy the shade in the biggest campground arcade in the state.

Cahokia RV Parque in Cahokia, Illinois. Just outside of Cahokia Mounds and over the river from St. Louis, Cahokia RV Parque is an ideal home base for a fun-filled family vacation filled with outdoor adventures and urban exploration.

Things to Note About Camping in Illinois

Always book ahead when planning an RV trip in Illinois. Today, most campsites on state or federal land can be reserved online, but remember you can always call park rangers to inquire about available camping dates, how much room a given campsite will have for your RV, what types of hookups available, and whether or not there are additional amenities like on-site wifi. Check out the list of Good Sam campgrounds here.

Also, keep in mind the seasonality of the state. Up north, expect cold winters with plenty of snowfall—but also equally hot summers. The farther south you go, the more temperate the colder months may be.

Dry Camping or Boondocking in Illinois

There is ample public land where RV campers can set up for the night free of charge. If you’re interested in boondocking, contact the USDA Forest Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers to inquire about their free RV camping areas.

Specifically, the RV community has found dry camping success at the USDA Turkey Bayou Campground in Murphysboro, at sites throughout the Shawnee National Forest, and at rest areas across the state.