The best camping near Hennepin Canal State Trail

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Hennepin Canal State Trail adventure.

From boating to biking to snowmobiling, year-round adventures and spectacular scenery await.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Hennepin Canal State Trail

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Hennepin Canal State Trail

Top-rated campgrounds near Hennepin Canal State Trail

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Heated Tents & Cabin: Farm Animals

3 sites · Lodging175 acres · Tiskilwa, IL

Hungry World Farm is a nonprofit 175 acre farm that inspires and educates people on the benefits of regenerative agriculture. Our farm is located in Central Illinois about 2 hours west of Chicago along I-80, 45 minutes north of Peoria, and 35 minutes from Starved Rock State Park. The beautiful topography includes bluffs, valley, Plow Creek, 100 acres of forest, and over 50 acres of pasture, market garden, crops, barns, playground, nature preserve, animals, playground, commercial kitchen, outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, and a produce packing center. Uniquely, for many years the farm was an Intentional Community and has 10+ Airbnb rentals with additional building, glamping tents, RV and camping sites. Our market garden and livestock operations provide delicious and nutrient dense food to thousands of people every year. So many of our guests just need an escape, from traffic, from electronics, from the things that keep their families from being together. We provide a uniquely, peaceful and unforgettable experience, where they can walk through the woods, pet the animals, dig their hands in the soil, and gaze at the stars. Here are some things we offer: 1. Wood Fired Pizza Nights, Friday nights from 5 - 8pm with some live music 2. Breakfasts on the Farm, Saturday 8:30 - 10am 3. Peaceful Overnight Stays for up to 35 guests in a variety of lodging including Cabin, Apartments, Retreat Center, RV spots, Glamping & Camping Available. These can be booked via the Hungry World Farm Website directly for special requests, as well as Airbnb, and Hipcamp. 4. Tours of the Farm Garden, Homestead Animals, Farmstead Livestock, with special focus on Regenerative Farming & forest and prairie Conservation 5. Volunteer Opportunities - to garden, build, raise animals, conserve pastures and forests, and build trails. 6. Workshops - Gardening, Homesteading, And Regenerative Agriculture Workshops including IVCC extension classes. 7. Groups of visitors holding Reunions, Youth events, Groups, special retreats, and wedding parties are welcome! 8. People can also buy farm produce at the Peoria Riverfront Market, May - September, and may be able to purchase value added products at the farm. Discover the farm - an unforgettable escape for you, your family, church group, or wedding party. Reconnect with nature. Gaze at the stars. Fall in love. Restore your soul. Our Cabin, Rooms, & Apartment are now on AirBnB and Hipcamp (with more to come.)

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Rockford Ski Club Camping Area

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · Rockford, IL

Here's a refined version of the description for the Rockford Ski Club: Discover the Rockford Ski Club: Nestled on 33 acres of diverse landscape, the Rockford Ski Club offers a unique blend of prairie, forest, gardens, and open fields. The property is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, and foxes, and leads directly to the Kishwaukee River—perfect for kayaking or canoeing adventures. Enjoy stunning views of the river valley from the camping field, and embrace the spirit of community that has made this cooperative club a local treasure for decades. Members continue to ski and sled here, keeping tradition alive. Conveniently located just off Interstate 39, the club is only a 10-15 minute drive from Rockford, with a gas station just half a mile away. Camping options are available for tents, cars, vans, campers, or RVs in our maintained grassy area. While there is a well for non-potable water (suitable for washing), we recommend bringing your own drinking water. Electricity is available for basic needs like charging phones or powering lights and small devices, but it is not sufficient for RVs. For more information, feel free to reach out to our club president, Steve, at (815)-979-4888.

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Whispering Pines Events & Lodging

49 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Geneseo, IL

Welcome to Whispering Pines, a family focused campground to help you get away from the daily grind. Surround yourself amongst tall pine trees as you hear the wind whisper tranquility all around you. We are a family owned campground with a heart to serve people and provide a peaceful environment where families and individuals can enjoy making new memories. Whispering Pines is an event and retreat center that offers lodging and camping amenities. We also have a chapel ready to host your ceremony. We have RV hookups, tent sites, cabins, a lodge, and an event center. We can help you create a package to fit your needs and budget.

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Geneseo Campground

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Geneseo, IL

Located just north of the charming city of Geneseo, IL, our little campground has it all! Whether you’re traveling with a tent, van, tow-behind or a big rig, we can accommodate you. Our RV sites have 30 and 50 amp electric connections as well as water and sewer connections on most sites. We have three cozy cabins on property as well as a yurt that can accommodate 5-8 guests. If it’s fun and adventure you’re looking for, we’re situated right on the Hennepin Trail which offers miles of hiking and biking paths as well as fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Your furry friends will enjoy our wonderful enclosed dog park! Our newly renovated camp store has everything you might need including ice, firewood and much more. Our community room is perfect for meetings and gatherings and even has arcade games to keep the kids happy. Our restrooms are modern and very clean. Need to top off your propane tank? We have you covered! In the event you need to stay connected and productive during your stay, the entire campground has access to fast, fiber-powered WiFi. Come see what it’s like to be treated like family at Geneseo Campground! For more camping options - including group reservations - please visit our website at https://roam.camp/geneseo-campground or call 309-442-2662.

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Avalon Unity Garden

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Tampico, IL

This garden is intended to help people connect to Mother Earth. There is room for yoga or meditation with the plants. You can sleep in a tent, or your vehicle. It has a walkable spiral, an 18’ Mother Earth sculpture, an earth lodge for ceremonies and a hexagon swing area. It’s located in a very small farm community. We are about a mile from the Hennepin canal where you can walk, fish or canoe.

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1951 Dream

1 site · Lodging82 acres · Orion, IL

This is an 82 acre property of approximately 65 percent old growth forest, 20 percent row crop and 15 percent of alfalfa/vegetable garden. Bookings are exclusive, that is, whether you are just looking to pitch a tent for the night or host a mid-summers wedding party for 250, the place is yours. You won't be sharing it with any other campers. There are three levels of booking: Ghost...Starts and hopefully ends at $35 Perfect for those who just want to pitch a tent for the night or host a picnic during the day. There is a well-maintained port-a-potty and an open-air shower. You're free to explore all 82 acres, dangle your feet in the creek, sunbathe. A popular stop with cyclists, it's called Ghost because outside of a couple grocery bags of trash in the metal can, we don't expect to even know you were there. Access to ConX7 starts at $100 Are you hosting a small group and you want a weather-secure space? Container Experiment No.7 (Conx7), is a forty-foot, high-cube intermodal container. It was built in China, carried one load of tires and has been adapted as a multi-use hospitality property. It’s camping... in a tent made of cor‑ten steel. Conx7 is off the grid, enough solar power to charge devices and LED illumination after dark. Not enough for hair dryers. A day watching thunderstorms with friends from inside ConX7 is a comfortable and pleasant experience. After dark, the container is a nightlight, an HQ for the party and home to the camp's composting toilet. Concierge Support Hands-on assistance for your event of stay. We can arrange for a generator or catering. Tenting for groups up to 250, monster wall of sound, fireworks displays, video/drone event coverage, bodyguards, we've done all that. We have a deep bench of resources in the community and we're glad to share them.

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Small feel livin'

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Cambridge, IL

We have a concrete slab for campers/RV's to park their vehicle. You will have access to the yard and the house. The house includes 1 room and 1 bathroom. Total square foot of the house is 500sqft. Inside the house it can fit up to 3 people. You can hook electricity up to the outside outlet. We do not have a water/sewer hook up. Enjoy watching the birds and squirrels from the back yard. Animals welcome.

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The Lichen Pod - 26' 1974 Argosy

2 sites · Lodging49 acres · Freeport, IL

Learn more about this land:The southern Driftless Area is one of rolling hills of farmland, prairie and woodlands. The camper is parked near a line of pines with both beautiful light and fresh breezes, located on a working ecological farm.

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Goatland

4 sites · Tents15 acres · Cedarville, IL

Fifteen acre livestock farm in NW IL with a creek and pond. We raise sheep, goats, chickens, guineas, peafowl, fancy pheasants, Tom's pet trout, and two ridiculous dogs. If you like nature, and animals, up close, this is the spot. You can respectfully interact with the livestock, or not, as you choose. We're pretty hands off, but are happy to talk about the animals if you ask. Just a quick note: the satellite view is 7 years old so isn't an accurate depiction. We welcome and are a safe space for LGBTQ+ visitors.

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2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Princeton, IL

Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. Located at 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue, this tiny house in the timber was built to share the beauty of nature with folks that want to camp.... but not really camp. This 12x12 house is off grid with a cute outhouse nestled in the timber behind the wildlife rescue. Relax and unplug for the weekend and know 100% of the fee goes to the animal rescue. We bring your supplies up via Gator as you hike the trail up. PLEASE NOTE: NO RUNNING WATER/SHOWERS

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Del Boca Vista

1 site · RV8 acres · Pearl City, IL

Surround yourself in rural Stephenson County with farm fields and woods. Secluded level full hook up 40 ft RV site. Picnic table, fire pit and charcoal barbeque grill all for you use. 2 miles to Lake Carrol ATV trail. (Access for LCA members only). 4 Miles to Pub in Loran and 5 Miles to Dollar General and Pub Pearl City. Bring your mountain bike and explore miles of gravel roads. 1/2 Court Concrete Basketball and Badminton sand lot to use. Sewer, Water and 120V 15amp connection is included in base nightly rental. There is a nightly fee for 50Amp RV connection. See "extras" to include this, No dogs of any size in or outside are allowed. There are Free Ranging chickens and wildlife on the property, please enjoy the farm fresh eggs!

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RWH Farm

5 sites · Lodging, Tents360 acres · Stockton, IL

Rich history in this property. The land was purchased from the railroad in 1865 through 1869. Also purchased land from neighboring farms. It was establishes as a farm under the Roberts name in 1872. Our family has seen six generations born and raised on this land in the past 150 years. American Indian tribes use the land for their burial ground ceremonies. Elders from a Wisconsin tribe came to the farm through the 1960s to trek the land and perform a ceremony to honor their ancestors. Many arrow heads were found in the fields of the land. The American Indians told stories of how the little spring fed creek running through our land was a small river flowing towards the Apple River which flows into the Mississippi River. The Apple river runs northwest of the farm. In 2001, the land hosted a small budget film crew for the scenes and setting of the 2002 film “Stray dogs” with Genevieve Turner. Learn more about this land: Hiking and camping under the stars surrounded by trees with the sounds of nature. Spotting variety of wildlife. Watching the most spectacular sunrises, sunsets, and the moon rising over the hills. Classified as “D” for dry camping or boondocking. Upgrades will be made available with interest. For more info about how to check out campendium.com. Feel free to ask about long term discounts on all available sites.

The best camping near Hennepin Canal State Trail guide

Overview

About

Step back in time in this sprawling 104.5-mile park, spanning five Illinois counties. Bridges and locks built from 1892 to 1907 provide lots to explore on the water. On land, a 155-mile smooth trail runs from the Illinois River to Rock River.

You can choose how you want to get around the park. Visitors can canoe, boat, hike, bike or ride horseback along the canal. Some parts of the trail also are open for snowmobiling in the winter.

Fishing in this regularly stocked waterway yields a wealth of bluegill, crappie, and bass. A playground is near the Visitor Center, and picnic tables are scattered along the canal. The Visitor Center also has displays that illustrate the canal’s history and its engineering innovations.

Class C and youth campsites are located at several points along the canal. Equestrian camping also is available. None of the campgrounds accept reservations.