Your Home Away from Home in the Great Outdoors
Whether your home is on wheels or you’re a weekend warrior, you’ll find the perfect slot for a respite from the road in Pekin’s many RV parks. If more rustic is your purview, there are plenty of places to pitch a tent and get closer to nature. And if you’re looking to congregate, try a pine log cabin on for size.
QUICK PICKS FOR CAMP FUN
- Take your zzz’s among totems and teepees at Delwood.
- Snooze like a French explorer on the site of 16th century Fort Crevecoeur.
- Premium privacy on Spring Lake’s heavily wooded sites.
Banner Marsh State Fish & Wildlife Area – just 20 minutes southwest of Pekin – 4,363-acre freshwater marsh with 200-plus water bodies
Camping: Walk-in or boat-in camping for youth groups. Make advance arrangements with Rice Lake office, (309) 647-9184.
Other amenities: Hunting, fishing, boating, dog training, picnicking, wildlife observation, photography.
Delwood Camp Area (McNaughton Park) – 10 minutes from downtown Pekin on state route 98, east of state route 29 – 700 acres
Camping: Tent camping west of the totem pole, restrooms near camp area, bring your own water. Request permit at least seven days before required date. (309) 347-7275.
Other amenities: Waterfall, hiking and biking trails, camping, 18-hole disc golf course, fishing, ice fishing, Lick Creek Golf Course, horseback riding and lessons.
Fort Crevecoeur Park and Campground – 301 Lawnridge, Creve Coeur – 89 acre park with 39 acre Nature Preserve
Camping: RVs or primitive camping. Water and electric hookups, dump station. (309) 694-3193
Other amenities: Situated on the site of a 1680 fort. Museum showcasing Fort Crevecoeur and the area’s French heritage. Camping, hiking, picnicking, playground, special events. Open April 1-October 31.
Lick Creek Game Preserve – 2 miles east of Pekin, 3201 Sheridan Rd. – 991 acres with 55 acre lake
Camping: Small camping area. Membership club. One & two day passes available. (309) 347-7191
Other amenities: Fishing, hunting, meals available.
Camping: Two 1,300 sq.ft. cabins with lofts for gathering or indoor overnight camping. Heated, each sleeps approximately 20. Beds not provided. (309) 347-7275
Other amenities: Fireplace, fire pit, deck, kitchen, meadow for wildlife viewing, adjacent to McNaughton Park.
Spring Lake Fish & Wildlife Area – 15 minutes southwest of Pekin– 2,032 acres
Camping: Pine Campground, Oak Campground, Walk-in Campground. Tent camping only. (309) 968-7135.
Other amenities: Biking, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting.
