Campground: Camping Islands - Grand Detour Islands Retreat
Location: Grand Detour, Illinois
Last visit: July, 2011
Seaoat: My wife and I tent camped at Camping Islands Campground in July 2011. We found the campground on the internet.
Campground Review and Description:
This was the best natural camping experience that my wife and I have ever had in Illinois. It is a series of islands in the Rock River and just about every campsite is waterfront.
We rented a canoe and the trip from Oregon to Grand Detour is beautiful. We normally travel to northern Wisconsin or Canada to get this type of camping, and we were surprised. It is primitive camping and they have porta potties, but that is what we have been looking for, for years.
Pros, Cons, Attractions and Additional Comments:
Pros: Isolation and beautiful water views. The fishing was good, and caught channel cats. The canoe trip was great with beautiful sandstone cliffs. You are not stacked up on people and can choose where you want to camp.
Cons: They do not have showers. However, we went to Dixon to a health club and cleaned up. The owner who checked us in was a little crabby, and the coyotes were howling at night.
Attractions: The John Deere historic blacksmith shop is across the street. They actually do demonstrations on Saturday mornings - this was great.
Additional Comments: This campground is a hidden gem!
Rating: 5
More info from Grand Detour Islands Retreat: The campgrounds were formerly known as Rock River Recreation which has continually operated as a rustic campground since the early 1950s. Prior to that all the way back to the 1800's individuals camped on the islands and retreated to town during flood periods. Groups are encouraged and the management team can arrange canoe trips, day trips, and dining arrangements with local quality restaurants. Daily camping will be allowed by reservation.
About Campground Reviews:
Campground reviews on About Camping are submitted by readers. Have something to say about a campground? You can submit a campground review too.
Readers who submit campground reviews certify that they are the author or sole owner of the material they submit to About.com.
There is more than just one way to stay up-to date with campground reviews, and outdoor news. You can chat with fellow campers in About Camping's online forum, sign-up to receive a free weekly e-newsletter, and contribute campground reviews.
More ways to Connect:
More on Illinois Campgrounds and Travel
Looking for more campground reviews in Illinois? Try About Camping's campground reviews by state.
Planning an Illinois camping trip? You can search About Camping's state by state travel guide.
