Campgrounds and RV parks near Peru, IL

Hiking is the region's headline activity. Starved Rock State Park offers miles of trails along the Illinois River, with sandstone canyons and seasonal waterfalls that draw visitors from across the Midwest. Just south, Matthiessen State Park has 5 miles of well-marked, well-surfaced hiking trails leading through the Upper and Lower Dells and past Cascade Falls. Riders and cyclists can use 9 miles of multi-use mountain bike and horseback riding trails at Matthiessen, where all users yield to horse riders. The Illinois River supports fishing and paddling, and the Starved Rock area is a popular spot for winter bald eagle watching. In winter, cross-country skiing is permitted on 6 miles of trails at Matthiessen, and frozen canyon waterfalls become a signature draw. Rock and ice climbing are not permitted inside Matthiessen.

The camping season in this part of Illinois runs primarily from spring through late fall, though the west loop at Starved Rock stays open year-round; the east loop closes the weekend before Thanksgiving and reopens April 1. Spring brings peak waterfall flow in the canyons, higher water on the Illinois and Vermillion Rivers, and muddy trails. The interior canyon trails at Matthiessen can be slick and difficult to negotiate, particularly during spring and early summer. Summer is the busiest stretch. The Matthiessen Dells and Vermillion River Area typically shut down on weekends from May through October when the parking lots reach full capacity around 11 a.m., reopening at 3 p.m. Arriving early or visiting on weekdays is the practical workaround. Sunflower fields on the Vermillion River side of Matthiessen bloom from mid-July through the first week of August. The equestrian side of Matthiessen operates on a shorter calendar. The horseback trails and campground open May 1, weather permitting, and close in the fall. Fall brings cooler nights, hardwood color through October, and lighter weekday crowds after Labor Day.

The Starved Rock campground has 133 Class-A Premium sites in a large, wooded, family-oriented public ground. It is electric hook-up only, with 30-amp or 50-amp sites; 30-amp sites also include a 20-amp, 110-volt outlet. Handicap sites have a cement pad, and other sites have a gravel pad. Two separate shower houses with flush toilets serve the loops, and porta potties are placed throughout the campground. A dump station sits at the entrance. Rules inside the state parks are strict. Ground fires are not allowed except in the Youth Group Camping Area, and no wood may be collected from the park's natural areas. Alcohol is prohibited in all campgrounds. The Equestrian - Matthiessen State Park ground is basic. There are 14 sites with a picnic table and grill. Electricity and tie lines are not available, so campers need to bring their own generators.