Sitting on the shore of Rock River, Rockford was established by an eclectic group of immigrants in 1834. Influences from these settlers from Italy, Laos, Vietnam, Latin countries, and other areas are still prominent today. Rockford, which is home to 148,000 residents, is located roughly an hour and a half northwest of Chicago. This makes it easy to explore all of Chicago's famous attractions and cultural experiences on a day trip from Rockford. Some of these include Wrigley Field, the Art Institute of Chicago, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, the Field Museum, Millennium Park, and others.
However, there is plenty to see and do in the Rockford area as well. Many of the original buildings in this city have been well-preserved, and this makes Rockford an ideal place to admire architectural styles like Gothic Revival, Victorian, and Art Deco. Some of the must-see buildings in the area are the Tinker Swiss Cottage, the Coronado Theatre, and the Lake-Peterson House. When the weather is nice, a stroll through the Klehm Arboretum Botanical Garden or Anderson Japanese Gardens is a relaxing way to spend a few hours. You can also spend time golfing at the scenic Aldeen Golf Club.
On your RV trip to Rockford, you will have the opportunity to expand your prehistoric knowledge with a tour of the Burpee Museum of Natural History. If you are traveling with children, the Discovery Center is a must-see. It features 300 exhibits on the human body, agriculture, sports, and more. At the Midway Village and Museum Center, you can tour a historic settlement that features a police station, a school, and a firehouse. The Laurent House is also located in Rockford, and Frank Lloyd Wright constructed it to be accessible for disabled residents.
Blackhawk Valley Campground is a laid-back RV park that provides 130 well-spaced sites. This campground is located in a green valley close to the Kishwaukee River, and it features gravel roads and tall trees. Amenities include free high-speed internet access, a playground, scheduled weekend activities, a basketball court, minigolf, and pedal carts. Electric and water sites are $45 per night, and full hookups are available for $60 per night.
Lake Louise RV Resort is located directly on a 13-acre lake in Byron, 20 minutes southwest of Rockford. With a sandy beach on-site, guests can swim in this spring-fed lake or bask in the sun on the deck on warm days. A swimming pool gives you another way to stay cool. The campground features a playground, a general store, boat rentals, picnic tables and fire pits at each site, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoes, and more. The sites with electric and water connections are $70 per night, and the full hookup sites are $80 per night.
Situated in Garden Prairie, just a half-hour east of Rockford, Northwoods RV Resort offers a full selection of amenities across 60 acres. Many of the RV sites line the Kishwaukee River’s shores or the stocked fishing pond. Other amenities include a pool, a hot tub, a community center with games, an arcade room, horseshoes, a playground, a jumping pillow, volleyball and basketball courts, and more. The RV sites start at $75 a night or $460 per week.
Conveniently located only 20 minutes northeast of Rockford, Rock Cut State Park features two lakes and miles of hiking trails. Both the 162-acre Pierce Lake and the 50-acre Olson Lake are excellent spots for fishing, ice-skating, and ice-fishing. The trails offer wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and hiking. In addition to the abundant mix of wildlife that calls the park home, there are more than 100 different wildflower species in bloom during the spring and summer months.
Lowden State Park is a half-hour southwest of Rockford, and it is historically linked to Chief Black Hawk and Governor Frank Lowden. Its Native American history is displayed visually through a 50-foot statue. In addition to admiring the statue, you can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities during your visit to Lowden State Park. Rock River flows through the park, and it is popular for fishing, canoeing, and boating. Additional activities include metal detecting, hunting, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Shabbona Lake State Park is 55 minutes southeast of Rockford. The 318-acre Shabbona Lake is a large feature in this 1,550-acre park. This lake is stocked with walleye, catfish, and bass, making it popular for fishing. A 15-acre protected nesting ground offers the ability to admire numerous bird species. The grounds also feature prairie flowers, woods, and grasslands. Winter sports, picnicking, hiking, and hunting are some of the fun activities available at the park.
In Wisconsin, two hours northeast of Rockford, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail follows a 1,200-mile path. This is the path that marks the edge of a huge glacier that carved the landscape during the last Ice Age. Hiking along this trail is a wonderful way to explore different geological and landscape features such as valleys, rivers, streams, and more. This area is also popular for fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities.
The Pullman National Monument in Chicago, two hours southeast of Rockford, is also referred to as the Pullman Historic District and is the site of the first planned industrial community in the country. In addition, it is the location of the famous Pullman Strike of 1894. At the monument, you can tour the Hotel Florence and the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum to learn more about the area's history.
At Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is in Iowa, three hours northwest of Rockford, you will find more than 200 mounds created by various American Indian tribes. Both the visitor's center and the museum have artifacts and exhibits on display that explore the cultural and historical significance of the mounds. There are walking trails that take you by some of the more significant mounds. While you are hiking, you may enjoy lovely views of the Yellow River in the distance.
Several impressive forests are located within driving distance of Rockford. On the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, five hours northeast of Rockford, the Huron-Manistee National Forest covers more than 540,000 acres of protected areas. During your visit to the area, you can ascend Briar Hill, which is the peninsula’s highest point. Hiking along the Manistee River Trail will give you a great chance to spot wildlife and admire forest views. Winter activities, fishing, camping, and boating are also possible in the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
On the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, four hours and 50 minutes northwest of Rockford, is the Ottawa National Forest. The forest's almost one million acres spread from Lake Superior's south shore to Wisconsin's border. The elevation here ranges from 600 feet at the shoreline to over 1,800 feet in the Sylvania Wilderness, which comprises 18,327 acres of primitive land used for camping, water activities, wildlife viewing, and hiking. If you love waterfalls, you will be in heaven in the Ottawa National Forest as there are eight of them. Two of the more notable ones include Agate Falls, which is located under an old railroad trestle, and Mex-i-mine Falls, where you may spot wildlife in warm pools of water in the rocks and around the falls. Yellow Dog Falls is also worth a visit and features a spectacular 30-foot drop.
Encompassing over 1.5 million acres in Wisconsin's Northwoods, four hours and 50 minutes north of Rockford, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is home to numerous fisheries and natural and wildness areas. Hikers have more than 800 trails to choose from in the forest, which are also used by mountain bikers, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers in the winter. There are over 30 campgrounds and recreation areas in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, offering many opportunities for RV camping. Just be aware that not all the facilities offer hookups. The forest is also home to five distinct wilderness areas. In these regions, you can view wildlife that includes bears, deer, loons, coyotes, and foxes. Hunting, fishing, and bird-watching are some of the other activities you can do in these wilderness areas.
By taking a scenic, two-hour-and-45-minute drive southeast of Rockford, you will reach Indiana Dunes National Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. This 15,000-acre park includes 15 miles of shoreline. With more than 50 miles of hiking trails in the park, you can explore woodlands, prairies, sand dunes, and wetlands on foot. From spring wildflowers to an abundance of wildlife, there are wonderful things to discover throughout the park. Horseback riding, geocaching, guided tours, boating, biking, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are popular park activities.
In Ohio, seven and a half hours southeast of Rockford, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a must-see destination. This park is known for its magnificent Brandywine Falls and dozens of other waterfalls. A picturesque train ride or a scenic drive are both wonderful ways to explore the park’s forests, hills, ravines, and wetlands. There are also 125 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. The river running through the park offers fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding.
By heading four hours and 20 minutes southwest of Rockford to St. Louis, Missouri, you can tour Gateway Arch National Park. The hallmark of this park is its famous arch, which is a symbol of the country’s westward expansion. During your visit, you can enjoy a boat tour on the Mississippi River; ride a tram to the top of the arch; and tour the Old Courthouse, which is well-known as the site of the Dred Scott case.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Rockford, IL RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What is included in my Rockford, IL RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Can I have my Rockford, IL RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
