Road Trips Starting from Champaign, IL
Best National Parks Near Champaign, IL
You'll find Indiana Dunes National Park in northern Indiana, right beside the southern shores of Lake Michigan. While the park is named for its rugged dunes, it's also an excellent destination for water-based activities, such as fishing, boating, and watersports. Alternatively, visitors can go hiking or horseback riding through the scenic forests, wetlands, and prairies.
One of the most iconic national parks in the country is Gateway Arch National Park, which lies in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. The park is known for its incredible arch, which stands 630 feet tall above the Mississippi River. For the most memorable experience, you can take a tour to the very top of the arch. From there, you can enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the region. You can also explore some of the other historic buildings found around the urban park, including the Old St. Louis Courthouse.
Located in central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is a unique, amazing destination for any adventurous traveler. Although the exterior of the park features lush forests and beautiful rivers, the main attraction lies underneath the ground. There, you'll find over 400 miles of explored caverns, which together make up the longest known system of caves on the planet. You can take a guided tour to explore the incredible caverns and visit the most impressive chambers, such as Frozen Niagara, the Rotunda, and Gothic Avenue.
Popular State Parks Near Champaign, IL
Kickapoo State Park is a scenic natural haven that covers 2,842 acres of lush forests and lakes. The park features 35 miles of beautiful hiking trails, which can also be utilized for mountain biking and horseback riding. Visitors can also go boating, fishing, or scuba diving in the park's lakes or head to the Vermilion River for a day of kayaking or canoeing.
Located near the town of Oakland, Illinois, Walnut Point State Park is a serene stretch of land where visitors can camp, hike, hunt, or fish. If you decide to cast your line in the nearby lake, you may reel in a few catfish, brown bullheads, or bluegill. If you visit during winter, you can also enjoy some ice skating on the reservoir.
Weldon Springs State Park is another recreation area in central Illinois with abundant opportunities for water-based fun. During spring and summer, the 550-acre park is excellent for fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking. Alternatively, during winter, you can spend your visit ice fishing, cross-country skiing, sledding, or tobogganing.
Must-see Monuments and Landmarks Near Champaign, IL
While traveling the region, you may want to visit some of Illinois' most interesting monuments and landmarks. Many of the coolest destinations are found in and around Chicago, and one prime example is Willis Tower. The impressive building towers over the city at 1,729 feet high, and it was at one point the tallest building in the world. Visitors can head to the Skydeck and enjoy the unbelievable view.
Another worthwhile landmark in Chicago is Millennium Park, which is home to the fascinating Cloud Gate sculpture. The park covers 24.5 acres in the heart of downtown Chicago, and it's a pleasant and unique place to spend an afternoon.
If you travel to Springfield, Illinois, you can visit the Dana Thomas House. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright around the turn of the 20th century, the house was home to Susan Lawrence Dana, who was the heir to the Rocky Mountain silver fortune. The landmark is open to the public and features a large collection of Wright objects.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
Lots of excellent camping areas are found around Champaign, and one example is the Tincup RV Park. The campground offers 84 RV campsites available for $20-$35 per night, some of which include full hookups. There's also a beautiful golf course found only a few miles from the park.
Alternatively, you could enjoy a stay at Prairie Pines Campground, where you can rent one of the 95 full-hookup RV sites for only $26.50 per night. The campground also features a nice playground, and each campsite comes equipped with a fire ring and picnic table.
Another lovely camping option is Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, which boasts 308 RV campsites available for $10 to $35 per night. You can choose a site with full hookups if you like, and you'll also have nearby access to a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities during your stay.
RV Dump Stations Near Champaign, IL
Whether you're dropping off your soon-to-be Boilermaker at Purdue University or RVing to Lafayette for an outdoor excursion, the city offers a variety of activities. Take in the Columbian Park Zoo before finding one of the many campgrounds near Lafayette for a great time under the stars. We don't just have listings of the RV storage facilities in the area, though—we've also made a list of the RV dump stations near Lafayette to make your trip as pain-free as possible. Find pricing (or lack of it!), links to their websites, maps, and more below.
