The top places to visit and camp in Illinois include Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, and Joliet. Once you decide where you want to stay, it's time to check out RV rentals such as Class C motorhomes and travel trailers. The prices that you pay in Chicago and other large cities are higher than what you would pay in a rural area because of the higher cost of living. Chicago rentals start at just $79 per night for a travel trailer that sleeps five. You can even pick up your rental on your way to The Windy City.
Joliet has Class A and similar motorhomes that do not require a truck to pull. You can even find one that lets you tow your car behind you. These rentals range in price from around $200 to $300 per night based on the age of the motorhome and the amount of space that it has. Class A motorhomes in Illinois are available for around $200 a night too. Though some have slide-outs that you can use once you set up, others have extra beds. You might pick one with a sleeper cab over the front seats or an RV with a folding couch in the living area.
The Windy City of Chicago is a popular tourist destination and the biggest city in Illinois. A 1905 donation led to the city adding public art on many of its streets, some of which you can still see today. The immigrants who moved to Chicago established small communities that reflect their heritage, including Chinatown and Little Italy.
Northeastern Illinois is home to Aurora, which is one of the largest Chicago suburbs. The downtown area houses multiple buildings on the National Register of Historic Places such as the Paramount Theater. It also has the Fox Valley Mall, which has dozens of shops and a carousel.
Joliet is in Will County and is around 30 miles from Chicago. You can visit the first Dairy Queen in the nation, which is now a church, or check out the Joliet Prison that appeared in many films and TV shows. Joliet is also home to the Chicagoland Speedway that hosts IndyCar and other races.
Naperville is another large city that is close to Chicago. It hosts an annual film festival, where artists from around the world share their work, and a concert series that is held in Central Park every summer. There is also a 1.75-mile trail that runs along the river.
Illinois has dozens of state parks that are popular with visitors and locals, including Illini State Park. It covers more than 500 acres on the grounds of an old golf course. Jubilee College State Park was developed on the Jubilee College State Historic Site. The old college was open for more than two decades and now features dozens of acres of green spaces.
It's easy to explore the Kankakee River at the Kankakee River State Park as it is home to 11 miles of that river. Canoeing and fishing are popular things to do on the water, but you can also take a horseback ride or go for a hike. At more than 2,800 acres, Kickapoo State Park is one of the largest state parks in Illinois. It boasts nearly 230 acres of lakes along with more than 30 miles of hiking trails.
Close to multiple cities, Lake Murphysboro State Park has tons of sites for picnics and a three-mile sightseeing and bird-watching trail. Bird-watching is popular at Lowden State Park, which also has a large monument dedicated to Chief Blackhawk.
At the Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, you'll find three separate areas that include one spot for hiking through the woods and another for swimming or hiking around the lake. The third spot is one of the best places for hunting.
Caving enthusiasts will find tons of caves to explore in Mississippi Palisades State Park. A portion of this park is now a national landmark. You may enjoy the fishing and boating in Pere Marquette State Park or the canoeing and fishing in Pyramid State Recreation Area, which is the largest park operated by the state.
Sycamore RV Resort is one of the top campgrounds in Illinois for those who love the water. An on-site store offers all of the equipment and supplies that you need for camping or watersports. The RV park has around 30 acres of lakes for swimming, boating, and fishing. Archway RV Park in Mt. Vernon has its own fishing pond for anglers who want to stay close to their RVs. This campground will make your pets feel as welcome as you do.
When visiting northern Illinois, consider Kankakee South KOA, which is just a short drive from Chicago. This park is close to the training camp used by the Bears during their off-season and has full hookups. It is also close to the state park of the same name and can help you rent a canoe or another boat for the day.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Newark is a favorite among families heading to Chicago. Named for the iconic cartoon character, this RV park has a horseshoe pit and volleyball court next to a playground and miniature golf course. It also has a game room with arcade games and a pool table along with planned activities during the busy season.
There are multiple Illinois dump stations located around Joliet and other popular destinations. At the Auburn Travel Center, a 24/7 dump station sits right outside of the travel plaza, which offers fast food and souvenirs along with fuel and camping supplies. The Martin Campground in Joliet is open during standard business hours six days a week. You need to pay a fee to use the dump station if you aren't a campground guest. There's also a dump station at the Carl Spindler Marina and Campground in East Peoria. You can use the dump station for free as a guest of the campground, which is open from March through December.
Illinois State Fair: You won't want to miss the fun of the Illinois State Fair in August. It has livestock and other agriculture shows along with rides and live entertainment.
Shades of Autumn Fall Festival: Get ready for fall at this McHenry festival in October. You'll have the chance to pick a pumpkin and find fall treats as you listen to music and check out all of the booths.
Pitchfork Music Festival: Fans flock to Chicago every year in September for the Pitchfork Music Festival. It lasts for four days and features music from multiple genres.
Oktoberfest Quad Cities: Celebrate Oktoberfest in style in Rock Island. The German American Heritage City sets up exhibits dedicated to the history of German immigrants and welcomes tons of vendors who sell food and drinks.
Riot Fest: September also brings Riot Fest to Chicago, which features some of the top alternative bands in the world and frequently features rare band reunions. The festival runs for three days.
Ghosts and Gangsters Tour: Learn about all the ghosts and gangsters who once roamed the state on this tour. It takes place in October and lets you learn as you kayak.
Though Illinois does not have any national parks of its own, there are several nearby, including Indiana Sand Dunes National Park. Located in Chesterton, Indiana, it's just a short drive from the Illinois border and an hour away from Chicago. The beautiful sand dunes create the perfect beach environment and a nice place to relax or swim. You can also explore Lake Michigan by boat or check out some of the hiking trails, including the Mount Baldy Trail and Paul H. Douglas Trail. There is also a Diana of the Dunes trail that teaches you about the park's resident ghost.
Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is another national park that you might visit. This park is on an island in the middle of Lake Superior and has a ferry that takes you to and from it. As the temperature can drop quickly, it's helpful to bring an extra jacket or wear a few layers. There are hiking trails on both the southern and northern areas of the island, including the 3.6-mile Grace Creek Overlook and the 3.8-mile Suzy's Cave Trail.
Illinois landmarks that are worth a visit include Willis Tower. Known as the Sears Tower for many years, it was the world's tallest building for 15 years. Standing more than 1,700 feet tall, the tower offers rides to the top to see the breathtaking views of the city. If you're a fan of outdoor spaces, Millennium Park is a must-see. It is home to “Cloud Gate,” which is a famous sculpture of a large silver bean, and more than 24 acres of open spaces.
Chicago's Navy Pier is close to Millennium Park and has tons of shops and restaurants. One popular thing to do is ride on the Ferris wheel to see the city in a new way.
Starved Rock State Park often gets overshadowed by the larger state parks in the area but offers fun for visitors of all ages. The sandstone caverns show you what life was like for the Native Americans and are close to multiple waterfalls. This park has its own campground, too.
On average expect to pay $169 per night in Illinois.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Illinois?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Illinois from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Illinois?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in Illinois?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in Illinois.
