Apple River Canyon State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Apple River Canyon State Park is located in the upper northwest corner of Illinois near the Wisconsin border. This 297-acre park is home to limestone bluffs, ravines, numerous wildlife and the Apple River. Visitors have been enjoying a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and picnicking since the state of Illinois purchased the park in 1932.
Spring 27–71 F
Summer 59–84 F
Fall 30–75 F
Winter 12–33 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Apple River Canyon State Park
The Canyon Ridge Camping Area is the lone campground in the park that allows RVs and includes 49 Class “C” sites. Camping is available from mid-April until the end of October. The Canyon Ridge Camping Area has a dump station as well as drinking water. Each site can accommodate an RV up to 25 feet long, but there are no electrical hookups. Pets are allowed but must remain on a leash at all times. Campers will find a fire pit at each site, and there are public restrooms within a short walking distance of all sites.
Canyon Ridge Campground
Canyon Ridge Campground offers 49 RV sites with a few being handicap-accessible. The sites accommodate Class C RVs up to 40 feet long. Canyon Ridge Campground is located in Apple River Canyon State Park, making it convenient for recreational activities.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dump station, restrooms, showers
Vel Terra Campground
The Vel Terra Campground offers a peaceful setting surrounded by picturesque, rolling hills. This destination, which is 12 miles south of Apple River Canyon, provides both tent and RV sites for all Class A, B, and C sizes. All camping sites come with a picnic table, fire pit, and free firewood.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dump station, playground, indoor gathering room
Lena KOA Campground
Located 18 miles from Apple River Canyon, Lena KOA Campground offers both back-in and pull-thru sites for all sizes of RVs. Most of the sites are gravel, but the Deluxe Patio Site comes with outdoor furniture, large patios, a propane grill, and a fire pit. All sites are near bathrooms, hot showers, and campground activities.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Heated pool, bike rentals, sand volleyball, horseshoes
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
What to Do at
Apple River Canyon State Park
The Canyon Ridge Camping Area is the lone campground in the park that allows RVs and includes 49 Class “C” sites. Camping is available from mid-April until the end of October. The Canyon Ridge Camping Area has a dump station as well as drinking water. Each site can accommodate an RV up to 25 feet long, but there are no electrical hookups. Pets are allowed but must remain on a leash at all times. Campers will find a fire pit at each site, and there are public restrooms within a short walking distance of all sites.
Inside Apple River Canyon State Park
Apple River Canyon State Park has five trails that wind through the woods of the park for several miles of greenery, mature trees, and wildlife. The river is stocked every trout season, so you'll be sure to catch some fish. Anglers have also caught many other fish species, including smallmouth bass, suckers, sunfish, carp, and crappie. When it's time for lunch, you can go picnicking at the variety of picnic areas along the riverbank. Bird-watching, wildlife viewing, and recreational trail programs are some other excellent activities to enjoy inside the state park.
Fishing
The Apple River is home to a variety of fish species including smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, carp and suckers. In the spring, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources stocks the river with keeper-size trout. However, these trout have a limited lifespan in the river once the warm summer months arrive. A state of Illinois fishing license is required.
Nature Watching
The park is known for its active wildlife including deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, eagles, hawks and 47 varieties of birds.
Stargazing
Apple River Canyon State Park is nestled in a remote location of Illinois that is far away from light pollution. This provides excellent star gazing opportunities when there is no cloud cover.
Flora and Fauna
The colorful canyon walls sport mosses, lichens and rugged bushes. The rest of the park is home to 14 different ferns and more than 500 species of herbaceous plants as well as 165 varieties of flowers.
Hiking
There are five separate hiking trails within the park that wind through the woods, bluffs and along the scenic riverbank. The trails average 1.5 miles and vary in their difficulty based on the terrain you choose to explore. Hikers must remain on the trails at all times.
How to Get to
Apple River Canyon State Park
Apple River Canyon State Park is located at 8763 E Canyon Rd, Apple River, IL 61001. If you're traveling to the park from Rockford, IL, take US-20 W until you reach IL-78 N. Turn right onto IL-78 N for 6 miles, then turn left onto E Canyon Rd. Follow E Canyon Rd until it turns into N Canyon Park Rd, where you will see the park entrance on your right.
Entering Apple River Canyon State Park
The park is open 24 hours and does not require a permit for entry. When you enter the park, there will be a paved parking lot on your right which also serves as the trailhead for Pine Ridge Nature Trail. Another small parking area is on the opposite side of N Canyon Park Rd, providing access to the River Boute Nature Trail and Tower Rock Nature Trail. Both of these are out-and-back trails. To find the campground, travel over the river, and make a left turn. This is where you will also find the dump station and two restrooms.
Apple River Canyon State Park Entry Fee : $0.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple River Canyon State Park
If you are an avid angler, spring is the best season to visit the park. This is when the Illinois DNR stocks the Apple River with trout.
Deer, raccoons, squirrels, eagles, hawks and a large variety of other birds can be found in the park.
Yes, there are designated RV camping spots in the Canyon Ridge Camping Area. These spots can accommodate an RV with a maximum length of 25 feet.
Yes, you must reserve a camping spot. This can be done online up to 180 days in advance of your stay. The cost of a campsite is $8 per night.
Yes, pets are allowed and encouraged in the park but must remain leashed and under control at all times.
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