Camping
April 1st - November 30
(Except Thomas Woods - See Below)
Tip: Use our interactive map 
to locate specific campsites!
View a printable brochure of available camping sites and fee list.
Group Campgrounds are available for reservation on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To reserve a site, a completed permit and fee is due in the District's Brookdale Administrative Office at least ten (10) working days in advance of your desired date for approval. Brookdale, 18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock; (815) 338.6223; Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Refunds are issued on cancellations received ten (10) working days in advance. The District will not issue refunds or carry over reservations that are cancelled due to weather-related conditions.
Winter Camping:
Dec. 1 -March 31
Marengo Ridge
Group Campground remains open throughout the winter. All other District campgrounds (with the exception of Thomas Woods at Marengo Ridge) close on December 1st for the winter season and reopen April 1st (subject to change based on weather conditions).
Thomas Woods Individual Campsites/Marengo Ridge
May 1 - End of October
The exceptions to the pre-approved permit requirement are the Thomas Woods at Marengo Ridge individual tent camping and RV sites. Click here for a map of the sites.
All campers need to check-in no later than 7:00 p.m. Campers must check-out by 2:00 p.m.
Campers are welcome without reservations if space is available.
Fees are as follows:
$10.00 per night for a non-electric site; $15.00 for non-residents
$20.00 per night for Electric, RV only; $30.00 for non-residents
Holiday weekend surcharge: $2 residents; $5 non-residents
To reserve a site at Thomas Woods call the District office at (815) 338-6223. Reservations are taken until Thursday at noon for the upcoming weekend.(Campers are welcome without reservations if space is available.)
The District's on-site campground host issues permits, sells firewood and collects necessary fees.
GROUP CAMPING FEES
(INCLUDES A FIREWOOD FEE)
Resident Groups
1-2 Nights |
3rd Night |
|
1-25 |
$35 |
$15 |
26-50 |
$65 |
$20 |
51-100 |
$105 |
$25 |
101-150 |
$135 |
$30 |
151 & Up |
$190 |
$35 |
Holiday Weekend Surchage:
1-50 $10
Above 51 $20
Non-resident Groups
1-2 Nights |
3rd Night |
|
1-25 |
$70 |
$30 |
26-50 |
$130 |
$40 |
51-100 |
$210 |
$50 |
101-150 |
$270 |
$60 |
151 & Up |
$380 |
$70 |
Holiday Weekend Surchage:
1-50 $20
Above 51 $40
INFORMATION & PERMITS
For information on site availability or to obtain a permit, stop by the District's main office at 18410 U.S. Highway 14 between Woodstock and Harvard or call (815) 338-6223.
Sites & Facilities
Beck's Woods 
printable map
5940 N. Pagles Road, Chumung
Group Camping: 25 people, parking for 6 cars
Shelter/Picnic: 100 people, parking for 40 cars
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Picnicking
Hickory Grove Riverfrontprintable map
500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane, Cary
Group Camping: 25 people, parking for 5 cars
Shelter/Picnic: 80 people, parking for 20 cars
Activities: Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horse Trails, Picnicking
The Hollowsprintable map
3804 Route 14, Cary
Group Camping: 360 people, parking for50 cars
Shelter Grove #1: 75 people, parking for 15 cars
Picnic Grove #2: 50 people, parking for 10 cars
Picnic Grove #3: 50 people, parking for 12 cars
Lake Atwood Shelter: 75 people, parking for 30 cars
Activities: Camping, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horse Trails, Picnicking
Marengo Ridgeprintable map
3100 N. Route 23, Marengo
Shelter #1 (electricity): 60 people, parking for 25 cars
Shelter #2: 75 people, parking for 21 cars
Picnic: 50 people, parking for 20 cars
Group Camping: 160 People, parking for 20 cars
Thomas WoodsTent Sites: 29 sites
Thomas Woods RV Sites: 18 sites
(No utilities at RV sites except Site #0, electric and water; and Site #4, electric only)
Activities: Camping, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Picnicking
Rush Creekprintable map
20501 McGuire Road, Harvard
Group Camping: 80 people, parking for 20 cars
Shelter: 100 people, parking for 25 cars
Picnic: 50 people, parking for 25 cars
Activities: Camping, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horse Trails, Picnicking
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