Camping Illinois

Book excerpt: Camping Illinois is the first campgroud guidebook to explore the Prarie State's surprising bounty of quiet, out-of-the-way parks replete with lakes, rivers, wetlands, rugged hills, and rocky cliffs - from every state park camping option to lesser-known county and village parks, as well as federal campgrounds. Ted Villaire gives us the lowdown as he covers northern Illinois and Chicagoland, the plains, the region between the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers, the St. Louis area, and the Shawnee National Forest. If a campground is too close to an intersate or if there is little level ground to pitch a tent, you'll hear about it. If one is well maintained, with large campsites in a lovely landscape, youll hear about that too. Look inside for information on: • Campground locations • Facilities and hookups • Fees and reservations • Recreational activities • What equipment and clothing to bring • Tips on wildlife and safety