Nothing is better than getting to spend time in nature. There is something about the outdoors in Illinois that makes it the perfect place for fishing, hiking, swimming, or just sitting under a shady tree to read or nap (aka, what I do). Being the Prairie State, it’s also an idyllic environment for wildflower viewing, and this place to go camping in Illinois with wildflowers is one of the best spots to admire fields full of colorful petals. Harry L. Swartz Campground is bound to become one of your new favorite places to enjoy the great outdoors!

The Harry L. Swartz Campground is located within the 1,702-acre Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in the small town of Penfield in East-Central Illinois.
Illinois campground with wildflowers
Nicholas Nocek/Google User Reviews
The campground consists of 65 campsites for RVs and primitive tent camping, 53 of which have electricity.
Chad Mirus/Google User Reviews
Campsites are surrounded by hickory, hackberry, and large, shady oak trees, making it a great spot for nature lovers who like the feel of being fully enveloped in the outdoors.
Champaign County Forest Preserve District/Facebook
Camping season runs from April to October, and leashed dogs are allowed (except at the beach and picnic areas). Rates are budget-friendly and are offered for groups and double sites.
Cool off, go for a swim, or do some fishing from the campground's ponds and beach, which offer clear waters and plenty of shore space.
Ava Marie/Google User Reviews
An on-site playground is another great recreational activity for the kiddos.
Ava Marie/Google User Reviews

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And clean shower facilities offer a place to wash up and refresh after a day at the beach or an evening next to the fire pit.
Luke Bernier/Google User Reviews
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is famous for its International Dark Sky Park, which is a protected dark sky area that makes for absolutely breathtaking views of the night sky — a stargazer's dream.
Middle Fork Nature Preserve/Google User Reviews
But the park is also known for its abundance of wildflowers, especially near the Harry L. Swartz Campground.
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve/Google User Reviews
These flowers make the campground one of the best seasonal campgrounds in Illinois!
The campground is conveniently located within the park so access to its over 7 miles of trails is super simple. The 2.4-mile Oak Burl Trail is rich with wildflower fields, and the 0.8-mile Prairieview trail offers a tranquil path through tall grasses and even more flowers.
Ikirak S/Google User Reviews
While you can find many of the usual Illinois native flowers here, you can also find some that are rare to the area like the Illinois Carrion flower, which attracts flies for pollination by emitting a "rotten meat" smell.
Champaign County Forest Preserve District/Facebook
This is probably the one instance where stopping to "smell the roses" can be skipped. Now there's a unique element of Illinois camping!

So, would you spend some time relaxing in nature at this Illinois campground with wildflowers? Where’s your favorite spot to view flowers and grasses in Illinois? Have another beloved camping spot? If you’ve ever visited Harry L. Swartz Campground, tell us in the comments! We are always happy to hear about your experiences.

Start planning your trip by checking out the Champaign County Forest Preserve District website. And learn more about the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve’s famous night sky at the Dark Sky Park — an incredible sight for stargazers!

If you’ll be taking a long drive to get to the campground, take a look at The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List by OnlyInYourState so you will be prepared for everything that could come up on your trip.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Featured Addresses
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, 3485 County Rd 2700 E, Penfield, IL 61862, USA