This Campground Near the Mississippi River Is Perfect for an Illinois Escape

A sharp sliver of sunshine ricochets off the banks of the Mississippi River, and I hear the breathy whistle of a bald eagle taunting me overhead. It’s the first moment of a peaceful weekend at a secluded campground in Illinois. Sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River, it’s one of those places so fabulous you almost don’t want to tell anyone about it. It’s the river oasis where I come to rub shoulders with bald eagles and play footsie with pelicans. Theoretically, you know, because in a place like Seven Eagles Resort and Campground, I can pretend I’m part of their world. 

Where This Campground Is and How Close It Is to the Mississippi River

Even if I’m one for whimsy and romanticism, I’m not one for over-exaggerations, so when I say I’m communing with the love birds and mafia of the Mississippi River, I mean it. If Seven Eagles Resort and Campground could be any closer to the water, it’d have to be anchored on a sandbar, directly inside a pelican’s nest, with the bald eagles judging every step and shadow we make. Truly, some of the best views in Illinois are right here, and the only thing between this hidden campground in Illinois and the mighty Mississippi River is the Great River Trail. It’s a paved, 63-mile rail trail that links the small town of Savanna to the Quad Cities. Historic downtown Savanna is just 3 miles up the road on Highway 52, offering an ideal spot to grab coffee, groceries, or lunch in small-town Illinois. 

What to Expect When You Camp Here

Its location alone makes Seven Eagles Resort and Campground one of the best campgrounds in Illinois. But the variety of camping and lodging options, plus the impressive amenities, really put the cherry on top. You can choose from 72 modern campsites that quickly turn your camping into glamping, with 20-, 50-, and 100-amp electricity, water hookups, RV pull-through sites with full hookups, concrete patios with picnic tables, fire pits, and high-speed fiber Wi-Fi. Or, if you’re sans tent or RV, like me, you can choose from a dozen different cabins or cabin-themed motel rooms. Camp sites range from $50-70 per night, cabins from $115-130 per night with a two-night minimum, and motel rooms are $95-150 per night. All bookings include access to the full range of seasonal resort amenities, including an in-ground swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a gaming lounge, a clubhouse, a fully stocked pond, and direct access to the Great River Bike Trail. Am I dreaming, or is this one of the best campgrounds in Illinois?

Things To Do Nearby

Seven Eagles Resort & Campground certainly has enough features to keep you occupied for the duration of your stay. Still, other nearby attractions to explore include the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Mississippi-Palisades State Park, and, of course, the Great River Bike Trail and downtown Savanna. A few places I love in Savanna include the historic twin movie theater, the military surplus store, and Novel Bloom (a coffee shop, bookstore, and flower shop in one).

If camping near the Mississippi River is on your Illinois road trip agenda, add  Seven Eagles Resort & Campground to your bucket list before the secret gets out. Its scenic atmosphere, small-town appeal, and endless amenities make it a quick favorite for anyone who stays here. Book your stay with the pelicans and eagles before the repeaters secure all the best summer dates.