Des Plaines State Conservation Area campground
Des Plaines State Conservation Area
Reservations are required to secure a camping spot at Des Plaines State Conservation Area. It is recommended to make the reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons, as the campground tends to fill up quickly. The best time to visit this camping area is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is pleasant and the foliage is at its most vibrant.
Visitors to Des Plaines State Conservation Area should be aware of a few specific items of interest and things to be careful for. The campground is situated within a conservation area, so it is essential to respect the natural surroundings and wildlife. Mosquitoes can be abundant during the summer months, so it is advisable to bring insect repellent. Additionally, campers should be cautious of ticks and take necessary precautions, such as wearing long pants and using tick repellent. Overall, Des Plaines State Conservation Area offers a serene camping experience with a range of amenities, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
What's on-site at Des Plaines State Conservation Area
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Des Plaines State Conservation Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desplaines Conservational Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Kankakee River State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Davis Creek Group Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Tony's Cabin | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Illini State Park Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Des Plaines State Conservation Area -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee River Near Wilmington | 3,710 cfs | → |
| Mazon River Near Coal City | 212 cfs | → |
| Du Page River At Shorewood | 288 cfs | → |
| Hickory Creek At Joliet | 50 cfs | → |
| Long Run Near Lemont | 8 cfs | → |
| Blackberry Creek Near Yorkville | 38 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Des Plaines State Conservation Area -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal City | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Carbon Hill 3.1 N | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Minooka 0.3 Ne | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Morris 6.4 Ese | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Des Plaines River At Brandon Lock & Dam | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Manhattan 0.8 Ese | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Nature Preserve Grant Creek Prairie
- Des Plaines Conservation Area
- Mckinley Woods Forest Preserve
- Channahon State Park
- Channahon Park District - Arrowhead Community Center
- Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Boat launches
- Cottage Road Will County
- Goose Lake Road 3903, Grundy County
- West Shepley Road Channahon
- Novy Road Shadow Lakes
- Channahon Road Joliet
- Shadow Lakes
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Des Plaines State Conservation Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Des Plaines State Conservation Area
Can I make reservations at Des Plaines State Conservation Area?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Des Plaines State Conservation Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Des Plaines State Conservation Area.