RV Rental Illinois, IL

RV Rental Illinois: Motorhome, Camper, & Trailer Rentals IL

You can find both big city living and small town America in Illinois, which makes it a great destination for RVers. Known as the Prairie State, there is farmland and wetlands in part of the state and skyscrapers in the other. Whether you prefer picturesque natural views or urban adventures, Illinois has a lot to offer.

What’s great about traveling in the Land of Lincoln is that RV rentals in Illinois are very accessible, even if you’re new to the mode of travel. The hard part is deciding what you want to see because there are so many things to do. Plus, there are a variety of nifty camping spots (and delicious Chicago pizza) to experience.

Check out some top attractions, campsites, and other things you need to know before embarking on your RV trip in the heart of America.

Popular RV Destinations in Illinois

Route 66

One of the best ways to explore Route 66 is by starting in downtown Chicago, the very spot where the iconic roadway starts. There are plenty of places to stop along the way, including Dell Rhea's in Wilmington, which has some of the best fried chicken around. Next, stop at the Paul Bunyon hotdog statue for a photo with the 19-foot relic.

You can then take a look at the World's Largest Covered Wagon, which is over 24 feet tall. Follow this up with a visit to the Cozy Dog Drive In, which is known for its corn dogs. Other attractions on the Illinois segment of the highway include Doc's Soda Fountain, the Sky View Drive-In Theater, and Henry's Rabbit Ranch.

Chicago

Chicago is by far the state's most popular city. There are several places where you can park your RV or trailer if you want to spend some time exploring the Windy City located on Lake Michigan. In addition to museums, shopping districts, and plenty of nightlife options, Chicago also features an educational and entertaining architecture river cruise.

You can learn about the Willis Tower and Tribune Tower skyscrapers and then hop off and visit the impressive Field Museum, which includes the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil in the world. You can also catch a game at Wrigley Field or visit the Bean sculpture at Millennium Park.

Abraham Lincoln’s Presidential Library & Museum

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum is filled with interactive exhibits, high-tech displays, and a variety of galleries and theaters that provide an immense amount of detail about America's 16th president. There are live shows featuring special effects and a hand-written copy of the Gettysburg Address on-site.

Lincoln's tomb is located in Springfield and is where President  Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons are buried. A National Historic Landmark, the tomb features four flights of stairs that lead to a terrace that holds a 117-foot-tall obelisk. On a pedestal near the entranceway is a bronze recasting of Lincoln's head.

Starved Rock State Park

This is one of the state's top attractions and is located on the Illinois River. It features tall trees, sandstone canyons, beautiful waterfalls, and 13 miles of trails to explore. The park is home to deer, bald eagles, and a variety of migratory birds and is ideal for fishing, boating, and hiking.

There's something to do no matter what time of year it is, whether you want to go on an eagle watch, a winter solstice sunset hike, a wildflower pilgrimage, or a haunted hike exploring the "Ghosts of Starved Rock's Past."  The park is named after several Native Americans who died of starvation after taking refuge on a rock when their chief was stabbed during a tribal meeting.

Illinois Beach State Park

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park encompasses 6.5 miles of Lake Michigan's shoreline. It's incredibly scenic with sand dunes, marshes, and oak forests. There are hundreds of different plants in the area as well as prickly pear cactus and vibrant wildflowers. The southern end of the park is a nature preserve and a National Natural Landmark.

Visitors enjoy swimming, hiking, camping, boating, and picnicking. There's also a one-mile Zion Bike Trail that connects both sides of the park, which features several trails and campgrounds, making it ideal for both day-trippers and those who prefer week-long sojourns.

Mermet Springs 

If you like scuba diving, then you can't miss Mermet Springs, one of the top dive facilities in the Midwest. It's both a training facility and a dive site that the whole family can enjoy. The site boasts water visibility from 15 to over 60 feet, and the temperature can reach the mid-80s in the summer.

You can learn how to scuba dive and rent equipment on site. When you finally jump into the water, you can explore a Boeing 727 Airplane from the movie U.S. Marshals, a railroad coal car, and a bunch of underwater critters, among other things. The site also features a campground.

Events and Entertainment in Illinois

Clinton County Fair

For almost 70 years, Illinoisians have been celebrating summer at the Clinton County Fair in Carlyle. The week-long event takes place in July and provides lots of entertainment for children and adults of all ages, including tractor pulls, carnival rides, a parade, a 5K run, and a Miss Clinton County pageant.

There are also live performances, a family fun night, and lots of livestock, agricultural products, and farm machinery to check out. Of course, there's also a lot of food to sample as well as activities such as a cow milking contest, a demolition derby, and an auction.

Taste of Chicago

The Taste, as locals call it, is the largest food festival in the world. It takes place every July over the course of five days in Grant Park. Admission to the event is free, and dozens of restaurants participate. You have the option of purchasing bite-size portions or full-size meals from the vendors.

There are also a bunch of beverage tents as well as live performances. You can see the work of local artists, watch some improv from Second City, and listen to live music from some pretty big names, much of which won't cost you a cent.

Chicago Jazz Festival

The Chicago Jazz Festival has been going on since the death of jazz great Duke Ellington in 1974. The free, four-day festival occurs over Labor Day weekend and currently takes place in Millennium Park in the Loop area of downtown Chicago. Both world-renowned and local artists participate in the annual event.

Over the years the festival has hosted performers such as Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, BB King, Count Basie, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and countless others. Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events produces the event, and refreshments, including food, beer and wine, are available onsite for purchase.

Campgrounds and Parks in Illinois

Millpoint RV Park & Campground

Located on Upper Peoria Lake on the Illinois River, there are 80 shaded, full hookup sites at this RV park, including several pull-throughs for big rigs. It's a great place to camp out if you like hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating as it's next to the Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve. Guests also have access to a private spring-fed lake.

Amenities include free Wi-Fi, nature trails, 30- and 50-amp electric, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, showers, and firewood. Nearby attractions include restaurants, casinos, WeaverRidge Golf Club, Senara Health Healing Center & Spa, Segway tours on Peoria's waterfront, and the Peoria Zoo.

RV Park at Hollywood Casino Joliet

If you love gambling, then you may want to check out this RV park located outside of Naperville. It's the only one in Northern Illinois that is capable of accommodating motorhomes. There are 80 sites with patios and tables. Amenities include Wi-Fi, a complimentary breakfast, restrooms, showers, a laundry facility, a cocktail lounge, and a game room.

There are both back-in and pull-through lots, and RV guests have access to many of the same conveniences as the property's hotel guests, including shuttle service to the casino, which features over 1,000 video slots, video poker, and several table games, such as blackjack, craps, and roulette.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park is located less than two hours from Chicago. It's a great place to spend your RV vacation and includes volleyball courts, mini golf, horseshoes, heated swimming pools, a playground, a general store, snack bar, laundry facilities, and restrooms and showers.

Other activities include fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and kayaking. Or you can visit Chicago-area theme parks, such as LEGOLAND and Six Flags Great America. RVs, campers, vans, pop-ups, and big rigs are all welcome at the campground. Full hookup sites have 30- or 50-amp electric service, fire rings, paved pads and patios, and picnic tables.

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Illinois

There are plenty of things to see and do when you're traveling around Illinois in an RV. But eventually you will be required to drain your holding tanks. Fortunately, there are several dump stations available across the state, and many provide other basic services such as water and propane refilling.

Many of the state’s dump stations have service fees, but you may be able to find some that are free. 

• Addison Water Treatment Plant, Addison
• Downers Grove Waste Management Plant, Downers Grove
• Flying J Fuel Station, Lake Station
• Spindler Campground & Marina, East Peoria
• Springbrook Water Reclamation Center, Naperville

At some point, you may need to store your RV rental for a short period of time while you're traveling in Illinois. The state has several options, including the ones listed below:

• Butterfield Road RV Storage, Naperville
• Huntley RV Storage & Service, Huntley
• Wrubel RV & Boat Storage, Columbia
• Windy Hill Boat & RV Storage, Newark

FAQs

1. What are RV rentals?

Renting an RV is like renting a car or hotel room. You don’t have to pay for ownership or maintenance fees, and it’s a great way to try the mode of travel without making a large monetary commitment.

2. How much are RV rentals?

The price of an RV rental is based on the size of the camper and the duration of the rental. Smaller trailers and camper vans may cost between $75 and $150 per night, while larger ones may cost up to $250 per night. You typically save money if you rent for a longer period of time.

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Illinois?

You need to be at least 25 years old to rent an RV in Illinois.

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes. You need insurance to rent an RV just like you need insurance to rent a car. 

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

That’s up to the owner’s discretion. Make sure you understand the refueling requirements before you return the RV. 

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Illinois?

That depends on the owner. Many allow pets, but there may be an additional fee or deposit if you choose to travel with a pet.