“it's a pretty grand place”
Apple River Canyon State Park is in the hilly northwest corner of Illinois in Jo Daviess County near the Wisconsin border. Limestone bluffs, deep ravines, springs, streams and wildlife characterize this area. Once a part of a vast sea bottom that stretched from the Alleghenies to the Rockies, the scenic canyon area was formed by the action of the winding waters of the Apple River. The park was established by the State of Illinois in 1932, and today consisting of 1.907 public owned acres. Several other sites within Jo Daviess County are managed as part of the Apple River Canyon State Park Complex: Thompson and Salem Units, Iris and Jack Witkowsky Wildlife Area, Tapley Woods Natural Area, Hanover Bluff Natural Area, Hanover Bluff Nature Preserve, Wards Grove Nature Preserve, McKeague Unit Nature Preserve, Rall Woods Natural Area, and Apple River Canyon - Winston Tunnel Unit. Flowing for countless centuries, the Apple River has cut through limestone, dolomite and shale deposits carving the canyon and creating massive cliffs rising high above the water. Upon close examination, the colorful canyon reveals walls dotted with mosses, lichens and tenacious bushes rooted to the sheer walls by minute crevices.The glacial sweep which leveled hills and filled valleys in other parts of the state left this area unscratched. Commonly referred to as the Driftless Area because of the lack of glacial episode, largenumbers of fossil remains are present on the surface in areas throughout northwestern Illinois. Lack of glaciation also was responsible for making lead veins easily available, which contributed to early development of the area.The park contains such wildlife as deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, eagles, hawks and 47 varieties of birds. At least 14 different ferns and over 500 different herbaceous plants and 165 varieties of flowers including the diminutive Bird's-eye primrose, can be seen throughout the park.
Reviews of Apple River Canyon State Park
1 person has reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 5G
Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on May 26, 2019The campground is away from the river in a wooded area. Two loops have well shaded sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Despite the info above, the only site with electricity is the one occupied by the host. Parking slots are grass as are the balance of each site. The sites are well separated. Water hydrants are available. Toilets are vault types. A sanitary dump station is available.
Nightly Rate: $8.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 47
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon
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Apple River Canyon State Park
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- State park or forest
- Back In RV Sites Count
- 12
- Last Nightly Rate
- 8.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 8.0
- Max Stay
- 14
- Sites Count
- 50
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Rec Facilities
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Pull Through
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Back In RV Sites
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Vehicle Wash Permitted
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Water Hookup
Campground
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