Harry L Swartz Campground

Can you imagine stargazing under one of Illinois’ darkest skies? The Harry L. Swartz Campground, located in the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve near Penfield, Illinois, is renowned as the state’s first International Dark Sky Park. This tranquil haven offers shady campsites surrounded by mature oak, hickory, and hackberry trees, with abundant wildflowers adding seasonal splashes of color.

The campground offers 65 spacious sites, 53 of which include electric hookups, and provides essential amenities such as restrooms, showers, a dump station, and picnic areas. Its natural surroundings combine open prairie and hardwood forest, crisscrossed by hiking trails that reveal the preserve’s scenic beauty and wildlife. Adding to its family-friendly appeal, the campground features a playground, a swimming beach, and small ponds for fishing.

Situated just five miles north of Penfield, the campground’s proximity to attractions like Champaign-Urbana (30 minutes away) enhances its accessibility. Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway or an extended retreat, Harry L. Swartz Campground offers an ideal mix of relaxation and outdoor adventure beneath a breathtaking canopy of stars.