I recently had an impromptu stay at Morrison-Rockwood State Park, immediately north of Morrison, IL. I drove into the park just after dusk on Monday, July 20, after a long day driving through Iowa. Having never been in the area before I tried calling the campground but could not reach a living person and decided I would go to the park and see if I could stay and pay the next morning as all I had on me was $20 and a credit card.
Unable to find anyone at the front gate I decided I would drive to the campground, stay the night, and then pay in the morning when the office opened. When I reached the campground I found a camp host and asked if my original plan would be a problem, he let me know that it would not but also told me to speak with one of other hosts on patrol that night.
I found her a short while later and learned that camping for the night was $20 which worked out as that was all I had left in wallet. After paying my fee and setting up camp I wasted no time getting to sleep. The next morning I took down camp, made some tea and had my daily breakfast burrito along with some vitamin D gummies and I was off to explore the park.
I’m a big believer that nothing short of an emergency will ever get me out of park until it has been explored. On this trip I brought my 360 camera and decided I would get that up and running while I waited on my food to cook. It had been sometime since I used that camera and had to relearn how to use it. Due to that I missed a few pictures, trashed a few others, but was able to capture just enough to remember the park by. It’s a huge place and I will go back in the future.
Google Maps Link
IL State Parks Link
Morrison-Rockwood State Park
18750 Lake Rd.
Morrison 61270
815-772-4708
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