CampgroundDay Use

Thomson Causeway

Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
Near Thomson, Illinois

Facilities

Of the 125 reservable campsites, 120 have electric hookups and 5 campsites do not have electric hookups and are for tents only. Campsites in the Hickory, Potters South, and Potters North camping loops have water available at each individual campsite. Thomson Causeway provides the comforts of modern camping, including drinking water, an accessible flush toilet, electrical hookups, shower house and boat ramp, while still providing visitors with an authentic outdoor experience. This park also offers 2 reservable picnic shelters for day use.

Natural Features

The campground is built mainly on an island in the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Slow moving water on the eastern edge of the main recreation area creates a rich environment in which wildlife and fish abound.

Recreation

Popular activities include fishing, hiking, hunting, biking and boating. Common fish species include the channel catfish, bluegill, walleye, large mouth bass, and northern pike. The Central Trail section of the famous Mississippi River Trail passes beside the campground, offering visitors miles of walking and biking trails along the river bank.

Recreation Sites

  • Standard Electric
  • Management
  • Tent Only Nonelectric
  • Group Picnic Area
  • Overnight
  • Day

Activities

  • Day Use Area
  • Hunting
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Biking

Amenities

  • Accessible Pit Toilets
  • Amphitheater
  • Boat Ramp
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Firewood
  • Picnic Area
  • Playground
  • Water Spigot
  • Electricity Hookup
  • Picnic Table
  • Grills/Fire Ring
  • Water Hookups
  • Picnic Tables
  • Grills
  • Fireplace
  • Accessibility
  • BBQ

Nearby Attractions

Head northbound along the river to see the Ayers Sand Prairie State Nature Preserve or the Mississippi Palisades State Park.

Visit the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center and Fulton's Dutch Windmill. Or watch a minor league baseball game at the Clinton Lumberkings stadium.

Getting Here

Latitude
41° 57' 6.0001" N
Longitude
90° 6' 38.9999" W
Take IL Route 84 to Thomson, Illinois. Turn west onto Main Street, then turn south onto Lewis Avenue.

Need to Know

  • New check-in/out times this year:

                 Check-in: 2 pm 

                 Check-out: Noon

  • Campsites 33, 79-97, and 127-131 do not have water available at each campsite. You are able to fill up your holding tank at the dump station or from a water faucet.  

  • Please make sure to empty or flush your water and waste tanks at the designated dump station drains only. Emptying tanks, including freshwater tanks, on roadways, parking lots, campsites or other areas in the park is prohibited. Also, dumping or emptying water or waste tanks, including freshwater tanks, on state, county or city roads is illegal per state statutes. Thank you for your cooperation.

  • All campers must check-in on the day of arrival during fee booth hours.

  • Fee booth hours are:

               Monday - Wednesday - 4 pm - 8 pm

                Thursday - Sunday - 9 am - 12 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm 

                Mondays of holiday weekends - 9 am - 12 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm 

  • Campers using a discount card are required to verify their discount card number during check-in by providing the discount pass and a photo ID.

  • Only one RV and two tents will be allowed on RV sites. The only exception is if there is no RV on site, in which case you may have three tents.

  • Visitors are expected to be aware of Campground Rules 

  • To learn more about this campground, click here

  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

  • Firewood can be purchased in the campground during the hours of 5 pm to 8 pm nightly for $5 per bundle from the on-site firewood shed.
  • Contact Information

    PO Box 398
    THOMSON, IL 61285
    1600 Lewis Avenue
    Thomson, IL 61285

    For local information, please call (563) 362-8839 or call (815) 259-3628 for general information.

    mvrodmn13@usace.army.mil

    Additional Information