Little Falls Campground
4.2510 reviewsLittle Falls Campground
$5.00 - $10.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$10.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Tent Site: $10 per night; Extra Vehicle: $5 per night.
Share this campground
USFSProvider
About this campground
Tucked away in the heart of the Illinois River corridor, Little Falls Campground offers an authentic wilderness experience for those seeking solitude and simplicity. This intimate, three-site campground invites you to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature's rhythms. Each tent site comes equipped with the essentials—a sturdy picnic table for riverside meals and a fire pit for evening gatherings under star-filled skies. A unique amphitheater with its own grand fire pit serves as a natural gathering place for sharing stories and forging connections with fellow adventurers. While amenities are purposefully minimal—featuring only a vault toilet and requiring visitors to pack out their own garbage—this back-to-basics approach ensures an unspoiled experience. Without running water on-site, campers should arrive prepared, but the trade-off is worth it: uninterrupted views of the Illinois River meandering through dramatic mountain landscapes.
The campground caters primarily to tent campers and has only three designated campsites. There is no indication of accommodations for RVs, groups, or luxury camping options.
Weather and SeasonsLittle Falls Campground transforms with the seasons, offering distinct experiences throughout the year. Summer brings warm, comfortable days perfect for river exploration and evening campfires, though occasional rain showers keep the landscape lush and vibrant. As autumn arrives, crisp air and changing foliage paint the surrounding mountains in brilliant hues. Winter adventurers will find a quieter campground, where snow occasionally dusts the peaks and frost creates magical morning landscapes—though proper cold-weather gear is essential. Spring's arrival brings wildflower blooms and renewed energy to the river valley, though this transitional season can deliver everything from sunshine to sudden showers. Smart campers check forecasts and pack layers, as mountain weather can shift dramatically even within a single day.
Natural Features and SceneryThe Illinois River serves as Little Falls' centerpiece, its gentle current providing a soothing soundtrack to your camping experience. Towering mountains create a natural amphitheater around the campground, their slopes adorned with diverse vegetation that changes character with elevation and season. The nearby Botanical 8 Dollar Mountain area adds another layer of natural wonder, where rare and endemic plant species thrive alongside more common flora, creating a botanist's paradise. Wildlife moves through these corridors at dawn and dusk, while raptors circle overhead during the day. The interplay of river, forest, and mountain creates constantly shifting light and shadow, ensuring no two moments at Little Falls look quite the same.
Geological RegionLittle Falls Campground sits within the remarkable Illinois Valley, a region where ancient geological forces have sculpted a landscape of extraordinary beauty and ecological diversity. The surrounding mountains tell a story millions of years in the making, their exposed rock faces and varied elevations creating distinct microclimates that support the area's famous botanical diversity. The Illinois River has carved its path through this terrain over countless millennia, creating the gentle valley where the campground now rests. The proximity to Botanical 8 Dollar Mountain—renowned for its exceptional concentration of rare plants—places campers at the intersection of unique geological and biological zones. This convergence of river valley and mountain ecosystems creates opportunities to observe an unusually wide variety of plant and animal species within a relatively small area.
Campsite details
AccessibilityThe campground does not have specific accessibility features mentioned in the sources.
Sites SizeThe campsites are relatively small, as noted by users, and sites are 'a little bit too snuggly close' to each other.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy is limited as the campsites are described as being close together with no brush or significant separation.
Total Campsites3 campsites
Recommended CampsitesUsers suggest bringing your own water due to lack of potable water. Privacy between sites is limited, so campers may want to plan accordingly.
Reserving a campsite
Stay Limit
14 days maximum length of stay.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutThe campground has three closely situated campsites with an amphitheater, fire pit, and loop trail leading to the river.
Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground is first-come, first-serve only.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Little Falls Campground offers limited recreational opportunities directly at the site, but there are nearby trails and Illinois River access. Activities include hiking on trails that connect to the Pine Trail and Boardwalk Botanical Trail and the possibility of viewing the river.
Hiking
Hiking trails are accessible from the campground, including a loop trail leading to the river and the Little Falls area. There is also a trail leading to the Bureau of Land Management’s Pine Trail and Boardwalk Botanical Trail.Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Campfires are allowed only in developed fire pits.
- Quiet hours are enforced between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Hazards
General hazardsNo major hazards explicitly noted in authoritative sources, though user reviews mention issues with transients and vehicle break-ins.
Weather forecast
101
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 17%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 5.2 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Clear sky
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Good to know
Trash and recyclingNo garbage disposal facilities are available on-site; campers must pack out their trash as per the 'Leave No Trace' principle.
Proximity to water featuresThe campground is near the Illinois River, but access to the river involves a steep, long hike. There is no potable water available onsite.
Common complaintsUser reviews frequently mention lack of privacy between campsites, the campground being overrun by transients or trimmigrants during good weather, and notable concerns about vehicle break-ins.
Campground Map
Driving directionsFrom Kerby, OR, travel the 8 Dollar Road 5240. About 2 miles up the road on left is entrance to the campground.
Campground is accessed via 8 Dollar Road, a paved road. No seasonal closures mentioned or other navigation challenges noted.Camper Reviews
4.3
10 reviews
Little Falls Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Little Falls Campground are mixed, with some praising its beauty and simplicity while others criticize its lack of privacy, basic facilities, and security concerns.
Review Summaries
Based on 10 reviews
What Campers Love
Many reviewers appreciate the natural charm of the area, describing it as a 'beautiful place' with 'awesome views.' The trails and proximity to the Illinois River are also positively noted. The...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Common issues raised by users include the lack of water and garbage facilities, which require campers to pack in and out. Privacy is limited because campsites are close together. Other concerns...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Campers should bring their own water due to the lack of potable water on-site. It is also advisable to arrive early as the campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. Campers should...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
During peak seasons, the campground can get crowded. Security concerns such as vehicle break-ins seem to be more common during busier times, and the presence of transients has been noted.
Based on 10 reviewsCamper Quotes
- 'First, the name is misleading, there is no "falls". It's actually a rapid, so anyone looking for a waterfall is going to be disappointed.'
- 'The campground is small, just a couple of spaces that...
Based on 10 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Sites are described as being close together and lacking privacy. The campground has only three tent sites, making it small and sometimes crowded.
Based on 10 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash.
Based on 10 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025