Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is on the lookout for campground hosts for the 2025 camping season. These positions are available at various state parks, recreation areas, and historic sites throughout Illinois.

Campground hosts play a vital role in welcoming visitors to state parks. Their responsibilities include checking arrivals and departures, issuing camping permits, familiarizing campers with park facilities and regulations, answering questions about local attractions, and assisting visitors in planning their outings.

One of the benefits of being a campground host is free camping in personal RVs, motor homes, or trailers at designated spots within state parks. Calvin Beckmann, chief of parks and recreation for IDNR, emphasized the importance of public interaction: "Above all, the quality all campground hosts possess is a passion for working with the public."

Those interested in becoming a campground host can complete and submit a program packet. For inquiries, individuals can contact the superintendent at the respective site. The following IDNR locations currently have openings for host positions:

- Clinton County: Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

- Coles County: Fox Ridge State Park

- Franklin County: Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area

- Hamilton County: Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area

- Henry County: Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area

- LaSalle County: Illini State Park; Starved Rock State Park

- Madison County: Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

- Menard County: Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site

- Randolph County: World Shooting and Recreation Complex

- Shelby County: Hidden Springs State Forest

- Vermilion County: Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area

- Whiteside County: Prophetstown State Park

- Winnebago County: Rock Cut State Park