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Thomson Causeway
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Thomson · Illinois · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 |
| Location | Thomson · Illinois · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 · 41.95167, -90.11083 · Map |
| Sites | 128 public sites counted from the federal listing — 121 standard electric; 5 tent only nonelectric; 2 group picnic area |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 128 of 128 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 105 of 128 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 128 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 128 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 99 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 125 sites · 30 ft: 123 sites · 35 ft: 109 sites · 40 ft: 93 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 133 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 2 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Water spigots |
| Phone | 815-259-3628 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-08-03.
From the official listing
Overview Thomson Causeway provides the unique experience of island camping on the great Mississippi River and it's well worth a try!
The western edge of the recreation area offers visitors an unobstructed view of the widest spot on the Upper Mississippi River Basin, 3.5 miles from shore-to-shore. Here, campers can enjoy memorable views of the river and the valley, and partake in plenty of great water activities. 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. 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. Contact Info For local information, please call (563) 362-8839 or call (815) 259-3628 for general information. 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.
Directions, from the listing
Take IL State Route 84 to Thomson, Illinois. Turn west onto Main Street, then turn south onto Lewis Avenue.
Nearest federal campgrounds
28 mi straight-line · HANOVER IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersFishermans Corner
30 mi straight-line · East Moline IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersBlanchard Island Recreation Area
64 mi straight-line · New Boston IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersWilborn Creek (Group Camp)
180 mi straight-line · SHELBYVILLE IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersForrest W. Bo Wood
183 mi straight-line · SHELBYVILLE Illinois
Trip Card — Thomson Causeway
Thomson · Illinois · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | Thomson · Illinois · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 128 |
| Max RV | Up to 99 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 128 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233651 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.