State: Illinois
Address 1: 1201 State Avenue
City: Hampton
Phone: 309-496-2620
Open: Seasonal
Number of Sites: 85
Electric Water: 60
Camp URL: www.ricfpd.org
Full Hook: Yes
Location of Link to Camping USA: http://www.ricfpd.org/FPGen.aspx?id=682
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Tents Allowed: Yes
In 1944 the Rock Island County Forest Preserve Commissioners purchased a 174-acre tract of land along the Mississippi shoreline east of Hampton, IL for $40,000.00. This land was owned by Albert Oltman and was known as the Oltman tract farm. The Oltman tract was believed to be a popular place for Indian gatherings, so the Forest Preserve was given the name of Illiniwek, which means favorite Indian spot. A bond issue was floated for $225,000 in 1944. Illiniwek received $100,000 of this bond for construction and improvements.
In the late 1940s a well and water system, roads, and parking areas were installed in the forest preserve. Throughout the 1950s other improvements were added and a caretakers dwelling was constructed. Both modern and primitive camping facilities were made available to park patrons in the 1960s. A hillside scenic overlook was constructed in the 1980s providing picturesque views of the Illiniwek preserve and Mississippi River.