Welcome to Canvasback Cove, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Shabbona, Illinois. This picturesque campground offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern amenities, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike. Surrounded by lush woodlands and stunning lake views, Canvasback Cove provides a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
At Canvasback Cove, you’ll find a variety of campsites to suit your needs. Whether you’re traveling with a big rig or prefer a more secluded spot, our well-maintained and flat campsites ensure a comfortable stay. The campground features two loops—Merganser and Teal Bay—available by reservation, while Canvasback Cove accepts walk-ups. Each site is designed to offer privacy and convenience, with easy access to essential amenities.
Our facilities include a camp store stocked with essentials, clean and modern shower facilities, a dump station, and water access throughout the campground. For families, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained, from playgrounds and fishing piers to a boat launch for water adventures. At night, gather around a bonfire and enjoy the starry skies—a perfect way to end your day.
Canvasback Cove is also a gateway to outdoor exploration. With easy access to Arrowhead and Tomahawk Trails, you can hike, bike, or simply soak in the natural beauty of the area. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere, combined with the well-maintained grounds, makes this campground a favorite among visitors.
Here’s what our happy campers have to say:
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended stay, Canvasback Cove promises an unforgettable experience. Come and discover why so many visitors return year after year to this beautiful campground in Shabbona, IL.
Onsite services
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Hiking
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Restroom
Slides
Swings
Tent sites
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Playground
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
This campground is fantastic!! Wooded, private campsites, very flat and well packed. Some are a bit small and hard to navigate with a big rig but once you get set the spots are delightful. Camp store, showers, dump station and water on site. Merganser and Teal Bay loops by reservation only, canvasback cove accepts walk ups. Great location with lake views and easy access to both arrowhead and tomahawk trails! Everyone here was so friendly and place was very well maintained, plenty of bathrooms and water access throughout. Highly recommend this campsite you will have a great time! Bonfires at night and playgrounds and fishing for the kids along with a boat launch and piers.
Great glad I got my favorite spot since everyone rents it for the hole week just for the weekend during the summer
The views from cabins #1 + #2 are worth the price of rental. Spectacular sunrises, soft alpenglow on the clouds at sunset, and magnificent star viewing at night. Nature is abundant. Deer and wild turkey sighting are very common. Bald eagles and osprey can be spotted feeding daily on fish from the lake. Pelicans, heron, and egrets are common. Raccoons are seen nightly in the campground, too (So, keep your food secure). The coyotes will serenade you to sleep at night with their songs from the surrounding hills. Cabins are sparse, but, comfy. No cooking in cabins, but I imagine you could run an electric tea kettle for Ramen Noodles, or oatmeal. There are 3 double 110V outlets in cabin #1 (no outside outlet). Cabin #2 has outside outlet. There is 1 double bed in front room, and 4 single bunk beds in the back room. One large table, 4 chairs. No toilet (outhouse = 75 yds, shower/flush toilets = 1/4 mi, night jar = just under the bed : ). Both cabins have air conditioning and base board heaters. Cabin #1 is better, in that you can back down right to the cabin. Cabin #2 there is short walk down a hill to the cabin (25 yds?). Fishing is excellent at Shabbona Lake (ssshhh....don't tell anyone). There is an old wooden dock back in the cove where kids (and kids at heart) can catch bluegills and perch one after another, on wax worms and a small hook. There are fishing boats, pontoon boats, and other craft to rent at concessions. The bait shop is reasonable and the bait is fresh. Folks are friendly and will try to put you on fish. Pokanoka’s Dockside Cafe has excellent cheese burgers with beef raised on the Honiotes' Family Farm, about a mile from the park. Their Friday fish fries a very good, too. Firewood is available at the camp store. I would definitely recommend staying in Canvas Back Cove for a most relaxing and enjoyable stay.
This is a place we return to over and over canvasback cove and the site we choose to reserve over and over 118 is close to the playground in close to the dock for our grandchildren the view of the lake is absolutely
Amazing campground.. nice and quiet all day i will be coming back