Illinois State Parks Launch New Reservation System May 1

If you're planning to make camping reservations at an Illinois State Park this summer, there's a new and improved system to book your space launching soon.

Transition to New Reservation Platform

Campers and outdoor enthusiasts across Illinois will soon see changes when booking campsites and shelters at state parks and historic sites.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) confirmed reservations will shift to an upgraded platform starting May 1, aiming to streamline the user experience and modernize the camping reservation system.

Despite this upgrade, users will still access reservations through the existing portal, ExploreMoreIL. Still, the redesigned interface will make it easier to search for campsite availability, secure permits, and manage bookings.

Reservation Blackout Window

As part of the transition, electronic reservations will be temporarily unavailable from April 27 through April 30, when neither customers nor park staff will have access to the system.

However, Illinois State Parks will still accept walk-up reservations at campgrounds, depending on availability.

What Existing Users Should Know

All current reservations will automatically transfer to the new system, but users must create a new account using the same email address tied to existing bookings. The agency is urging customers to monitor their inbox for instructions to avoid disruptions.

Get our free mobile app

One notable change includes a new 12-month rolling reservation window for picnic shelters. Previously, visitors had to wait until July 1 to reserve for the following year, often creating a bottleneck for high-demand locations