OutReserve

Thomson Causeway

Sunset on campsite #69
View of Potter’s North campground loop roadway.
Thomson Causeway day use area playground.
View of roadway in Potter’s North campground loop.
Campers driving into the Thomson Causeway campground.

Featured amenities

Playground
Playground

About Thomson Causeway

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.

Number of accommodations: 126

Campground Amenities

  • Potable Water
    Potable Water
  • Dump Station
    Dump Station
  • Playground
    Playground

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed - Opens on May 1

Sites & Availability

126 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 002, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 003, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 004, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 005, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 007, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 008, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 010, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 016, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 018, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 019, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 020, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 021, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 022, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 024, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 025, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 026, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 027, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 028, Loop: PMAS
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 034, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 035, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 036, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 037, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 038, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 039, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 040, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 041, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 042, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 043, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 044, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 045, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 046, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 047, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 048, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 049, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 050, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 051, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 052, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 053, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 054, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 055, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 056, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 057, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 058, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 059, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 060, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 061, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 062, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 063, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 064, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 065, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 066, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 067, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 068, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 069, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 070, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 071, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 072, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 073, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 074, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 075, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 076, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 077, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 078, Loop: PMAN
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 079, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 080, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 081, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 082, Loop: RIVE
50 Amp · Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 083, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 084, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 085, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 086, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 087, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 088, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 089, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 090, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 091, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 092, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 093, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 094, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 095, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 096, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 097, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 098, Loop: RIVE
Electric Only
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 099, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 100, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 101, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 102, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 103, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 104, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 105, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 106, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 107, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 108, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 109, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 110, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 111, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 112, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 113, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 114, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 115, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 116, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 117, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 118, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 119, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 120, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 121, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 122, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 123, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 124, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 125, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
🚐 126, Loop: HPOI
Water & Electric
$26.00
/ per night
127, Loop: TENT
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$14.00
/ per night
128, Loop: TENT
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$14.00
/ per night
129, Loop: TENT
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$14.00
/ per night
130, Loop: TENT
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$14.00
/ per night
131, Loop: TENT
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$14.00
/ per night

Reviews (625)

What Guests Are Saying

Thomson Causeway is praised for its beautiful riverside camping, clean facilities, and friendly staff, making it a favorite among visitors. Campers appreciate the spacious concrete pads, proximity to nature, and stunning sunsets over the Mississippi River. While some concerns were raised about noise from barking dogs and a less-than-friendly host, the overall experience is highly positive, with many planning to return.

Review Summary

4.6
625 reviews
5
73.9%
462
4
20.3%
127
3
2.9%
18
2
1.9%
12
1
1.0%
6

Donald G

Verified

June 15, 2025 Stayed at: 051, Loop: PMAN

5

COE doing a great job with this park. The location is awesome with proximity to water and abundant wildlife.

Bailey M

Verified

June 13, 2025 Stayed at: 053, Loop: PMAN

4

Lots of wild life!! Showers need work.

robert c

Verified

June 11, 2025 Stayed at: 114, Loop: HPOI

2

we have been coming back to this same site for 6 or 7 years now. I don't think we will be back again. The site has lost it's shade, that happens, but the addition of the light over the parking area is a deal breaker. It is SUPER BRIGHT, hard to tell if its day or night, hard to sleep . I realize some light for security might be necessary but this was lit up like a prison yard. In fact maybe that's where they got the light from. If it has to be there put it on a timer or dimmer to go off or down during the quiet hours. The tent campers I talked to were also complaining about the light. The showers don't drain well and there were dead bugs on the shower floor. The host at the check in was friendly as usual and the view from our site was great, but the light ruins a good spot

John W

Verified

June 10, 2025 Stayed at: 077, Loop: PMAN

5

A+++. Never disappoints

Robert B

Verified

June 9, 2025 Stayed at: 059, Loop: PMAN

5

One of the nicest campgrounds along the upper Mississippi. Can get good cellphone reception

Sarah T

Verified

June 6, 2025 Stayed at: 038, Loop: PMAN

5

When I drove in, I knew we had chosen the perfect place. Surrounded by nature, regrets, and herons hunting. It was beautiful. The paved sites made it easy to set up.
It was quite windy during our stay and chilly. I joked the the one liner review would request they turn down the wind. But, be prepared for a breeze. Make sure canopies are tied and weighted.

There's a bike path at the beginning of the campground and it goes through a prairie that was just starting to bloom. It's going to be gorgeous at the end of June through August or September.
There are Sandhil Cranes, nesting Bald Eagles, frogs, turtles and snakes.
Many of the other campers we met, come here often. I can see why. It's peaceful and immersed in nature. Pull up a comfy chair and just enjoy nature.

The bathrooms are in good condition.

Carl C

Verified

June 2, 2025 Stayed at: 090, Loop: RIVE

5

Z

Cathy P

Verified

June 2, 2025 Stayed at: 044, Loop: PMAN

4

Thomson Causeway is our favorite campground. We love the nature, beauty and peacefulness. We have always found it to be clean and the staff friendly.

BRETT K

Verified

June 2, 2025 Stayed at: 016, Loop: PMAS

5

Very well maintained, the rangers are very nice and friendly people.

Deborah B

Verified

May 30, 2025 Stayed at: 047, Loop: PMAN

5

We stayed in Potter South on a spot that extends into the Mississippi. The site boasted glorious-white pelicans, yellow beaked egrets, great blue herons, geese parents guiding goslings out to explore and feed, cranes, 2 eagles supporting each other on a nest. There were an adult and an adolescent beaver working on their home and an abundance of turtles. Our grape jelly feeder brought in many orioles but our hummingbird feeder was less frequented. The bike trails were well maintained and offered a mix of forest and prairie environments. The little town of Thomson had few amenities except a drive-in for burgers and ice cream but the larger town of Clinton Iowa, a 20 minute drive away, had all the stores and recreation of any urbanized area.

We have already reserved the same site for August this year.

Location Thomson Causeway

Address:
1600 Lewis Avenue
Thomson, IL, 61285
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 41.9517 / -90.1108

Elevation: 184 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

New check-out/set up times this year:             Check-out: Noon             Campsites available to set up on at 2 pm, you may set up earlier than 2 pm if the campsite is vacant  

General

All campers must check-in on the day of arrival during fee booth hours.

General

Fee booth hours are:           Monday - Wednesday - 4 pm - 8 pm            Thursday - Sunday - 9 am - 12 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm             Mondays of holiday weekends - 9 am - 12 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm 

General

Campsites 33, 79-97, and 127-131 do not have water available at each campsite. You are able to fill up your holding tank at the dump station or from a water faucet. Campers must unhook from water faucet when done filling holding tank.  

General

Please make sure to empty or flush your water and waste tanks at the designated dump station drains only. Emptying tanks, including freshwater tanks, on roadways, parking lots, campsites or other areas in the park is prohibited. Also, dumping or emptying water or waste tanks, including freshwater tanks, on state, county or city roads is illegal per state statutes. Thank you for your cooperation.

General

Campers using a discount card are required to verify their discount card number during check-in by providing the discount pass and a photo ID.

General

Only one RV and two tents will be allowed on RV sites. The only exception is if there is no RV on site, in which case you may have three tents.

General

Visitors are expected to be aware of Campground Rules 

General

To learn more about this campground, click here

General

Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

General

Firewood can be purchased in the campground during the hours of 5 pm to 8 pm nightly for $6 per bundle from the on-site firewood shed. Use the QR code at the firewood shed to pay for firewood using a credit card. No cash or checks are accepted for firewood sales.

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