What to Do When You Stay at Camp Aramoni

Camp Aramoni is the first and only boutique campground in Illinois. When you arrive, you can expect boutique camping, inclusive meals and on-site activities. Camping in luxury comes with a lot of perks. Local wildlife sightings? Check. Private hiking trails and complimentary bicycles? Yep. Delicious made-to-order meals and seasonal cocktails? We have that too.

Your Boutique Camping Experience

Imagine waking up wrapped in luxury linens before taking a hot shower in your safari-style tent. Step out onto your wraparound deck and soak in the sights and sounds of nature. Then, wander down to The Barn for your made-to-order breakfast and pair it with a latte from the cafe. Feeling adventurous? Hike our private trails or float in the canoe. After a day spent in nature, enjoy your dinner at The Barn and grab a cocktail at The Burlington, our converted 1971 Airstream Ambassador. Finally, end your day with housemade gourmet s’mores while gazing at the stars.

Complimentary On Site Activities

Wondering what to do at Camp Aramoni? We invite you to enjoy the many complimentary activities we offer:

• Hiking – Take a scenic hike on our expansive private trails and explore the two creeks that run through the property.
• Canoe on the Pond – Float in a beautiful handmade canoe at Ristokrat Pond.
• Go Fishing – You supply the gear and we supply the fish. Ristokrat Pond is stocked with catfish, blue gill, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. You are invited to fish this pond at your leisure.
• Wade in the River – The Vermilion River is truly one of the most beautiful features on the property. In the summer and fall, the river becomes so low that you can actually walk across it!
• Bike – Explore the property on one of our six complimentary adult bicycles that can be picked up at The Barn.
• Play – Play one of the lawn games in the meadow or enjoy one of the complimentary board games available inside The Barn. You can even take games back to your room!
• Read – We offer an expansive library in The Barn stocked with books that you can take with you on your hike or back to your room.
• Watch for Birds – Birdwatchers love our property! Bring your binoculars and search the surrounding woods and riverbanks for native Illinois birds in their natural habitat.

Dine– Breakfast, dinner and nightly gourmet s’mores are included in your stay. We invite you to join us at The Barn to enjoy our rustic, made-to-order menus. Or, relax around your personal campfire and enjoy roasting the complimentary gourmet s’mores.

Explore with a Guide

Sometimes, we all need a little guidance. Please email concierge@camparamoni.com to book these guided activities:

• Fishing Lessons – $25 Per Person
  Join our seasoned instructor every Saturday as he shows you how to bait your hook and cast your line as you learn about the fish that live in the pond.
• Yoga Class on the River – $35 Per Person
• As the sun rises over the Vermilion River, immerse yourself in nature while our instructor leads you through a relaxing yoga experience. A yoga mat is provided along with a hydrating beverage.

Exclusive Boutique Camping Culinary Experiences

These premium culinary experiences give you even more options as to what to do at Camp Aramoni. If you would like to add any of these experiences to your reservation, please email concierge@camparamoni.com.

Enjoy a Picnic in Nature

This is not your childhood picnic in the park. Our team will serve a luxurious picnic for you fully set with picnic blankets, pillows, a picnic table, dishware and fresh cut wildflowers handpicked from our property. We offer three different experiences that can be enjoyed at one of our seven private picnic areas.

• Rustic Light Fare – $180 for Two People
  Enjoy a spread of delicious, bite-sized options perfect for a light lunch amidst nature. Includes a charcuterie board, marinated feta Greek salad, smokey carrot sunflower seed dip and your choice of one bottle of wine.
• Picnic Luncheon – $265 for Two People
  The picnic luncheon is a hearty, filling option that will certainly leave you feeling satiated. Includes a marinated feta Greek salad, two Italian bistro sandwiches, our signature pasta salad, smokey carrot sunflower seed dip, hickory brown sugar BBQ potato chips, two salted caramel cheesecakes and your choice of one bottle of wine.
• Family Fun Picnic – $65 Per Adult and $45 Per Child
• Made with families in mind, this picnic encourages you to connect with your favorite people over delicious bites in the great outdoors. Includes your choice of one sandwich per person (Italian bistro, caprese, roast beef and cheddar, turkey and muenster, or veggie delight), small charcuterie board, assorted fruit platter, our signature pasta salad, hickory brown sugar BBQ potato chips and chocolate chip cookies.

Try an En Suite Tasting

Camp Aramoni’s en-suite culinary experiences are perfect for enjoying around your personal campfire. Please email concierge@camparamoni.com to book.

• Chicago Dogs by the Fire – $42 for Two People
  Roast your own dogs for a true Chicago experience in the middle of nature. No ketchup allowed! Includes all-beef hot dogs and poppy seed buns, all the fixin’s (mustard, relish, diced white onion, house pickles, celery salt and sliced tomato), seasonal pasta salad, hickory brown sugar BBQ potato chips, roasting sticks and firewood for your own personal bonfire.
• Whiskey and Chocolate Flight – $65 Per Person
• Whiskey and chocolate. A match made in heaven. Includes four select whiskeys each paired with assorted chocolates from Minonk Chocolate Company located 28 miles from Camp Aramoni. All whiskeys are sourced from Illinois distilleries.

Experience a Private Chef Dinner

Follow Executive Chef Carson Barger as she leads you through a four course dinner at $325 per couple. Menus are created with local and seasonal fare, and dinner is served in a private location. Please email concierge@camparamoni.com to schedule your dinner.

Book a Culinary Class (10 Person Minimum)

Curious as to what to do at Camp Aramoni with a large group? We have some exciting classes waiting for you when you book your stay. Please email concierge@camparamoni.com to book a culinary class (10 person minimum required).

• Charcuterie Board Making Class – $45 Per Person
  In this hands-on one-hour experience, you will learn how to make your very own charcuterie board complete with a bounty of fresh meats, cheeses, vegetables, dips and spreads with Executive Chef Carson Barger.
• Marshmallow and Craft Cocktail Class – $45 Per Person
  Join Chef Carson as she leads you through the preparation of our famous housemade marshmallows in this one-hour class. After you learn how to make these delicious treats, we will lead you through two marshmallow and craft cocktail pairings.
• Succulent Painting Class – $50 Per Person
• In this immersive two-hour class, you will delve into the art of succulent arrangement as our owner, Jennifer, guides you through the process of planting these resilient plants in bricks sourced directly from the historic brickyard that once operated on site. Includes charcuterie, one drink ticket and your succulent centerpiece.

Schedule a Therapeutic Massage

Relax with an hour-long en-suite massage in your lavish safari-style tent. Guests are welcome to book a therapeutic massage by emailing concierge@camparamoni.com. (*Couples massages are not an option due to limited space in the tents.)

• Swedish – $140
  Relieve muscle tension and promote relaxation.
• Aromatherapy – $150
  Includes natural oils to enhance your therapeutic experience.
• Deep Tissue – $165
  Realign the deeper tissues of your muscles.
• CBD – $175
• Includes top quality extracts containing menthol and camphor to melt the aches away.

Venture Off Site and Visit a State Park

Camp Aramoni is just a few miles away from the most popular state park in Illinois, Starved Rock State Park, as well as Matthiessen State Park and Buffalo Rock State Park. Ancient glaciers helped form these state parks’ canyons, rushing waterfalls and hiking trails for all skill levels. Starved Rock State Park features 18 total canyons to explore, and you will definitely want to visit Wildcat Canyon and Eagle Cliff Overlook while you are there.

Go Antiquing in Neighboring Towns

Starved Rock Country is home to many unique small businesses. Here are some of our favorite local antique stores to immerse yourself in small town life as you hunt for treasure.

• Canal Street Market – Handmade, homegrown, homemade and vintage goods sold by local artisans in the historic downtown Utica. Held every Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM from May 30th until September 26th.
• Clarks Run Creek – Rusty, old, recycled, weathered, refinished, shabby, vintage, antique, chippy, trendy, or just plain cool. Enjoy the hunt and have a glass of wine while you shop.
• Canal Cargo Market – 6,500 sq. ft. of vintage furniture and decor situated in a historic building in downtown LaSalle.
• Vintage Antiques and More – Located in Oglesby, this quaint shop features a wide selection of antiques, vintage items, home decor items, furniture, paintings, antique toys, garden gifts and much more.
• 229 Estates – Specializing in rarities, uniques and one-of-a-kinds, this store is located in Ottawa and features military antiques, collectibles, antique furniture, sports and trading cards, antique coins and currency, vintage items, antique books and more.
  

Try A Local Winery, Distillery or Brewery

• August Hill Winery is a quaint winery and tasting room located in scenic Utica. Relax with a glass of wine on their patio and take in the live music. They also have regular events throughout the summer to enjoy.
• Star Union Spirits Distillery, located in nearby Peru, is the first licensed distillery in Peru for over 100 years. Give their New American Brandy a try in the onsite tasting room or take a distillery tour to learn more about the craft of distillation. Be sure to take in the sites of their building as well. Formerly known as Westclox, the building was once home to a clock making factory. And if the craft cocktail alone wasn’t enough of a draw, the distillery shares a complex with the one-of-a-kind Westclox Museum, a fascinating trip back in time where guests can admire antique clocks while learning about the factory’s storied industrial past.
• Tangled Roots Brewing Company is a brew pub and tap room located in Ottawa. Serving up craft beer brewed from local hops and barley grown by local farmers, their farm to foam creations are a must-try for any beer enthusiast.
  

Ready to Book your Boutique Camping Stay?

Our 2025 season runs from Thursday, May 1 to Friday, October 31. A two-night minimum stay is required. Book your stay on our website or by calling 815-224-7333.