Blackwell Family Campground

For years, this was our go-to campground for weekend nearby adventures. Over the years, the price has increased and at $30 per site for non-residents, it's a bit steep for tent camping for me (so I left off a star rating). All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs. It's located in a beautiful wooded Dupage County Forest preserve. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained. While I didn't camp here this year, I took these photos the last weekend in October to give everyone a sense of how nice this campground could be for them. My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views. For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods. Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends. Heads-up that sites 21 &amp; 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites.

Weekend Camping with lots of activities

This is a little gem in DuPage County. We live in the area and went here when our child was a baby, as we didn't want to be far from home. The campsites are surprisingly nice.  Most are wooded on each side for privacy. There is a nice shower facility. The grounds include a lake for boating, hiking trails, and bike paths. There is also an archery range, and some ranger programs. Very nice. 

Great family campground

I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little.  They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also.  I love them and miss them everyday. 

Great Hiking!

We like to hike and this site had great (kid and beginner adult level) trails.  We were in town for the Sgt Tommys fishing day and lived that event as well.

Loved it

These sites are for boy/Girl Scout or large groups only. The trails are nice and the water is crystal clear. Nice place for a winter hike. Canoe rentals and free archery range.

Great fishing

Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home. They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites and great prices for firewood. Sites are level and clean and they have modern bathrooms. We take our kayaks to the lake during the summer and Illinois just did away with reg stickers this year.

Hidden Gem

Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway. The website is very descriptive when it comes to photos and explaining the campsite (I.e if it’s wooded or open) which I loved. I feel like I was able to pick the perfect spot. There’s so much to do too from the lake to hiking! Most sites also have electricity hook ups! For only $20 a night for DuPage residents this place is perfect!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this campground 

Well thought out campground in the middle of the suburbs.  You can actually forget that you are in the middle of a very urban area.  If your looking to camp near Chicago, this is the spot! Only complaint is you get locked in an hour after sunset, but still worth coming here.

Hidden gem

Blackwell campground is very nice - surprisingly well-maintained with unique sites, many of which are large and private.  Some have large lawn areas as well as nice wood-chip pads, while others are mostly gravel.  All look very level.  Bathrooms and shower house are clean and also well maintained and water is available at quite a few spots.  The main road throughout the camp is mostly large gravel - keep that in mind if you're walking to the shower house, your flip-flop shower shoes are probably not going to be comfortable! 

  

Note that you have to drive over 5 speed bumps throughout the preserve to get to the campground.  The preserve itself is large and one of the best in the area, with boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic areas, and even an archery range.   It's in the middle of a suburban area with lots to do nearby, so you'll get great cell signal and unfortunately lots of road noise.

Great weekend spot

This was our first time camping here. We loved it. We booked again to stay here in another 2 weeks! 

Love it!!

Blackwell Forest Preserve and its lake and grounds are really lovely, and a nature-filled surprise to find amidst such a populated area. The campground and the whole park are very well maintained, and the people working there, kind and helpful.

The design of the campground is perhaps the most difficult part.  At least half of the campsites are wrapped by a very busy main road, Winfield Rd, a few dozen yards away, and on a Friday and Saturday night you can hear, and from some sites, see every souped up car, motorcycle and truck that that goes by---late into the night.  As tent campers, we found it disturbingly loud and difficult to sleep with, or even to relax with during day and evening hours.  It seemed to defeat the purpose of being out in nature for us, which was frustrating in such a beautiful place.

On that side of the campground which was downhill, there is little privacy between  the fairly close together sites, and everyone had a fire built by suppertime.  The collective smoke just hung in the air from the ground up to the tree canopy, making for some uncomfortable breathing at night.

If you are in an RV with AC and can shut yourself in, you probably don't have to worry about either concern.  But if you are into actual camping, it might be a consideration, depending on your tolerance and sensitivity.

We would go back to the park in a hot minute if we were in the area.  However, we would likely only camp there if we could have a more private, upland site on the opposite side of the campground, that was also suitable for tenting.

Beautiful, well-kept park with a few shortcomings

Stayed with the kids here, great spot close by to us just to get out. Many spots here have a good amount of spacing and privacy which is great. Don't like how so many campgrounds stack you on top of each other.

Local amenities of the forest preserve are nice to have from fishing, boating, archery and an old garbage hill to climb up. Im also not sure if its an everyday thing, but the ranger did stop by around 5 or 6ish with some activities for the kids to do. Lots of kids so good opportunity for the little ones to socialize. Some kids seemed to be a little too free

They don't allow you to leave the camp area after 9(?) which is a bit disappointing since it's a county forest preserve and closes.

Grates of campfire pits made it easy to cook and plenty of self serve well seasoned firewood available on site.

They have both hole in the ground toilets as well as a cleaner lit bathroom facility.

Biggest negative is the traffic noise is still very noticeable from the site and the limit to late night walks

Great local spot for family

Driving in here makes you forget you’re in the middle town! Quite and roving park rangers which gives it a very safe feel around here. Only electric hook ups dump station on site and potable water on site also