Tent camping near Addison, Illinois offers accessible wilderness experiences within an hour's drive of this DuPage County suburb. Located in the prairie region of northeastern Illinois with elevations averaging 675-700 feet above sea level, the area features a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summer camping season typically runs May through October with temperatures averaging 70-85°F, while limited winter camping options exist for cold-weather enthusiasts.
What to do
Kayaking the Illinois River: Kayak Morris provides campsites along the Illinois River with on-site rentals. "Camp sites are dotted next to the shore of the river, there's kayak rentals, and there's enough space for multiple tents on one site. If you forgot your tent they rent them out as well," notes Eric R.
Fishing at river convergence points: The confluence areas create productive fishing spots. "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!" reports Sam Murphy M. about his experience at Kayak Morris.
Hiking the I&M Canal Trail: The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail system connects multiple camping areas through crushed gravel paths. The trail is ideal for day hikes from camp with minimal elevation change, making it suitable for all skill levels.
Wildlife observation: Multiple forest preserves support bird watching opportunities, especially at dawn. Early risers may spot woodpeckers, though some visitors note they can be noisy morning neighbors at certain campsites.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: MacQueen Forest Preserve offers exceptional spacing between campsites. According to Marisa A., "There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart. That's right, at least 50 yards. You can't see the campsite next to you."
Affordable rates: Tent camping near Addison costs significantly less than developed campgrounds. Marcus D. notes about MacQueen, "I will definitely be going back this year especially since it's close to me and it's only $5/night."
Self-service convenience: Many tent campgrounds in the area operate with self-check-in systems. "It's all self-checking, you just use the pay box in the parking lot," explains Amy G. about the camping process at MacQueen Forest Preserve.
Stargazing opportunities: Open meadow sites at several preserves provide excellent night sky viewing. Nick C. recommends MacQueen Forest Preserve, noting "Only sites 1,2,8 are forested the rest are around a large open field," which creates ideal stargazing conditions.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Railroad lines run near several campgrounds in the area. Amy G. warns about McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove: "Note: if you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night."
Gate closure times: Many forest preserves lock entrance gates at sunset. Brian O. advises campers to "Check the fine print on your reservation! Water is available by an old fashioned pump, and is drinkable, but cloudy. There's only one pit toilet."
Limited water access: Most primitive tent sites near Addison do not provide potable water. Campers should bring sufficient drinking water supplies for their stay, as even preserves with pumps often have non-potable sources.
Potential flooding: Some campsites experience water issues after heavy rains. Rita S. reported at McKinley Woods, "Nothing was mentioned about this site being a flood zone. Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up."
Tips for camping with families
Look for accessible sites: Some preserves offer ADA-compliant camping options. Brian O. explains that at McKinley Woods, "The road is a path, so the sites are ADA accessible (two of the four sites are paved as well)."
Consider walk-in distance: Channahon State Park Campground requires walking to reach tent sites. Art S. notes, "It should also be noted that you need to walk in to the campsites (parking is really close by)."
Bring gear transport: Many tent sites require walking in equipment. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in," according to Amy G.
Try guided programs: Some campgrounds near Addison offer structured outdoor activities. At Kayak Morris, campers mention "glampout" events with morning meals: "morning breakfast after the glampout night provided by the staff, good food and quite environment."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: True RV camping options are scarce near Addison. Most preserves restrict camping to tents only, with the few allowing RVs having no hookups or amenities for larger vehicles.
Consider size restrictions: Camp Shabbona Woods permits vehicles but with limitations. Jeffrey L. notes, "No electric or water hook ups can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite. The good the bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly."
Best for small trailers: Campers with compact trailers report mixed experiences. One visitor to McKinley Woods explains, "We have a small, motorcycle trailer so we ended up rolling down hill 100 yds. then back again after our 2 night stay, a bit of a hassle, but not a problem. Just be aware of it."
Urban noise factors: Unlike remote campgrounds, tent camping near Addison includes some city sounds. Scott M. observes about Camp Shabbona Woods, "This camp site is in a very urban area and is very small."
