Best Campgrounds near Antioch, IL

Camping areas in the Antioch, Illinois region encompass both established campgrounds and recreational facilities concentrated around Chain O' Lakes State Park. Several campgrounds like Fox Den, Honeysuckle Hollow, and Turner Lake South provide options for tent camping, RV sites with electric hookups, and some cabin accommodations. The area's proximity to various lakes and waterways makes it particularly appealing for campers seeking water recreation opportunities, with most campgrounds offering reasonable access to fishing, boating, and kayaking.

Reservations are highly recommended for camping sites in the Chain O' Lakes area, especially during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity quickly. Many campgrounds feature electric hookups, though water and sewer connections vary by location. Most established sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restrooms or shower facilities. Weather conditions remain fairly moderate throughout the camping season, which typically runs from May through October. Visitors should be aware of specific campground regulations, as alcohol is prohibited at Illinois state park campgrounds but may be allowed at private facilities. A review noted, "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill."

The campgrounds in this region provide varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Sites at Honeysuckle Hollow offer adequate space between neighbors with some tree coverage, though several reviews mention proximity to adjacent campers during busy periods. Wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful, with birds and local fauna frequently spotted. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "Large sites with plenty of room to spread out. Plenty of birds and other wildlife for the kids to see." Water activities remain the primary draw, with many visitors highlighting kayaking, canoeing, and fishing opportunities across the interconnected lakes. Most campgrounds maintain bath houses and restroom facilities, though cleanliness can vary throughout the season. Weekdays typically offer a quieter experience with fewer campers compared to the busier weekend periods.

Best Camping Sites Near Antioch, Illinois (61)

    1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    2. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    23 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    12 miles
    Website

    "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"

    "Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."

    3. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    12 miles
    Website

    "the property is HUGE and most things are about a 10 to 15 min walk from the campsites. lots of hiking, boating, swimming fishing and more! a great place for anyone!"

    "You can fish, hunt, hit the trail in your boots, or on your ORV. There is swimming but as kids I remember some people getting swimmers itch or chiggers from time to time."

    4. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    7 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

    5. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    7 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly.

    But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

    6. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."

    "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "

    7. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    8 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    7 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."

    "You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."

    8. Happy Acres Kampground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 857-7373

    "we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"

    "Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."

    9. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    7 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    $12 / night

    "This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."

    "There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."

    10. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

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Recent Reviews near Antioch, IL

601 Reviews of 61 Antioch Campgrounds


  • Mark D.
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    We had such an enjoyable time at Ottawa Lake Campground.

    Escape the everyday and immerse yourself in nature at Ottawa Lake Campground. Nestled in the heart of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, this welcoming retreat offers lakeside fun, scenic hiking trails, the quiet beauty of a true Northwoods experience, all without a long drive.

    We have visited the Campground 5 times this year already, we love hiking all the trails in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.

    https://youtu.be/xl4uAtNWclM

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Close to "home" beautiful sites

    We've been full time RVers for 4 years and this is a beautiful campground close to "home". We stay here a couple of times each year for doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family and friends, and general relaxation.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Circle K Campground

    Horrid management, bad experience

    Management (owners Ed and Coleen) are two of the rudest people I have ever met, with Ed fabricating outrageous, completely inaccurate stories highlighting either his "heroics" (like when his personal fire truck he has was working people would call him before 911) but more often how he has been slighted because of other's inadequacies (local grocery store doesn't like him because "his campers buy all their food leaving none for the locals), and also falsities behind his rules (the U.S. Postmaster does not allow anyone else's packages/mail to be delivered to the campground).  They are completely intolerant of kids/teenagers (and, heresay from conversations with seasonal residents, special needs kids) - rules for use of the pool is that it is open after a certain time and if the air temp is above a certain level - we personally witnessed 3 young teens ask to get into the pool an hour after the pool should've been open and it was 5 degrees over Ed's stated temp, but no one else was using the pool and Ed turned them away - told them to swim in the cesspool... I mean, pond.

    Ed constantly creates new rules on a whim and is exceedingly selective (read: biased) for whom those rules are enforced. If you have a problem with the campsite (water, electricity, dead trees, ground hornets, you name it) - it is because YOU did something wrong, and if you disagree he will harass you to no end and may even kick you out. Some of the seasonal campers are nice, others (those "in" with the owners) are not. I would not recommend this campground to anyone unless/until it is under new ownership.

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Ron D.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Pearl Lake

    Low Class Trailer Trashy Park

    Horrible customer service from the start. We registered online with a 35" 5th wheel for 2 nights. On checking in, we wouldn't fit in the site so the girl at the desk put us in a different site saying she couldn't escort us to our site. This was our first time being there and her excuse was they were short staffed. The street signage was very small and hard to read. Site numbers were said to be on every pedestal but they were not visible from any drive. After only a few minutes of driving around, we were astonished by all the trash and junky trailers on site. Note that if your camper is more than 10 years old, they want to first see a picture of it so as to keep their place classy. Not the case here once you have paid and are here. We call back to the office for assistance finding our site and the girl said she would have to lock the office and was hesitant about doing so but she would come out to hep us find our place. We simply asked for a refund saying we were very disappointed with the situation so far. When she told us they don't give refunds, we asked for a manager to call us back. At this point we left to find another place which we did and were at in about 30 minutes. The manager called us back offering us drinks at the bar, a premium site, tickets for kids in the bounce house, and free water craft but I and the wife were only there for 2 nights. We were not going back to that dump. She said she would have to speak with the owners about a refund but never called us back. Five days later I called several times to speak with the manager again but no call back. She did however text us saying they will not issue a refund saying the girl in the office could not leave the desk because her coworker was using the restroom. Then why did she say she couldn't leave because they were short handed? Long story short, think long and hard before you visit this trashy place. Showers were dark and dingy and smelled. The beach looked more like gravel and not pleasing. Just walking around, I couldn't get away from the awful smell of people smoking and vaping and a strong smell of pot smokers everywhere. Not at all the place we would take our grand kids ever.

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.


Guide to Antioch

Camping near Antioch, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic trails to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the many trails available in the area. One camper mentioned, “There are tons of trails, fishing, and even a swimming pond” at Rock Cut State Park Campground. Another reviewer noted, “The sites are clean, and there are many little trails all throughout the campsite” at Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit.

  • Fishing and Boating: If you enjoy fishing, you’ll find great spots. One visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake said, “Beautiful campgrounds with a lot to do like hiking, biking, and kayaking.”

  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A reviewer at Blackwell Family Campground shared, “You’ll hit the wild animal jackpot with easy viewing of white-tailed deer, red foxes, and raccoons.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Cliffside Park Campground said, “The bathhouse was spotless, and the showers had hot water.”
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the spaciousness of the sites. One reviewer at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park mentioned, “The campground itself was very nice with good size sites and lots of room.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Families find the campgrounds welcoming. A parent at Blackwell Family Campground noted, “The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos.”

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds have strict no-alcohol rules. For instance, Rock Cut State Park Campground states, “NO alcohol allowed,” which might be a dealbreaker for some.
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A camper at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park mentioned, “The bathrooms were old and wet,” indicating that some facilities may need updates.
  • Crowded on Weekends: Expect busier campgrounds during weekends. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground said, “Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One reviewer at Blackwell Family Campground mentioned, “Great spot close by to us just to get out,” highlighting its accessibility for families.
  • Plan for Entertainment: Bring games or outdoor activities. A parent at Rock Cut State Park Campground noted, “There are plenty of scenic photo opportunities,” which can be fun for kids.
  • Pack Snacks and Meals: Having food on hand can save time and money. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake said, “The site overall is amazing,” emphasizing the convenience of being prepared.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Electrical Hookups: Ensure your site has the right electrical hookups. A visitor at Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit mentioned, “Electricity on site and water nearby.”
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some sites can be close together. A reviewer at Cliffside Park Campground noted, “Spacing: very close to others,” so plan accordingly.
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are located. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, “There is a sewage dump for RVs,” which is helpful for RV travelers.

Camping around Antioch, Illinois, offers a mix of fun activities, clean facilities, and family-friendly environments. Whether you’re in a tent or an RV, there’s a spot waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Antioch, IL?

Antioch's proximity to the Chain O' Lakes region offers excellent camping options. Chain O' Lakes State Park is a standout with several camping loops. The Turner Lake South loop provides private sites, unlike the more open Honeysuckle Hollow area. For a lakeside experience, Pearl Lake offers a refreshing escape during hot summer months. Both campgrounds provide a good balance of natural settings and recreational opportunities. Within driving distance, you'll also find Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park and Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort. For tent campers who prefer primitive sites with fewer services, the Prairie View and Fox Den loops at Chain O' Lakes are worth considering.

How far are Antioch campgrounds from popular attractions?

Camp Reinberg offers excellent access to extensive biking and walking trails with unique clearings and bridges to explore. The preserve connects to neighborhoods and major roads, making attractions easily accessible. For nature enthusiasts, Kettle Moraine State Forest is within reasonable driving distance, with Ottawa Lake Campground providing access to numerous trails and outdoor activities. The town of Oconomowoc is about 20 minutes northeast with dining options like Burkes Lakeside. Most Antioch area campgrounds are within 30-45 minutes of major attractions, with Chicago Northwest KOA strategically located for those wanting to balance camping with city excursions.

What amenities are available at Antioch camping sites?

Blackwell Family Campground offers electric hookups at all sites, modern bathrooms, and reasonably priced firewood. It's ideal for weekend getaways with discounted rates for county residents. At Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park, you'll find more primitive camping with no electric hookups, though water fill stations are accessible by foot. For RVers seeking full amenities, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort and Happy Acres Kampground provide water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly sites. Throughout the Antioch area, most campgrounds feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities. Several locations offer recreational amenities like swimming beaches, boat rentals, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails.