Best Tent Camping near Antioch, IL
Several tent camping options surround the Antioch, Illinois area, including MacQueen Forest Preserve with secluded walk-in tent sites and the KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site for backcountry tent camping across the Wisconsin border. For lakeside tent camping, Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake offers tent sites with views overlooking the water, situated near Delavan, Wisconsin.
MacQueen Forest Preserve provides primitive tent camping with sites spread at least 50 yards apart for privacy. Campers must walk in on crushed gravel paths or mowed trails to reach the eight tent sites, each equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. Self-service check-in costs $5 per night, with vault toilets available but no drinking water. The campground includes both forested sites and open meadow areas suitable for stargazing. One camper noted that "sites are pretty spread out. Only sites 1, 2, 8 are forested, the rest are around a large open field."
Tent campers seeking more remote backcountry experiences can access KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site in Wisconsin, requiring a decent hike over varied terrain. The site features an open shelter where tents can be placed, a fire pit, picnic table, and bench. According to one visitor, "It's very secluded for privacy. There is an outhouse, but I wouldn't recommend using it." Train noise occasionally affects the MacQueen Forest Preserve sites, particularly at night, though many campers find this unproblematic. The area's tent campgrounds generally maintain clean facilities with well-kept bathrooms and freshly mowed grounds. Site #8 at MacQueen is particularly sought after, positioned overlooking the Kishwaukee River, while the wheelchair-accessible tent site offers easier access along a blacktop path beneath the forest canopy.
