Camping sites near Bannockburn, Illinois range from tent-friendly primitive areas to full-service RV parks, with most situated within a 30-45 minute drive. The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal variations with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season and spring/fall bringing cooler temperatures with occasional rainfall. Winter camping options exist but require additional preparation as temperatures commonly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Kayaking on connecting waterways: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, visitors access multiple interconnected lakes via small tributaries. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," notes one camper who appreciated the paddling opportunities.
Fishing from your campsite: Some lakefront tent sites at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort allow for fishing directly from your campsite. "The lakefront tent sites are spacious and you can fish right from your site! The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," explains a reviewer who found the setup convenient.
Hiking varied terrain: Parks offer diverse trail systems suitable for different abilities. "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options," mentions a visitor to Paul Wolff Campground, highlighting the variety of surfaces available.
Horseback riding: Several parks maintain dedicated equestrian trails or offer rental services. One camper at Turner Lake South notes, "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: The Fox Den Campground at Chain O' Lakes State Park offers better separation between camping areas. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers," writes a camper who appreciated the layout.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain their amenities well. At Camp Reinberg, "Bathrooms and showers decent. Would definitely stay here again if outside of Chicago area!" reports one visitor. Another mentions, "Restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)"
Easy access to water activities: Water recreation options remain plentiful across the region. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," shares a Turner Lake South visitor.
Proximity to Chicago with natural settings: Blackwell Family Campground balances accessibility with natural environments. "Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway," comments a frequent visitor.
What you should know
Reservation timing matters: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends," advises a camper at Turner Lake South.
No alcohol policy: Some state parks enforce strict rules about alcohol consumption. "The only big minus is the full hook ups fill up fast no spur of the moment camping unless it is early or late in the season. The other thing is ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site," notes a Fox Den camper.
Wildlife concerns: Be prepared for local wildlife encounters. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Park gates close at night: Some parks restrict nighttime entry. "The gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark," warns a camper about Chain O' Lakes State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers child-friendly water recreation. "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," shares a visitor who enjoyed the peaceful environment.
Contained play spaces: Consider bringing screen enclosures when camping with small children. "Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair," advises a parent who camped with young children at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Evening wildlife education: Many campgrounds have active nocturnal wildlife. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns a camper, suggesting this could become a teaching moment for children if properly managed.
Site selection for families: Some sites work better for family setups. "Avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best," recommends a parent who carefully selected their camping location.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: Paul Wolff Campground provides electrical service at each site. "Each site has water and electric. Trees are around the outside with few on the inside sites. All the sites have paved pads," notes a camper who appreciated the setup despite finding the price somewhat high.
Water access challenges: Some campgrounds require staff assistance for water hookups. "The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them. But they do it with a good attitude," explains a Camp Reinberg visitor.
Site dimensions and setup: Concrete pads may not accommodate larger rigs. "It was a small RV park had a concert pad but not big enough for a 43 ft motor home. The site was 60 ft, but the whole site was not concrete," reports an RVer at NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground.
Dump station location: Consider the location of sanitation facilities. "None of the sites had sewage, the dump station was about a mile down the road," notes a camper, highlighting the importance of planning for this service when visiting with an RV.
