Tent and RV camping near Bannockburn, Illinois offers access to several natural areas within the Fox River watershed system at elevations around 650-700 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 80-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing from December through February. Camping options range from smaller forest preserve sites to larger private RV resorts with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
River activities at Grass Lake Marina: Located approximately 25 miles north of Bannockburn, this waterfront campground provides electric hookups with direct lake access. "This is a no frills campground with super nice people and great place to let the pups run, play, swim, and walk. The bald eagles nests are also amazing," notes one visitor to Grass Lake Marina and RV Park.
Hiking trail networks: Deer Grove Forest Preserve near Palatine features interconnected trail systems accessible directly from Camp Reinberg. A camper reports, "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access, with Sycamore RV Resort providing stocked ponds. "Great fishing and nice beach for swimming. Very nice shower/laundry house," writes one reviewer about their experience fishing at the resort.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptional cleanliness standards. A Camp Reinberg visitor observed, "Bathrooms and showers decent. No concessions, but there is a place in the office to get Pepsi products." Another camper noted, "Seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!"
Community atmosphere: The seasonal community at Northwoods RV Resort creates a welcoming environment. According to one camper, "It is the nicest group of people I've ever been around. Everyone waves and speaks to you when they see you. When we first arrived, neighbors came from all over to help me set things up."
Swimming amenities: Many locations offer swimming options during warm months. A visitor to Sycamore RV Resort commented, "Nice lake for fishing and a beach area for the kids to go swimming. When we arrive, the host will bring you to your site and just listen to his directions and he will get you into your site perfectly."
What you should know
Military base restrictions: Access to NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground requires military ID credentials. Reviews indicate inconsistent site conditions: "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. We were there for one night, it rained and the whole site had puddles around it."
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds can be difficult to locate with standard GPS directions. A visitor to Northwoods RV Resort warned, "This place isn't EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you'll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end."
Railway proximity: Train noise affects certain campgrounds in the region. One camper at Fox Bluff CottageS & RV advised, "You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you're sharp, you're going to want to ensure you haven't booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Chicago Northwest KOA offers extensive children's programming. A visitor reports, "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground." Another mentioned, "There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas designed for families. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "They have a huge lake with paved paths that we were able to walk the first night (not raining) and the beach looks like it will be fun to enjoy in the summer."
Playground facilities: Multiple locations provide playground equipment. A camper at Northwoods RV Resort noted, "The parks are great. But it's definitely a more lay back and relax kind of place. Not a ton of stuff to do for kids."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal considerations: Most RV parks in the area have limited winter operations. According to a visitor at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "We've already decided this will be our first stop when the season starts again! Water pressure was steady. Power was consistent. Bathroom/shower/laundry rooms were all very clean and well maintained."
Site selection strategy: At Camp Reinberg, "RV spots are concrete, flat, and easy to get into." Another camper added, "Only site 3 is shady! This would have been 5 stars if not for the water not being available."
Local amenities access: Most campgrounds provide quick access to supplies. A camper at Chicago Northwest KOA shared, "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."
