Camping near Lake Barrington, Illinois offers year-round access to natural areas within a 45-minute drive of Chicago's northwest suburbs. The region sits at approximately 840 feet above sea level with cold winters that can reach single-digit temperatures and warm summers averaging 80-85°F. Campgrounds typically experience peak visitation from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, with reservations often required at least 3-4 weeks in advance during this period.
What to do
Mountain biking on interconnected trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to miles of mountain biking trails suited for various skill levels. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails," notes Tim K., who spotted "several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day."
Kayaking through multiple waterways: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers excellent paddling options through seven interconnected lakes. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," shares Aida K. The park's layout creates protected waterways ideal for beginners while still offering longer routes for experienced paddlers.
Fishing from dedicated piers: Thomas Woods Campground provides fishing opportunities with convenient access points. "Walking distance to a fishing dock! The camp store by the boat launch has fire wood, live bait, food, and other supplies," mentions Stefanie W. Most fishing spots require an Illinois fishing license, which can be purchased at local sporting goods stores or online.
Horseback riding on maintained trails: Turner Lake South Camping Area offers equestrian trails throughout the park. "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing," says Meg K. Trail riding typically costs $45-65 per hour for guided experiences, with some trails designated specifically for horses.
What campers like
Proximity to Chicago with natural escape: Many campers appreciate the short drive from urban areas. "Great for the times that we have to work weekends and still want to go camping. We can both drive to work and then come back to relax," says Jeanne M. about Fox Den Campground. Most sites are within 30-60 minutes of Chicago's northwest suburbs.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Big Foot Beach State Park receives positive comments about its amenities. "Much improved with the new bathrooms," notes Rachel W., while another camper mentions the "nice campsite with newer bathrooms and showers." Most campgrounds in the area offer both flush toilets and shower facilities from May through October.
Budget-friendly primitive camping: Turner Lake South offers economical options without sacrificing natural surroundings. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear," shares Addison G. The campground maintains both electric sites at $25/night and non-electric options, making it accessible for different budgets.
Spacious, private sites: Thomas Woods Campground stands out for its site layout. "We were at site 4 which is electric hookup and it was a huge area! The kids had so much space to run around and explore," reports Emily L. Many campers note the good separation between sites, with Doug commenting that it has "decent sites, some have hike in (kind of)."
What you should know
Gate closure and access limitations: Several campgrounds enforce strict entrance policies. At Camp Sullivan, "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning," reports Lisa S., who adds "I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting."
Wildlife encounters are common: Ticks and raccoons pose challenges at some campgrounds. At Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns Meg. She also notes that "the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Weekend crowding and weekday availability: Most campgrounds experience different patterns throughout the week. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," observes Tina at Honeysuckle Hollow. Planning a midweek stay typically means more site options and fewer neighbors.
Weather impacts camping quality: Low-lying areas can experience flooding and mud issues. "The trail looks like it would be pretty muddy if it rains so choose your timing," advises Art S. at Thomas Woods Campground. Sites on higher ground generally remain accessible even after heavy rainfall.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity-rich campgrounds: Chicago Northwest KOA offers numerous family-focused amenities. "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," shares Dan B., who visited with children for a weekend stay.
Choose protected swimming areas: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides safe water access for young swimmers. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids," notes Chloe N.
Verify bathroom facilities: Not all campgrounds offer the same amenities. "I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site," suggests Chloe N. about Fish Lake Beach. She adds valuable details: "clean bathrooms (no hot water in the showers) right there," important information for families with small children.
Consider day/night temperature variations: Lake Barrington area campgrounds often experience significant temperature drops after sunset, even in summer. "We were camping here right in the middle of fall. The leaves were changing and our site was near the lake," shares Ken from Turner Lake South, highlighting the importance of packing appropriate clothing for changing conditions.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations vary by campground: At Fox Den Campground, each site has "an individual electric post" while "sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad," according to Debra M. She recommends Fox Den as "superior to Honeysuckle Hollows" specifically because of this difference in electric accessibility.
Level sites are limited but available: RVers report mixed experiences with site leveling. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, Tim K. notes "Our camp site was #2. For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest. Sites #4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad." Checking site details before booking helps avoid setup challenges.
Water access points require planning: Most campgrounds don't offer full hookups at each site. "Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out," explains Art S. about the facilities at Fox Den Campground, meaning RVers need to fill tanks before parking at their assigned site.
