RV campgrounds near Lake Barrington, Illinois range from lakefront properties to forest preserve settings within 30 miles of the area. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching into the 80s and cold winters where temperatures can drop below freezing. Local campgrounds typically open from April through October, with a few offering year-round accommodations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Sycamore RV Resort, campers enjoy catch and release fishing in the on-site ponds. "Beautiful spot, very peaceful. We've been here for 3 months. There are two lakes, catch and release fishing," reports one visitor.
Water recreation: Enjoy swimming at designated beach areas during summer months. "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," notes a camper about Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort.
Hiking trails: Paul Wolff Campground features extensive trail systems for day hikes. "The highlight of our experience is the hiking. 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."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. "Bathrooms are immaculate and are locked with electronic key cards," writes a camper about Sycamore RV Resort.
Wildlife viewing: Nature enthusiasts can spot local wildlife at several parks. "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to believe that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated area just outside elgin, il," notes a visitor to Paul Wolff Campground.
Community atmosphere: Many seasonal campers create welcoming environments. "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," shares a camper at Northwoods RV Resort.
What you should know
Varying site layouts: Site spacing and privacy differ significantly between campgrounds. "Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise," notes a camper about Paul Wolff Campground, while another mentions Northwoods has "sites that are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "we had to leave a horrible CG to the south. Booked this site on app the day before. Which was a huge plus."
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects site conditions throughout the camping season. "Big park with tons of spots. The pull throughs were really long. We like dispersed sites so we wouldn't have liked this park 'in season' when it's packed," explains a camper at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated recreation for children. "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," reports a visitor to Chicago Northwest KOA.
Playground access: Multiple facilities maintain play areas for younger guests. "There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends. People are nice to you. Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise," shares another KOA camper.
Swimming options: Pools provide safe swimming alternatives to natural water bodies. At Fox Bluff CottageS & RV, "the new pool, the game room, the playground, the beautiful new bath house and the grounds are just wonderful."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on location preferences and needed amenities. "We stayed at site 37 and enjoyed our stay. There are vault toilets but the large number of big RVs meant they were not used often leaving them almost like our private restrooms," notes a camper about Paul Wolff Campground.
Road conditions: Interior roads vary in quality between campgrounds. "The road has lots of dips and bumps but going slow they weren't an issue. We were on the main road and there was lots of traffic going back and forth which was surprising since there wasn't a lot of campers," reports a visitor to Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort.
Hookup reliability: Water and electrical service quality differs by facility. "Water pressure was steady. Power was consistent. Bathroom/shower/laundry rooms were all very clean and well maintained. We couldn't reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake," shares another Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort camper.
