Camping opportunities near Bartlett, Illinois include several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. This northern Illinois region features gently rolling terrain with elevations between 700-900 feet and seasonal weather patterns that make spring through fall the primary camping season. Most campgrounds in this area close from late October through April due to harsh winter conditions and freezing temperatures.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: At Thomas Woods Campground, campers access both wooded and prairie trails. "What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails. They aren't the longest but we were able to vary the route up to keep it fresh for our dog to sniff out her adventure. Some of grass and others were dirt. The wildflowers caught our eye and we enjoyed pausing to appreciate their beauty," notes one visitor.
Kayaking small waterways: Turner Lake South offers paddling opportunities suitable for beginners and families. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," reports one camper.
Biking on trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake stands out for mountain biking enthusiasts. A reviewer explains, "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. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the separation between sites at Fox Den Campground. "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 (our site was protected on 3 sides by some fairly dense foliage and trees)," shares one visitor.
On-site activities for families: Many campgrounds offer structured activities. One camper at Honeysuckle Hollow notes, "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. We'll be back for sure!"
Yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near Bartlett, Illinois, several campgrounds offer this alternative accommodation. Chicago Northwest KOA maintains seasonal yurts with comfortable bedding. A camper describes the experience: "Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Honeysuckle Hollow campers should plan accordingly. "The bathhouses are dated, yet I have seen them clean and also not clean on busy camper weekends. All the campsites have raised firepits and a picnic table. If you own a boat or love to fish, this is a great place to go camping," notes one reviewer.
Wildlife encounters: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic, especially for families with small children. "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!"
Alternative lodging: Yurt camping options near Bartlett and surrounding areas provide shelter with varying amenities. Several campgrounds offer these structures as alternatives to traditional tent or RV camping. Equipped yurts typically cost $75-95 per night, depending on season and amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Plan for bathroom access: When camping with children, bathroom proximity matters. One family at Turner Lake South explains: "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Secure food properly: Wildlife can disrupt camping, especially with children. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down."
Choose sites carefully: Camp Sullivan offers family-friendly accommodations with some limitations. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods). Highly recommend."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup considerations: At Fox Den, RVers appreciate the reliable setup. "Electric is easily accessible, and water/sanitary is easy to get in and out of. The concessions/camp store is located near the boat docks and is easily walked or driven to with decent selection of foods, gear, and fishing items."
Site leveling challenges: RVers should prepare for uneven grounds. One camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake observed: "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad. I believe this is a relatively newer campground. There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small."
Dump station timing: During peak seasons, plan for delays. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping. The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday."
