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Abdulrahman A.
Scout
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
Camping near Bensenville, IL
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Bensenville, Illinois primarily cluster within forest preserves and state parks, offering a mix of developed sites within an hour's drive of Chicago. Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville provides electric hookups and accommodations for both tents and RVs, while Camp Reinberg in Palatine features cabin options alongside traditional camping. Most facilities in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with a few exceptions like Camp Bullfrog Lake which remains open year-round. The concentration of camping options increases when traveling north toward Wisconsin or west toward more rural areas of Illinois, where both private resorts and state-managed recreation areas become more prevalent.
Access to most campgrounds in the Chicago metropolitan area requires advance planning, as many sites fill quickly during summer weekends. Reservations are generally available through the ExploreMoreIL reservation system for state-managed properties, while county forest preserve campgrounds maintain their own booking systems. Most sites feature electric hookups, drinking water, and fire rings, though alcohol is prohibited at many state and county facilities. The camping season typically extends from spring through fall, with Blackwell Forest Preserve operating from early May to late September. Several campgrounds feature relatively flat terrain characteristic of northern Illinois. As one camper noted, "This is a relatively new campground not too far (about an hour drive) from Chicago... there were paved roads and the sites looked large and level."
Fishing opportunities represent a significant draw for many campgrounds in the region, with several sites offering lake or river access. Chain O'Lakes State Park provides multiple camping areas including Fox Den, Turner Lake, and Prairie View, each with varying levels of amenities. Visitors particularly appreciate campgrounds with swimming facilities during summer months. One reviewer described Mallard Bend Resort as having "a absolutely wonderful community pool, complete with concrete deck patio, lounge chairs, tables and sun umbrellas." While proximity to Chicago makes these locations convenient for weekend getaways, campers should note that many sites lack extensive privacy due to the predominantly open terrain of northern Illinois. State parks typically offer more wooded sites than county-operated facilities, which tend to have less natural screening between campsites.
Best Campgrounds near Bensenville (75)
1. Blackwell Family Campground
"Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."
"I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability2. Camp Bullfrog Lake
"Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."
"What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
from $20 - $138 / night
Check Availability3. Camp Reinberg
"Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."
"tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability4. Paul Wolff Campground
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability5. The Vaudeville
"There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"
6. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability7. Camp Sullivan
"Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."
"There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."
from $35 - $250 / night
Check Availability8. Big Rock Campground
"Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"
"Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply"
from $18 - $35 / night
Check Availability9. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
"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."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability10. The Fawn Flats
from $35 - $75 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 29 min from Chicago, IL
- 49 min from Kenosha, WI
- 1 hr 1 min from Racine, WI
- 1 hr 20 min from Michigan City, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Bensenville, IL
201 Photos of 75 Bensenville Campgrounds
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Marc W.
Blackwell Family Campground
Andrew S.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Tyler J.
Backyard Bonfire
Art S.
Paul Wolff Campground
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Glenn T.
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Linda M.
Escape to Nature
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Jeffrey L.
Camp Shabbona Woods
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort
Recent Reviews near Bensenville, IL
544 Reviews of 75 Bensenville Campgrounds
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
- EEd B.
TravelerLakeshore Camp Resort
looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage
Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
- MManny A.Traveler
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Simple and local
First time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
Stuart K.
LegendLakefront Cabins - Shabbona Lake
Lakefront Seclusion Meets Cabin Convenience at Shabbona Lake
Tucked along the shore of shimmering Shabbona Lake, just under two hours west of Chicago mind you, are two rustic yet welcoming camp cabins at this particular SP. These modest structures, each around 200 sq ft, offer a cozy hideaway for up to six people. Facing southeast over the lake, the cabins are shaded and tucked away for privacy, with only a nearby boat launch dock reminding you of civilization.
Inside, the cabins keep it simple: two basic rooms in each, with electricity, baseboard heat, air conditioning and a ceiling fan. There are no cooking facilities or bathrooms (which I have to admit, I was surprised to learn) although there is a multi-leveled adjustable BBQ grill along with a very good sized firepit, so bring your own plans for cooking meals and preparing food. Guests rely on nearby campground amenities, including showers with running hot water, flush toilets, potable water, a dump station and the handy Camp Store that is a very short walk from these cabins and comes stocked with supplies, snacks, firewood and fishing gear.
What sets these cabins apart is the lakefront view combined with practicality. You step right from your door onto a serene, wooded lakeshore offering a perfect perch for early-morning fishing, sunrise coffee on the veranda or unwinding at sunset. The proximity to stocked waters featuring large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, channel catfish, walleye and muskies adds fishing convenience, while the quieter, smaller-scale lodging feels exclusive. Additionally, the Camp Store’s rentals(boats, bait, paddleboats) keep the fun within reach.
Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Reserve early as only two cabins exist, and they’re popular from May 1 through October 31 on ExploreMoreIL™; (2) Drive gently on the access path as the lake road can be narrow and shaded; (3) Expect no kitchen or plumbing, so prep meals or plan to dine at nearby Pokanoka’s Dockside Restaurant that sits inside the SP on the western side of the lake or, for a short drive to Shabbona, check out Shabbona Café, Chumley’s Pizza followed by some sweets at Screamers Ice cream after saving campfire cookouts for the fire ring; (4) Bring your own bathrooms habits as restrooms are shared in the main campground; and (5) Check out the Camp Store early for spare fishing poles, firewood or ice cream before being tempted into relaxation.
Happy Camping!
Maria Mercedes M.LegendThousand Trails Pine Country
Shaded, Family-Friendly Country Retreat
There’s something instantly calming about rolling into a campground wrapped in tall pines and soft breezes, and Pine Country had that peaceful, easy feeling that made all of us exhale before we even found our site. This campground is expansive and welcoming, with full-hookup spots laid out across wide loops, plenty of shade, clean bathrooms and a friendly mix of families settling in for weekends or longer stays. Our boys loved wandering between the fishing pond and the small recreation areas and we ended the evening sharing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that we made over an open fire on a Camp Chef black skillet munching them down at the picnic table while listening to the trees rustle above us. For families looking for a convenient home base near Rockford with lots of room to spread out, EZ access to town for supplies and a campground that really does feel safe and relaxed, Pine Country is an EZ pick. Highly recommended for young families seeking space, shade and a low-key, gentle setting to recharge.
Carole I.GuideWoodland Village Mobile Home & RV Park
Woodland
Helpful staff.
No picnic table at site #500- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Sycamore RV Resort
Peaceful Lakeside Pause in the Heart of Corn Country
There’s something so comforting about pulling into Sycamore RV Resort and seeing the sunlight dance across those two spring-fed lakes, giving you that immediate exhale that only a calm Midwestern campground can bring. The property is medium-sized, incredibly tidy and thoughtfully laid out, with full-hookup RV sites circling the water, a small sandy beach for summer splashing, clean restrooms and showers, simple playgrounds and EZ walking loops that make it feel both manageable and welcoming for families. The boys were in heaven the next morning when we drove over to Elleson’s Bakery for fresh homemade donuts still warm from the oven. Later we wandered through historic downtown Sycamore during Pumpkinfest, taking in the decorated storefronts and carved pumpkins lined up like a little parade. Back at the RV Resort, from what we saw, the best campsites are any of the lakeside slots on the western shore because they offer the prettiest sunrise views and the quietest pockets of the resort. Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this campground for families thanks to its peaceful lakeside setting, its clean and convenient amenities and its proximity to a charming small provincial Midwestern town that makes even a simple weekend feel memorable.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Holiday Acres Camping Resort
Country Calm with a Dash of Classic Campground Fun
The moment we pulled into Holiday Acres, that cozy ‘old-school campground’ feeling washed over us, with tall trees, winding lanes and a big, friendly welcome from the office that instantly made the boys sit up and take notice. The campground is beautifully laid out with roomy sites, full hookups, a well-kept swimming pond, mini golf, a little camp store and restrooms that were impressively clean for a busy family spot. After a long drive, the boys made a beeline for the playground and the pedal carts, and later that night we all sat under the string lights eating ice cream sandwiches from the camp store while fireflies blinked and buzzed through the trees. If you’re a family looking for somewhere safe, shaded and EZ-going with just enough activities to keep the kids happily worn out, this place absolutely fits the bill. Highly recommended for its friendly atmosphere, great kid-focused amenities and peaceful, wooded setting.
Guide to Bensenville
Camping near Bensenville, Illinois offers access to several forest preserves and state parks within an hour of Chicago. Most campgrounds in the region feature relatively flat terrain with a mix of wooded and open sites. Water activities are common across several locations, with temperatures ranging from mid-70s to mid-80s during the prime camping season of May through September.
What to do
Kayaking on Bullfrog Lake: Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs offers kayak rentals for $15 per hour including life vests. The lake is small but peaceful for beginners. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Hiking through varied terrain: Paul Wolff Campground provides miles of hiking trails through prairie and wooded sections. "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," notes a visitor to Paul Wolff Campground.
Archery practice: Blackwell Family Campground offers a free archery range among its outdoor activities. One visitor mentioned, "Canoe rentals and free archery range," highlighting this unique feature that doesn't require additional fees for campers looking for alternative recreational options.
Mountain biking: For cycling enthusiasts, the trail systems near some campgrounds provide excellent opportunities. "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," shares a Camp Bullfrog Lake camper.
What campers like
Proximity to Chicago: Many campers appreciate locations that allow for quick getaways from the city. "Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway," reports a camper at Blackwell Family Campground.
Clean facilities: Camp Reinberg receives consistent praise for its maintenance. "The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," shares one visitor, while another noted, "The amenities are super clean and the rentable cabins are as well."
Free firewood: Some campgrounds provide firewood as part of the camping fee. A Camp Bullfrog Lake camper mentioned, "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," saving campers additional expenses.
Lakefront camping: For those seeking water views, Illinois Beach State Park offers waterfront sites. "Easy access to the beach, great sites and was very quiet," reports a camper at Illinois Beach State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Operating seasons vary widely between campgrounds. Blackwell Family Campground operates from May 3 to September 29, while Paul Wolff Campground runs from May 1 to October 31. Several campgrounds close for winter.
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. "I recommend stopping when you get to the fork in the road as the RV sites are to the right," advises a camper at Camp Sullivan, highlighting navigation challenges.
Limited privacy: Many campgrounds feature open terrain with minimal screening between sites. "The sites are pretty close together, but neighbors were quiet," notes a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake, reflecting a common characteristic of camping in the Chicago suburbs.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be particularly challenging in certain areas. "Beautiful views and amazing sunrises but...be warned flies and mosquitos are wild," warns an Illinois Beach State Park visitor, suggesting insect repellent is essential equipment.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort caters specifically to families with children. "Great accommodations for kids lots of activities and space to play but very quiet and relaxing by nighttime," notes a visitor to Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Group camping options: For family reunions or scout troops, dedicated group areas are available. "Each group site has a nice cooking area and open space for tents. We had a group of about 20 kids plus moms and dads, so we grabbed three sites in the same area," shares a Blackwell Family Campground visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy observing local fauna. "We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," reports a Camp Bullfrog Lake camper.
Biking-friendly campgrounds: Several locations offer safe areas for children to ride. "Wide, open spaces for kids to ride bikes and explore wildflowers," notes a Big Rock Campground visitor, making it ideal for families with young cyclists.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup extensions: At Big Rock Campground, water connections may require additional equipment. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises an RV camper, noting that standard hose lengths might not be sufficient.
Electric options: Different campgrounds offer varying electrical services. Camp Reinberg provides 30-amp hookups, while Camp Sullivan offers both 30-amp and sewer connections. Big Rock and Illinois Beach State Park provide 50-amp service for larger rigs.
Site leveling: The terrain at most campgrounds is generally flat, making setup easier. "The sites are crushed limestone and are level and wooded," notes a Blackwell Family Campground visitor, which is particularly helpful for RVers seeking minimal stabilization requirements.
Winter alternatives: For year-round camping needs, Camp Bullfrog Lake remains open throughout winter, offering a rare option when most other facilities close seasonally, though winter amenities may be limited compared to summer operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Bensenville, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Bensenville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bensenville, IL is Blackwell Family Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.
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