Glamping near Bensenville, Illinois offers varied camping experiences within 30-50 miles of the city. The region sits at approximately 675 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring cold winters and warm summers. Most campgrounds in the area experience peak visitation between Memorial Day and Labor Day when temperatures range from 75-90°F.
What to do
Water activities at multiple lakes: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides excellent kayaking opportunities through interconnected waterways. "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," notes one visitor at Turner Lake South.
Hiking trail exploration: Marengo Ridge offers multiple interconnected trails with varied terrain for day hikes. "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," according to a reviewer at Thomas Woods Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature stocked fishing ponds and lake access. "We kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice. Great for kids lots of activities and space to play But very quiet and relaxing by nighttime," writes a visitor about Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
What campers like
Spacious glamping sites: Some locations provide larger sites with better privacy for premium accommodations. "This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade," notes a reviewer at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Clean bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-serviced facilities despite high visitor numbers. "The bathrooms/showers are always clean and have hot water. The only downfall that I can see is that they are not consistent with cleaning the outhouses," says a camper about Turner Lake South.
Family-friendly activities: Organized programs keep younger campers engaged throughout their stay. "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. Clean bathrooms and shower," mentions a visitor to Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal popularity affects availability: Most glamping options fill quickly during summer months. "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East," writes a reviewer.
Wildlife considerations: Depending on the season, ticks and mosquitoes can be prevalent. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... they literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house," warns a visitor to Turner Lake South.
Noise levels vary by campground: Some locations experience higher noise levels from nearby highways or other campers. "When you are checking in with trailer make sure you don't turn left to the office. It will be hard to turn around. I recommend stopping when you get to the fork in the road as the RV sites are to the right," advises a camper about Camp Sullivan.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: Choose sites based on proximity to amenities and terrain. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best," explains a family at Turner Lake South.
Consider alternative glamping structures: Beyond canvas tents, cabins offer sturdy shelter for families with small children. "We did our first (family of 5) camping trip at Thomas Woods. 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. They loved the well pump," notes a family visitor.
Plan for evening wildlife: Some campgrounds have active nocturnal visitors. "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," shares a camper at Turner Lake South.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup planning: Electric hookups vary between campgrounds with some offering limited connection options. "Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees," explains an RVer at Fox Den Campground.
Site spacing considerations: Some RV sites provide more privacy than others. "We stayed in a pull thru FHU. The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years. We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night," notes an RVer about Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Arrival timing strategy: To secure preferred glamping sites, arrive early in the week. "While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends," advises a reviewer about Turner Lake South.
