The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Buffalo Grove, IL

468 Reviews

Camping near Buffalo Grove, Illinois features a mix of forest preserves, state parks, and county-managed campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of the northwestern Chicago suburb. The area includes established sites at Chain O' Lakes State Park in Spring Grove, Camp Reinberg in Palatine, and Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of amenities and hookups. Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville provides a convenient option for weekend getaways, while Illinois Beach State Park in Zion offers lakefront camping along Lake Michigan. Many sites are situated within forest preserves that blend natural settings with proximity to suburban amenities.

Most campgrounds in the Buffalo Grove area operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter camping options. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when Chicago residents seek nearby outdoor escapes. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F and occasional thunderstorms. Mosquitoes are prevalent from June through September, particularly near the lakes and wetlands. Illinois state parks enforce a no-alcohol policy, even at individual campsites. Many campgrounds close their gates at night with specific entry cutoff times, typically around 10:00 PM.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Camp Reinberg offers a more urban camping experience with paved cycling and walking trails. According to reviews, "the path is gorgeous, dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lily pad covered ponds." Chain O' Lakes provides a more traditional outdoor experience with multiple camping loops offering different levels of privacy and amenities. Turner Lake South loop features "nice and private sites," while Honeysuckle Hollow consists of "open and row after row of RV sites." Water recreation is abundant throughout the region, with opportunities for fishing, boating, and paddling on numerous lakes and the Fox River. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly and offer family amenities like playgrounds and picnic areas.

Map showing campgrounds near Buffalo Grove, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Buffalo Grove, Illinois (58)

    1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "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!"

    2. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "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!"

    3. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    7 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "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."

    4. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "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."

    5. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $20 - $30 / night

    "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."

    6. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    23 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) 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"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

    7. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."

    "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "

    8. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    23 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly.

    But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

    9. NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground

    2 Reviews
    Great Lakes, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 688-6675

    10. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    8 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    22 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."

    "You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 58 campgrounds

Recent Camping Photos near Buffalo Grove, IL

161 Photos of 58 Buffalo Grove Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Buffalo Grove, IL

468 Reviews of 58 Buffalo Grove Campgrounds

Guide to Buffalo Grove

Camping near Buffalo Grove, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds have access to scenic trails. For example, at Rock Cut State Park Campground, one camper mentioned, “There are plenty of scenic photo opportunities especially during the fall season.”
  • Fishing and Boating: If you enjoy fishing, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area is a great spot. A reviewer shared, “We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting.”
  • Beach Access: For those who love the water, Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park offers a lovely beach area. One visitor noted, “We brought our dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Indiana Dunes State Park Campground stated, “Clean br/shower houses. Would recommend.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers enjoy the helpfulness of campground hosts. At Blackwell Family Campground, one camper said, “The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and during our stay, blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around.”
  • Spacious Sites: Campers often mention the spaciousness of the sites. A review for Ottawa Lake Campground noted, “Site was spacious but very close to your neighbors.”

What you should know

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the warmer months. A camper at Dunewood Campground warned, “The mosquitos here are insane!!! I came back with giant welts from the bites even with bug spray on.”
  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or other campers. A review for Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, “Lots of noise. Lots of kids. Lots of dogs.”
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground advised, “Very popular campground so you do have to book well in advance during regular season.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds that offer activities for children. At Rock Cut State Park Campground, one parent noted, “They have sites with electric and sites just for tents. The only negative is no drinkable water.”
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially near water. A camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, “The lake was beautiful and we hiked a few of the trails that go near/around it.”
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy. A review for Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, “The campsite overall is beautiful and the land is well kept.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A review for Illinois Rock Cut State Park Campground stated, “The 30 amp plug there would work for about 2 mins and then would keep tripping again.”
  • Space for Big Rigs: Look for campgrounds that are big rig friendly. A camper at Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pinewoods noted, “The sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain.”
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Make sure to know where the nearest dump station is located. A review for Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, “The restroom and showrooms are very clean as well.”

Camping around Buffalo Grove, Illinois, has something for everyone. Whether you’re in an RV or tent, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Buffalo Grove, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Buffalo Grove, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 66 reviews.

Keep Exploring