Campsites near Buffalo Grove, Illinois offer primarily seasonal operations with the majority closing between October and April. Winter camping options remain extremely limited, with temperatures typically falling below freezing from December through February. The region features flat to gently rolling terrain with an elevation range of 650-790 feet above sea level. While situated in suburban surroundings, most campgrounds maintain natural buffer zones that create the illusion of more remote settings.
What to do
Kayaking and boating access points: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, visitors can access multiple connected waterways. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," explains one camper at Fox Den Campground. The park features boat rental facilities and launch sites for personal watercraft.
Hiking through varied ecosystems: Burnidge Forest Preserve offers trails through diverse landscapes. A visitor notes, "On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them." The preserve maintains over 8 miles of interconnected trails suitable for beginners through intermediate hikers.
Archery practice: Blackwell Forest Preserve provides free archery facilities for campers. According to a visitor, "Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course."
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Camp Reinberg receives consistent praise for its cleanliness. One camper shares, "Seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!" Another adds, "Camp Reinberg provides easy access to hiking and bike trails directly in the park and they go for miles and miles. This was a highlight for me, along with the butterflies and fireflies that put on a beautiful show."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Prairie View camping area offers diverse wildlife encounters. A visitor reports, "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to belive that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated are just outside elgin, il." The trails consistently provide opportunities for bird watching and small mammal sightings.
Beach access: Illinois Beach State Park offers direct lake access. A camper notes, "Easy access to the beach, great sites and was very quiet." The campground provides multiple access points to Lake Michigan's shoreline with designated swimming areas during summer months.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Turner Lake South provides more secluded camping options. "We stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites," explains one visitor. Sites along the perimeter typically offer more natural screening than interior locations.
Wildlife management challenges: Many campgrounds report active raccoon populations. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, a camper warns, "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."
Reservation and access limitations: Most area campgrounds impose strict gate closure times. "The gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in... unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)" notes a camper at Turner Lake South. Late arrivals typically must park outside gates and walk in to their sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Fish Lake Beach offers multiple play areas. "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," reports one visitor, while another adds, "There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site!"
Budget-friendly options: Turner Lake South provides affordable camping near Buffalo Grove. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," explains a visitor. Non-electric sites typically offer the lowest rates in the region.
Tick prevention: The region has significant tick populations during warmer months. One family camping at Fish Lake Beach reports, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup variations: Paul Wolff Campground at Burnidge Forest Preserve offers accessible electric sites. "Each site has water and electric. Trees are around the outside with few on the inside sites. All the sites have paved pads," notes one RVer. The campground provides 30/50 amp service at each designated RV site.
Site selection priorities: Experienced RVers recommend specific sites for privacy. At Blackwell Family Campground, a camper advises, "Most of the sites have a chip pad for tents and concrete for the vehicle. Site 20 is turf and nicely secluded. Most of the sites are partial shade." Interior sites typically provide easier access but less privacy than perimeter locations.
Water fill logistics: Some campgrounds require staff assistance with water. "This was a sweet camping spot. Only 4 sites (only site 3 is shady!) tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The staff were very helpful, and are on site 24 hours a day. This was necessary as there are no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site."
