Campgrounds near Bull Valley, Illinois sit in the humid continental climate zone with four distinct seasons, typically showing summer highs around 84°F and winter lows averaging 17°F. Several RV parks occupy the area within a 30-mile radius, with most fully operational between April and October. Winter camping options remain limited, with only a few facilities maintaining year-round operations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sycamore RV Resort features two lakes for catch-and-release fishing. "Beautiful spot, very peaceful. We've been here for 3 months. There are two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack. Well run and maintained. Reasonably priced," notes a camper at Sycamore RV Resort.
Beach activities: During summer months, Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort offers a beach area for swimming and relaxation. "They have a huge lake with paved paths that we were able to walk the first night (not raining) and the beach looks like it will be fun to enjoy in the summer," according to a review at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort.
Local wine tasting: Within driving distance of camping areas, visitors can sample regional wines. "If you are looking for a nice, different distraction that you wouldn't expect in these parts, let alone Wisconsin writ large, head on over to Timber Hill Winery, which is a family-run local vineyard featuring a fairly amazing tasting room offering up some not-so-typical varietals," notes a visitor to Blackhawk Camping Resort.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Restrooms and shower buildings receive high marks at many campgrounds. "Bathrooms are immaculate and are locked with electronic key cards. Close to DeKalb," reports a guest at Sycamore RV Resort.
Community atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the friendliness of seasonal residents and staff. "The most impressive aspect in our opinion are the people. It is the nicest group of people I've ever been around. Everyone waves and speaks to you when they see you. When we first arrived, neighbors came from all over to help me set things up," notes a visitor to Northwoods RV Resort.
Pet-friendly options: Most RV parks near Bull Valley welcome dogs. "The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage," mentions a reviewer at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort. Many campgrounds offer designated pet areas or walking paths.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Peak season demands advance booking, especially for weekend stays. "We did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night. A little bit smaller of a campground with regards to site space," notes a visitor to Chicago Northwest KOA.
Site conditions vary: Ground preparation differs between campgrounds. "The site was 60 ft, but the whole site was not concrete. We were there for one night, it rained and the whole site had puddles around it. It was extremely muddy," reports an RVer at NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground.
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities operate April through October. "We start and finish the camping season here," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails Pine Country. Weather impacts availability, with many campgrounds closing during winter months due to freezing temperatures and reduced demand.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several parks offer dedicated play areas and recreational options. "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," reports a visitor to Chicago Northwest KOA.
Weekend programming: Organized events occur primarily on weekends at many campgrounds. "Golf cart parade, DJ, band, BINGO," lists a visitor at Blackhawk Camping Resort, highlighting typical weekend entertainment options.
Water features: Swimming options vary by season and facility. "The sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all. The people are very nice. Everyone waves to everyone. The pool is very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival," notes a camper at Northwoods RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal site selection: Some locations offer premium positioning for longer stays. "The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent," advises a visitor to Paradise Camping Resorts.
Leveling considerations: Site preparation varies significantly between rv parks in Bull Valley, Illinois and surrounding areas. "You can tell they're trying to remodel some of the sites. There is lots of grass so all the rain this weekend and we weren't muddy was awesome! Big park with tons of spots. The pull throughs were really long," notes a visitor to Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort.
WiFi reliability: Internet access proves inconsistent at most locations. "Having a sewer hook up on site was a welcome change to our typical state park sites we frequent. The road has lots of dips and bumps but going slow they weren't an issue. We couldn't reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake," reports a camper.
