Tent campsites near Burnham, Illinois range from riverfront locations to canal-adjacent sites, with most situated 30-60 minutes from town. The region combines urban-proximate camping with water-based recreation opportunities along the Illinois, Des Plaines, and Kankakee Rivers. Winter camping options are limited, with most sites closing from November through March due to frequent flooding and freezing conditions.
What to do
Kayaking on multiple waterways: At Kayak Morris, campers can launch directly from riverside sites. "If you don't have your own kayaks and launch right from our campsite which was amazing but they rent kayaks for pretty cheap," notes Amanda W. The convergence of rivers creates unique paddling opportunities.
Fishing for stripers: The river convergence near Morris creates productive fishing conditions year-round. "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!" reports Sam Murphy M. The best fishing spots are typically within walking distance of campsites.
Cycling the canal trail: The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail provides an accessible route for cyclists staying at multiple campgrounds. Art S. explains that Channahon State Park Campground "is a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Sites along the Kankakee River offer prime water access. "One of the best no wake zones and fishing banks on the Kankakee River imo! Lots of access to great fishing holes up the Kankakee and Iroqouis Rivers," according to Raven Rock S. at Mac Finn's Landing.
Privacy between sites: Walk-in sites at Indiana Dunes provide separation from neighboring campers. Don W. notes about Central Avenue Walk-in Sites, "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long."
Site configurations: Many campgrounds feature sites suitable for multiple tents. At Kayak Morris, Eric R. mentions "25 sites to choose from, they fill up fast on weekends so plan to make reservations early." Several campgrounds offer accessible sites with concrete pads for visitors with mobility considerations.
What you should know
Gate closing times: Some campgrounds enforce strict gate policies. At Camp Shabbona Woods, Jeffrey L. observed, "They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok. No electric or water hook ups can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite."
Flooding concerns: Low-lying sites can flood during heavy rain. Rita S. cautions about McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove: "Nothing was mentioned about this site being a flood zone. Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up."
Urban sounds: Several campgrounds are close enough to urban areas to experience city noise. According to Jeffrey L., "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background." Early morning boat traffic can also disrupt sleep at riverfront sites.
Tips for camping with families
Boating activities: Families with children can enjoy guided water experiences. Eric R. describes a "Venetian tour" at Kayak Morris as "my first experience of a lit up kayak tour for fireworks," which offers a unique evening activity for families with older children.
Bathroom accessibility: Facilities vary widely between locations. At Camp Shabbona Woods, Jeffrey L. notes "the bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly," while many other locations offer only vault toilets or no facilities at all.
Park amenities: Several campgrounds connect to larger recreational areas. Andrea F. explains that Davis Creek Campground at Kankakee River State Park is "open, there are a lot of amenities, it's very well kept, and there is good access to water," providing families with options beyond the campsite itself.
Tips from RVers
Small trailers only: Many campgrounds have limited vehicle access. Brian O. learned about McKinley Woods the hard way: "We didn't realize this was a walk-in campground, the details on the Will county site were vague, and the satellite photo showed a paved road. The road is a path, so the sites are ADA accessible." Small trailers can sometimes be hand-rolled to sites.
Limited hookups: Most campsites near Burnham lack traditional RV amenities. Jeffrey L. points out, "No electric or water hook ups can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite," which applies to many of the tent-focused campgrounds in the region.
