Thomas Woods Campground near Caledonia offers private, wooded sites within an hour's drive for weekend glamping getaways. Sites feature picnic tables and fire rings, plus access to hiking trails through prairie and forest. Nearby options include full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and cabin rentals at several campgrounds within 60 miles of Caledonia. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October due to northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin weather patterns.
What to do
Hiking diverse trails: Thomas Woods Campground features multiple trail options with varying terrain. "The campground is set up nicely. Our site had the usual picnic table and a short walk to the restrooms and water. 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," reports Art S.
Kayaking on Sugar River: Crazy Horse Campground provides complimentary kayaks and shuttle service. "During the summer they provide at no charge kayaks and a shuttle to a drop-off point which you can kayak back down to the campground which takes about an hour and a half," explains David H. The river experience offers a peaceful paddling option through scenic countryside.
Swimming at spring-fed lakes: Ottawa Lake Campground features a clean swimming beach. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" notes Neysha R. The campground maintains a sandy beach with swimming access appropriate for families.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many sites at Thomas Woods Campground offer seclusion despite proximity to Chicago. "I stayed in one of the tent camping sites with a little walk up (parking for a car available about 50 feet away). Nobody else was camping within sight of me, which was nice, though 2 other sites were visible from mine," writes Emily H.
Affordable firewood delivery: Campers appreciate the convenience of site delivery. "The camp host delivered my fire wood right to my site (which was extra helpful because no car)," notes another Thomas Woods visitor. At Crazy Horse Campground, similar service is available with good value reported by visitors.
Clean facilities: White Pines Forest State Park maintains well-kept bathrooms despite high usage. "The bathrooms and shower house are relatively clean and well kept," mentions Stacie H. Most campgrounds in the region feature flush toilets and shower facilities, though availability varies seasonally.
What you should know
Water crossings at some parks: White Pines has unique road features. "This was my favorite place to go camping as a kid because you could drive through the water! There's a creek/river that runs through the park and the road runs through it in two spots," explains Ashley Y. These fords can close during high water events, requiring alternate access routes.
Campsite spacing varies widely: Some campgrounds pack sites closely while others provide more room. "The campground is absolutely jammed with camp sites- it's ridiculous. I've never been to a campground where the sites were so on top of one another," notes a White Pines visitor about one loop, while other areas offer more space.
Weekend-only operations: Thomas Woods Campground has limited operating days. "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites. Camp hosts are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers," shares Marisa A. This schedule makes advance reservations essential during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Milton KOA offers extensive recreation options. "Great place to bring our three boys. There are 2 playgrounds, a nice pool, games and activities for the kids over weekends, and the rv sites are well spaced," reports Erin B. The campground provides structured weekend programming specifically designed for children.
Accessible trails: Several parks accommodate strollers and mobility devices. "Short trails in the park to hike," notes a visitor to Big Foot Beach State Park, making it manageable for families with young children. White Pines also features an accessible trail suitable for wheelchairs.
Multiple camping styles: Options range from tent sites to cabins depending on comfort needs. "This campground had a lot of seasonal campers. Fairly large sites, problem is getting into them," explains a visitor to Scenic Ridge Campground regarding RV accessibility, which matters for families bringing multiple setup types.
Tips from RVers
Dump station timing: Plan accordingly for checkout procedures. "Upon leaving, we were in line at the dump station for about 40 minutes which was frustrating, and the road up to the dump station did not allow for cross traffic," warns Kyle K. about Scenic Ridge Campground. Weekend departures often create congestion at service points.
Site leveling challenges: Scenic Ridge Campground requires preparation for uneven terrain. "Our site was downhill so that presented quite the challenge to level out," notes Steven P. Bringing additional leveling blocks helps manage the typical rolling landscape of the region.
Electric hookup options: Thomas Woods offers both tent and RV camping with selective utilities. "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," shares Emily L., highlighting the spacious nature of some powered sites compared to standard tent areas.
