Camping near Carpentersville, Illinois offers seasonal options across several forest preserves and county parks within a 25-mile radius. The area features glacial terrain with gently rolling hills and prairie ecosystems that contrast with the developed suburban surroundings. Most campgrounds close between late October and early May, with overnight temperatures that can dip below 50°F even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Thomas Woods Campground offers multiple trail types through both wooded areas and restored prairie. "There are plenty of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc. The preserve bumps up next to neighborhoods and major roads depending how far in you get, but the main trails are easy to follow," notes a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Access stocked lakes and ponds for fishing at several campgrounds. At Blackwell Family Campground, "The fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release," according to a reviewer who rated their experience highly.
Water recreation: Kayaking and boating are popular at Chain O' Lakes State Park where the Honeysuckle Hollow camping area provides direct access to multiple connected waterways. "This is a great place for kayakers. There is a water way fee per kayak or canoe per year but it is well worth it," explains one camper who visits annually.
What campers like
Free or low-cost firewood: Camp Reinberg stands out with its firewood policy. "Very friendly staff with well organized and well maintained campground. Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5," reports a recent visitor who gave the campground five stars.
Clean bathroom facilities: Campers frequently praise sites with well-maintained facilities. At Rock Cut State Park, "Shower buildings were clean enough, but very old with bad shower heads. Lots of good hiking trails and a pretty lake."
Private tent sites: Several campgrounds offer secluded spots for tent campers seeking privacy. "Smaller campground in McHenry county. Good staff. Other campers relatively friendly and quiet. County police make a presence in the camp ground. Clean. Decent sites, some have hike in (kind of). Decent toilets," notes a Thomas Woods camper.
What you should know
County residency affects pricing: Forest preserve campgrounds charge different rates for residents and non-residents. "It's pricey if you are from out of the county. We were hoping to camp at the primitive sites but they are walk-in only. Our teardrop wasn't allowed," explains one visitor about Paul Wolff Campground.
Tick prevention is essential: Some campgrounds report significant tick activity, especially with young children. At Chain O' Lakes, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... they literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house."
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are active at dusk in many area campgrounds. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched... eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort caters to families with kids. "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Child Friendly Campground," reports a satisfied camper.
Weekend programming: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities for children, particularly on weekends. "We did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night. 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," notes a Chicago Northwest KOA visitor.
Safer sites for young children: When camping with toddlers, select sites carefully. At Chain O' Lakes, "Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe. Also seemed pretty respectful in the evenings with people toning down the noise."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup challenges: Power infrastructure varies widely across campgrounds. At Rock Cut State Park, one frustrated camper reported, "When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday. We called the Rangers... who came to look at it. Told us that the park was just so old that it probably couldn't keep up and moved us to a 50 amp sight."
Water access variations: Not all sites with electric hookups have convenient water access. "This KOA has very limited full hook up sites. We paid for the deluxe patio site, which had no sewer. Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice."
Site spacing considerations: The proximity of RV sites differs significantly between campgrounds. "A pull through style RV park. Great if you have a toy hauler style camper, but if you're used to boondocking/dispersed camping, very very few spots with shade and trees. Felt like a trailer park not camping," notes a Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort visitor.
