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Best Campgrounds near Carpentersville, IL

603 Reviews

Carpentersville, Illinois and surrounding Kane County provide a range of campground options for tent campers, RV owners, and those seeking cabin accommodations. Paul Wolff Campground at Burnidge Forest Preserve serves as one of the primary developed campgrounds in the area, offering electric hookups, water access, and both RV sites and primitive tent camping areas. Camp Reinberg in nearby Palatine offers additional variety with cabin options, while Chicago Northwest KOA in Union provides full-service camping with glamping accommodations approximately 25 miles northwest of Carpentersville.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with the typical camping season running from May through October due to the Midwest climate. Paul Wolff Campground specifically operates from May 1 to October 31, while some private RV parks may extend their season. Many camping areas require reservations, particularly on summer weekends when demand increases. County residency affects pricing at forest preserve campgrounds, with non-residents paying premium rates. The campgrounds feature varying levels of shade, with tent sites often providing more tree cover than RV areas. A visitor noted, "There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. The most shaded sites are p1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes."

Campground experiences vary significantly across the different developed camping areas near Carpentersville. Paul Wolff Campground receives praise for its hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and well-maintained facilities, though noise from nearby transportation corridors can be an issue. A recent review mentioned that "the tent sites are nicely arranged for privacy" but warned about noise disruptions from "trains, traffic and planes." Camp Reinberg stands out for its amenities, with reviewers highlighting friendly staff and free firewood. For families seeking more amenities, the Chicago Northwest KOA provides additional recreational options along with full hookups. Proximity to Chicago makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations, with sites filling quickly during peak summer months.

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Best Camping Sites Near Carpentersville, Illinois (76)

    1. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."

    "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."

    2. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."

    "tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"

    3. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4206

    "You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"

    "We stayed here for a weekend and there were plenty of activities for the kids...the staff was friendly and the bathrooms were clean...our camp site was near the bathrooms, pool, and store so we were nice"

    4. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."

    "I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."

    5. Thomas Woods Campground

    17 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 338-6223

    $20 - $35 / night

    "While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."

    "Most of the sites were right on the road and you’d need to position your car right for privacy. The tent sites are clumped pretty tight together with a couple exceptions."

    6. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "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."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

    7. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Union, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4533

    $45 - $70 / night

    "Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front.  Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "

    "We couldn’t reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake. They also have free TV but we didn’t hook up to that."

    8. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    9. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."

    ", with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."

    10. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    23 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Carpentersville, IL

227 Photos of 76 Carpentersville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Carpentersville, IL

603 Reviews of 76 Carpentersville Campgrounds

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • Kevin B.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Camp Sullivan

    Enjoyed the camping experience

    Nice and clean areas, staff was very professional and helpful while I was there

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Ron D.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Pearl Lake

    Low Class Trailer Trashy Park

    Horrible customer service from the start. We registered online with a 35" 5th wheel for 2 nights. On checking in, we wouldn't fit in the site so the girl at the desk put us in a different site saying she couldn't escort us to our site. This was our first time being there and her excuse was they were short staffed. The street signage was very small and hard to read. Site numbers were said to be on every pedestal but they were not visible from any drive. After only a few minutes of driving around, we were astonished by all the trash and junky trailers on site. Note that if your camper is more than 10 years old, they want to first see a picture of it so as to keep their place classy. Not the case here once you have paid and are here. We call back to the office for assistance finding our site and the girl said she would have to lock the office and was hesitant about doing so but she would come out to hep us find our place. We simply asked for a refund saying we were very disappointed with the situation so far. When she told us they don't give refunds, we asked for a manager to call us back. At this point we left to find another place which we did and were at in about 30 minutes. The manager called us back offering us drinks at the bar, a premium site, tickets for kids in the bounce house, and free water craft but I and the wife were only there for 2 nights. We were not going back to that dump. She said she would have to speak with the owners about a refund but never called us back. Five days later I called several times to speak with the manager again but no call back. She did however text us saying they will not issue a refund saying the girl in the office could not leave the desk because her coworker was using the restroom. Then why did she say she couldn't leave because they were short handed? Long story short, think long and hard before you visit this trashy place. Showers were dark and dingy and smelled. The beach looked more like gravel and not pleasing. Just walking around, I couldn't get away from the awful smell of people smoking and vaping and a strong smell of pot smokers everywhere. Not at all the place we would take our grand kids ever.

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Big Rock Campground

    Needs some shade

    This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.

    The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?

    It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

Guide to Carpentersville

Camping near Carpentersville, IL, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From scenic trails to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Kettle Moraine State Forest - Ottawa Lake stated, "Bathrooms and showers were clean."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment at Blackwell Family Campground. One visitor said, "Driving in here makes you forget you’re in the middle of town! Quite and roving park rangers give it a very safe feel."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Pinewoods Campground offer activities for kids. A reviewer mentioned, "The ranger did stop by around 5 or 6ish with some activities for the kids to do."

What you should know

  • No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, have strict no alcohol rules. A camper noted, "This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer."
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busy weekends, especially at popular spots like Big Foot Beach State Park. One visitor shared, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."
  • Limited Water Access: Some sites may not have water nearby. A review for Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "There is no water near any of the sites."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Rock Cut State Park Campground, which has many trails and activities. One parent said, "They have sites with electric and sites just for tents."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A reviewer at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park mentioned, "Great environment for undisturbed relaxation."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can help keep the little ones happy. A camper at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Ottawa Lake noted, "They do sell ice cream and marshmallows at the park office."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Electrical Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A review for Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "The store is very nice and well stocked."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular RV spots like Camp Bullfrog Lake can get crowded. One visitor said, "Good if you want to be close to the city but otherwise it’s not very worth it."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are located. A camper at Blackwell Family Campground mentioned, "Only electric hookups and dump station on site."

Camping near Carpentersville, IL, offers a mix of fun, relaxation, and adventure. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot for you to enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Carpentersville?

Within an hour's drive of Carpentersville, Blackwell Family Campground offers a convenient weekend getaway with electric hookups at all sites, level camping spots, and modern bathrooms. For those seeking water recreation, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area provides lakeside camping and fishing opportunities. Other excellent options include Paul Wolff Campground near Elgin and various loops at Chain O' Lakes State Park, which offer different camping experiences from primitive to full-service sites.

Is there free or dispersed camping available near Carpentersville?

Free or dispersed camping options are limited near Carpentersville. For budget-conscious travelers, Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park offers primitive camping with no on-site electric services, though water is available nearby. For RV owners, some businesses like Costco — Naperville may permit overnight parking, though these are not official campsites and typically don't allow extended stays or setup of camping equipment. For affordable options, county forest preserves often have lower fees, especially for county residents, but true dispersed camping is rare in this heavily developed region of Illinois.

What amenities are available at Carpentersville camping areas?

Campgrounds near Carpentersville offer varying amenities. Camp Reinberg features extensive biking and walking trails with unique off-trail paths leading to clearings and bridges. At Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park, you'll find private sites in a natural setting, while other loops in the park offer different experiences. Many area campgrounds provide basic facilities like water access and toilets, with some offering electric hookups. For those seeking more developed sites, several campgrounds provide modern restrooms, while others maintain a more primitive experience with fewer amenities.

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