Hononegah Forest Preserve
All sites are separated not on top of each other. We’ve been here quite a few times during cooler months and have been very happy with our experience.
1 campground with availability this weekend
Several RV parks cater to motorhome travelers within 30 miles of Carpentersville. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort in Marengo offers full hookup sites with electric, water, sewer, and fifty-amp service year-round. Chicago Northwest KOA in Union features pull-through RV pads suitable for larger vehicles, along with water and sewer hookups. "The pull throughs were really long. We like dispersed sites so we wouldn't have liked this park 'in season' when it's packed," noted one visitor about Lehmans. Northwoods RV Resort (formerly Paradise Camping Resorts) in Garden Prairie maintains 278 sites with both fifty-amp and thirty-amp electric options on mostly level ground, though some sites near the property edges offer more privacy than interior locations.
Most RV campgrounds in the area provide sanitary dump stations, though availability varies seasonally at certain locations. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region's parks, though WiFi quality fluctuates considerably. A review mentioned that at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "WiFi was good closer to the lake" but unavailable at more distant sites. Pet policies are standard across most facilities with designated dog areas at several parks. Fall represents peak season with limited availability, especially on weekends. Road access generally involves navigating suburban traffic patterns, with most parks situated near major highways. Propane refill service is available at select locations but not universally offered, requiring advance planning for longer stays.
"I stayed here for two weeks when I first started rv'ing full time while I finished up work and finalized the selling of the house. It has a well maintained laundry and shower facility. "
"The pull throughs were really long. We like dispersed sites so we wouldn’t have like this park ‘in season’ when it’s packed."
from $45 - $70 / night
"No tent camping allowed but pop up trailers on up are welcome. Very nice grounds that are quiet. 10 minute drive to town. 20 minutes from Dekalb. Some Covid 19 restrictions."
"Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out."
"Last minute online reservation...They only have. 4 or 5 RV sites...full hook ups...about $60+-...right near gas pumps but any noise did not bother us weary travelers...Only downside was showers were not"
from $40 - $599 / night
"There’s something instantly calming about rolling into a campground wrapped in tall pines and soft breezes, and Pine Country had that peaceful, easy feeling that made all of us exhale before we even found"
"Very nice, private sites. Not many campers, lots of RVs. Folks in the office were very helpful."
"The new pool, the game room, the playground,the beautiful new bath house and the grounds are just wonderful. We've developed quite a lovely community of really nice people."
"The location requires a 2 night stay minimum."
from $65 - $95 / night
"At first, we were disappointed at the lack of amenities, but ultimately realized that once again, it was due to the pandemic. Things started to slowly open up around the 4th of July."
"We came here because they showed a water obstacle course on their website. When we got here, we were informed that their beach hasn't passed health tests for the past few years."
from $65 - $85 / night
"Friendly staff who were quick to respond to any issues. Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot. Pet-friendly."
"Did laundry….so quiet we slept hard.! Nice safe location. Flat, pretty large spots..picnic tables."
"Located just due east on the outskirts of little known Morris, Illinois just off I80, this little roadside stand isn’t the largest Love’s I’ve ever seen, but it sure does pack a punch. "
"Rating as a truck stop/overnight and not campground rating We pulled in around 10pm, easily backed in with no obstacles, hook ups were all easy and convienent and we were on I80 again before 7
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from $37 / night
"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."
"Loved our site as it was a pull through but more of a half-moon style off the side of the road. Loved the privacy and the space."
All sites are separated not on top of each other. We’ve been here quite a few times during cooler months and have been very happy with our experience.
Prairie View CG is the very first camping oasis you will come across after entering Rock Cut SP from its northernmost entrance, with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east. Once you enter the park, you will follow the long winding nicely paved two-lane circuit until you begin seeing the signs highlighting where to go for the various campgrounds. Once you access this road, you’ll come across a small building with a ranger where you will check in, after which, you will pass by a designated dump station before coming around a small bend where you will take your first left.
The sites begin with #500 and as you circumnavigate the simple circular loop, you will pass by about 2 dozen or so slots that are nice flat paved slots perfect sized for just about any RV or 5th Wheel. There is a single his / her restroom along with trash area at the beginning of the loop just past sites #503 and #504. To access the shower, you will need to go back to the main road and hike it down the road with your towel and toiletries, which I have to admit, is the biggest bummer about this particular campground. If having close access to shower facilities is important to you, then you may want to contemplate staying at other campgrounds here at Rock Cut SP like Staghorn and White Oak, which offer closer proximity.
One of the greatest assets here at Rock Cut SP is the very massive Pierce Lake, which is great for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming. To launch your watercraft, you’ll head south to Hickory Hills campground where on the eastern side of this area you’ll be able to find the boat launch. In the Prairie View campground, in addition to restroom and waste disposal, you’ll also have access to running water spigots at each site along with running electric. The small community amphitheather is located centrally just past the campstore and before reaching the Hickory Hills campground. There is an excellent camp store in the middle of Rock Cut SP that offers up ice, firewood, ice cream, snacks, games, limited groceries and a number of other sundries you might need while camping. Additionally, there are 5 shelters that have electricity, with water and restrooms nearby and each shelter available through a reservation system. Two of the shelters (Red Oak and Puri Crest) also have children’s playgrounds nearby.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best sites here at Prairie View CG are those that are located furthest from the main road, for attaining the maximum camping bliss trifecta of less traffic, little noise and more privacy. As such, look at sites #512, #514, #516 and #518, which are all located on the exterior of the circle, thus providing the greatest amount of intimate nature experience; (2) Once you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your cooler, fret not, and just head out of the park where you will find a handful of dining options: Tom& Jerry’s, Fresh Start Café, Waffle Shop, Golden Chopsticks Buffet, Sunrise Family Restaurant, Beef-A-Roo (in fact, there’s like 4 of these that the park is surrounded by), but one of my absolute favorites is Green Fire, which is a really nice farm-to-table joint; (3) Got bird watching on your mind? Well, you’re in luck, because here at Rock Cut SP you can spot an amazing array of winged adventurers including bald eagles, American robins, northern cardinals, barn owls, mourning doves, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, Canadian geese, red-bellied woodpeckers, brown thrashers and many others; (4) Tired of nature and just want to get some really cool culture in you? Then head just due south of Rock Cut SP to explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House, which is simply amazing; and (5) If you come bearing watercraft like canoe or kayak, while Lake Pierce is wonderful and great for fishing, if you want something a bit more challenging, then head due west to the Rock River, where you can drop in from a number of launch sites, however I strongly recommend Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve.
Happy Camping!
We got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
Blackwell has clean bathrooms, offers hiking trails, boating (kayak rentals) or bring your own, fishing, archery, cycling. The gate locks at 7pm but you just call the night guard and he will let you in. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Would definitely stay again. Be aware Winfield Road has a lot of traffic so sites further away from that road are best. Heard coyotes about 3 am both mornings. Rangers were exceptional.
Rolling Oaks is one of those wonderfully old-school Midwestern campgrounds that feels less like an RV resort and more like a little summer community that has been evolving for generations out here in the rich corn patches of central IL. Family-run since 1969, the sprawling, shady property sits along the Fox River with its very own lake and a decidedly RV-centric personality, where curb appeal is just as important (if not more) than the actual mobile confines people are living in. A substantial portion of the campground is occupied by long-term and seasonal residents, complete with patios, sheds and occasionally elaborate outdoor entertaining spaces, which gives Rolling Oaks an unusual neighborhood feel rather than the transient atmosphere of most CGs.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHS and LOWS along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Water is the star here, with a swimming lake, pool and direct access to the Fox River making this particularly appealing if you bring kayaks, canoes or tubes; (2) Plenty of shade and a mixture of full-hookup, partial-hookup and pull-through RV sites plus tent camping accommodate just about every style of camper; (3) Playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoes and a game room give kids plenty to do without leaving the property; (4) Summer weekends have an almost throwback campground-community atmosphere with dancing, cart rides, farmers’ markets, spaghetti dinners, corn boils and pig roasts; and (5) Being only a few miles from the village of Sandwich makes supplies easy while putting you in prime position for the enormously popular Sandwich Fair (if you manage to time your stay here to coincide with this annual attraction).
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The large population of seasonal and long-term campers means portions of Rolling Oaks can feel more like a permanent RV neighborhood than a campground; (2) All that community activity means summer weekends aren't exactly designed for campers seeking solitude and P&Q; and (3) The CGs sprawling layout means the experience can vary considerably depending upon where you land with front sections feel busier and more transient, while areas farther back become increasingly more residential.
Insider’s Tip: For the best balance of scenery, shade and quiet, head toward the far side of the lake, away from the busiest weekend activity. And if you're thinking of bringing a kayak or canoe, definitely bring it as direct Fox River access is one of Rolling Oaks' biggest advantages.
Happy Camping!
The park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
There’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
There’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
We are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
Motorhome travelers find multiple campground options within a 30-mile radius of Carpentersville, Illinois. This region experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 80-85°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. Accessibility varies seasonally with most RV parks experiencing peak traffic during fall color season when local deciduous trees display vibrant foliage.
Fishing opportunities: Sycamore RV Resort offers two fishing ponds with catch-and-release fishing. "There are two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack," notes a camper. The resort maintains walking paths around the water features despite seasonal fluctuations.
Beach activities: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas when weather permits. "The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage," reports a visitor at Northwoods RV Resort. Swimming options typically close by early October as temperatures decline.
Playground access: Family-friendly facilities include dedicated play areas. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "Staff was very friendly and the facilities were kept very clean. Plenty for the little kids to do," according to a recent visitor. Most playgrounds remain open through the camping season regardless of weather.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise at well-maintained properties. "The bathrooms are immaculate and are locked with electronic key cards," notes a camper at Sycamore RV Resort. Regular maintenance schedules vary by location.
Level sites: RV-friendly grounds with properly graded parking areas make setup easier. "Our site had I would call it an out house. I did not see a bath house with showers. The out house only had a toilet, no sink for hand washing," reports a visitor about NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground, highlighting the importance of researching bathroom facilities before booking.
Community atmosphere: Long-term guests create a welcoming environment at certain locations. At Northwoods RV Resort, "The sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all. The people are very nice. Everyone waves to everyone." This social aspect enhances the camping experience for many visitors.
Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds have railroad proximity issues. At Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, "Rail yard behind the row of trees. I believe they were humbling train all night long," warns a camper. Research site maps carefully to avoid noise-affected locations.
Seasonal water restrictions: Water systems shut down during cold months. "Not a bad spot. Average and relatively inexpensive," notes a visitor who discovered "No water before 4/15" at Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort. Always confirm utility availability when booking during transition seasons.
Limited amenities at some locations: Facilities vary significantly between properties. "There is no store. The only thing available is firewood. If you need anything at all, there is a Walmart about ten minutes down the road," explains a visitor at Northwoods RV Resort. Stock supplies accordingly based on campground offerings.
Swimming options: Heated pools extend the swimming season at certain locations. At Thousand Trails Pine Country, "It's a nice park, nice good size pool, no jacuzzi, small play ground with a jumping pad. Pond for catch and release fishing," reports a visitor. Call ahead to confirm pool operational status during shoulder seasons.
Activity scheduling: Weekend programming offers structured entertainment. "A little bit smaller of a campground with regards to site space, but that's about the only thing 'bad' to say, and it's not really a bad thing at all," shares a Chicago Northwest KOA visitor who appreciated that "text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Site selection for privacy: Location within campgrounds significantly impacts experience. "The sites 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," recommends a camper at Northwoods RV Resort regarding site selection.
Hookup verification: Always confirm specific hookup types when booking rv parks near Carpentersville, Illinois. "We did not have one," notes a camper at NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground regarding 50-amp service. "They have a few 50 amp lots." Contact campgrounds directly about electrical capacity needs.
Pull-through availability: Larger rigs require appropriate sites with adequate clearance. "We pulled in late & left early!! Did laundry....so quiet we slept hard! Nice safe location. Flat, pretty large spots..picnic tables," shares a visitor to Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, highlighting the convenience of accessible sites.
WiFi reliability concerns: Internet connectivity varies widely across Fox Bluff CottageS & RV. "We've developed quite a lovely community of really nice people. Personally, I love the view of the river. There's a gorgeous Creek, a lovely small lake and I really enjoy the walking trails," notes a long-term camper without mentioning connectivity, which suggests bringing personal hotspots for reliable internet access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Carpentersville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Carpentersville, IL is Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort with a 3.4-star rating from 8 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 71 RV camping locations near Carpentersville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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