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The Cary, Illinois area contains several established campgrounds within 30 miles, primarily offering developed camping experiences rather than wilderness settings. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo provides tent, RV, and cabin options alongside a swimming beach, while Camp Reinberg in Palatine offers cabin accommodations and tent sites within Cook County Forest Preserve. Chain O'Lakes State Park maintains multiple camping areas including Fox Den, Turner Lake South, and Prairie View, providing varied waterfront and wooded site options approximately 25 miles north of Cary.
Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter availability. "The campground provides easy access to hiking and bike trails directly in the park and they go for miles and miles," noted one visitor about Camp Reinberg, highlighting the well-maintained trail systems connected to many camping areas. Advance reservations are typically required, especially for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Several campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption, including Paul Wolff Campground and Illinois Beach State Park. Electric hookups are available at most locations, though primitive tent camping options with basic facilities can be found at Thomas Woods Campground in Marengo and in designated areas of Chain O'Lakes State Park.
Campers consistently mention the suburban nature of camping experiences in this region. Forest preserves and state parks provide nature access within proximity to Chicago's metropolitan area, making these sites popular for weekend getaways. RV camping dominates many facilities, with Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort described by one camper as having "mostly seasonals" with "atmosphere [that] is the perfect balance of fun and relaxing." The proximity to urban amenities appears in multiple reviews, with visitors appreciating the convenience while still enjoying natural settings. Train noise affects some campgrounds, particularly Paul Wolff, where reviewers noted hearing trains several times during overnight stays. Most facilities maintain clean restrooms and shower buildings, with several offering camp stores and organized activities, particularly those catering to families with children.
"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."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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"
"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."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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"
"*** 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"
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
"We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"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."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."
TravelerWe 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.
ScoutBlackwell 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.
LegendRolling 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!
ScoutThe 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.
TravelerThere’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.
LegendThere’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.
GuideWe 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.
GuideLast 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 included....For the price certainly an included shower should be part of the deal...easy check in and check out.,..We used the Love's site due to its location to visit family and the fact that electric was available...We have medical equipment that requires a recharge at night plus it's just nice to have the AC if needed.
TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
Camping near Cary, Illinois provides access to several state parks, forest preserves, and private campgrounds within McHenry and surrounding counties. Located in the northern Illinois prairie landscape at approximately 850 feet above sea level, this area features a mix of woodlands, wetlands, and prairie ecosystems. Most campgrounds in the region operate between April and October, with summer nights regularly reaching 65-75°F and occasional seasonal thunderstorms.
Horseback riding trails: Chain O'Lakes State Park has dedicated equestrian paths throughout the park. "There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground," notes a camper about Turner Lake South, where you can access these recreational options.
Hiking variety: Marengo Ridge Conservation Area offers trails with varying terrain. "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. The wildflowers caught our eye and we enjoyed pausing to appreciate their beauty," shares a visitor at Thomas Woods Campground.
Water recreation: Access multiple connected lakes via boat launches. "This would put you on the Fox river with developments to the north (including a bar & grill) or to the south which is all nature," explains a camper at Turner Lake South, noting that "Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season."
Privacy at select sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spots. At Thomas Woods Campground, campers appreciate that "most of the tent spots are spaced out enough to provide privacy and quiet," with one camper noting their site was "further off the main road which allowed for more privacy."
Clean facilities: Despite being in suburban settings, many campgrounds maintain good standards. "The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," reports a visitor to Camp Reinberg, while another mentions "clean bathrooms and shower."
Seasonal nature shows: The area provides unique wildlife viewing opportunities throughout camping season. "The wildflowers caught our eye and we enjoyed pausing to appreciate their beauty," shares a Thomas Woods camper, while at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, one camper noted they "kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice" with opportunities to observe local wildlife.
Insect preparedness: Multiple campers mention significant insect activity. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow, adding "they literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Limited alcohol rules: Several parks prohibit alcohol consumption. One camper at Paul Wolff Campground mentions they "even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule."
Gate restrictions: Some parks limit late-night access. "The gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark," advises a camper at Turner Lake South.
Seasonal campers: Many parks have permanent or long-term occupants. "Very big campground with mostly seasonals. Atmosphere is the perfect balance of fun and relaxing," explains a Fish Lake Beach visitor.
Affordable options: Budget camping is available at several parks. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly," notes a camper about Turner Lake South Camping Area.
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "there are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends," and the staff sends "text message communication with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Accessible nature experiences abound. "I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels," shares a Paul Wolff Campground visitor, noting these sightings are common even in busy sites.
Hookup variations: Electric access varies between campgrounds. "Each site has an individual electric post," explains a Fox Den visitor, while at Honeysuckle Hollow, "some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad" making extension cords necessary.
Site levelness: RV campers should check site descriptions carefully. "All the sites have paved pads," notes a Paul Wolff camper, while at Chicago Northwest KOA another mentions, "site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice."
Water access: Many sites require alternative water arrangements. At Camp Reinberg, "there are no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site," explains one RVer, who added the staff handled this inconvenience "with a good attitude."
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are the nearest camping options from downtown Cary?
The nearest camping options to downtown Cary are within 45-60 minutes driving distance. Blackwell Family Campground is approximately 45 minutes away and offers a convenient option for quick weekend getaways. For those willing to drive a bit further, Big Rock Campground is about an hour from Cary, featuring paved roads and accessible sites. These nearby options provide Cary residents with camping opportunities without extensive travel time.
What are the best campgrounds near Cary, NC?
The best campgrounds near Cary include Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park, which offers nice private sites in contrast to the more open RV-focused areas of the park. Camp Reinberg is another excellent option with numerous biking and walking trails plus unique off-trail paths leading to clearings and bridges. For water recreation enthusiasts, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area provides lake access for fishing and outdoor activities, making it a hidden natural preserve gem in north central Illinois.
What amenities are available at Cary area campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Cary offer varying amenity levels to suit different camping preferences. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park provides a more primitive experience with no electric hookups on site, though water is accessible by walking. In contrast, Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground features good-sized sites, lake access with canoe rentals, fishing opportunities, and nice walking trails. Many area campgrounds include modern restroom facilities, fire pits, and picnic areas. For those seeking more amenities, Chicago Northwest KOA offers a reasonably clean environment with hookups, though spaces are more compact.
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