Campgrounds near Cary, Illinois offer various options beyond traditional RV parks. Dispersed camping opportunities can be found within an hour's drive, with sites available year-round as well as seasonally. The area features both wooded sites and open prairie campsites, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season.
What to do
Fishing access: Fox Bluff Cottages & RV provides riverside spots for anglers. "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 Gina H.
Swimming opportunities: Sycamore RV Resort maintains a beach area for guests. "Beautiful spot, very peaceful. We've been here for 3 months. There are two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack," reports Deb M.
Hiking trails: Paul Wolff Campground offers multiple trail systems. "The highlight of our experience is the hiking. There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options," explains Art S.
What campers like
Seasonal advantages: Thousand Trails Pine Country operates from April to October. "Good people here. It is close to home and we start and finish the camping season here," shares Charles Q.
Family-friendly facilities: Northwoods RV Resort includes numerous recreation options. "The sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all. The people are very nice. Everyone waves to everyone. The pool is very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival," explains Danielle D.
Nature sightings: Paul Wolff Campground supports diverse wildlife. "I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels," reports Marisa A.
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Finding some rv sites near Cary, Illinois requires careful attention. At Northwoods RV Resort, "This place isn't easy to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you'll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place," warns Stuart K.
Site selection considerations: Not all campground sites offer equal shade or privacy. "Odd numbered sites had better shade than evens. The RV sites looked closely spaced but nice enough," notes Cari B. about Paul Wolff Campground.
Seasonal restrictions: Some facilities close during winter months. At Fox Bluff, "The location requires a 2 night stay minimum," advises Ann S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Chicago Northwest KOA provides scheduled entertainment. "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," explains Dan B.
Playground facilities: Campgrounds with play areas enhance family experiences. "The new pool, the game room, the playground, the beautiful new bath house and the grounds are just wonderful," reports Gina H. about Fox Bluff.
Tent camping options: Family tent sites exist alongside RV areas. "There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other)," notes Marisa A.
Tips from RVers
Water quality awareness: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort has specific water characteristics. "The park water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as they do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit," cautions ron R.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary in proximity to neighbors. "Nice spot & not far from Chicago. You can tell they're trying to remodel some of the sites. There is lots of grass so all the rain this weekend and we weren't muddy was awesome! The pull throughs were really long," observes Rose F.
Road conditions: Access roads at several RV parks near Cary require slow navigation. "The road has lots of dips and bumps but going slow they weren't an issue. We were on the main road and there was lots of traffic going back and forth which was surprising since there wasn't a lot of campers," reports Rose F.