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Best Campgrounds near Harvard, IL

816 Reviews

Thomas Woods Campground in Marengo provides a peaceful camping experience just a short drive from Harvard, Illinois. The McHenry County Conservation District manages this smaller campground featuring a mix of tent sites, RV spaces with electric hookups, and some walk-in spots for more privacy. Other options in the region include Rock Cut State Park with cabin accommodations, Big Foot Beach State Park across the Wisconsin border, and several private campgrounds like Chicago Northwest KOA in Union that offer cabin rentals alongside traditional camping areas.

Camping in this area operates primarily from spring through fall, with many sites closing for winter. "The campground is only open on the weekend, and normally has open sites if you just want to drive up, or you can make reservations," noted one camper about Thomas Woods. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. The region experiences humid summers with mosquitoes frequently mentioned in reviews, while spring can bring muddy conditions that affect tent platforms and access roads. Facilities vary widely, with Thomas Woods offering pit toilets and hand pumps for water, while other campgrounds provide full hookups and shower facilities.

Campers particularly appreciate the wooded, private settings available at many sites. One visitor described Thomas Woods as having "sites in the woods with plenty of shade" and "well laid out campground, with some sites right on the roads and some buried back in the woods away from everyone." The surrounding natural areas provide hiking opportunities with a mix of wooded and prairie trails, though several reviewers mentioned heavy mosquito presence during summer months. Many developed campgrounds in the area deliver firewood directly to sites for a small fee. Family-friendly amenities can be found at larger established campgrounds, while the smaller conservation district sites offer a more rustic experience with greater solitude and natural surroundings.

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Best Camping Sites Near Harvard, Illinois (89)

    1. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    20 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."

    2. Thomas Woods Campground

    17 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    10 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."

    3. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Lake Geneva, WI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 248-2528

    "Conveniently located next to Lake Geneva with a tiny roadside beach area. I recommend camping sites on the west side of the camping loop to cut down on sun. Not enough electric sites for campers."

    "We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."

    4. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    16 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"

    5. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    22 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!"

    6. Northwoods RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 317-3775

    $65 - $85 / night

    "Things started to slowly open up around the 4th of July. Now, it’s our favorite place to go! The most impressive aspect in our opinion are the people."

    7. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    21 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "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!"

    8. Holiday Acres Camping Resort

    5 Reviews
    Belvidere, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 547-7846

    $49 - $99 / night

    "Lots of people leaving bad reviews for silly little things. let me say first off this place is HUGE. plenty of room for the kids and the dogs and just a short walk from the kish. good fishing and friendly"

    9. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "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. "

    10. Thousand Trails Pine Country

    4 Reviews
    Belvidere, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "It is close to home and we start and finish the camping season here."

    "We did not end up signing up as we prefer to visit many more locations than they had listed."

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Recent Camping Photos near Harvard, IL

288 Photos of 89 Harvard Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Harvard, IL

816 Reviews of 89 Harvard Campgrounds

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Naga-Waukee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    Nagawaukee County Park

    Site was clean and flat enough for my two person tent. Restrooms were porta-johns, but very clean. Plenty of free wood available for the fire.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Pilgrims Campground

    Nice enough grounds, poorly maintained electric panels

    To be honest I thought this stay was going to be easy and the first couple days were. They didn’t have full hook up sites and we have a 50 amp rig… we used a dogbone to connect to the 30 amp site. It was fine for a bit but then we started to get surges. Our EMS protected the rig but ultimately we couldn’t use the power. Even with only running the fridge it continued to trip. We tried the one next to us and it gave us the reverse polarity code so we decided it would be best to just leave the following day. The grounds are well maintained and the owners are friendly… they mentioned some of their 30 amp sites will get converted to 50 next year so hopefully that helps but definitely frustrating to need to book another site and forfeit money on this one.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    King's Campground

    Where Fireflies & Faith Meet Fresh Air & Farmland

    As a mom camping with my husband and kids, I loved how this Christ-centered campground felt both safe and family-friendly, with roomy sites that offer shade, fire pits, picnic tables and clean bathhouses close enough for those urgent kid trips. The layout makes it easy to relax while still keeping an eye on little ones and the amenities, whether tent pads or RV hookups, make setting up simple. What really stood out was the nearby fun and educational activity for kids, like a nature trail, nearby working farm, local park or our visit to Blackhawk Statue near Lorado Taft that gave the kids both excitement and a learning moment. At the end of the day, this is the kind of place where parents can unwind by the fire while the kids fall asleep happily worn out from their adventures.

  • Operation_Fun ..
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    Could be better

    This seemed like it could be a really great campground, but it's not taken care of very well and felt a bit unsafe. 

    It's a huge park, yet the sites aren't very private. The mosquitoes and ticks are the worst I've experienced thus far, and the abandoned buildings by the beach feel like crack dens.

    We brought chairs and relaxed by the beach for a while, which was very peaceful and really made the trip.

    It's worth checking out if you're interested. I now understand why there are always sites available here when it seems every other campground is fully booked.

  • Mark D.
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    We had such an enjoyable time at Ottawa Lake Campground.

    Escape the everyday and immerse yourself in nature at Ottawa Lake Campground. Nestled in the heart of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, this welcoming retreat offers lakeside fun, scenic hiking trails, the quiet beauty of a true Northwoods experience, all without a long drive.

    We have visited the Campground 5 times this year already, we love hiking all the trails in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.

    https://youtu.be/xl4uAtNWclM

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pettits Lakeview Campground & Bar

    Family Friendly Lakeside Campground

    Pettit’s Lakeview Campground & Bar is the kind of place where family camping meets lakeside fun with a lively twist, sitting right on Lake Koshkonong with beautiful sunset views and easy boat access. My kids loved the playground while the adults enjoyed Friday fish fries, live music and the laid-back bar that doubles as a social hub, creating a strong community vibe with theme weekends and plenty of laughter. That said, it’s definitely more “festival” than “quiet forest” with sites being closing together, weekends can get noisy with karaoke and bar traffic, and shade is limited, so if you’re looking for peace and birdwatching, this isn’t it, but for families who don’t mind a little bustle, it’s a fun and memorable spot.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pilgrims Campground

    Simple Campground

    With a small family to mind, while out enjoying a short weekend of camping, I appreciated Pilgrim’s Campground in Wisconsin for its quiet, family-oriented atmosphere that made our stay both relaxing and memorable. The sites were clean, level and easy to settle into, with plenty of shade and enough space for the kids to play safely nearby. While the campground doesn’t have the flashy resort-style amenities of some bigger parks, it makes up for it with well-kept facilities, a friendly, welcoming staff, and a slower pace that let us truly enjoy time together outdoors. My kids loved riding their bikes around the loops, roasting marshmallows at night and spotting wildlife along the nature trails, while I valued the sense of safety and the community feel among fellow campers. Conveniently located near local attractions yet peaceful enough to feel tucked away, Pilgrim’s offered the perfect balance of simplicity, comfort, and wholesome family camping.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Milton-Madison SE KOA

    KOA Close to Lake Koshkonong

    With 2 kids to mind, I found the Milton-Madison SE KOA to be one of the most family-friendly campgrounds we’ve visited, with something for everyone to enjoy. With over 200 sites, the campground is clearly geared toward RVs and fifth wheels, but it also offers a few cabins and tent sites, giving families different ways to stay. The kids were thrilled with the heated pool that even has a waterfall, the playgrounds, gaga ball, arcade, and weekend rides like the barrel train and hayrack.  In short, there was always something to keep them entertained while I could actually relax. I appreciated the practical touches like clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, a well-stocked market and a clubhouse with plenty of space to gather. My husband loved that Lake Koshkonong was right nearby for fishing and paddling, and we all enjoyed exploring Milton’s small-town restaurants with Mary’s Café for biscuits and gravy that was a huge hit and Frederick’s Supper Club, both of which made for a special night out. The Riggio family, who run the campground, were some of the kindest hosts we’ve met, which made the whole experience feel extra welcoming. While I do think the tent sites and cabins are a bit pricey for what you get, the number of activities, amenities, and nearby conveniences made it worth it for the memories we created together. For families looking for a lively, activity-packed camping trip, this KOA is a great choice.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Lakeland Camping Resort

    Lakefront Fun

    As a mom, I found Lakeland RV Campground in Milton to be the kind of place where the whole family can truly unwind and have fun together. Set along Lake Koshkonong this place was bursting with energy and feels more like a summer resort than a traditional campground with over 270 full-hookup sites and cozy cabins for families who don’t have an RV. The kids had endless options to keep them busy from 2 swimming pools, a sandy beach, playgrounds, mini golf, sports courts, and even planned activities and themed weekends and I loved the convenience of the camp store, laundry, fitness center and clean facilities. In the evenings, we enjoyed gathering around the campfire under the stars, and during the day we ventured onto the lake for kayaking and fishing, which felt like a little adventure just steps from our site. It was also nice knowing that if we wanted a change of pace, Milton and Janesville offered small-town charm and great dining and Madison wasn’t far for a day trip. My mom tips? Book a site away from the pools if you want peace and quiet, treat yourself to dinner at Fredrick’s Supper Club, sneak out early for a serene paddle on the lake, and don’t worry if you forgot gear as nearby shops have you covered. Lakeland made it easy for me to relax while my kids had a blast, and that combination is what makes it such a special family getaway.

Guide to Harvard

Camping near Harvard, Illinois offers access to a mix of woodland and prairie environments across McHenry County. The region sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level with terrain characterized by rolling hills, wetlands, and interconnected waterways. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with high humidity levels, while spring brings seasonal rains that can affect trail conditions at many campgrounds.

What to do

Kayaking the chain of lakes: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides extensive water recreation opportunities with seven connected lakes. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," shares a visitor to Turner Lake South Campground.

Fishing in multiple locations: Several campgrounds offer fishing access in both lake and river settings. At Northwoods RV Resort, "there is a very pretty river to fish," according to a recent visitor. The campground is situated along the Kishwaukee River with dedicated fishing areas.

Hiking various terrain: Rock Cut State Park features nearly 40 miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "There are hiking trails and this campground is the closest to the boat dock and concession which serves as the camp store," notes a camper at Fox Den Campground. Many trails loop through both wooded areas and restored prairie.

Horseback riding: For equestrian enthusiasts, Chain O' Lakes offers designated horse trails. Rock Cut State Park provides "equestrian trails and an equestrian campground," according to a visitor. Call ahead to confirm seasonal availability and any permits required for bringing horses.

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Thomas Woods Campground offers secluded camping spots set back from main roads. "We did our first (family of 5) camping trip at Thomas Woods. We were at site 4 which is electric hookup and it was a huge area! The kids had so much space to run around and explore," mentions one camper at Thomas Woods Campground.

Affordable camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value at several area campgrounds. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," notes a visitor to Turner Lake South.

Firewood delivery service: Several campgrounds provide firewood directly to campsites. "The camp host delivered my fire wood right to my site (which was extra helpful because no car)," shares a tent camper about their experience at Thomas Woods.

Clean facilities: Many campers comment on well-maintained facilities. At Big Foot Beach State Park, a visitor noted, "Great place to quickly get in and set up, easy access to all amenities, the ranger station, and camp hosts if needed. Good fishing ponds for the kids, and great hiking trails throughout the property."

What you should know

Limited seasonal operation: Most camping sites near Harvard, Illinois operate primarily from April through October. At Rock Cut State Park, a visitor noted, "We live less than five minutes from Rock Cut and wanted to test out our pop up camper. It's off season so the showers were not open yet but there were open toilets."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Harvard, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harvard, IL is Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground with a 4-star rating from 81 reviews.

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