Best Campgrounds near Chicago Ridge, IL

Camping near Chicago Ridge, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From beautiful wooded sites to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this area.

What to do:

• Hiking: Explore the trails at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground. “We enjoyed riding ebikes on the trails. Lunch at the beach front (Lake Michigan) was good and great views,” shared a happy camper.
• Fishing: Head to Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area for some fishing. “The store is very nice and well stocked. Never left the park so not sure how far to ‘town’,” noted a satisfied visitor.
• Beach Access: Visit Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park for a day at the beach. “We stayed right by the showers which happened to be right by the beach as well! Staff were very friendly and helpful,” said a camper who enjoyed the location.

What campers like:

• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Michigan City Campground. “Very well kept safe supervision quiet clean facilities,” one reviewer stated.
• Wooded Sites: Many enjoy the privacy offered at Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park. “The sites are decently private with good tent pads,” a camper mentioned.
• Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff at Camp Bullfrog Lake. “The site overall is amazing. Just wouldn't ever camp here again due to the high price and the bathrooms being terrible,” shared a visitor, emphasizing the mixed experiences.

What you should know:

• Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs at Dunewood Campground. “The mosquitos here are insane!!! I came back with giant welts from the bites even with bug spray on,” warned one camper.
• Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Illinois Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park, have older facilities. “The bathrooms were old and wet. The dump station was closed,” noted a visitor.
• Noise Levels: Expect some noise from nearby roads or trains at places like Blackwell Family Campground. “The campground and the whole park are very well maintained, and the people working there, kind and helpful,” a camper said, but they also mentioned the noise.

Tips for camping with families:

• Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds that offer family-friendly activities. “The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and during our stay, blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around,” shared a parent at Blackwell Family Campground.
• Spacious Sites: Choose campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. “The campground has nicely spaced sites. If others think these sites are close, they haven’t been to campgrounds with close sites,” noted a family camper at Paul Wolff Campground.
• Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. “The restaurant had a great Nachos and grass-fed burger, top quality definitely,” said a camper who enjoyed local dining options near Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area.

Tips from RVers:

• Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. “Tight getting into the spot for Class As but spots are spaced nicely,” mentioned a reviewer at Blackwell Family Campground.
• Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Camp Bullfrog Lake. “The restroom and showrooms are very clean as well,” a camper noted.
• Book Early: Popular spots fill up fast, especially during weekends. “This is a lovely campground. The sites are well dispersed so you don't feel like you are on top of other campers,” shared a visitor at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.

Camping near Chicago Ridge, Illinois, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!