Best Glamping near Chicago, IL

Recent Glamping Reviews near Chicago, Illinois

292 Reviews of 13 Chicago Campgrounds

• A

  Andrew S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 29, 2019

  Camp Bullfrog Lake

  Fantastic car camping close to Chicago

  Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life.

  Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well.

  Beautiful forest surrounds the lake, lots of hiking in the surrounding enormous forest preserve. Lake has fishing and boats as well.

• 

  Jenifer K.

  Guide

  

  May. 10, 2019

  Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

  sort of like summer camp

  We stayed for 4 nights in June in a pull thru FHU. The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years. 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.

• 

  Dickie H.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 30, 2019

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  Easy camping

  You gotta love Indiana dunes national lakeshore! A quick drive from chicago this campsite is a real good place to get away from the city and enjoy the outdoors. It’s one of my favorite places to go within an hour’s drive. The campsite has everything you need. Modern bathrooms and showers, running water. Good for tent camping. It’s clean and a quick drive to a quiet beach at Beverly Shores. I highly recommend!

• 

  deb K.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 23, 2022

  Chicago Northwest KOA

  Not a bad campground

  We had to leave a horrible CG to the south. Booked this site on app the day before. Which was a huge plus. This KOA has very limited full hook up sites. As far as KOA standards, it is not great. It is about an hour and half from Chicago and Milwaukee We paid for the deluxe patio site, which had no sewer. Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice. Had horrible WiFi, no cable and limited reception. One bathroom and shower was nice, the other had disgusting showers. Pool was ok, but tons of kids. CG was very kid friendly, with tons for them to do. The people running the place were still COVID crazy with restrictions for check in and everything else. But what do you expect in crazy Illinois. Makes you insane, when you come from the free parts of the US.

• 

  Art S.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 11, 2019

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  Nice campground near the Indiana Dunes National Park

  We followed the signs for Indiana Dunes National Park and found ourselves here. There is also a campground directly in the park but this one is just down the road. I think it’s still part of the same place but with a self-check-in there wasn’t anybody to ask. 

  The camp host left a list of available campsites on the check-in kiosk. We found just two sites still open and took one of them. Our site was a large pull-through with a separate area for the picnic table and a tent. Right across the road was the large restroom complete with showers and flushing toilets. After setting up camp, I heard people in the woods right on the other side of the hill. I walked up the path and found that the neighboring campsite winds back there. We could sort of see them, and definitely hear them, but we still felt separate. The camper and car in the pull through spot provided a nice barrier so our dog didn’t get distracted by people walking by. 

  The National Park entrance is a few miles down the road. The beach was packed but the trails were emptier. We enjoyed hiking to the summit of 2 dunes. We stopped at the picnic area to have lunch in the shade. There’s also a trail that leads out from camp. However dogs are not allowed on the entire trail so we skipped it. 

  This is a nice National Park that’s only an hour from Chicago.

• S

  Scott C.

  Guide

  

  May. 22, 2018

  Chicago Northwest KOA

  Close to Chicago

  Typical KOA. Spots are close together but also close to Chicago. Next door to the Wild West Town, which is great for kids. Also close to Illinois railway museum. Locked gate, but keycards are available if you go out.

• 

  Chris H.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 2, 2023

  Chicago Northwest KOA

  Nice, but far away from Chicago

  We use this as our base when we went to Chicago. The only problem is that it is anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half from downtown Chicago. The facilities were nice and maintained. We had a nice Prairie view spot.

• 

  Helen M.

  Traveler

  

  May. 20, 2022

  Camp Bullfrog Lake

  Beautiful place

  One of the few places close to Chicago on a lake. It was quiet and expensive. The staff was very friendly. The showers were hot.

• J

  Jolene S.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 26, 2017

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  Great Area, Very Convient

  We had such a great time at our site for the Questival event in Chicago! Although it was a short stay, we enjoyed the campfire and atmosphere with fellow Questivvalians

• 

  Bill M.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 21, 2018

  Camp Sullivan

  Cook County Forest Preserve

  It’s probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails. Camp Sullivan is used a lot by scouting groups. There are lots of trees and it is somewhat woodsy. The best thing to me is Jack Gibbons’s, a restaurant directly across the street.

• K

  Kenpocentaur K.

  Legend

  

  May. 31, 2019

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  National Treasure

  This camp ground was a federal site that was wonderful.  It just had so much to do in the campground and near by as well. We went to look at the light house, sand dunes, lake, beach, and even rode the train into Chicago for the day.

• A

  Andrew M.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 7, 2021

  Michigan City Campground

  Getaway to the Windy City

  We stayed at this campground last fall. It's easy access, clean spacious sites, and how quiet it was considering it proximity to S.R. 421 brought us back again this year. We visited Indiana Dunes National Park and State Park. Also jumped on the South Shoreline commuter train that took us into downtown Chicago for a day trip.

• 

  Stefanie W.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 7, 2021

  Camp Bullfrog Lake

  Nice weekend getaway close to home

  My family loves coming here! The scenery is beautiful, you can fish, hike, or just relax. You're in the Chicago suburbs so it's easy to get to a store or restaurant if you need. It's close to home for us, so it's perfect for a quick camping trip. Only drawback is that it's a little pricey, but the facilities are updated and clean, and you get a free firewood bundle when you arrive.

• 

  Caitlin W.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 9, 2018

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  Breathtaking Views

  Very clean and very nice. It was quite busy, but only saw a few people on the trails. Which if you're hiking, make sure you're prepared. It's s different element hiking in the sand, every two steps forward is one step back. But the views are so so worth it. Lake Michigan is amazing, and you can see Chicago's city line in the distance.

• 

  Iris A.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 9, 2021

  Chicago Northwest KOA

  Great stop when visiting Chicago

  Another great KOA, this one just 55 miles from downtown Chicago. We live staying here with the kids as they have Gem Mining, Jump Pad, Gagaball, Minigolf, Frisbee Golf, Polipong and huge playground! Join us for hay-wagon rides, face painting, flashlight candy hunt and more on weekends.

  Always clean and well organized, they escort you to your campsite when you arrive for ease.

• 

  Anna G.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 18, 2019

  Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

  Lovely Lake Michigan

  This is a state park which has an entrance fee and camping you can reserve. The area is beautiful. Big dunes, lovely water. On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake. The state park has many well maintained hiking trails and cross country skiing trails in the winter. Be careful in the lake, because rip current often take young visitors out too far and into dangerous waters.

• M

  Mari H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 5, 2020

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  Great home base for exploring the Dunes

  Location is fantastic for exploring the area. From campground you can walk (very close!)  to the small Village of Beverly Shores which has a cool restaurant (Goblin and the Grocer) with outdoor dining and take out, higher end liquor store, gas station, ice cream, firewood, beach supplies and food trucks. Plus, even the commuter train to Chicago stops here. Close to several beaches, tons of hiking, dunes to climb and cute towns to explore.

• J

  Jenna M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 31, 2019

  Camp Bullfrog Lake

  Amazing views, great quick getaway from Chicago

  This campground was easy peasy and had an incredible view of the lake. We were right there on the lake. We went in September so I'm not sure how it would be in the summer since there is little to no cover. 

  There was nice hiking and we were able to get out into the woods for a while. My friend and I were surprised that such a nice place is so close to Chicago. There is a dock and the campground had good access to water, sink, and a nice bathroom. Lots of families were there when we went. Overall would recommend.

• 

  Brannon M.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 22, 2020

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  The Great Midwestern Beach ;-)

  This is a great area for those who (like us) have made I-80 a semi-annual migration pattern ;-) All kidding aside, this is a perfect spot either to or from the Chicago area. From Indiana Dunes State Park all the way up the coast to New Buffalo, the area is dotted with great little restaurants, wineries, and breweries. Tourist-y without being tacky.

  There are plenty or rentals for those looking for a house-type stay.

  Quick Tip: Prepare for cold water! Lake Michigan is usually pretty cold until later in the summer.

• Q

  Quinn

  Scout

  

  May. 4, 2022

  Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

  Great facilities, but a little more expensive

  If you’re willing to pay a little more to camp, this is a great campsite for you! Well kept grounds, clean bathrooms and showers, open year round, SUPER close to the National park. I personally prefer driving a bit out of my way to find cheaper and more secluded campgrounds/places to stay, so a total of $73 for a three night stay was not my favorite thing about this site. However, the proximity to the National park and the Chicago made it worth it for me. As a solo female traveler, I never felt unsafe.

• 

  Naomi M.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 3, 2017

  Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

  Good Starter Camping Near Chicago

  This is our go-to state park when I need to get out of Chicago for the afternoon. We camped here once as a starter trip with our two kids, since it was easy enough to go home if it all went south.

  Non-electric sites in the loop on the small fishing pond were relatively quiet, well shaded, with decent screening between sites. Easy walk to bath house adjacent the electric sites, which were jammed with RVs.

  Nice easy hiking/biking trails. Boat rentals. Stocked concesion building.

  Our kids, 4&8, really like it here. Nothing too hard or scary for my little city kiddos.

• 

  Kara W.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 9, 2022

  Camp Sullivan

  Only Option

  This park is not great. Others have mentioned small, un-level sites. We did not have this issue in Spot 8 but I can see other spots have that issue (and there are only 10 RV spots)

  It was the only option for us to visit Chicago for the weekend. Still, it’s an hour away from downtown. They do NOT have water available or a dump station despite advertising that they do. “Water” was a garden hose that an employee pulled out from the cleaning closet when we asked where the water was. The hose had holes in it, and barely trickled. So we had to fill up plastic jugs from the shower.

  All garbage cans were full when we arrived. Showers and bathrooms were deplorable - had obviously not been cleaned in days. No toilet paper available for two days. They did finally clean and restock on Saturday - I guess they only do maintenance on the weekend. Hose went back into the supply closet then for all the good it did.

  Employee questioned us for arriving at 1pm when check-in for the RV spots is 3pm. We had already parked in our spot since no one was there. He said that was fine. Check out is 12, no more than half the park was ever full, and no one is cleaning the sites (our fire pit was full of trash), so it makes no sense to wait until 3 to park.

  I don’t remember what the nightly rate is because they never sent me any confirmation email when I booked months ago. But I can guarantee it’s too high. As it was our only option near Chicago for an RV, we made the best of it. Only reason it doesn’t get 1-star is because, as others have mentioned, there is a lot of greenery to enjoy as well as solitude.

• 

  adrienn S.

  Guide

  

  May. 4, 2021

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  Great location

  Nice spot, basic but clean. The Pin Oak trees were abundant for hammocks but a little worrisome with the wind advisory. Train tracks are quite close so light sleepers may be woken by the sound, Beverly Shores train depot very convenient if coming or going to Chicago. A quick bike ride to the the beach and century of progress houses. Lovely sunset on the beach and close enough to make it back to the campground without it too dark via bike. Very convenient stores within walking distance across the road with just about anything you could need if you forget something. Bathrooms were decent, showers and flushable toilets were close by site 57. ADA accessible spots available. Reservations are required this year not FCFS as previous years.

• K

  Kathryn

  Scout

  

  Jun. 17, 2022

  Camp Sullivan

  Cook County Illinois Surprise

  Wooded electric paved sites with fairly new bathhouse facilities. Pretty clean. Only one indoor water faucet working but this may be a COVID casualty. The FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY online camping reservation site is tricky but after several tries I figured it out. We stayed in April at Camp Reinberg and in June at Camp Sullivan, both for a few nights. There was confusion at Camp Sullivan; we arrived and someone was in our reserved site,,, but we were lenient and agreed to move in the next day. Our purpose for camping was visiting our adult children who live in Chicago but both have roommates. Camp Reinberg is a tad closer to downtown and north suburban shopping but has only 4 electric sites, 2 disabled accessible. Camp Sullivan has twice as many sites and more availability.

• 

  Nomad Nurse Z

  Guide

  

  Aug. 29, 2021

  Camp Sullivan

  Stay for the night only

  Very difficult to contact staff to book reservation. When we got there they told us they double booked us and requested we move after we got set up. We declined as there were other spots open and we were staying for under 24 hours. Concessions were scarce. No water or dumping hook up. Electric only. Would only stay here again in a pinch. The only upside is that it is very close to Chicago. The entrance was hard to find. It was near the intersection of Oak and 147th I believe. There’s a restaurant across from it. When you are checking in with trailer make sure you don’t turn left to the office. It will be hard to turn around. I recommend stopping when you get to the fork in the road as the RV sites are to the right. Wish I liked this place more.

• 

  Julia S.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 31, 2020

  Lakeshore Camp Resort

  This is not camping

  If your idea of camping is to be surrounded by nature, quiet, and the ability to social distance then DO NOT CAMP HERE.

  Likes hire camp resort is like choosing to camp in the middle of a neighborhood whose population density is higher than chicago, except instead of apartments, it’s trailers. The train is so loud that it’s bound to wake you up numerous times in the middle of the night. There are so many flood lights that it is never dark.

  Like a neighborhood, we were so far from a public bathroom that we had to drive and the first two bathrooms we went to on the first night were locked. When we finally found the bathrooms the next day they were mostly clean.

  Positive insights-hook ups work and the Pool and lake were both swimmable. The playground was nice for kids.

  This campsite was a once in a lifetime experience, as in, this is the only time we will ever camp here and we will not be back.

• 

  jennifer Z.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 11, 2018

  Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

  Favorite campground in the dunes

  This is seriously my favorite campground. My family and I have been camping here for more than ten years. We have camped in the walk-ins and the drive-up spots.

  The sites are private and the bathrooms are super duper clean. Showers are great.

  You can take the train from downtown Chicago and get off at the Beverly Shores stop on the south shore line. The campsite is seriously a quarter mile walk from the stop.

  There is an awesome gas station at the corner where you can get coffee and donuts in the morning. Ice and beverages during the day and soft serve ice serve ice cream at night. There are also two wood stove pizza trucks next to the gas station.

  There is a nice sandy beach one mile walking distance through an amazing prairie. Great walk at night back from the beach after watching the sunset. Very romantic.

  Plenty if things to do in the area. Lots of pick your own berry patches and kayaking spots.