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Best Tent Camping near Chicago, IL

590 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Chicago provide urban-adjacent overnight options with varying levels of privacy and amenities. Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland offers tent sites with minimal shade due to young trees, while Channahon State Park Campground features walk-in tent sites surrounded by established forest. McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove provides hike-in and boat-in tent camping along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail, and the Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park offer more secluded tent camping within reach of Lake Michigan beaches.

Many tent-only sites near Chicago require campers to park in designated lots and carry gear short distances to their campsites. Camp Shabbona Woods closes gates after 10pm and does not allow vehicles at campsites. Facilities vary considerably, with most providing vault toilets or bathrooms rather than full shower facilities. McKinley Woods sites are susceptible to flooding during heavy rain, and the park provides drinking water via pump, though the water may appear cloudy. One camper shared that "sites are far apart, with enormous banquet-sized picnic tables with cut-outs in the bench for wheelchairs" at McKinley Woods, noting the 3-foot wide fire pits and non-adjustable grills.

Backcountry tent camping experiences near Chicago often feature unexpected pockets of natural solitude despite urban proximity. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Backpack Camp allows primitive tent setups with fire rings but lacks bathroom facilities and drinking water. Tent sites at Kayak Morris provide riverfront camping with direct water access, ideal for paddling enthusiasts who can launch directly from their campsites. A visitor commented that Kayak Morris offers "quiet, relaxing, and very well maintained" tent sites where campers can "see tugboats and barges go up and down the Illinois river right from your campsite." Most tent-only areas become crowded on summer weekends, with weekday camping offering the greatest solitude and prime riverside or shaded locations.

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Best Tent Sites Near Chicago, Illinois (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Chicago, IL

16 Photos of 9 Chicago Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Chicago, IL

590 Reviews of 9 Chicago Campgrounds

  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Nice but very little shade

    We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

    There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.

    There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.

    Overall it was pretty quiet.

    The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.

  • H
    May. 26, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Great stay, come ready

    We stayed two nights in mid-May, at site number 72. Area was gorgeous, well maintained, shady and quiet. Tons of hiking trails in very close proximity to the campground! There is electricity on site, but no water or sewage at each site. However there is a water fill station and a dump station. So just come prepared. Also, they have a very strict no alcohol policy. Not that that stopped people, but don't go walking around with a beer bottle! We would definitely return.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. 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). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2018

    Big Rock Campground

    No shade, no shower

    No Shade, and no showers. This is a relatively new campground not too far (about an hour drive) from Chicago. We looked at this place when we were looking for a spot to camp for a local wedding. But, no shade in the Illinois heat and no shower made it unacceptable. There were paved roads and the sites looked large and level. There was water and electric And a dump stations at the entrance/exit.

  • Elizabeth G.
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Pleasant and quiet

    Stayed in site 43 of the Douglas loop. Douglas loop is all non electric.

    Our site was big enough for our tents, a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms/showers are really close by which is nice but you do get the lights from the bathroom facing site 43. Not a big deal but if you’re looking for more darkness then definitely choose one of the other sites around 43.

    All parking sites are paved for camper vans/trailers but no water or power hookups. All sites have nice huge tent pads that are nice and level. Only noise we heard was the train every now and then.

    The showers are individual rooms separate from the bathrooms. And there’s a gas station and liquor store near the entrance of the campground for fire wood and beer.

    I didn’t get to stay in the walk in campsites but they are very nice and close-ish to the showers.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Channahon State Park Campground

    Perfect for cyclists along the canal trail

    This campground is right in town. It is a bit away from businesses. However if you arrive by car you drive through the quaint town. 

    Arriving by bicycle is even better. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes right by camp. You can stop for a rest or stay the night. It's a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride.

    This campground is surrounded by trees. When we showed up, a classic car gathering was going on. They even set a campfire to use throughout the morning. There are vault toilets and a picnic area too. It should also be noted that you need to walk in to the campsites (parking is really close by).

    The maintenance buildings are right next to campsites. Today they were mowing so workers were moving in camp but also out along the trail and park.

    This is a nice, shady place to stop along the I & M Canal Trail.

  • A
    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.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

Guide to Chicago

Tent camping near Chicago provides accessible wilderness experiences for urban dwellers seeking natural settings without lengthy travel. Most sites open April through October, with peak usage during summer weekends. Temperatures range from 45-85°F during camping season with occasional storms possible throughout summer months. Fall brings cooler temperatures and changing colors to deciduous forests surrounding many campsites.

What to do

Water activities in natural settings: Kayak Morris offers direct river access for paddling enthusiasts. "I have my own kayak and the river here is so calm its awesome. My friends rented the dual kayaks ant they loved them," notes Art P. The campground provides rentals if you lack your own equipment.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds near Chicago offer productive fishing. At Kayak Morris, Sam Murphy M. reports "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!"

Trail exploration: Access the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail from several campgrounds. Art S. recommends Channahon State Park Campground for cyclists: "The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes right by camp. You can stop for a rest or stay the night. It's a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride."

What campers like

Accessibility from urban areas: Most Chicago-area campgrounds lie within a 90-minute drive of downtown, making them suitable for weekend trips. Andrea F. appreciates Davis Creek Campground for its "open, scenic" qualities and notes it's "very well kept, and there is good access to water."

Waterfront camping: Several sites offer direct water views. At Kayak Morris, Amanda W. describes the experience: "We stayed when there were not many people there so we had plenty of space but could see it getting crowded when it's full. We brought our own kayaks and launched right from our campsite which was amazing."

Privacy between sites: Despite urban proximity, many campgrounds offer reasonable separation. Don W. found Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park "nice and private," noting "It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long."

What you should know

Weather and terrain challenges: Some sites experience flooding during heavy rainfall. At McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, Rita S. cautions: "Nothing was mentioned about this site being a flood zone. Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up. We had three inches up the the fire pit."

Access restrictions: Many campgrounds close gates in evening hours. Jeffrey L. reports that at Camp Shabbona Woods, "They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok. No electric or water hook ups can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite."

Varying water availability: Water sources differ between campgrounds. Brian O. notes that at McKinley Woods, "Water is available by an old fashioned pump, and is drinkable, but cloudy. There's only one pit toilet."

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: Novice campers should consider established campgrounds with amenities. Scott M. recommends Camp Shabbona Woods: "camp suite is set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping. The campgrounds do not have a lot of shade as new saplings are still growing."

Space for group activities: Some sites accommodate family gatherings. Brian O. describes McKinley Woods sites as "far apart," with "enormous banquet sized picnic tables with cut-out in the bench for wheelchairs."

Weekend planning: Reserve sites well in advance for summer weekends. Eric R. notes that at Kayak Morris, "25 sites to choose from, they fill up fast on weekends so plan to make reservations early."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV accommodations: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Chicago restrict vehicle access or lack hookups. At Kayak Morris, Taylor L. suggests focusing on the water activities: "Small and hidden right on the Illinois River. Received a free night of camping with a whole day of kayaking which is absolutely recommended. Not much to do here except camp and kayak."

Urban proximity sounds: Background noise exists at some campgrounds. Jeffrey L. mentions that at Camp Shabbona Woods, campers "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background."

Special events: Some campgrounds offer unique seasonal activities. Eric R. shares his experience at Kayak Morris: "had my first experience of a lit up kayak tour for fireworks" and notes they offer occasional "glampouts" with "morning breakfast after the glampout night provided by the staff."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there tent campsites with electric hookups in Chicago?

Electric hookups for tent campers are limited in the immediate Chicago area. Camp Shabbona Woods specifically doesn't offer electric or water hookups at their tent sites, which is common for forest preserve campgrounds near the city. For powered sites, you'll need to venture a bit farther from Chicago. Davis Creek Campground — Kankakee River State Park is within reasonable driving distance and has more developed facilities. Many Chicago-area campers either use battery packs and solar chargers or choose campgrounds slightly farther from the city that offer full amenities. Always check the specific campground's website for the most current information on available utilities.

How much does tent camping cost at Chicago area campsites?

Tent camping prices around Chicago vary by location and amenities. Channahon State Park Campground and other state park facilities typically charge $10-25 per night for basic tent sites. McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove and similar Will County Forest Preserve sites are budget-friendly options. Private campgrounds like Kayak Morris may charge $25-45 per night, though they sometimes offer package deals that include activities with camping. Most public campgrounds have additional fees for reservations, non-resident surcharges, or vehicle passes. Cook County Forest Preserve campgrounds generally fall in the $20-30 range per night. For the most accurate and current pricing, check the specific campground's website before planning your trip.

Where are the best tent camping sites near Chicago?

The Chicago area offers several excellent tent camping options within driving distance. Central Avenue Walk-in Sites — Indiana Dunes National Park provides clean sites with good privacy and is a short walk to the beach, making it ideal for water lovers. For those seeking a riverside experience, Kayak Morris offers tent sites along the Illinois River with kayak rentals available. Other noteworthy options include Camp Shabbona Woods in the Cook County Forest Preserves and McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove for more secluded camping. While most Chicago-area campgrounds have an urban feel with occasional city noises, they provide convenient escapes without traveling far from the city.

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