Best Campgrounds near Cicero, IL

Camping opportunities near Cicero, Illinois include several public campgrounds within an hour's drive of this Chicago suburb. While the immediate city area has limited natural camping spaces, the surrounding Cook County Forest Preserves maintain developed campgrounds like Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan that accommodate tent campers, RVs, and those seeking cabin rentals. These established camping areas offer convenient access to outdoor recreation while remaining close to urban amenities and transportation routes.

Reservations are essential at most developed campgrounds in the region, with sites often booking quickly during summer weekends. Many camping areas have electronic check-in systems and gate closures at specific times - Camp Bullfrog Lake's gate closes at 10pm, which affects late arrivals. Several campgrounds provide amenities like electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities, though water access varies by location and season. The Chicago area experiences distinct seasonal changes that impact camping comfort, with mild spring and fall conditions offering the most pleasant camping weather. As one camper noted about Camp Bullfrog Lake, "Clean showers, space to walk, gorgeous lake - quiet just outside of the city!"

Mixed-use campgrounds in the Chicagoland area often provide access to hiking and biking opportunities alongside camping. Trail systems near Camp Bullfrog Lake receive particular praise from visitors, with one reviewer mentioning that "the mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here." Urban camping options also exist, with sites like The Vaudeville offering a unique experience for those wanting to combine city exploration with camping. Most campgrounds in the region feature level tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables, though campers report varying levels of privacy between sites. Family-friendly amenities and relatively new facilities make these campgrounds appealing for weekend getaways, despite their proximity to urban areas and occasional noise from nearby transportation routes.

Best Camping Sites Near Cicero, Illinois (68)

    1. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "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."

    "What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."

    2. The Vaudeville

    4 Reviews
    Chicago, IL
    4 miles
    +1 (312) 420-4204

    "There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"

    3. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0041

    $35 - $250 / night

    "Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."

    "There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."

    4. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."

    "I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."

    5. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    127 Reviews
    Beverly Shores, IN
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 395-1882

    $25 / night

    "You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."

    "You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."

    6. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    67 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    7. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."

    "tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"

    8. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 926-1952

    $23 / night

    "We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."

    "This campground was very nice and clean and for a packed park was very quiet and we did not feel too close to the sites next to us. "

    9. The Fawn Flats

    Be the first to review!
    Oak Park, IL
    5 miles
    +1 (618) 946-7614

    $35 - $75 / night

    10. Camp Shabbona Woods

    2 Reviews
    Calumet City, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0018

    $30 - $80 / night

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Recent Reviews near Cicero, IL

601 Reviews of 68 Cicero Campgrounds


  • Gina A.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Chippewa Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Kankakee River State Park Chippewa

    $20 a day with with restrooms has NO shower area. No water hookup .But has a swing set for the kids to play a few bike/hike trails. Quiet no street noise . They have a dump station and water too fill your camper.

  • Katrin M.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Campground Indiana Dunes

    We camped here on our way to Minnesota. The campsite had the typical amenities like a picnic table and a fire pit. The campground was clean and it was quiet. The bathroom was a bit outdated, but clean. The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening. Overall, it was a nice campground with spacious sites. It was not a long car ride at all to Lake Michigan.

  • Abhinay
    Oct. 7, 2025

    The Vaudeville

    Peaceful stay

    It’s was great nd peaceful place for staying on weekends for relaxation.

  • Ray S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great campground with everything you would need

    This was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • 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.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.


Guide to Cicero

Camping options within an hour's drive of Cicero offer varied terrain from forested preserves to lakefront sites. The geography features flat prairie landscapes near Cicero itself, transitioning to glacial moraines and sand dunes toward Lake Michigan. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer months typically range from 75-90°F with moderate humidity that affects camping comfort.

What to do

Hiking and biking trails: Camp Reinberg connects directly to the Deer Grove Forest Preserve trail system. "There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout, and there's even a little up-and-down thanks to ice age glaciers," notes one camper at Camp Reinberg.

Mountain biking: Some of the region's best single-track trails can be found at Palos Forest Preserve. "If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails," writes Tim K. about the trails near Blackwell Family Campground.

Water activities: Multiple campgrounds offer lake access for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to Layla P.

What campers like

Lake Michigan access: Beach activities and dune exploration rank high for campers heading east. "The lake and dunes are spectacular and live up to the hype. The 3 dune challenge is not really a challenge if you are moderately healthy but it is fun and scenic!" says Greg S. about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.

Proximity to Chicago: Urban camping locations offer convenience for city exploration combined with outdoor experiences. "This is a great location if you're seeing family and friends in the area. And it's within walking distance to stores and restaurants," notes one reviewer at Camp Sullivan.

Wildlife viewing: The preserves around Cicero provide habitat for native birds and animals. At Palos Forest Preserve, campers report seeing "tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk."

What you should know

Late arrivals: Many campgrounds in the Cook County system lock gates at night. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting," reports Lisa S. about Camp Sullivan.

Noise factors: Urban-adjacent camping means transportation noise at some locations. At Dunewood Campground, one camper noted they "Could hear Trains throughout the night," though they still rated their experience highly.

Limited water hookups: Several RV sites have electricity but lack water connections. "Really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet," shares Kaitlin M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Tips for camping with families

Cabin options: For families new to camping or visiting during shoulder seasons, cabins provide comfort with nature access. At Illinois Beach State Park, sites are "busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Cicero, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cicero, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.

What parks are near Cicero, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Cicero, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.