The Chicago area offers camping opportunities within a short drive of Cicero, with tent sites, RV spots, and cabins nestled in forest preserves and lakefront areas. Most campgrounds in this region are at elevations below 800 feet, providing flat terrain for easy setup. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F, while spring and fall bring cooler weather ideal for camping without summer crowds.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Access miles of single-track trails directly from Camp Bullfrog Lake campground. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here," notes Tim K. The trail system connects throughout the forest preserves, allowing for various difficulty levels.
Lake Michigan beaches: Visit Indiana Dunes State Park Campground for swimming and shoreline exploration, just 45 minutes from Cicero. "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," reports Anna G.
Kayaking options: Rent kayaks at Camp Bullfrog Lake for $15 per hour, life vests included. "The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," mentions Layla P. The calm waters are ideal for beginners and recreational paddlers.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Camp Sullivan receives praise for its updated amenities. "The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern. The campsites are well kept as are the grounds," according to Shane S. This makes for a more comfortable experience when glamping near Cicero, Illinois.
Family activities: Michigan City Campground offers structured recreation for kids. "Great place for families... pool, playground, clubhouse, store. Very close quarters camping. Friendly," notes Amritasri F. The gated entrance provides added security for families with young children.
Seasonal atmosphere: Weekend camping transforms during fall months when temperatures cool and leaves change colors. "We were camping here right in the middle of fall. The leaves were changing and our site was near the lake. Awesome family friendly spot," shares Ken about Honeysuckle Hollow.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Cicero experience railroad noise throughout the night. "Definitely heard railroad and road noise but that's the trade off for being close to town with good cell service," mentions Katherine T. about Dunewood Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons actively search for food after dark at Honeysuckle Hollow. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched... everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down," warns Meg.
Site variations: Campsite quality varies widely even within the same campground. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade. The middle sites are more exposed and much less private," advises Greg S.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access priorities: Choose campgrounds with lifeguard-staffed beaches when camping with children. "The beach was well maintained, and had lifeguards during certain hours, which gave me a little bit of extra comfort in bringing my kids to the lake," says Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas for easier supervision. At Camp Sullivan, "We love this place with three kids under 7! We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites," shares Dane S.
Tick prevention: When glamping with small children near Chicago, prepare for ticks. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks," recommends Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Most campgrounds offer electric-only sites, requiring arrival with full water tanks. "It is electric only but that didn't really bother us—we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves," explains Greg S. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Site selection strategy: At Chicago Northwest KOA, "It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy," notes Michelle J., highlighting the thoughtful layout despite tight spacing.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times at single dump stations. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," advises Tina about Honeysuckle Hollow.
