RV camping near Cicero, Illinois provides access to numerous campgrounds within 30-60 minutes of driving distance. The area features a mix of suburban and rural settings, with elevations ranging from 580-730 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping brings more moderate conditions with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing at lakeside sites: At Sycamore RV Resort, guests can enjoy fishing in two stocked lakes. "Great fishing and nice beach for swimming. Very nice shower/laundry house," notes Ryan B. The property includes walking paths around the ponds, though water levels may vary seasonally.
Mountain biking on local trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers direct access to extensive trail systems. "What's great about this location is the access to miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," according to Josh M. The trails attract serious cyclists, with "several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day."
Swimming in natural waters: Natural water features provide swimming opportunities at multiple campgrounds. The Kankakee River at Lake Alexander RV Park is accessible via a short walk. "There's a river that's a 5 min walk from the campground that we swam in and it kept us cool from the heat," reports Maaya Y.
What campers like
Clean shower facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom buildings. At Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, campers appreciate the "clean showers & bathrooms" as mentioned by Jeana K. This is especially valuable for tent campers or those in smaller rigs.
Spacious sites for larger rigs: Site dimensions vary significantly between parks. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "the pull throughs were really long" according to Rose F., who adds that "having a sewer hook up on site was a welcome change to our typical state park sites."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural areas around campgrounds support diverse wildlife. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, campers report seeing "tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk" while hiking the surrounding trails.
What you should know
Water quality varies significantly: Mineral content in water systems differs between parks. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "water pressure was steady" but some campers note high iron content in the water. Bringing drinking water is recommended for some locations.
Reservation requirements change seasonally: Most parks require advance bookings during peak periods. At Fox Bluff CottageS & RV, "the location requires a 2 night stay minimum," according to Ann S.
Highway noise impacts some sites: Proximity to major roadways affects ambient sound levels. Lehmans Lakeside has "constant ambient sounds of highway traffic which is about 1/2 mile away from route 90," notes a reviewer. Consider requesting sites furthest from highways when booking.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Several parks offer amenities specifically for children. Fox Bluff CottageS & RV features "the new pool, the game room, the playground" which contributes to what one camper calls "great family facilities."
Consider shade availability in summer: Tree cover varies dramatically between locations. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "there is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," warns Tim K. This becomes particularly important during hot summer months.
Check for watercraft rentals: Some parks offer equipment for water activities. Camp Bullfrog Lake provides kayak rentals at "$15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to Layla P.
Tips from RVers
Plan for dump station locations: Not all parks offer on-site dumping facilities. The Love's RV Hookup-Morris IL 859 provides full hookups with sewage connections, though at other locations "the dump station was about a mile down the road," as Carmen F. notes about NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground.
Road conditions affect larger rigs: Internal campground roads vary in maintenance. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "pot roads need service as they do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit," mentions a reviewer. Consider site location relative to entrance when towing larger trailers.
Pay attention to pad materials: Surface types impact leveling and comfort. Rose F. observed at Lehmans Lakeside that "water pressure was steady. Power was consistent" but during rainy periods "the whole site had puddles around it" despite having concrete pads in some sections.
