Camping options near Clare, Illinois range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks, with several seasonal considerations affecting availability. The region experiences cold winters with temperatures often dropping below freezing between November and March, limiting some camping opportunities. Most campgrounds in this area sit within the rolling countryside of northern Illinois at elevations between 850-950 feet above sea level, creating a mix of wooded retreats and open prairie camping environments.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Blackhawk Valley Campground, campers can enjoy fishing in the Kishwaukee River that runs alongside the property. "A campground close into the city but in the middle of corn and soy bean fields right done in the river," notes one visitor. The campground offers a "small beach area for kids to wade in water" according to another camper.
Hiking trails: The forest preserves in the area provide extensive trail networks. Thomas Woods Campground features "a variety of hiking trails. They aren't the longest but we were able to vary the route up to keep it fresh for our dog to sniff out her adventure. Some of grass and others were dirt. The wildflowers caught our eye," according to one visitor.
Water recreation: Many campgrounds feature lakes for swimming and boating. At Sycamore RV Resort, guests can enjoy "two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack," as one reviewer mentioned. Another camper notes it has "nice fishing ponds and fun beach," making it suitable for families looking for water activities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as a key factor. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, one visitor remarked, "This is one of those places that's so awesome, you really don't want to tell people about it. It used to be an old boy scout camp, and now they let the public use it. There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campgrounds receive the highest praise. "Bathrooms are immaculate and are locked with electronic key cards," noted one reviewer about Sycamore RV Resort. At Paul Wolff Campground, a camper observed that "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."
Nature viewing: Wildlife sightings enhance the camping experience. Thomas Woods Campground provides opportunities to see various animals, with a camper mentioning, "I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels."
What you should know
Primitive camping considerations: Some of the best places to camp near Clare, Illinois are very basic. MacQueen Forest Preserve offers sites for just $4 per night, but "This is a very primitive campground with 1 set of Vault toilets. The other campsites require a walk/hike along a gravel path for completely wooded sites or cross a football sized meadow for open air sites." Also, "if you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you."
Ranger
