Best Campgrounds near DeKalb, IL

Searching for the best camping near DeKalb, IL? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Illinois camping adventure.

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Best Camping Sites Near DeKalb, Illinois (107)

    1. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 824-2565

    $25 / night

    "If you find yourself out in these parts near Shabbona in north central Illinois it is because of either one of two reasons - you are incredibly lost and stumbled across this hidden natural preserve gem"

    "All within easy walking distance to the lake. Camp store and two boat rental spots allow for flexiblity on busier weekends."

    2. Sycamore RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Sycamore, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 895-5590

    "Very nice grounds that are quiet. 10 minute drive to town. 20 minutes from Dekalb. Some Covid 19 restrictions. Beach and restrooms are closed. Campers must have their own toilets."

    "Nice lake for fishing and a beach area for the kids to go swimming."

    3. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 232-5980

    $18 - $35 / night

    "Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"

    "Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."

    4. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."

    ", with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."

    5. MacQueen Forest Preserve

    6 Reviews
    Kirkland, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 522-6254

    "You have to walk up to the sites. There's a wagon and a dolly to take your things.

    There isn't much in terms of hiking trails."

    "I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground."

    6. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."

    "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."

    7. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4206

    "You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"

    "We stayed here for a weekend and there were plenty of activities for the kids...the staff was friendly and the bathrooms were clean...our camp site was near the bathrooms, pool, and store so we were nice"

    8. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Union, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4533

    $45 - $70 / night

    "Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front.  Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "

    "We couldn’t reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake. They also have free TV but we didn’t hook up to that."

    9. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"

    "Beautiful Starved Rock is Illinois's favorite state park. Hiking through forests along the Illinois River to canyons and waterfalls with eagles soaring overhead."

    10. Thomas Woods Campground

    17 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 338-6223

    $20 - $35 / night

    "While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."

    "Most of the sites were right on the road and you’d need to position your car right for privacy. The tent sites are clumped pretty tight together with a couple exceptions."

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Recent Reviews near DeKalb, IL

795 Reviews of 107 DeKalb Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Ron D.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Pearl Lake

    Low Class Trailer Trashy Park

    Horrible customer service from the start. We registered online with a 35" 5th wheel for 2 nights. On checking in, we wouldn't fit in the site so the girl at the desk put us in a different site saying she couldn't escort us to our site. This was our first time being there and her excuse was they were short staffed. The street signage was very small and hard to read. Site numbers were said to be on every pedestal but they were not visible from any drive. After only a few minutes of driving around, we were astonished by all the trash and junky trailers on site. Note that if your camper is more than 10 years old, they want to first see a picture of it so as to keep their place classy. Not the case here once you have paid and are here. We call back to the office for assistance finding our site and the girl said she would have to lock the office and was hesitant about doing so but she would come out to hep us find our place. We simply asked for a refund saying we were very disappointed with the situation so far. When she told us they don't give refunds, we asked for a manager to call us back. At this point we left to find another place which we did and were at in about 30 minutes. The manager called us back offering us drinks at the bar, a premium site, tickets for kids in the bounce house, and free water craft but I and the wife were only there for 2 nights. We were not going back to that dump. She said she would have to speak with the owners about a refund but never called us back. Five days later I called several times to speak with the manager again but no call back. She did however text us saying they will not issue a refund saying the girl in the office could not leave the desk because her coworker was using the restroom. Then why did she say she couldn't leave because they were short handed? Long story short, think long and hard before you visit this trashy place. Showers were dark and dingy and smelled. The beach looked more like gravel and not pleasing. Just walking around, I couldn't get away from the awful smell of people smoking and vaping and a strong smell of pot smokers everywhere. Not at all the place we would take our grand kids ever.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Big Rock Campground

    Needs some shade

    This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.

    The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?

    It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.

  • 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.

  • Kaitlin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Close to city, very peaceful

    Really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors. I made a reservation for the wrong campground and meant to book this one and the staff helped me switch my reservation and make a new one. Really great!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Martin’s Camping Ground

    It’s just alright

    No laundry… Closest laundromat 10 mins away, office gives address on check in paper

    No outside comfort….spaces are small, muddy, and un level. Highway is next to campground, but we could not hear it inside. Doesn’t make it conducive to be outside, not exactly relaxing when grilling. Sewer connection at our site was technically on neighbors…we had to use extension.

    Bathhouse…super clean and modern, but no hot water…lukewarm at best. Shower is not comfortable….nozzle is from ceiling and temperature not warm enough to stay warm while not directly under water. Hooks are useless as everything gets wet inside shower.

    Staff…super nice and maintains property…clean, mowed.

    Great for Chicago visit, just don’t plan on hanging out at campsite. Looks like a lot of permanent campers who work, so camp is very quiet at night.

  • Rick K.
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Four Star Campground

    4 STAR CAMPGROUND IS A VERY BAD SPOT TO GO

    I HAD PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAMPER AND THEY HAVE DRUGGYS FOR EMPLOYEES AND DRUNKS PASS OUT IN YOUR LOT AND I HAD TOLD OWNERS ABOUT THE WORKER HARRASSING ME THEY DID NOTHING I TOLD THEM OWNERS 3 TIMES ABOUT THE GUY HARRASING ME WELL HE BE UP MY CAMPER 20 THOUSAND DOLLAR CAMPER HE DESTRYED CUZZ HE WAS INTOXICATED AND DRUGGED UP SO I HAD TO CALL THE COPS AFTER 3 TIME WARNING THEM OWNERS SO NOW I HAVE TO GO TO OURT FOR THSES NEGLEGENCE AND SAID OH WELL TO ME


Guide to DeKalb

Camping near DeKalb, IL, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place to explore, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park. With over 13 miles of trails, you can enjoy breathtaking views and waterfalls. One visitor mentioned, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls."
  • Fishing: At Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, you can fish for bluegill, walleye, and perch. A camper shared, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
  • Boating: Enjoy a day on the water at Rock Cut State Park Campground. The park features a swimming pond and plenty of spots for kayaking and canoeing. One reviewer noted, "They have sites with electric and sites just for tents."

What campers like:

  • Natural beauty: Campers appreciate the lush landscapes at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park. A visitor said, "The campground itself was very nice with good size sites and lots of room."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment at Pleasant Creek Campground. One camper mentioned, "Wife and I had a wonderful time to ourselves."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Blackwell Family Campground offer activities for kids. A parent noted, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Illinois Rock Cut State Park, have outdated facilities. A camper reported, "The electricity wasn't working... told us the park was old and not updated."
  • Crowded weekends: Popular spots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. One visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground said, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters, especially at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area. A camper warned, "Keep your domesticated pets on a leash."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the right campground: For families, White Pines Forest State Park Campground is a great option. A parent shared, "Perfect for camping with small children because the bathrooms are always close by."
  • Plan for activities: Look for campgrounds that offer activities for kids, like Blackwell Family Campground, where rangers provide entertainment. One camper noted, "The ranger did stop by around 5 or 6ish with some activities for the kids to do."
  • Pack essentials: Bring items like bug spray and sunscreen, as some areas can be buggy. A visitor at Illinois Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "The campsite itself was at the bottom of two hills and much damper than the surrounding areas."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site amenities: Make sure to verify the amenities at your chosen campground. One RV owner at Illinois Rock Cut State Park said, "We ended up having to go back to camping world to get an adapter to use the 50 amp."
  • Look for spacious sites: Choose campgrounds with larger sites, like Starved Rock Campground, where RVs can fit comfortably. A camper noted, "The park is old and not updated but then ultimately told us it was our trailer."
  • Plan for access: Some campgrounds may have tricky access roads. A visitor at Pleasant Creek Campground mentioned, "You’ll need to pass the Shower Building to access the second campground."

Camping near DeKalb, IL, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near DeKalb, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near DeKalb, IL is Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 32 reviews.