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Best Campgrounds near Downers Grove, IL

517 Reviews

Several established campgrounds surround Downers Grove, Illinois, providing options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking convenient camping without traveling far from Chicago. Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs offers lakeside tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with year-round availability. The Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville provides another popular option with tent and RV sites available from May through September. Most campgrounds in the area are situated within forest preserves, offering a natural retreat despite their proximity to urban areas.

Camping facilities near Downers Grove typically require reservations, especially during summer months when sites fill quickly. "We really like this place and was about a 30 minute ride from our place in the western burbs. Some of the area's best mountain bike single track is right here," noted one visitor about Camp Bullfrog Lake. Most campgrounds feature clean bathroom facilities with showers, drinking water, and electric hookups. Weather considerations include hot, humid summers that can make shade a premium commodity at some locations. The camping season generally runs from spring through fall, with select sites remaining open year-round. Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours and have gates that close at specific times, typically around 10 PM.

The developed campgrounds in the region offer varying levels of amenities and natural features. Campers consistently mention the appeal of sites with lake views, particularly at Camp Bullfrog Lake where fishing, hiking, and mountain biking trails are readily accessible. A visitor observed that "there is little to no cover" at some tent sites, making shade shelters advisable during summer months. Most camping areas provide fire rings and picnic tables, with some including a complimentary bundle of firewood. The proximity to Chicago makes these campgrounds ideal for weekend getaways and first-time campers seeking an outdoor experience without venturing too far from urban conveniences. Nearby forest preserves offer extensive trail systems for hiking, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking.

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Best Camping Sites Near Downers Grove, Illinois (79)

    1. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    8 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. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    9 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."

    3. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    17 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. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    26 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."

    5. The Vaudeville

    4 Reviews
    Chicago, IL
    17 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"

    6. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    26 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."

    7. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    24 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. Martin’s Camping Ground

    7 Reviews
    New Lenox, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 726-3173

    "If you like having access to a bathroom and shower its great and because no one really hd a tent here but us we had some privacy. It is next to a highway so be mindful of that."

    9. Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Rockdale, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 744-9400

    "Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot. Pet-friendly. Pleasant park with good pad. Near busy road and shipping plant."

    "Nice safe location. Flat, pretty large spots..picnic tables."

    10. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    67 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    46 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!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Downers Grove, IL

178 Photos of 79 Downers Grove Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Downers Grove, IL

517 Reviews of 79 Downers Grove 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.

  • 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.

  • Kevin B.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Camp Sullivan

    Enjoyed the camping experience

    Nice and clean areas, staff was very professional and helpful while I was there

Guide to Downers Grove

Campsites near Downers Grove, Illinois offer natural retreats within a heavily urbanized region. Most camping options sit within forest preserves managed by county authorities, with operating seasons typically extending from May through October for many locations. Winter temperatures in the area regularly drop below freezing, making year-round options limited to specific campgrounds with heated facilities.

What to do

Mountain biking on single track trails: At Camp Bullfrog Lake, visitors can access extensive mountain biking trails directly from their campsites. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits. 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," notes Josh M.

Kayaking on calm waters: Rental options exist at several campgrounds, offering alternatives to hiking. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," reports Layla P. about her experience at Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Archery practice: Blackwell Family Campground offers an archery range for visitors. "There is also an archery range, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families," shares Marisa A.

Birdwatching opportunities: The forest preserves contain diverse habitats supporting bird populations. One camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake reported seeing "tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk" during a 10-mile hike.

What campers like

Free firewood at select locations: Paul Wolff Campground and other preserves provide firewood as part of your stay. "Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate)," notes Marisa A. about Paul Wolff Campground.

Clean bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds maintain modern, well-kept restrooms. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked," shares Layla P. about Camp Bullfrog Lake. At other locations like Camp Sullivan, results vary as one camper noted: "It's ridiculous there are two bathroom stalls and complete strangers have to pass a toilet paper roll between the stalls."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest preserves offer chances to see native wildlife. "We saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to believe that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated area just outside Elgin, IL," shares Tricia E. about her experience at Paul Wolff Campground.

Proximity to Chicago: Most campsites sit within an hour of downtown Chicago. "Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway," writes Autumn D. about Blackwell Family Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV and trailer camping sites near Downers Grove?

Yes, several RV-friendly options exist near Downers Grove. Glenwood RV Resort offers full hookup sites just a short drive south of I-80, making it convenient for larger rigs. For those wanting to stay closer to Chicago while enjoying nature, Love's RV Hookup-Morris IL 859 provides convenient amenities for travelers with RVs. Both locations accommodate larger vehicles with dedicated parking and necessary hookups. If you're looking for something with more natural surroundings, several state parks in the area have RV-compatible sites with varying levels of services and amenities.

What camping options are closest to downtown Downers Grove?

Blackwell Family Campground is one of the closest options to downtown Downers Grove, offering a quick weekend getaway with electric hookups at all sites. This family-friendly destination features level, clean sites, modern bathrooms, and reasonably priced firewood. Residents of DuPage County even receive discounted rates. Another nearby option is Camp Reinberg, which provides access to numerous biking and walking trails through natural areas. While some parts of the preserve border neighborhoods and major roads, the main trails are well-marked and lead to unique clearings and bridges.

Where are the campgrounds near Downers Grove?

Several campgrounds surround the Downers Grove area within easy driving distance. Big Rock Campground is located about an hour's drive from Chicago, offering paved roads and accessibility, though it lacks shade and shower facilities. For water recreation, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area provides a peaceful lakeside camping experience in north-central Illinois. Chain O'Lakes State Park offers multiple camping areas including Turner Lake South with private sites and Prairie View for those seeking more primitive camping experiences without electric hookups.

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