Best Tent Camping near Elburn, IL

Recent Tent Reviews near Elburn, Illinois

694 Reviews of 17 Elburn Campgrounds

• 

  Becca Z.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 30, 2020

  Lowden State Park Campground

  Great camping spot!

  We were so happy with the size of the tent camping sites. They were mostly all flat, plenty of space and gave privacy from the neighbors. We were at site 28 which had both sun and shade. Right across from the pit toilets which I wouldn’t pick next time. There was no shower house or running water in the loop we were at. Across the street were the electric rv sites and a few tent sites. Only compliant is even from the middle of the campground we could hear the road noise. Otherwise great!

• 

  Nick C.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 27, 2021

  Lowden State Park Campground

  Great family camp ground

  Two main camp grounds. Main rv/ tent camp ground has clean pit toilets and well maintained sites. Primitive camp ground on the east side of the main entrence is very basic yet spaced far enough apart to have some privicy

• 

  John W.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 29, 2020

  Lowden State Park Campground

  Nice camping on the Rock River

  We tent camped in the Shady Rest Loop. The B sites (we were B-36) are a strip on one side on the loop. It’s mostly RVs and a shower facility is close by. You get shower access with the B tent sites. They have reserve and walk up. There is a fairly big road that can be noisy. There are tent sites across the road but we did not check them out. Loredo Taft sculpted the large Blackhawk statue on the river (also sculpted the alma mater at U if I). There are some wide hiking trails, very shaded. AT&T got decent cell service in camp. The camp host will sell you firewood. Wed-Sun they have a snack shop with hot dogs and ice cream type stuff. There are volleyball and basketball court, playground and lots of open space if you like to use for games. Fishing is a bit tough from the shore. If you had a boat it might be easier to put in and fish off some of the islands in the river. Water quality from the pumps seemed good. The camp ground is pretty open, so if you are looking for more secluded sites, this might not be for you. That said, aside from the road, it was pretty quiet but we camped mid week. The B sites in this loop were a bit slanted. And our site, B-36 was across the road from the streetlight, our car blocked it pretty well so not a if deal for us. A video of the loo and some pics of the sites are included. Enjoy your camping!

• 

  Marisa A.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 31, 2020

  Blackwell Family Campground

  Weekend Camping with lots of activities

  For years, this was our go-to campground for weekend nearby adventures. Over the years, the price has increased and at $30 per site for non-residents, it's a bit steep for tent camping for me (so I left off a star rating). All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs. It's located in a beautiful wooded Dupage County Forest preserve. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained. While I didn't camp here this year, I took these photos the last weekend in October to give everyone a sense of how nice this campground could be for them. My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views. For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods. Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends. Heads-up that sites 21 & 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites.

• S

  Sadie R.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 2, 2020

  Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

  Good Tent Sites

  We visited this spot last summer as a place to stay for 1 night on our way farther north.

  We really enjoy tent camping and prefer walk-in/hike in sites so we can have some privacy away from other campers. The campsites were decently dispersed and the ground was nice and grassy so it was pretty comfortable.

  We always want more space between campsites, but I think the privacy level was fine. The tent sites are right off the parking lot where the boat ramp is so maybe on a busy weekend it would be a little loud, but overall a nice night for us!

  We left in the morning to continue our drive so we didn’t spend much time checking out the hiking trails.

  We did however go checkout the beach which wasn’t much to write home about. If I remember correctly, we had to pay a fee to enter. Always happy to support a state park. We just figured since we were already paying to camp there, it wouldn’t cost extra. I’m pretty sure we paid an admission fee and didn’t stay for long. It was across the way and requires a drive instead of a hike to get there.

• 

  Marisa A.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 16, 2020

  MacQueen Forest Preserve

  Secluded Hike-in Tent Campsites on the Kish

  This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs. There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy. This is a very primative 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. There are several well-water pumps "not for drinking." Each campsite has a fire pit and a picnic table. Pack out your garbage for the dumpster in the parking lot. There are only 9 sites total. VERY private and secluded. Tents only! Massive forest preserve area for excellent hiking. Some fellow campers were doing a diy tubing right to the campground. (About a 2 hr lazy river tube from Kingston or 5hrs from Genoa on the slow moving S. Branch of the Kishwaukee River which can be pretty deep in places.) Absolutely NO ALCOHOL. Cost for tent sites is only $4 per tent or tent-like structure. There are primitive cabins for rent and a large lodge if you rented the structure for an event here. By their facebook page, it looks like there have been beautiful weddings here. This is a former scout camp flanked by more forest preserves. The ranger is very nice and the entrance is locked from sunset to sunrise. I hesitated even posting this tent-camping primitive heaven, because I almost want to keep it for myself and the locals. Please practice leave no trace and follow the rules if you go so this place stays open. Dog friendly, but must be leashed all of time or a $50 fine. My dog loved the trails and river crossings! Gorgeous hidden gem about an hour into cornfield country from Chicago NW suburbs like Woodfield Mall. I had cell service at one spot in the parking lot, but it was fleeting with T-mobile. A fellow camper had the best private spot (#2) which other than the ada site was the best because it was closest to the parking lot, yet she still had a festival/yard cart to pull her gear up a gravel path. Make sure you bring yours or are outfitted with backpacking gear. Like anywhere, prevent insect deforestation and don't bring firewood, it's fine, they have plenty.

• D

  Doug

  Guide

  

  Jul. 12, 2022

  Paul Wolff Campground

  Clean and Nice

  I've stayed in a tent and a trailer here. Love this place. Super clean, everyone is pleasant. The tent sites are kind of away from the RVs. There's only 10 tent sites, but you could land your tent at an RV site if you wanted water or electric. Love coming here.

• 

  Abby W.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 24, 2019

  Sycamore RV Resort

  Nice fishing ponds

  And fun beach!! But no tent camping

• 

  Kim N.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 17, 2018

  Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

  Great Hiking

  Tent-camped here with my husband and dog and loved it! Great site, very clean, very peaceful!

• 

  Gypsy G.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 24, 2021

  Thousand Trails Pine Country

  Very nice!

  Tent camped here one night. Very nice, private sites. Not many campers, lots of RVs. Folks in the office were very helpful.

• 

  Kim M.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 15, 2018

  Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

  Camping on the riverside

  Located right on the river. There are many tent sites available and at a great price. The bathrooms located near the electrical sites have showers and running water. The bathrooms that are in the tent site only area are more like port-o-potty style. So in the heat of summer there are a lot of flies and you should have something to wash your hands ie no running water. I’d stay there again and the hosts were very sweet.

• 

  Tony G.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 23, 2022

  Lasalle/Peru KOA

  This is no longer a koa

  It's now called nature's way campground, it's quite nice,they have several cabins,tent sites, and nice pull thru rv sites.

• 

  John M.

  Traveler

  

  May. 29, 2023

  Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

  State park close to Chicago

  This is a great state park not too far from Chicago. Has a lot of rv sites and dedicated tent site close to the lake.

• D

  Doug

  Guide

  

  Jan. 3, 2022

  Thomas Woods Campground

  Great Campground

  Have stayed here a few times tent camping. Smaller campground in McHenry county. Good staff. Other campers relatively friendly and quiet. County police make a presence in the camp ground. Clean. Decent sites, some have hike in (kind of). Decent toilets.

• 

  Chloe N.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 18, 2022

  Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

  Great for kids

  We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site! The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms (no hot water in the showers) right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids! We’re going back this summer. This is not private or rustic camping but still very fun and relaxing.

• 

  Casey M.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 9, 2020

  Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

  Weekend getaway

  We tent camped in the staghorn section, less packed that the other options. Nice place, bathroom and showers were decent. Lot of trails, rentals of kayak, great for dogs and kids. Meijer is also close by in case you forget anything.

• A

  Amy R.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 17, 2019

  Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

  Tent camping near lake

  Tent sites are in hickory hills area. Easy walk to showers/toilets over across from site 100. Tent sites are much more shaded and private than electric sites. We were traveling with another family so had two sites. If you have two parties I'd recommend sites 27 and 31 which have a little private path and potentially 53 and 5 which also appeared to have a path between them. Our sites 47 and 53 were big and shaded but not very flat for sleeping. Boat launch very close if you bring your own kayaks or canoes. There are also some for rent at the other end of the park. Park and ice at concessions.

• 

  Jason A.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 2, 2021

  Green River Oaks Camping Resort

  Great family owned campground

  Clean bathrooms and showers, well maintained sites with water and electric. A bit cramped for tent camping as sites are small and no space between neighbors.

  However 2 pools, activities, green river at back of campground for fishing, tubing, and trail hiking.

• 

  Marisa A.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 10, 2020

  Big Rock Campground

  Expensive RV park for non-residents

  Not worth the drive here to tent camp if you live outside of Kane county. Even their 9 hike-in primitive sites hugging the treeline lack privacy. Yes, all the sites are very flat. It's a nice field if that's what you look for in a campground.

• C

  Claire S.

  Scout

  

  May. 31, 2017

  Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

  Typical State Park Campsites

  The state park is larger than expected with decent amenities (boat rentals, concessions, relatively clean pit toilets) and areas designated for trailer camping and tent camping.

  We stayed in the Turner South Loop, one of the older tent camping loops, and the age definitely showed. Most of the sites on this loop are pretty worn, with not much privacy. We stayed in T10, but would consider T9 if we returned to this loop for a different reserved site. The prairie loop looked a bit newer with bigger, less worn sites. Both loops had grill pits that were well-maintained for fires and campfire cooking.

  Trails were geared more towards horses and bikes, but there are plenty of walking paths, and we were able to find some hidden trails along the lake (read: unofficial). Overall, a place for relaxing and leisurely strolls and not hiking.

• 

  Mitchell S.

  Scout

  

  May. 20, 2019

  Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

  Easy get away

  Nice quiet place to get away. Large lake for boating and fishing. Sights are good sized for campers and pop-ups. Tent sites are a little sloped. Easy trails around the lake.

• C

  Cari B.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 10, 2020

  Paul Wolff Campground

  Nice enough for a stopover

  Well maintained park. We stayed at a tent site, nearby pit toilets are basic with no running water. Odd numbered sites had better shade than evens. The RV sites looked closely spaced but nice enough

• 

  Mike P.

  Scout

  

  May. 13, 2020

  Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

  Beautiful lake, mediocre camping

  The lake is beautiful. We did some fishing from the shore. 

  We went last minute and got one of the few remaining tent camping spots remaining. 

  These are a long walk from the lake and the bathrooms. Only pit toilets within walking distance. 

  Not a place we would go back to.

• 

  Matthew S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 28, 2022

  Lowden State Park Campground

  Good hotel alternative

  Pro: it's only $10 to tent camp.

  Facilities are clean.

  Con: it's state Park camping. For someone who prefers a more primitive camping style, it's a bit jarring to have no privacy between sites that are packed in tight together. But for $10, it still beats a hotel.

• 

  Ken

  Guide

  

  Oct. 11, 2020

  Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

  Beautiful Spot

  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. Adult beverages must be in a solo cup. Good for RV and tent camping. The bathroom isn’t too far of a walk from any site.

• M

  Martha

  Scout

  

  Jun. 2, 2021

  Paul Wolff Campground

  Not for #vanlife

  Full hook ups and electric sites plus some restricted Equestrian and walk in sites
  Not for #vanlife. I tried to pay for a tent site and was told “you’re not supposed to sleep in your car” “this campground is for RV’s only”

• P

  Phillip T.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 16, 2020

  Sycamore RV Resort

  Secret get away

  No tent camping allowed but pop up trailers on up are welcome. 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. Other wise very clean shower house and restrooms if there were no Covid 19.