Best Campgrounds near Elk Grove Village, IL

The greater Elk Grove Village area contains several established campgrounds within driving distance, most offering a mix of tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville provides electric hookups and accommodations for both tent and RV camping from May through September. Camp Reinberg in Palatine, about 15 miles northwest of Elk Grove Village, features tent and RV sites along with cabin options, while Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs offers year-round camping with cabins, glamping, and traditional sites. Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin provides seasonal camping from May through October with electric hookups and water access.

Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Facilities like shower houses and flush toilets are common at the established campgrounds, though amenities vary significantly by location. Several preserves enforce alcohol prohibitions, including Blackwell Forest Preserve and Paul Wolff Campground. Electric hookups are widely available across the area's campgrounds, with sites at Camp Bullfrog Lake and Illinois Beach State Park offering full hookups including sewer connections. Weather patterns typically support a camping season from April through October, with some locations like Camp Bullfrog Lake remaining open year-round. As one camper noted about Blackwell Family Campground, "They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites and great prices for firewood. Sites are level and clean and they have modern bathrooms."

The proximity to Chicago makes these campgrounds particularly valuable for weekend getaways without extensive travel. Several locations feature water access for fishing, swimming, or boating opportunities, with some offering boat rentals directly from the campground. Campers seeking more privacy should consider tent-only areas or sites on the perimeter of campgrounds. Camp Reinberg receives praise for its hiking opportunities, with one visitor mentioning, "Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc." Sites at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo provide additional recreational options with beach access, though the campground operates seasonally from May through mid-October. Campers should expect fairly developed settings rather than remote wilderness experiences, as most locations balance natural settings with convenient access to nearby communities.

Best Camping Sites Near Elk Grove Village, Illinois (66)

    1. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    15 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."

    2. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    10 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!"

    3. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    21 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."

    4. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    19 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. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    67 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    31 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!"

    6. 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"

    7. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

    8. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    29 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."

    9. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    31 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"

    10. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    32 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."

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Recent Reviews near Elk Grove Village, IL

509 Reviews of 66 Elk Grove Village Campgrounds


  • Abhinay
    Oct. 7, 2025

    The Vaudeville

    Peaceful stay

    It’s was great nd peaceful place for staying on weekends for relaxation.

  • 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

  • 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!

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • 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.


Guide to Elk Grove Village

Camping near Elk Grove Village, Illinois offers opportunities throughout three seasons with most sites closing from late October through April. The area's terrain features a mix of prairie, woodland, and small lakes scattered across Kane, Cook, and DuPage counties. Summer temperatures typically range from 75°F to 85°F during the day, with significant humidity making shade a priority for tent campers.

What to do

Mountain biking access: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct entry to miles of single-track trails. "We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," notes one visitor about the extensive trail system.

Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer shoreline access for anglers. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, the lakefront tent sites are particularly advantageous as "they are spacious and you can fish right from your site!"

Winter camping options: Unlike most seasonal campgrounds in the area, Camp Bullfrog Lake remains open year-round. Heated cabins provide cold-weather comfort where "the central bathrooms are clean, heated and offer showers," making it suitable for camping beyond the typical season.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Many campers prioritize bathroom cleanliness when selecting sites. Camp Reinberg consistently receives praise for maintenance: "The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," and another camper noting, "restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)"

Proximity to Chicago: Campers appreciate the ability to reach wilderness quickly from urban areas. "This is a ideal getaway place for Chi-town people," writes one Camp Reinberg visitor, while another notes it's "centrally located to the major roads (Quentin/NW Hwy) and about 10 minutes from the Palatine Metra train station."

Level sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature engineered, level pads. At Big Rock Campground, "the spaces are pretty level" and another camper confirms "nice campground with big, level sites."

What you should know

Shade limitations: Newer campgrounds in the area often lack mature trees. One camper at Big Rock notes, "No Shade, and no showers. This is a relatively new campground not too far (about an hour drive) from Chicago," while another mentions "the trees will be terrific in about 20 years."

Reservation systems vary: While most locations require advanced planning, Big Rock operates differently: "Walkup only - no reservations taken. $35 a night is a bit steep."

Wildlife encounters: The area offers surprising biodiversity despite suburban proximity. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, campers report hearing the "Amazing chirping of the birds in the morning" and seeing diverse wildlife during hikes.

Tips for camping with families

Beach access for children: Fish Lake Beach provides water recreation beyond swimming. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"

Climbing activities: Paul Wolff Campground offers hiking trails suitable for beginners. "We like to hike and this site had great (kid and beginner adult level) trails," making it appropriate for families with various age groups.

Noise considerations: Urban-adjacent camping means occasional noise. At Camp Sullivan, some report "the closeness, expensive fire wood, and lack of extensive hiking trails means we probably will not return," while others find the experience worthwhile despite proximity to populated areas.

Tips from RVers

Water hookup distances: At Big Rock Campground, prepare for spread-out utilities. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises one RVer who also recommends bringing "about 150' of hose to spigots behind the loops to run to their campers."

Full hookups available: Chicago Northwest KOA provides comprehensive amenities. "This KOA has very limited full hook up sites," one camper warns, suggesting early reservations for these premium spots.

Site orientation: At some locations, design accounts for privacy despite proximity. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping sites near Elk Grove Village?

Tent campers near Elk Grove Village should consider Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park, which offers primitive no-service campsites ideal for tent camping. While there's no electricity at the sites, water is available within walking distance. Another option is Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, a hidden natural preserve gem with tent camping opportunities. Though facilities may be limited compared to premium campgrounds, the lakeside setting creates a pleasant environment for tent campers. For those seeking additional options, Camp Bullfrog Lake near Willow Springs offers walk-in tent sites with basic amenities.

What RV parks and facilities are available near Elk Grove Village?

RV enthusiasts near Elk Grove Village have several options to choose from. Love's RV Hookup-Morris IL 859 offers convenient overnight facilities for those traveling along I-80, providing essential hookups at this fuel depot/travel store location. For a more traditional camping experience, Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park provides nice, private sites for RVs, contrasting with the park's Honeysuckle Hollow area which features more open sites arranged in rows specifically designed for RVs. When planning your stay, remember to check reservation requirements as some campgrounds have specific booking systems.

What are the best campgrounds near Elk Grove Village for families?

For families camping near Elk Grove Village, Blackwell Family Campground is an excellent choice with its proximity to Chicago, making it perfect for weekend trips. The campground offers electric hookups at all sites, level and clean camping spots, modern bathrooms, and reasonably priced firewood. Another great family option is Camp Reinberg, which features numerous biking and walking trails with off-trail paths leading to unique clearings and bridges. The surrounding forest preserve provides plenty of space for kids to explore while remaining on easily followable main trails, creating a perfect balance of adventure and safety for family outings.