Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs offers glamping accommodations 28 miles southwest of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. This conservation area sits within the Cook County Forest Preserve system at approximately 600 feet elevation with deciduous forest terrain. The campground remains open year-round, though seasonal camping patterns shift dramatically with northeastern Illinois temperature swings from below-freezing winters to humid 80°F summer days.
What to do
Kayaking rentals: $15/hour at Camp Bullfrog Lake includes life vests. The small lake provides calm waters for beginners. "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.
Mountain biking trails: Free access to extensive single-track system directly from campsites. The trails connect to miles of routes through surrounding forest preserves. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," notes Josh M., highlighting the accessibility for quick outdoor escapes.
Horse riding: Daily trail rides available at Chain O' Lakes State Park for visitors seeking guided experiences. The park maintains designated equestrian trails separate from hiking paths. "There is horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas," explains Meg K.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms with showers at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort. The campground offers family-friendly amenities including a beach area. "Clean bathrooms and shower. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water," notes Leo V.
Proximity to urban areas: Short drives to Chicago make these sites ideal for weekend camping without extensive travel time. "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails," explains Bill M. about Camp Sullivan.
Private sites: Wooded camping spots at Thomas Woods Campground provide natural separation between sites. "The campsites are pretty crowded, you can easily see and hear your neighbors the entire time you're there. The bathroom facilities were clean with an average level of amenities," reports Megan R.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Rain can impact trails throughout the region, particularly at less-developed sites. "The trail looks like it would be pretty muddy if it rains so choose your timing," advises Art S. about hiking options near the camps.
Seasonal variations: May through October represents prime camping season with the fullest amenities. Many campgrounds maintain limited operations in winter months. "We stayed for 4 nights in June in a pull thru FHU. The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years," warns Jenifer K.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons and insects require proper food storage and repellent. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," cautions Meg about conditions at Chain O' Lakes, adding "the raccoons at night here are no joke."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas accommodate different age groups at Chain O' Lakes State Park. "There is a park for the kids in several areas," confirms Meg K., with many campgrounds featuring dedicated facilities for children.
Kid-friendly water activities: Swimming areas with designated children's sections available at multiple locations. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," explains Chloe N. about Chicago Northwest KOA, adding "this is not private or rustic camping but still very fun and relaxing."
Organized activities: Weekend programming focuses on family engagement with scheduled events. "Did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night... Plenty for the little kids to do," shares Dan B., highlighting the structured entertainment options.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Reserve spots away from main roads for reduced noise and dust from passing vehicles. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," advises Tim K., who also notes "the lack of shade trees and the high cost per night" as considerations.
Hookup variations: Electric only sites predominate with limited full-service connections. Many campgrounds offer water fill stations rather than individual hookups. "Very difficult to contact staff to book reservation. When we got there they told us they double booked us and requested we move after we got set up," warns Nomad Nurse Z about coordination challenges.
Dump station timing: Early morning departure recommended to avoid weekend lines at shared facilities. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," reports Tina about high-traffic periods.
