Campgrounds near Eola, Illinois offer year-round camping options on terrain that ranges from wooded settings to open prairie land. The area's elevation averages 700 feet above sea level with continental climate conditions that include warm, humid summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures typically range from 70°F to 85°F while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with temperatures between 50°F and 70°F.
What to do
Lake activities: Fish for trophy catches at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, which maintains a 318-acre fishing lake with boat rentals available. "The lake has produced a lot of trophy fish, if that's your thing. Otherwise it's quiet and peaceful. We like to go just to chill and read out out in the woods," notes one Shabbona Lake visitor.
Mountain biking: Access extensive trail systems directly from Camp Bullfrog Lake, where multiple well-maintained single-track paths accommodate riders of different skill levels. A camper reports, "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day."
Archery: Practice at free public ranges near Blackwell Family Campground, which offers a dedicated archery range alongside other recreational activities. "Canoe rentals and free archery range," mentions one reviewer who appreciated the additional activities beyond camping.
What campers like
Free firewood: Get complimentary bundles at some county forest preserves. As noted by a Camp Reinberg visitor, "Very friendly staff w well organized and well maintained campground. Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5."
Hiking variety: Experience varied terrain within walking distance of campsites. A Camp Reinberg camper describes the area: "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout, and there's even a little up-and-down thanks to ice age glaciers."
Proximity: Reach most campgrounds within 30-60 minutes from Chicago areas, making them convenient for weekend trips. A visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake appreciated that it's "really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors."
What you should know
Shade availability varies significantly between campgrounds, with some sites offering little to no protection from summer heat. A Big Rock Campground visitor warns: "No Shade, and no showers. This is a relatively new campground not too far (about an hour drive) from Chicago. We looked at this place when we were looking for a spot to camp for a local wedding. But, no shade in the Illinois heat and no shower made it unacceptable."
Water hookups may require extra equipment at some sites. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises one Big Rock camper. Some campgrounds require staff assistance with water connections.
Gate closures affect late arrivals at several campgrounds. At Camp Sullivan, gates close with padlocks until morning: "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning!" reports one camper who had to search for staff to exit early.
Tips for camping with families
Climbing walls and activities: Schedule time for structured recreation at Camp Sullivan, which offers family-friendly climbing facilities. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," notes one visitor.
Site selection matters: Choose wooded areas for more privacy with children. A Blackwell Family Campground visitor shares: "The campsites are surprisingly nice. Most are wooded on each side for privacy. There is a nice shower facility. The grounds include a lake for boating, hiking trails, and bike paths."
Scout-friendly areas: Reserve group sites for youth organizations at multiple forest preserves. "Each group site has a nice cooking are and open space for tents. We had a group of about 20 kids plus moms and dads, so we grabbed three sites in the same area. This made for a great private space for our pack," explains a scout leader who visited Blackwell.
Tips from RVers
Cost considerations: Compare weekend vs. weekday rates for significant savings. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Millbrook, rates increase on weekends: "Cook County residents get a nice discount, as do veterans. Rates go up on the weekends. A one week limit for all stays unless you get approval from higher-ups."
Site levelness: Most county campgrounds offer flat, level pads suitable for larger rigs. "RV spots are concrete, flat, and easy to get into," observes a Camp Reinberg visitor, while another notes of Big Rock: "Grass camping. The spaces are pretty level. The trees will be terrific in about 20 years."
Electric hookup availability: All sites at Blackwell come with electric connections. "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."
