Near Evanston, Illinois, cabin and glamping experiences can be found within 50 miles across northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. The region features a mix of forest preserves and lakefront areas with elevations ranging from 580 to 750 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Hiking trail access: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to extensive trail systems just steps from campsites. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. 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 one visitor who lives nearby and takes midweek camping trips to break up the work week.
Kayaking on small lakes: Turner Lake South offers peaceful paddling opportunities away from motorized watercraft. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," shares one enthusiastic paddler.
Beach activities: Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park combines camping with Lake Michigan beach access. "Right near the beach, everything you need is close, staff is nice, and it's affordable," notes one camper. The beach is approximately 1 mile from most campsites, accessible via walking paths through wooded areas.
Three Dune Challenge: Indiana Dunes State Park Campground offers a popular hiking challenge. "If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list," says a visitor. The challenge involves climbing the three tallest sand dunes in the park, with the highest reaching nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Camp Sullivan features recently renovated amenities. "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. The campsites are well kept as are the grounds," observes one reviewer who appreciated the convenient urban escape.
Private wooded sites: Fox Den Campground offers more secluded camping experiences than other nearby options. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers," notes a visitor who found their site "protected on 3 sides by some fairly dense foliage and trees."
Lake views and fishing: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides waterfront sites with fishing access. "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," shares a camper. The lake is stocked with several fish species, making it popular with anglers.
Proximity to Chicago: Camp Bullfrog Lake sits just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails," notes one reviewer. This accessibility makes it popular for weekend getaways when residents want glamping near Evanston without extensive travel time.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Glamping accommodations near Evanston typically operate from May through October. July and August bring higher humidity with temperatures often reaching 85-90°F, while May, September and October offer more moderate conditions with highs in the 60-75°F range.
Train noise: Several campgrounds report railroad disruptions. At Indiana Dunes State Park, one camper notes: "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be just fine."
Wildlife encounters: Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park has active wildlife including raccoons. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down," warns one family camper.
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds offer different levels of privacy. "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded," reports a Camp Sullivan visitor, while at Turner Lake South, a camper noted "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! The campsites are nice and private."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Fish Lake Beach offers multiple activities designed for children. "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Child Friendly Campground with lots of activities and space to play But very quiet and relaxing by nighttime," reports a satisfied family camper.
Budget-friendly options: Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park provides affordable camping close to Evanston. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," notes a budget-conscious camper who appreciated the value.
Tick awareness: Honeysuckle Hollow requires extra precautions with children. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!" cautions a parent who recommends tick prevention measures.
Cabin options for beginners: Camp Sullivan offers cabin accommodations ideal for families new to camping. "There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," explains a reviewer, though another adds that "important to note dogs are not allowed inside the cabins."
Tips from RVers
Electric-only hookups: Indiana Dunes State Park provides partial hookups. "Only offered electric service. It is electric only but that didn't really bother us - we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves," explains one RVer, noting the need to arrive prepared.
Levelness varies: Chicago Northwest KOA has uneven sites in some areas. "Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice," notes one RVer who still gave the campground positive marks overall despite this challenge.
Pads and access: Fox Den Campground offers more spacious RV sites than other nearby options. "Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers. Electric is easily accessible, and water/sanitary is easy to get in and out of," explains an RVer who appreciated the amenities and setup.
Site length considerations: Chain O' Lakes State Park has varied site dimensions. "Sites #4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad. There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," notes a visitor who stayed at Camp Bullfrog Lake, suggesting these specific sites for longer RVs.
