Glamping near Forest Park, Illinois provides a forest-forward camping experience within Cook County's extensive 70,000-acre forest preserve system. Fall temperatures typically range from 45-65°F, with summer highs averaging 82°F, making camping comfortable throughout most of the year. Seasonal wildlife viewing changes dramatically with numerous bird species migrating through the area during spring and fall.
What to do
Tackle mountain biking trails: Camp Sullivan offers direct access to the Palos Trail System with multiple single-track options for riders of all skill levels. According to a reviewer, "Some of the areas best mountain bike single track is right here. There is fishing kayaking and hiking trails too. Friendly staff and clean bathrooms" (geoff, Camp Sullivan).
Explore multiple water activities: At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, campers can enjoy a small but scenic lake ideal for beginners. "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 right there" (Chloe N., Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort).
Visit nearby attractions: Chain O'Lakes State Park offers convenient access to local attractions beyond camping. "If you like antiques or fun local places, head to The Milk House in Pingree and hit up the antique shops on your way. The one with all the junk is great if you like to dig but a bit overpriced" (Stefanie B., Chicago Northwest KOA).
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Fox Den Campground provides more secluded camping experiences compared to other areas. "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" (Ian C., Fox Den Campground).
Clean, modern facilities: Indiana Dunes State Park maintains well-kept amenities despite being heavily used. "This was one of the nicer showers that I've been to to date. The park sites were nice, most of them had grass and trees, but a few of them like sites 98 through 102 did have sand on them, which is kind of cool" (Kaley A., Indiana Dunes State Park).
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer chances to see native Illinois wildlife up close. "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" (Hatie P., Camp Bullfrog Lake).
What you should know
Train noise affects sleep: Several campgrounds near Chicago have railroad tracks nearby with frequent train traffic. "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" (Kaley A., Indiana Dunes State Park).
Site selection matters: Choose wisely when booking at Honeysuckle Hollow. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance" (Debra M., Honeysuckle Hollow).
Insect preparation essential: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly in wooded areas. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. They literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house" (Meg, Honeysuckle Hollow).
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near amenities: At Turner Lake South, select sites strategically for best family access. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep" (Meg, Turner Lake South).
Plan for evening wildlife: Raccoons are common visitors at many area campgrounds. "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" (Meg, Turner Lake South).
Consider budget-friendly options: State park camping provides affordable options for family glamping near Forest Park. "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" (Addison G., Turner Lake South).
Tips from RVers
Check hookup distances: Verify electric hookup placement when booking RV sites. "We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape, but as far as campgrounds go it was about 3x the price for less than half the space" (Lisa S., Camp Sullivan).
Arrival timing matters: At busier campgrounds, dump station lines can form during peak checkout/arrival times. "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" (Tina, Honeysuckle Hollow).
Site leveling considerations: Some campgrounds feature more level sites than others. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad. All of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest" (Tim K., Camp Bullfrog Lake).
