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The Gilberts, Illinois area contains several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including Paul Wolff Campground in Burnidge Forest Preserve and Chicago Northwest KOA in Union. Most sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some locations like Camp Reinberg and Rock Cut State Park also offering cabin options. Campgrounds in this region primarily feature developed sites with amenities rather than primitive or dispersed camping. Many facilities provide water and electric hookups, with several offering full RV hookups including sewer connections.
Camping in the Gilberts area follows seasonal patterns with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Paul Wolff Campground, one of the closest options to Gilberts, operates from May 1 to October 31, while Chicago Northwest KOA maintains a similar schedule. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. Most campgrounds require payment by cash or check rather than credit card. Campers should note that alcohol is prohibited at several forest preserve campgrounds, including Paul Wolff. A camper noted, "This is a very popular campground. Lots of big rigs who seem to be staying for quite a while. Very easy in and out, for any sized rig."
The camping experience near Gilberts balances proximity to urban areas with natural settings. Several campgrounds feature prairie landscapes interspersed with wooded areas, offering moderate hiking opportunities despite the suburban setting. Noise can be a consideration at some locations, with several reviewers mentioning trains passing nearby Paul Wolff Campground. Tent sites at Paul Wolff include both wooded and prairie options, with odd-numbered sites generally providing better shade. Campground facilities typically include clean restrooms, though not all locations offer shower facilities. A visitor to Paul Wolff mentioned, "The tent sites are nicely arranged for privacy. There are a few wooded trails from the campground." Most campgrounds in the region are well-maintained with staff regularly patrolling the grounds.
"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."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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"
"While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."
"Most of the sites were right on the road and you’d need to position your car right for privacy. The tent sites are clumped pretty tight together with a couple exceptions."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front. Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "
"We couldn’t reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake. They also have free TV but we didn’t hook up to that."
from $45 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"There’s something so comforting about pulling into Sycamore RV Resort and seeing the sunlight dance across those two spring-fed lakes, giving you that immediate exhale that only a calm Midwestern campground"
"Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort. Nice walking path around the two ponds. The ponds are very low due to drought this summer."
"Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."
"with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."
from $12 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $43 - $73 / night
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TravelerWe got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
ScoutBlackwell has clean bathrooms, offers hiking trails, boating (kayak rentals) or bring your own, fishing, archery, cycling. The gate locks at 7pm but you just call the night guard and he will let you in. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Would definitely stay again. Be aware Winfield Road has a lot of traffic so sites further away from that road are best. Heard coyotes about 3 am both mornings. Rangers were exceptional.
LegendRolling Oaks is one of those wonderfully old-school Midwestern campgrounds that feels less like an RV resort and more like a little summer community that has been evolving for generations out here in the rich corn patches of central IL. Family-run since 1969, the sprawling, shady property sits along the Fox River with its very own lake and a decidedly RV-centric personality, where curb appeal is just as important (if not more) than the actual mobile confines people are living in. A substantial portion of the campground is occupied by long-term and seasonal residents, complete with patios, sheds and occasionally elaborate outdoor entertaining spaces, which gives Rolling Oaks an unusual neighborhood feel rather than the transient atmosphere of most CGs.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHS and LOWS along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Water is the star here, with a swimming lake, pool and direct access to the Fox River making this particularly appealing if you bring kayaks, canoes or tubes; (2) Plenty of shade and a mixture of full-hookup, partial-hookup and pull-through RV sites plus tent camping accommodate just about every style of camper; (3) Playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoes and a game room give kids plenty to do without leaving the property; (4) Summer weekends have an almost throwback campground-community atmosphere with dancing, cart rides, farmers’ markets, spaghetti dinners, corn boils and pig roasts; and (5) Being only a few miles from the village of Sandwich makes supplies easy while putting you in prime position for the enormously popular Sandwich Fair (if you manage to time your stay here to coincide with this annual attraction).
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The large population of seasonal and long-term campers means portions of Rolling Oaks can feel more like a permanent RV neighborhood than a campground; (2) All that community activity means summer weekends aren't exactly designed for campers seeking solitude and P&Q; and (3) The CGs sprawling layout means the experience can vary considerably depending upon where you land with front sections feel busier and more transient, while areas farther back become increasingly more residential.
Insider’s Tip: For the best balance of scenery, shade and quiet, head toward the far side of the lake, away from the busiest weekend activity. And if you're thinking of bringing a kayak or canoe, definitely bring it as direct Fox River access is one of Rolling Oaks' biggest advantages.
Happy Camping!
ScoutThe park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
GuideWe are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
GuideLast minute online reservation...They only have. 4 or 5 RV sites...full hook ups...about $60+-...right near gas pumps but any noise did not bother us weary travelers...Only downside was showers were not included....For the price certainly an included shower should be part of the deal...easy check in and check out.,..We used the Love's site due to its location to visit family and the fact that electric was available...We have medical equipment that requires a recharge at night plus it's just nice to have the AC if needed.
TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
Campsites near Gilberts, Illinois offer camping options within northern Illinois' prairie landscape at elevations ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level. The region has humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, making May through October the primary camping season. Most locations require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during the summer peak months.
Hiking and nature trails: Thomas Woods Campground features diverse trail types to match different skill levels. "What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails. They aren't the longest but we were able to vary the route up to keep it fresh for our dog to sniff out her adventure. Some of grass and others were dirt. The wildflowers caught our eye and we enjoyed pausing to appreciate their beauty," notes a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple water bodies in the region support diverse fishing. Rock Cut State Park offers Pierce Lake with multiple access points. "Tons of trails, fishing and even a swimming pond. The only negative is no drinkable water," reports a camper. Fishing is also available at Sycamore RV Resort where a visitor mentioned "Great fishing and nice beach for swimming."
Beach and swimming: Seasonal beach access provides summer recreation options. "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," reports a visitor to Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort. Illinois Beach State Park offers Lake Michigan access where one camper noted, "Easy access to the beach, great sites and was very quiet."
Well-maintained facilities: Camp Reinberg receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "Seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!" noted one camper. Another added, "The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly." This maintenance extends to outdoor areas where a visitor mentioned "Very clean and well-loved semi-urban camping experience."
Quiet evening environment: Despite suburban locations, many sites maintain peaceful nighttime settings. A visitor to Chicago Northwest KOA noted, "Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities." Another camper added, "Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."
Responsive campground staff: On-site staff provide valuable assistance across multiple properties. "The staff are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers," said one Thomas Woods visitor. At Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort, a camper observed "There is patrolling at all hours for security," while at Rock Cut State Park, staff help resolve electrical issues: "We had to leave a horrible CG to the south. Booked this site on app the day before. Which was a huge plus."
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds require advance booking, with online systems becoming standard. A Thomas Woods visitor shared, "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites." Similarly, Blackwell Forest Preserve operates weekends only: "Only down side of the park is that it is only open on the weekends. On holiday weekends you are able to stay for three nights."
Payment policies: Payment methods vary across facilities. At Thomas Woods, "Firewood is cheap on-site and delivered to your site on demand." However, some campgrounds restrict payment options as noted in reviews.
Seasonal limitations: The camping season typically runs May through October with varying facility availability. At Blackwell Family Campground, a camper noted, "There is one bathroom/shower building at the front of the campground. There are some clean outhouses places around the campground." At Illinois Beach State Park, "Small shower house but water pressure is amazing."
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. At Fish Lake Beach, one camper shared, "The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" Another noted it's "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate."
Group camping options: Blackwell Forest Preserve offers dedicated spaces for youth groups. A visitor noted, "Each group site has a nice cooking area 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."
Safety considerations: Staff presence provides security at most locations. At Camp Reinberg, "The staff were very helpful, and are on site 24 hours a day." Sycamore RV Resort features controlled facilities: "Bathrooms are immaculate and are locked with electronic key cards."
Site selection strategies: For optimal RV placement, consider specific sites within campgrounds. "We were at site 4 which is electric hookup and it was a huge area!" shared a Thomas Woods visitor. Another camper advised, "I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site!"
Hookup availability: Water and electrical access varies significantly. At Paul Wolff Campground, "Each site has water and electric. Trees are around the outside with few on the inside sites. All the sites have paved pads." Camp Reinberg requires staff assistance: "There are no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site."
Leveling considerations: Terrain varies across campgrounds. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice." Similarly, a Rock Cut State Park visitor noted, "Beware of the Plum Grove loops - most sites there looked small and close together, and many were not very level."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Gilberts, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gilberts, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 21 reviews.
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