Chicago Northwest KOA sits approximately 55 miles from downtown Chicago in a region characterized by gently rolling terrain with elevations between 700-900 feet above sea level. The campground operates from April through mid-October, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F. Winter months see regular snowfall, making this a strictly seasonal camping destination with no year-round accommodations.
What to Do
Kayaking at Turner Lake: The lakes at Chain O' Lakes State Park offer convenient water recreation within an hour of Chicago. "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," notes Cora M.
Mountain biking on forest trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to extensive single-track trails. "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," reports Tim K.
Visiting local attractions: For those looking for glamping close to Gilberts, Illinois with nearby entertainment options, Wild West Town sits adjacent to several campgrounds. "My family stayed here a few years back and although it is a small campground it meets the standards of what you should expect of a KOA. Nice bathrooms, decent size level sites. The kids were fans of Wild West Town which is directly next door," shares Marc W.
What Campers Like
Private wooded sites: Thomas Woods Campground offers secluded camping areas set back from main roads. "This was a well laid out campground, with some sites right on the roads and some buried back in the woods away from everyone (we chose the latter and felt like we had the place to ourselves). There are basic toilets (hole in ground style), a spigot for water, great trails," explains Hallie B.
Clean facilities: Several luxury camping options near Gilberts, Illinois maintain high cleanliness standards. "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. Clean bathrooms and shower," reports Leo V. about Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Economical pricing: Some areas offer budget-friendly camping options with minimal amenities. "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. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night," notes Addison G.
What You Should Know
Weather considerations: Summer heat and humidity can make some sites uncomfortable without proper shade. "We did our first (family of 5) camping trip at Thomas Woods. We were at site 4 which is electric hookup and it was a huge area! The kids had so much space to run around and explore. They loved the well pump," shares Emily L.
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife includes raccoons and ticks. "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!" warns Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Site spacing variations: Campground layouts vary significantly throughout the region. "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 (our site was protected on 3 sides by some fairly dens foliage and trees)," explains Ian C.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Select sites near recreational facilities for easier supervision. "Very big campground with mostly seasonals. Atmosphere is the perfect balance of fun and relaxing. Site size varies. Lots of fun activities," notes Glenn T.
Safety measures: Some campgrounds implement strict quiet hours and security patrols. "That it is a very clean camp ground. My granddaughter loves it. There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends. People are nice to you. Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise," explains Marty S.
Activity planning: Weekend organized events provide structured entertainment. "This campground has really grown on me a lot. My family and i have seen the newer owners clean it up, remodel sites, add new equipment for children and added more activities too! It's really a fun time here OH and the bathrooms are really clean!" shares Cella W.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When looking for glamping near Gilberts, Illinois, choose Fox Den Campground for individual electrical hookups. "Chain O'Lakes State Park in IL has two electric campgrounds, 2 non-electric campgrounds and one group site. Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts to far from parking pad," advises Debra M.
Hookup considerations: Plan for specific utility needs. "Sites are pretty close together, but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock! The camp store by the boat launch has fire wood, live bait, food, and other supplies," notes Stefanie W.
Seasonal preparation: Weather can significantly impact site conditions. "We had to leave a horrible CG to the south. Booked this site on app the day before. Which was a huge plus. This KOA has very limited full hook up sites. As far as KOA standards, it is not great. It is about an hour and half from Chicago and Milwaukee," reports deb K.