A
Abdulrahman A.
Scout
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
Camping near Glen Ellyn, IL
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Glen Ellyn, Illinois primarily consist of established facilities within forest preserves and state parks. Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites from May through September. Other options within driving distance include Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs and Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin's Burnidge Forest Preserve. Most camping areas feature amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails. The region includes several campgrounds with cabin accommodations, including Camp Reinberg in Palatine and Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest, both offering a mix of tent, RV, and cabin options.
Camping in this area requires advance planning as most sites are reservation-based with limited first-come, first-served availability. The camping season for many facilities runs from spring through fall, with Blackwell Forest Preserve operating from May 3 to September 29 and Paul Wolff Campground available from May 1 to October 31. Several campgrounds remain open year-round, including Camp Bullfrog Lake and Big Rock Campground. Weather conditions in northern Illinois can vary dramatically by season, with hot, humid summers and cold winters limiting camping opportunities. Facilities like showers and water hookups may be winterized during colder months. A camper noted, "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home. They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites and great prices for firewood."
The developed campgrounds in the Glen Ellyn area provide varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Many sites feature wooded surroundings that create a sense of seclusion despite being near urban areas. Camp Reinberg offers "lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc," according to one visitor. Water features are common attractions, with several campgrounds providing access to lakes or rivers for fishing, swimming, and boating activities. Campers frequently mention the convenience of these locations for Chicago-area residents seeking quick getaways without long travel times. While some campgrounds like Big Rock have been described as having "no shade, no showers," others like Blackwell are praised as "hidden gems" with level, clean sites and modern bathrooms. Most camping areas provide electric hookups, with many offering full hookup options for RVs.
Best Campgrounds near Glen Ellyn (82)
1. Blackwell Family Campground
"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 Availability2. Camp Bullfrog Lake
"Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."
"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."
from $20 - $138 / night
Check Availability3. Paul Wolff Campground
"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 Availability4. Camp Reinberg
"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 Availability5. Camp Sullivan
"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."
"There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."
from $35 - $250 / night
Check Availability6. Big Rock Campground
"Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"
"Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply"
from $18 - $35 / night
Check Availability7. The Vaudeville
"There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"
8. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability9. Martin’s Camping Ground
"If you like having access to a bathroom and shower its great and because no one really hd a tent here but us we had some privacy. It is next to a highway so be mindful of that."
10. Chicago Northwest KOA
"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"
Drive Time
- 25 min from Chicago, IL
- 58 min from Rockford, IL
- 59 min from Kenosha, WI
- 1 hr 3 min from Kankakee, IL
Recent Camping Photos near Glen Ellyn, IL
177 Photos of 82 Glen Ellyn Campgrounds
Marc W.
Blackwell Family Campground
Tyler J.
Backyard Bonfire
Josh M.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Art S.
Paul Wolff Campground
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff CottageS & RV
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Amanda K.
Big Rock Campground
Stuart K.
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area
Recent Reviews near Glen Ellyn, IL
499 Reviews of 82 Glen Ellyn Campgrounds
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
- EEd B.
TravelerLakeshore Camp Resort
looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage
Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
- RRichard C.Scout
Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground — Kankakee River State Park
Ok
JJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
Stuart K.
LegendLakefront Cabins - Shabbona Lake
Lakefront Seclusion Meets Cabin Convenience at Shabbona Lake
Tucked along the shore of shimmering Shabbona Lake, just under two hours west of Chicago mind you, are two rustic yet welcoming camp cabins at this particular SP. These modest structures, each around 200 sq ft, offer a cozy hideaway for up to six people. Facing southeast over the lake, the cabins are shaded and tucked away for privacy, with only a nearby boat launch dock reminding you of civilization.
Inside, the cabins keep it simple: two basic rooms in each, with electricity, baseboard heat, air conditioning and a ceiling fan. There are no cooking facilities or bathrooms (which I have to admit, I was surprised to learn) although there is a multi-leveled adjustable BBQ grill along with a very good sized firepit, so bring your own plans for cooking meals and preparing food. Guests rely on nearby campground amenities, including showers with running hot water, flush toilets, potable water, a dump station and the handy Camp Store that is a very short walk from these cabins and comes stocked with supplies, snacks, firewood and fishing gear.
What sets these cabins apart is the lakefront view combined with practicality. You step right from your door onto a serene, wooded lakeshore offering a perfect perch for early-morning fishing, sunrise coffee on the veranda or unwinding at sunset. The proximity to stocked waters featuring large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, channel catfish, walleye and muskies adds fishing convenience, while the quieter, smaller-scale lodging feels exclusive. Additionally, the Camp Store’s rentals(boats, bait, paddleboats) keep the fun within reach.
Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Reserve early as only two cabins exist, and they’re popular from May 1 through October 31 on ExploreMoreIL™; (2) Drive gently on the access path as the lake road can be narrow and shaded; (3) Expect no kitchen or plumbing, so prep meals or plan to dine at nearby Pokanoka’s Dockside Restaurant that sits inside the SP on the western side of the lake or, for a short drive to Shabbona, check out Shabbona Café, Chumley’s Pizza followed by some sweets at Screamers Ice cream after saving campfire cookouts for the fire ring; (4) Bring your own bathrooms habits as restrooms are shared in the main campground; and (5) Check out the Camp Store early for spare fishing poles, firewood or ice cream before being tempted into relaxation.
Happy Camping!
Maria Mercedes M.LegendThousand Trails Pine Country
Shaded, Family-Friendly Country Retreat
There’s something instantly calming about rolling into a campground wrapped in tall pines and soft breezes, and Pine Country had that peaceful, easy feeling that made all of us exhale before we even found our site. This campground is expansive and welcoming, with full-hookup spots laid out across wide loops, plenty of shade, clean bathrooms and a friendly mix of families settling in for weekends or longer stays. Our boys loved wandering between the fishing pond and the small recreation areas and we ended the evening sharing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that we made over an open fire on a Camp Chef black skillet munching them down at the picnic table while listening to the trees rustle above us. For families looking for a convenient home base near Rockford with lots of room to spread out, EZ access to town for supplies and a campground that really does feel safe and relaxed, Pine Country is an EZ pick. Highly recommended for young families seeking space, shade and a low-key, gentle setting to recharge.
Carole I.GuideWoodland Village Mobile Home & RV Park
Woodland
Helpful staff.
No picnic table at site #500- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Sycamore RV Resort
Peaceful Lakeside Pause in the Heart of Corn Country
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 can bring. The property is medium-sized, incredibly tidy and thoughtfully laid out, with full-hookup RV sites circling the water, a small sandy beach for summer splashing, clean restrooms and showers, simple playgrounds and EZ walking loops that make it feel both manageable and welcoming for families. The boys were in heaven the next morning when we drove over to Elleson’s Bakery for fresh homemade donuts still warm from the oven. Later we wandered through historic downtown Sycamore during Pumpkinfest, taking in the decorated storefronts and carved pumpkins lined up like a little parade. Back at the RV Resort, from what we saw, the best campsites are any of the lakeside slots on the western shore because they offer the prettiest sunrise views and the quietest pockets of the resort. Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this campground for families thanks to its peaceful lakeside setting, its clean and convenient amenities and its proximity to a charming small provincial Midwestern town that makes even a simple weekend feel memorable.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Holiday Acres Camping Resort
Country Calm with a Dash of Classic Campground Fun
The moment we pulled into Holiday Acres, that cozy ‘old-school campground’ feeling washed over us, with tall trees, winding lanes and a big, friendly welcome from the office that instantly made the boys sit up and take notice. The campground is beautifully laid out with roomy sites, full hookups, a well-kept swimming pond, mini golf, a little camp store and restrooms that were impressively clean for a busy family spot. After a long drive, the boys made a beeline for the playground and the pedal carts, and later that night we all sat under the string lights eating ice cream sandwiches from the camp store while fireflies blinked and buzzed through the trees. If you’re a family looking for somewhere safe, shaded and EZ-going with just enough activities to keep the kids happily worn out, this place absolutely fits the bill. Highly recommended for its friendly atmosphere, great kid-focused amenities and peaceful, wooded setting.
Guide to Glen Ellyn
Camping sites near Glen Ellyn, Illinois primarily occupy flat, glacial terrain at approximately 750 feet elevation within the Fox River watershed. The camping season extends from April through October with July temperatures averaging 84°F highs and winter lows reaching 14°F. Many campgrounds in this area provide electric hookups for both tent and RV campers, allowing for extended stays even during hot summer months.
What to do
Hiking through diverse terrain: Camp Reinberg in Palatine connects directly to miles of trails through forest preserves. "The trails 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," notes one Camp Reinberg visitor.
Water activities: Silver Lake at Blackwell Family Campground offers kayak rentals and fishing access. A camper mentions, "My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views." Another adds, "The fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release."
Mountain biking: The extensive trail system at Camp Bullfrog Lake provides excellent options for cyclists. "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," writes one reviewer. Another notes, "We aren't huge into bike trails, but we did bring our bikes after I read about the trail systems. The mountain bike trails were awesome."
What campers like
Proximity to Chicago: Many campsites serve as convenient retreats for city residents. A Camp Bullfrog Lake camper states, "We really like this place and was about a 30 minute ride from our place in the western burbs." Another mentions, "Really enjoyed this campground. Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake."
Clean facilities: Paul Wolff Campground maintains well-kept campsites and restrooms. One camper reports, "Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds." Another notes, "This campground is very well maintained with all the amenities you could need."
Group camping options: Paul Wolff Campground offers primitive sites suitable for larger gatherings. "Campground is rather basic but the primitive camp sites were beautiful. Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables," describes one visitor. Blackwell also provides group sites where "each group site has a nice cooking area and open space for tents."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advanced planning. At Big Rock Campground, however, "Walkup only - no reservations taken. $35 a night is a bit steep." Another visitor mentions, "Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability."
Seasonal closures: Operating seasons vary significantly. Paul Wolff Campground operates from May 1 to October 31, while Camp Bullfrog Lake remains open year-round. During off-season, services may be limited.
Privacy levels: Site layouts differ greatly across campgrounds. A Big Rock camper warns, "Not worth the drive here to tent camp if you live outside of Kane county. Even their 9 hike-in primitive sites hugging the treeline lack privacy." At Illinois Beach State Park, "sites aren't very secluded" but there's "easy access to the beach."
Shower availability: Not all campgrounds offer shower facilities. A Paul Wolff visitor notes, "The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers."
Tips for camping with families
Look for ranger programs: Blackwell Family Campground offers educational activities for children. A visitor notes, "There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends."
Choose sites with play areas: Camp Sullivan provides family-friendly amenities beyond standard camping. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods)," reports a frequent visitor with three children under 7.
Consider cabins for beginners: Several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations as alternatives to tenting. Camp Reinberg features "rentable cabins" that are "super clean," making them ideal for families new to camping or during unpredictable weather.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup planning: At Big Rock Campground, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" Another camper adds, "The spaces are pretty level. There is electric at the sites and water spigots throughout, although not really at each space. I saw where some campers hooked about 150' of hose to spigots behind the loops to run to their campers."
Site selection for shade: Shaded RV sites can be scarce. At Illinois Beach State Park, "We reserved site 349 and had no idea it would be on asphalt. There are plenty of other sites that on grass with trees. Wish there were pictures of sites in Reserve America."
Electric options: Many campgrounds provide electric hookups for RVs. At Blackwell, "They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites." For tent campers who want electricity, one visitor notes, "All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Glen Ellyn, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Glen Ellyn, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Glen Ellyn, IL is Blackwell Family Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.
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