Camping around Glen Ellyn offers options for outdoor recreation within an hour's drive of Chicago's western suburbs. The terrain features glacial moraines with elevations ranging from 700-900 feet, creating small hills and valleys throughout McHenry and Lake Counties. Fall temperatures typically range from 45-65°F, making it ideal for extended camping seasons.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest preserve trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to extensive trail systems for riders of all skill levels. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," mentions Josh M., highlighting the convenience for locals wanting quick outdoor access.
Water recreation on multiple lakes: At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, visitors can enjoy kayaking on a small but scenic lake. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," notes Chloe N., who recommends the lakefront tent sites for fishing directly from your campsite.
Wildlife viewing and hiking: The forest preserves near Glen Ellyn contain diverse ecosystems supporting various wildlife. "We hiked 10 miles," reports a visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake, with trails connecting to the larger Palos trail system. Morning hours offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities, with numerous bird species active throughout the preserves.
What campers like
Close proximity to urban areas: Camp Sullivan provides a convenient escape just 30 miles from Glen Ellyn. "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails," explains Bill M., highlighting its accessibility for urban dwellers.
Family-focused activities: Chicago Northwest KOA creates environments specifically designed for families with children. "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground," shares Dan B., appreciating the organization and communication.
Cleanliness and maintenance: Campers consistently mention well-maintained facilities at several campgrounds. "Awesome place to stay when you live in the city and wanna get away," says Deanna B. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, with most reviews noting clean bathrooms and showers, an important feature for glamping enthusiasts near Glen Ellyn.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Thomas Woods Campground offers more secluded options compared to other area campgrounds. "Smaller campground in McHenry county. Good staff. Other campers relatively friendly and quiet. County police make a presence in the camp ground," notes Doug, mentioning the security aspect some campers appreciate.
Weekend crowds versus weekday tranquility: Most campgrounds near Glen Ellyn experience significant differences between weekend and weekday occupancy. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," explains Tina about her experience at a local campground.
Weather impacts: Spring and fall camping requires preparation for temperature changes. "When we got here, we realize the electric sites on the right side of the bathhouse were in full sun," shares Lisa S., suggesting site selection matters significantly depending on season and weather conditions.
Wildlife encounters: "We saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," reports a camper, highlighting the diverse wildlife observed on trails. Raccoons are particularly active at dusk around campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Youth-oriented glamping near Glen Ellyn: Jellystone Park Millbrook specializes in family entertainment with seasonal themes. "This is an activity packed weekend which is amazing. Good for kids of all ages including the adults," shares Marc W., mentioning their popular Halloween camping events.
Swimming options: Most family campgrounds feature swimming areas. "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night," mentions Jenifer K. about Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, indicating separated swimming areas for different age groups.
Playground accessibility: When choosing a site with children, consider proximity to playgrounds. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms," advises Meg, suggesting families select sites based on amenities access rather than privacy.
Tick prevention: "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns a parent, recommending screen houses and hats for children when camping in wooded areas during spring and summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection and hookups: Fox Den Campground offers more spacious RV sites with individual electric hookups. "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad," explains Debra M., providing valuable insight for RV campers needing reliable hookups.
Leveling and pad conditions: RV sites vary in levelness across campgrounds. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean," shares Lawrence B., indicating that while sites may be close together, the overall experience remains positive.
Dump station logistics: Plan for possible waiting times at dump stations, especially on Sundays. "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," notes Tina, suggesting RVers schedule departures to avoid peak times.
