Best Tent Camping near Glen Ellyn, IL

Tent campers near Glen Ellyn, Illinois have access to several primitive camping options within an hour's drive. MacQueen Forest Preserve offers secluded tent sites with significant distance between each campsite, while Channahon State Park Campground provides walk-in tent sites along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove features tent camping with access to both the Des Plaines River and the I&M Canal for paddling opportunities.

Most tent sites in the area require campers to walk in from parking areas, with distances ranging from 50 yards to several hundred feet. MacQueen Forest Preserve provides wagons to help transport gear to campsites. Facilities are basic, with most locations offering vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Potable water is limited, with some campgrounds like McKinley Woods having pump water that may be cloudy but drinkable. Campsites typically cost $4-$5 per night, with self-check-in systems common at forest preserve locations. Seasonal closures affect some areas, with McKinley Woods operating from April through October.

The tent camping experience near Glen Ellyn emphasizes seclusion and natural settings. MacQueen Forest Preserve features both wooded sites and open meadow locations ideal for stargazing, with sites spaced at least 50 yards apart for privacy. Channahon State Park provides shaded tent sites convenient for cyclists using the canal trail. Many locations offer access to water features, with Kayak Morris allowing tent campers to launch directly from riverside sites. According to one visitor, "This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs." Campers should be prepared for occasional train noise at some locations, particularly at MacQueen Forest Preserve where trains pass nearby during nighttime hours. Most tent sites feature fire pits and picnic tables, with some preserves allowing campers to gather small sticks for kindling.

Best Tent Sites Near Glen Ellyn, Illinois (11)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Glen Ellyn, IL

462 Reviews of 11 Glen Ellyn Campgrounds


  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    MacQueen Forest Preserve

    Secluded Hike-in Tent Campsites on the Kish

    This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs. There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy. This is a very primative campground with 1 set of Vault toilets. The other campsites require a walk/hike along a gravel path for completely wooded sites or cross a football sized meadow for open air sites. There are several well-water pumps "not for drinking." Each campsite has a fire pit and a picnic table. Pack out your garbage for the dumpster in the parking lot. There are only 9 sites total. VERY private and secluded. Tents only! Massive forest preserve area for excellent hiking. Some fellow campers were doing a diy tubing right to the campground. (About a 2 hr lazy river tube from Kingston or 5hrs from Genoa on the slow moving S. Branch of the Kishwaukee River which can be pretty deep in places.) Absolutely NO ALCOHOL. Cost for tent sites is only $4 per tent or tent-like structure. There are primitive cabins for rent and a large lodge if you rented the structure for an event here. By their facebook page, it looks like there have been beautiful weddings here. This is a former scout camp flanked by more forest preserves. The ranger is very nice and the entrance is locked from sunset to sunrise. I hesitated even posting this tent-camping primitive heaven, because I almost want to keep it for myself and the locals. Please practice leave no trace and follow the rules if you go so this place stays open. Dog friendly, but must be leashed all of time or a $50 fine. My dog loved the trails and river crossings! Gorgeous hidden gem about an hour into cornfield country from Chicago NW suburbs like Woodfield Mall. I had cell service at one spot in the parking lot, but it was fleeting with T-mobile. A fellow camper had the best private spot (#2) which other than the ada site was the best because it was closest to the parking lot, yet she still had a festival/yard cart to pull her gear up a gravel path. Make sure you bring yours or are outfitted with backpacking gear. Like anywhere, prevent insect deforestation and don't bring firewood, it's fine, they have plenty.

  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Nice but very little shade

    We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

    There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.

    There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.

    Overall it was pretty quiet.

    The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    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. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2020

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Well maintained and clean

    Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

    There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

    Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2021

    MacQueen Forest Preserve

    Beautiful primitive campground I almost don't want to tell anyone about

    $4 individual primitive site

    Note: if you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground. There's a little bit of road noise, but not disturbing at all in the middle of the night. There's also a river on one side of the campground, but it can only be heard if you were at one particular campsite.

    This is one of those places that's so awesome, you really don't want to tell people about it. It used to be an old boy scout camp, and now they let the public use it. There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart. That's right, at least 50 yards. You can't see the campsite next to you, and they all have a picnic table and a fire ring. You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in. It's an easy walk, on a crushed gravel road and mowed trail, and they do have one space near the parking lot that's handicap accessible. About half of the campsites are in a meadow at the back end of the campground. It would be beautiful for stargazing! There's also a giant fire pit with benches. The perfect area for a small group camp (as long as each party paid for the campsite that's back there).

    There's vault toilets and the one I used wasn't terrible, but it is primitive. There's even a light switch inside with a functioning light! There is a ranger house at the very front, and I get the impression that there's the possibility that someone actually lives there. The campsite looked very well maintained, like it had been freshly mowed around the edges.

    Even if the rangers don't actually live here, they're here regularly and it's obvious.

    The very best part? You're in the middle of the country, with gorgeous sunsets, and the primitive camping is only $4.

    There is water, but it is not, I repeat is not, potable.

    There are trash cans and dumpsters. There's also a lodge and pavilion which can be rented out for separate cost.

    I'll definitely be back next time I'm through this area. It's all self-checking, you just use the pay box in the parking lot.

  • Jonathan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2023

    Big Rock Campground

    First time campers

    Nice clean area to camp. Most of the sites are for travel camper or RV’s.

    A couple of drive Ups.

    50/30 amps hookups. Water hookups as well. Great water pressure.

    Running water restrooms & non-running water restrooms.

    2-dump sites they have sections for tent camping- but down fall is they do not have showers.

    Overall experience was great and we will return.

  • Scott N.
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Thomas Woods Campground

    Great trails, loud neighbors, lots of bugs

    Thomas Woods campground has some great sites, particularly the tent sites. Many of them are set off a short distance from the parking area. I stayed at site 30 which was less than a tenth mile from the parking spot. There are no trash cans at the site, the dumpsite is near the entrance. Most of the roads are one way so after dropping the trash off you must drive all through the campground to get back to your site. The site itself had plenty of room and privacy. The woods are dense and block all views of the neighboring sites. Unfortunately, I think some people think if they can’t see you, you can’t hear them. Every site has a raised pad for a tent. This was very nice. I did track in some of the small gravel into the tent, though. It looks like kitty litter. Not a big deal. It was nice sleeping flat and not sliding off my sleep pad.

    Near Marengo Ridge is a bike trail called H.U.M. Trail. It is only 3.5 miles long. From what I understand is they lost funding for the project. The path is paved and offers a scenic forested view. The hiking trails of Marengo Ridge are the true stars of the area. I walked for almost two hours and still didn’t see them all. Some of the trails have wide paths of grass while others are single-track dirt. 

    As other reviewers have written, the mosquitoes are insane.  Bring plenty of bug spray!

    My website:  https://www.lost13.com/camping/2020/7/13/marengo-ridge

    My video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4TzLzf\_PY&t=1s


Guide to Glen Ellyn

Tent campers near Glen Ellyn, Illinois can find camping options within a 40-60 mile radius across several county forest preserves and state parks. Most sites in the area require a short walk from parking areas, ranging from 50 yards to several hundred feet. Northern Illinois camping terrain is characterized by a mix of deciduous woodlands and open prairie areas, with elevations generally between 700-800 feet above sea level and summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season.

What to do

Kayaking the Illinois River: At Kayak Morris, campers can launch directly from riverside sites. "Camp sites are dotted next to the shore of the river, there's kayak rentals, and there's enough space for multiple tents on one site," explains Eric R. The river conditions are particularly good for beginners, as one camper noted: "the river here is so calm its awesome."

Fishing for striped bass: The Illinois River convergence near Morris offers productive fishing. "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!" reports Sam Murphy M. Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased online or at local sporting goods stores.

Cycling the I&M Canal Trail: The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail provides excellent biking opportunities with crushed gravel surfaces. The Channahon State Park Campground offers convenient access as "a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock," according to Art S. The trail connects multiple campgrounds in the region and provides relatively flat terrain suitable for family rides.

What campers like

Secluded tent sites: MacQueen Forest Preserve offers exceptional site separation. "There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart. You can't see the campsite next to you," reports Amy G. The preserve has both wooded sites and meadow camping options for different experiences.

Budget-friendly costs: Primitive camping in the area is notably inexpensive. MacQueen Forest Preserve sites cost only $4-$5 per night with self-check-in payment boxes. As one camper mentioned, "the very best part? You're in the middle of the country, with gorgeous sunsets, and the primitive camping is only $4."

River access for activities: Many campers appreciate the water recreation options. At Kayak Morris, sites offer direct river access: "We brought our own kayaks and launched right from our campsite which was amazing but they rent kayaks for pretty cheap if you don't have your own," notes Amanda W. Some locations allow gathering small sticks for campfires: "They sell firewood but also let you pick up sticks in the area that are small- we didn't need to buy firewood after gathering our own."

What you should know

Train noise: Several campgrounds experience nighttime train activity. At McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, "at night, you can hear owls and distant trains, but motorboats and jet-skis begin around 6:AM." MacQueen Forest Preserve has more prominent train noise: "if you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you...there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground."

Water availability concerns: Water quality varies between locations. McKinley Woods has pump water that campers describe as "drinkable, but cloudy." MacQueen Forest Preserve provides well water pumps that are explicitly marked "not for drinking," requiring campers to bring all potable water.

Site access limitations: Most tent camping requires walking in from parking areas. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "you do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in." One camper advises: "Make sure you bring yours or are outfitted with backpacking gear."

Tips for camping with families

ADA accessible options: Several campgrounds offer wheelchair-accessible sites. MacQueen Forest Preserve "has one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy." At McKinley Woods, "two of the four sites are paved" for easier access, and "all sites have enormous banquet sized picnic tables with cut-out in the bench for wheelchairs."

Swimming alternatives: For families seeking water activities beyond fishing, Davis Creek Campground provides "good access to water" according to Andrea F., who describes the campground as "open, there are a lot of amenities, it's very well kept."

Educational opportunities: Many forest preserves offer ranger programs during summer months. At Camp Shabbona Woods, the "camp suite is set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping," notes Scott M., making it an excellent introduction to tent camping for children.

Tips from RVers

RV-free experience: Most tent campsites in the Glen Ellyn area are separate from RV camping, providing a more natural experience. MacQueen Forest Preserve has been described as "where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs" with its primitive, tent-only camping environment.

Seasonal considerations: Campground availability varies by season, with many forest preserves closing in late fall and winter. McKinley Woods operates from April through October, while others like Channahon State Park remain open year-round but with limited winter facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Glen Ellyn, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Glen Ellyn, IL is Kayak Morris with a 4.9-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Glen Ellyn, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Glen Ellyn, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.