Cabin rentals near Glencoe, Illinois provide access to numerous forest preserves within 20-40 miles of the village. Located about 20 miles north of Chicago, this area features a mix of state parks and county-managed campgrounds with wooded areas interspersed between suburban developments. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly even in summer, making cabin accommodations particularly valuable during spring and fall camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lakeshore Camp Resort offers both lake and shore fishing access. One camper reported "We did fish in it and caught a bunch!" even though they chose not to swim in the lake. The fishing dock at Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park is within walking distance of several campsites, making it convenient for anglers of all ages.
Hiking trails: Extensive trail networks run through many campgrounds, with varying difficulty levels. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "The hiking here is AWESOME with a bajillion different routes right from the campground. We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk." These trails connect directly to campsite areas, requiring no driving to access trailheads.
Biking routes: Several properties feature dedicated biking paths suited for family rides. Camp Reinberg offers "varied and long trails—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." Mountain biking enthusiasts particularly praise the technical trails at Bullfrog Lake, with one visitor noting they "are awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Even at campgrounds closer to urban areas, wildlife sightings are common. One visitor to Turner Lake South described seeing "beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes" during kayaking trips. At Sunset Campground in Richard Bong State Recreation Area, campers appreciate "bird watching or rabbit spotting... We drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw."
Quiet weekday stays: For those seeking more solitude, mid-week bookings offer significantly different experiences. At Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park, one camper noted the campground "was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week." This pattern holds true at most properties in the region.
Heated facilities: Winter and shoulder season campers particularly value the heated amenities. A visitor at Camp Sullivan praised the "air conditioned/heated dining hall, shower building, restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)." These climate-controlled common areas provide valuable respite during temperature extremes.
What you should know
Gate closures: Several campgrounds implement strict gate closing policies. At Camp Sullivan, "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning!" This can pose problems for early departures or late arrivals, so plan accordingly.
Insect preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes are significant considerations, especially in wooded areas. At Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area, a camper warned, "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening... I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable."
Water access limitations: Not all RV sites provide direct water hookups. At Camp Reinberg, "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. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them." Similar limitations exist at several other properties, requiring advance planning for water needs.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple play areas cater to different age groups at many sites. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort earns praise as "very kid friendly with tons for them to do" and features "large enough" beach areas with "clean bathrooms right there." One family noted the "camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Containment strategies: For families with crawling babies or toddlers, special precautions are necessary. At Honeysuckle Hollow, one parent advised: "Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair" due to ticks that "literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer structured programs during peak periods. Chicago Northwest KOA provides "lots of fun activities" with "great text message communication... with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground." Weekend events typically include supervised children's activities at most larger properties.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For bigger rigs, research specific site dimensions before booking. At Turner Lake South, one RVer noted that sites "in the Turner South Loop, one of the older tent camping loops... are pretty worn, with not much privacy" while "the prairie loop looked a bit newer with bigger, less worn sites." At Camp Reinberg, "only site 3 is shady!" among the RV spots.
Dump station timing: Holiday weekends create significant congestion at service points. A camper at Happy Acres Kampground observed they "needed someone to control the traffic that comes from two different directions going to the dual dump stations. There's no honor system, especially on a holiday weekend." Plan for early morning or late afternoon dump station visits to avoid peak times.
Electric site sharing: Some campgrounds have unusual electrical hookup arrangements. At Honeysuckle Hollow, "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad... Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance." This requires bringing extra-long power cords for many sites.
