The greater Chicago region offers several cabin and glamping options near Glencoe, Illinois, ranging from basic to upscale accommodations. Located within the Great Lakes region with elevations averaging 600-700 feet above sea level, these camping destinations provide shelter options for those seeking comfort while maintaining access to nature. Most campgrounds experience peak visitor traffic from May through September when temperatures typically range from 65-85°F.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: At Camp Bullfrog Lake, visitors can access miles of mountain biking trails directly from their sites. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. 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," notes Josh M.
Kayaking on quiet waters: Turner Lake at Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park provides a peaceful paddling experience. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I've enjoyed this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," shares Cora M.
Three Dune Challenge: For those willing to drive a bit further for a unique experience, the Indiana Dunes offers an iconic hiking challenge. "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," writes a visitor. Another camper adds, "If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: For a more secluded glamping near Glencoe option, Thomas Woods Campground features tent sites tucked away in the forest. "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites. Camp hosts are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers," states Marisa A. Another camper mentions, "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)."
Lakefront fishing access: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers lakefront tent sites with direct fishing access. "I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site! The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," notes Chloe N. The camp store convenience is also appreciated as they "sell treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Clean cabin facilities: Visitors appreciate the well-maintained cabins at several locations. "I visited Palos early this week (mid-April) for a very very chilly three days. The cabins are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. The central bathrooms are clean, heated and offer showers," reports one camper of their experience.
What you should know
Weekend crowds vs. weekday tranquility: Plan accordingly for varying crowd levels at Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park. "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. This pattern is common at many campgrounds in the region.
Wildlife considerations: Be prepared for local wildlife interactions. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down," advises one camper.
Tick awareness: Several campers mention ticks as a concern in the area. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns a visitor. Plan to bring appropriate repellent, conduct regular checks, and consider protective clothing, especially when glamping with little ones.
Seasonal operation: Most upscale glamping options near Glencoe operate from spring through fall. For example, one campground operates strictly from "May 1 to October 15," requiring advance planning for those hoping to book prime summer weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly atmosphere: Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park receives high marks from families. "This is our favorite place to camp. It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything," reports Christopher R. Another visitor shares: "There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding. We did a nice short hike in area."
Safe swimming areas: For families concerned about water safety, look for sites with swimming beaches. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play structures for children. "There is also a park for the kids in several areas. Not far from town in case you need to go to the store and there is also a bait/shop store on premises," mentions Meg K. Parents appreciate having activities to keep children engaged between nature explorations.
Budget-friendly options: For families watching costs, primitive camping can provide significant savings. "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," shares Addison G. about Turner Lake South.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup logistics: Check the specific placement of electrical hookups before booking. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," advises Debra M.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times at busy facilities. "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.
Site selection for privacy: RV campers looking for more privacy should research specific sites. "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees. In Honeysuckle you will have clear line of site to very close neighbor."
Water access planning: Many Illinois state parks offer electric hookups but no water at individual sites. "We had 50 amp, but no water/sewer, although there was a water spigot next to our site that we could use to fill up jugs of water," explains one camper about their experience.
