Cabin accommodations near Glenview, Illinois range from rustic to deluxe options with seasonal availability. Most cabin facilities have temperature limitations, with several sites closing during winter months from November through April. The terrain around Glenview features prairie and woodland landscapes with elevations ranging from 650 to 680 feet above sea level, creating relatively flat camping areas with occasional gentle hills.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation changes: Chain O' Lakes State Park features surprising terrain variety for northern Illinois. A visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area noted, "There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on," with paths connecting all camping areas to lakefront areas.
Kayaking on Fox River: Multiple water access points allow for diverse paddling experiences. At Turner Lake South Camping Area, campers find easy water entry: "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far."
Indoor climbing wall: Unique among cabin camping destinations, Camp Sullivan offers unexpected activities. One visitor mentioned, "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall" - providing an alternative recreation option during inclement weather or for families seeking additional entertainment.
What campers like
Free firewood at select sites: Several Cook County Forest Preserve locations provide complimentary wood with site rental. At Camp Sullivan, a family shared their experience: "They give you free firewood with your stay, the staff is kind at checkin and during rock wall activities."
Heated swimming options: For summer visitors, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort maintains water recreation regardless of weather conditions. According to feedback, "The pool was great and thankful it was heated as the weather was cool," making swimming possible even during chilly summer days.
Winter wildlife viewing: Off-season cabin rentals provide opportunities for animal spotting. One winter visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake reported: "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. I will definitely be back!"
What you should know
Site sizes vary significantly: Expect substantial differences in space allocations between campgrounds. A camper at Sunset Campground observed, "Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood."
Seasonal closures and restrictions: Access to cabins decreases dramatically between November and April. At Fish Lake Beach, operational dates run "May 1 to October 15," with most cabin facilities closed entirely for winter months.
Security gates affect late arrivals: Some facilities implement strict entry control. One visitor noted: "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting. What if there was an emergency?"
Tips for camping with families
Screen houses recommended: Insect protection is essential, particularly in wetland areas. A parent at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area 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."
Multiple playgrounds available: Several sites feature child-focused recreation options. At Fish Lake Beach, "There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site!"
Evening raccoon activity: Wildlife management requires additional planning. One family warned: "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."
Tips from RVers
Water access limitations: Several campgrounds lack direct hookups. At Camp Sullivan, "There is no water or dumping hook up. Electric only," requiring advance planning for water needs and tank management.
Dual dump stations with traffic issues: Expect weekend congestion at Chicago Northwest KOA and similar facilities. A visitor 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."
Early arrival recommended: Shaded sites fill quickly, particularly for electric-equipped spaces. According to an RVer, "We stayed in a pull thru FHU. The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years. We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night."
