Best Campgrounds near Great Lakes, IL

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Great Lakes. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Great Lakes is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Great Lakes, IL. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Great Lakes, Illinois (42)

    1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    65 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    2. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."

    "tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"

    3. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    7 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

    4. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    20 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

    5. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."

    "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "

    6. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    20 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly.

    But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

    7. NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground

    2 Reviews
    Great Lakes, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (847) 688-6675

    8. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    8 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    20 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."

    "You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."

    9. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    22 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    26 miles
    Website

    "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"

    "Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."

    10. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    7 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    $12 / night

    "This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."

    "There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."

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Showing results 1-10 of 42 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Great Lakes, IL

417 Reviews of 42 Great Lakes Campgrounds



Guide to Great Lakes

Camping near Great Lakes, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From beautiful state parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Explore the beach: Check out Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park for a day at the beach. One camper mentioned, "I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."
  • Hiking and nature walks: Blackwell Family Campground is surrounded by trees and has lovely nature trails. A visitor noted, "Driving in here makes you forget you’re in the middle of town! Quite and roving park rangers give it a very safe feel."
  • Fishing and boating: At Big Foot Beach State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. One reviewer said, "The park has a long strip of beach that almost seems like a shoulder to the main road."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Paul Wolff Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms were old and wet, but the campground itself was very nice."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer plenty of space between sites. A reviewer at Camp Reinberg said, "The sites were clean, grass was trimmed, plenty of trees for shade."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Chicago Northwest KOA have activities for kids. One parent shared, "They have Gem Mining, Jump Pad, Gagaball, Minigolf, and more on weekends."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Burnidge Forest Preserve noted, "I was awoken by a toddler screaming across from us like it was being murdered for about an hour at 6 am."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or markets nearby. A visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow mentioned, "The site was also filled with garbage when we arrived."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for raccoons and other wildlife. One camper at Honeysuckle Hollow warned, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. They come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Chicago Northwest KOA mentioned, "It is about an hour and a half from Chicago and Milwaukee."
  • Look for electric hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric sites, but they can fill up fast. A camper at Sunset Campground said, "Not enough electric sites for campers."
  • Be prepared for weather: Bring gear for rain or shine. A reviewer at Camp Reinberg noted, "It poured all weekend but we still enjoyed the stay."

Camping near Great Lakes, Illinois, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Great Lakes, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Great Lakes, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 65 reviews.

What parks are near Great Lakes, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 parks near Great Lakes, IL that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.