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Best RV Parks & Resorts near Great Lakes, IL

427 Reviews

Several RV parks operate within 30 miles of Great Lakes, Illinois, offering various amenities for motorhome travelers. NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground provides electric hookups with 50-amp service and sewer connections, though it lacks drinking water at sites and has no sanitary dump station on premises. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort in Marengo features full hookup sites with 50-amp service, operating year-round with big rig friendly spaces. Northwoods RV Resort in Garden Prairie maintains 278 sites with full hookups including water, electric (both 30 and 50-amp), and sewer connections. "The sites are generally spacious, though some pull-through sites place your neighbor's sewer connection uncomfortably close to your outdoor living space," noted one RVer about Northwoods. Sycamore RV Resort offers year-round camping with full hookups on level sites that accommodate larger rigs.

Seasonal availability varies across the region's RV campgrounds. Cliffside Park Campground in nearby Caledonia, Wisconsin operates from April 15 to October 15, while Thousand Trails Pine Country in Belvidere follows a similar schedule from April 20 to October 15. Most parks require reservations, especially during summer months when Chicago-area camping demand peaks. Dump stations can be limited - NAVSTA Great Lakes lacks one entirely, forcing campers to find alternatives about a mile away. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though WiFi quality varies significantly between parks. Pet-friendly policies are common at most RV parks in the region, with designated dog areas available at several locations. For travelers needing quick overnight stops, Love's RV Hookup in Hampshire provides just 4 sites but offers full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections.

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Best RV Sites Near Great Lakes, Illinois (37)

    1. NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground

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

    2. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Union, IL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4533

    $45 - $70 / night

    "I stayed here for two weeks when I first started rv'ing full time while I finished up work and finalized the selling of the house. It has a well maintained laundry and shower facility. "

    "The pull throughs were really long. We like dispersed sites so we wouldn’t have like this park ‘in season’ when it’s packed."

    3. Sycamore RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Sycamore, IL
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 895-5590

    "No tent camping allowed but pop up trailers on up are welcome. Very nice grounds that are quiet. 10 minute drive to town. 20 minutes from Dekalb. Some Covid 19 restrictions."

    "Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out."

    4. Thousand Trails Pine Country

    4 Reviews
    Belvidere, IL
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Very nice, private sites. Not many campers, lots of RVs. Folks in the office were very helpful."

    "It is close to home and we start and finish the camping season here."

    5. Grass Lake Marina and RV Park

    1 Review
    Lake Villa, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 395-6214

    "This is a no frills campground with super nice people and great place to let the pups run, play, swim, and walk. The bald eagles nests are also amazing."

    6. Love's RV Hookup-Hampshire IL 763

    Be the first to review!
    Hampshire, IL
    36 miles
    Website

    $40 - $599 / night

    7. Northwoods RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 317-3775

    $65 - $85 / night

    "At first, we were disappointed at the lack of amenities, but ultimately realized that once again, it was due to the pandemic. Things started to slowly open up around the 4th of July."

    "We came here because they showed a water obstacle course on their website. When we got here, we were informed that their beach hasn't passed health tests for the past few years."

    8. Cliffside Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Caledonia, WI
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 886-8440

    $32 - $35 / night

    "Gorgeous park in a somewhat remote, i.e., quiet area. The sites are large, level and well-dispersed; there’s plenty of shade; the electrical connections are well-placed."

    "If you just got an RV and want to go to a safe, family friendly, clean and with all the amenities, this is your place."

    9. 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."

    "Very quiet spot with no electric short walk to Turner Lake.   Spaces are well spaced, some with good shade and others in full sun.   "

    10. Camp Reinberg

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

    $45 - $60 / night

    "There are pavilions, air conditioned/heated dining hall, shower building, restrooms (seriously the cleanest I’ve ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)"

    "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!"

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Recent RV Camping Photos near Great Lakes, IL

89 Photos of 37 Great Lakes Campgrounds

RV Park Reviews near Great Lakes, IL

427 Reviews of 37 Great Lakes Campgrounds

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2024

    Northwoods RV Resort

    New Campground Scent Emanates From this Freshly Minted RV Outpost

    My first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.

    Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.

    Happy Camping!

  • Melissa B.
    Aug. 26, 2018

    Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    nice state park with big sites and small beach

    Nice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn’t very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric. this was the first time all season that the bugs Annoyed us. the beach is about 10 feet of sand off a busy road and is not pet friendly. nice spot to stay if you want to avoid paying lake Geneva prices for a room.

  • J
    Aug. 14, 2022

    Happy Acres Kampground

    Great for families

    Staff was polite and helpful. They escort you to your spot. They hand out activity sheets for the weekend. Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly. They charge extra if you have visitors.

  • Christian A.
    Sep. 8, 2021

    Northwoods RV Resort

    Good Company but Overpriced

    Took our new to us Pop Up Camper to this resort during Labor Day weekend on her maiden voyage. Was surrounded by awesome people in their big rigs but not once made us feel inferior or less than for not having an RV at an RV resort. Pros:

    • Activities provided by the campsite
    • lots of room and not overcrowded since they dont book the whole campground (manager said so)
    • close to Chicago
    • friendly campers and seasonals

    Cons: -Hard to find (GPS takes you to a school parking lot, the campsite is behind it) -Bathhouses need major upgrade and cleaning (seems neglected by the river sites)

    • Very Very Pricey even for a holiday weekend.
    • Pool was not heated (confirmed by a seasonal that it is indeed a heated pool but wasnt turned on)
    • Staff could be a bit more customer friendly
  • C
    Jun. 21, 2021

    Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    Felt like a trailer park

    A pull through style RV park. Great if you have a toy hauler style camper, but if you're used to boondocking/ dispersed camping. Very very few spots with shade and trees. Felt like a trailer park not camping.

  • C
    Jul. 17, 2022

    NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground

    Short stop

    It was a small RV park had a concert pad but not big enough for a 43 ft motor home. The site was 60 ft, but the whole site was not concrete. We were there for one night, it rained and the whole site had puddles around it. I do understand that it is a RV site but we stayed at others that were not concrete pad and did not flood this much. It was extremely muddy. Water was very. None of the sites had sewage, the dump station was about a mile down the road. They have a few 50 amp lots. We did not have one. The site had I would call it an out house. I did not see a bath house with showers. The out house only had a toilet, no sink for hand washing. The location was right on the water so that was nice. Other than that I was not impressed.

  • jennifer Z.
    Oct. 22, 2023

    Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    Surprising secret camp ground

    We love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.

  • kassondra T.
    Jun. 19, 2021

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Best site at the campground

    Pros: great hiking trails, nice lake to kayak on, family friendly beach and picnic areas

    Cons: Not great fishing, no dog friendly swim area, the beach/fishing pier/boat launch are all pretty far from the campsites. There is a hiking trail down to it, but when bringing a bunch of beach gear/kid toys it’s much easier to throw it all in the car and drive down there.

    We have been to Bong a few times and this site was by far the best we’ve stayed at. Evenly sunny/shaded. Not overly buggy. Couldn’t see the people in the sites next to us. Had a flat, grassy area for the tent. It also had a couple mature trees to attach the dog’s zip line to.

  • Addison G.
    Oct. 23, 2024

    Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Awesome choice for campers on a budget

    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. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night. Bathrooms could’ve been cleaner but we were grateful for the facility which doubled as a storm shelter. There’s indoor showers and bathrooms. There are also cabins at this campsite, not sure on pricing tho

Guide to Great Lakes

RV camping near Great Lakes, Illinois offers a variety of well-reviewed parks that cater to different needs, from family-friendly amenities to serene natural settings.

Big rigs should check out Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

  • Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort features spacious sites with electric hookups, making it ideal for larger RVs.
  • Enjoy the convenience of a market on-site, along with amenities like showers and a sanitary dump station.
  • The friendly atmosphere and numerous activities make it a popular choice for families and seasonal campers alike.

Most parks have electrical and sewer hookups

Enjoy a variety of activities at Jellystone Park

  • Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Caledonia is packed with family-friendly activities, including a pool, water slides, and mini-golf.
  • The campground hosts numerous events and activities throughout the season, ensuring there's always something fun to do.
  • With spacious sites and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s a great spot for families looking to create lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best RV resorts along Lake Michigan?

The Great Lakes region offers several excellent RV resorts along Lake Michigan. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort provides full hookups, a beach front on the lake, a fenced dog run area, laundry facilities, and a playground for children. For military families, NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground offers convenient concrete pads, though some sites may have drainage issues during rain. These resorts typically offer pull-through sites that accommodate larger RVs, though availability of shade varies considerably between locations. Most lakeside resorts provide easy access to water activities like fishing, swimming, and boating, making them ideal bases for exploring the natural beauty of Lake Michigan.

What amenities can I expect at Great Lakes RV parks?

Great Lakes RV parks typically offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Northwoods RV Resort features freshly maintained grounds, security gates, organized activities, and spacious sites that accommodate various RV sizes. Happy Acres Kampground provides a more family-oriented experience with a petting zoo, camp store, swimming pool, and fishing pond. Most RV parks in the region offer full hookups (water, electric, sewer), shower facilities, and laundry services. Many parks also include recreational amenities like playgrounds, game rooms, and communal fire pits. Depending on the park, you might find additional features such as Wi-Fi access, cable TV connections, propane refill stations, and camp stores stocked with essentials.

When is the best time to visit the Great Lakes region with an RV?

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the most pleasant conditions for RV camping in the Great Lakes region. Summer months provide warm temperatures ideal for swimming and water activities, though this is also peak season with higher occupancy. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground offers spacious sites with hiking trails and beach access during the warmer months, though bugs can be more prevalent in mid-summer. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area provides great hiking trails and kayaking opportunities during the summer season. Fall brings beautiful foliage but cooler temperatures, while early spring can be wet with potentially muddy conditions. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with limited or no availability during winter months when freezing temperatures can impact water systems.

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