RV parks near Great Lakes, Illinois operate across Chicagoland's northern suburbs and extend into southern Wisconsin. The area maintains moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F, with humidity levels increasing near Lake Michigan. Mosquito activity intensifies during summer evenings, particularly at waterfront camping locations, requiring preparation with appropriate repellents and protective clothing.
What to do
Lake swimming and fishing: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides a swim beach with clean facilities and natural water activities. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," notes one visitor. The campground also offers fishing opportunities directly from lakefront sites.
Trail exploration: Camp Reinberg connects to extensive trail networks through Deer Grove Forest Preserve. "From the campground you have access to the entire Deer Park preserve and its paved cycling and walking trails," explains a camper. Another mentions "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking."
Horse riding experiences: At Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park, visitors can access equestrian activities alongside camping. "Horse stables and guided rides for horse lovers," notes one reviewer. The park combines water recreation with land-based activities, making it versatile for families seeking varied outdoor experiences.
What campers like
Seasonal amenities: Thousand Trails Pine Country receives positive feedback for its recreation facilities. "Nice good size pool, no jacuzzi, small play ground with a jumping pad. Pond for catch and release fishing," notes a visitor. The campground operates from April 20 to October 15, aligning with the region's primary camping season.
Family-oriented activities: Campers appreciate the structured programming at local parks. "We did enjoy our stay and the pool was fantastic for smaller kids," mentions one Pine Country visitor. Another camper shared that Fish Lake Beach has "Lots of fun activities. Site size varies."
Wildlife viewing: The region offers nature observation opportunities including birdwatching. "The bald eagles nests are also amazing," notes a visitor to Grass Lake Marina and RV Park. Chain O' Lakes State Park provides "gorgeous views of the lake and lovely flora abound," creating natural settings within reach of urban areas.
What you should know
Variable campsite quality: Campsites range significantly in size and privacy across the region. At Northwoods RV Resort, "The sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all." However, another camper notes it can feel like "a trailer park not camping. Very very few spots with shade and trees."
Seasonality concerns: Most campgrounds in the area operate with seasonal restrictions. "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," reports a Northwoods visitor, highlighting the importance of checking current amenity status.
Navigation challenges: Several parks have difficult access points. "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," warns a visitor about Northwoods RV Resort. Similar issues occur at other facilities, requiring advance planning.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around organized events at family-friendly campgrounds. "Not much was set up for daily activities the weekend we stayed," noted a Pine Country visitor, suggesting checking activity calendars before arrival. Fish Lake Beach offers "treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Safety considerations: Waterfront camping requires vigilance with children. "The swimming beach looks like it will be fun to enjoy in the summer," mentions a Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort visitor, though supervision remains essential. Most campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with varying levels of monitoring.
Noise awareness: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort and similar facilities near highways experience ambient noise. "The only down fall is the constant ambient sounds of highway traffic which is about 1/2 mile away from route 90," explains a camper. Many sites also note "Lots of dogs so be prepared for early morning barking."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Utilities vary significantly between parks. At Sycamore RV Resort, "We had water and 50amp, with a black water dump once or twice a week at your RV's site," notes a visitor, contrasting with full-service options elsewhere. Many campgrounds provide partial hookups requiring adaptation.
Road condition awareness: Internal campground roads present challenges for larger rigs. At Lehmans Lakeside, "The pot roads need service as they do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit," warns a seasonal camper. Advance research regarding specific site access prevents complications upon arrival.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites away from train tracks when staying at Northwoods RV Resort. "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," advises an experienced visitor.
