Campgrounds near Gurnee, Illinois span from wetland areas with abundant wildlife to lakefront settings across two states. Most are located within a 30-mile radius of Gurnee, with options in both Illinois and Wisconsin. Winter camping options are limited as many facilities close seasonally, with Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort operating only from May through mid-October and other sites requiring advance reservations during peak summer months.
What to do
Kayaking at multiple water access points: The Chain O' Lakes system offers various launch spots for paddlers seeking quieter waters. At Turner Lake South, campers appreciate the controlled environment: "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."
Horseback riding for beginners: Several campgrounds offer equestrian facilities with guided rides suitable for novices. "There is horse riding here as well. The views are breathtaking," notes one visitor to Mud Lake East. Rental options are available by the hour with trails specially designated for horses.
Exploring wetland habitats: Richard Bong State Recreation Area features extensive wetlands with dedicated viewing platforms. One camper at Sunrise Campground shared: "We love going out in the spring when the bull frogs are out and listening to their chorus. There is a great winery just down the road if you want to take a field trip and have something to sip by the fire at night."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded options available at several campgrounds. A visitor to Turner Lake South noted, "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."
Convenient lakefront access: Sites with direct water views are particularly valued. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. 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!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The wetland environments support diverse animal populations. A camper at Sunset Campground observed: "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go... I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw."
What you should know
Gate closure policies: Several state parks enforce strict access rules. According to a camper at Fox Den: "The gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)"
Mosquito and tick management: Insects are prevalent, particularly in wooded and wetland areas. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... they literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house," advises a visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Wildlife challenges: Prepare for encounters with local wildlife, especially after dark. "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 for camping with families
Consider shower accessibility: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Camp Reinberg, families find "shower building, restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!) and cabins, along with tent sites and 5 RV sites." This makes managing kids' needs much easier.
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured programming. At Sunrise Campground, "The Weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long."
Scout playground locations: Finding play areas can be crucial for families. One camper noted that at Mud Lake East, "There is 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."
Tips for RVers
Electric hookup locations: Site designs vary significantly between campgrounds. At Fox Den Campground, "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts to far from parking pad. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees."
Water access limitations: Several campgrounds require staff assistance for water hookups. At Camp Reinberg, "There are no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them."
Site size considerations: Confirm measurements before booking. "Sites are mostly wide open to the road but separated enough to feel private (until drivers/walkers come through). Site had gravel and roots so tent spot took some searching and clearing to find," reports a visitor to Turner Lake South.
