Tent campsites near Hanover Park, Illinois offer campers a respite from city life within a reasonable driving distance. The region contains several forest preserves with primitive camping areas situated along rivers and canals, with sites typically costing between $4-15 per night. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM, with gates that close after sunset requiring campers to arrive before closing time.
What to do
Kayaking on calm waters: At Kayak Morris, campers can paddle directly from their riverside sites. "Camp sites are dotted next to the shore of the river, there's kayak rentals, and there's enough space for multiple tents on one site," notes Eric R. The calm water makes it ideal for beginners, with one visitor commenting "the river here is so calm its awesome."
Fishing for stripers: The river convergence areas provide excellent fishing opportunities. "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!" reports Sam Murphy M. about his experience at Kayak Morris. Bring your own tackle and check local regulations for license requirements.
Cycling the I&M Canal Trail: The crushed gravel path that runs alongside Channahon State Park Campground makes it a strategic stop for cyclists. "It's a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride," according to Art S. The walk-in tent sites provide a convenient overnight option for bikers touring the canal route.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: Several tent sites at MacQueen Forest Preserve are situated around an open meadow ideal for night sky viewing. "About half of the campsites are in a meadow at the back end of the campground. It would be beautiful for stargazing! There's also a giant fire pit with benches," describes Amy G.
Riverfront camping: Many campers appreciate the direct water access at several sites. "We brought our own kayaks and launched right from our campsite which was amazing," reports Amanda W. about her stay at Kayak Morris. The river access allows for spontaneous paddling without needing to transport equipment.
Site privacy: The spacing between sites at many preserves creates a sense of seclusion uncommon in urban-adjacent campgrounds. MacQueen Forest Preserve receives particular praise as Marcus D. notes: "There wasn't anyone there. I assume it's because it's early in the spring. It's very basic, just a fire pit and a picnic table at each spot."
What you should know
Walk-in requirements: Most tent camping options require carrying gear from parking areas to sites. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in. It's an easy walk, on a crushed gravel road and mowed trail," explains Amy G.
Train noise: Nighttime train sounds affect several campgrounds in the region. One camper at MacQueen Forest Preserve warns: "If you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground."
Flooding concerns: Some riverside sites can become problematic after heavy rainfall. A camper at McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove reported: "Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up. We had three inches up the the fire pit."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Camp Shabbona Woods provides a supportive environment for new campers. "Camp suite is set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping," according to Scott M., making it suitable for families new to tent camping.
Accessibility considerations: Several campgrounds offer ADA-compliant sites. McKinley Woods features "two of the sites have concrete pads for ADA accessibility" as noted by Scott N., while MacQueen Forest Preserve has "one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy."
Early closure times: Parents should note that many preserves have strict gate closing times. Jeffrey L. mentions about Camp Shabbona Woods: "They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok." Plan to arrive well before posted closing times, especially when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Tent-only restrictions: Most camping near Hanover Park is designed specifically for tents, not RVs. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, the policy is clear: "Tents only!" as one camper emphasizes. RV campers seeking sites in this region should look farther afield or consider McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove where "each site, (and all the picnic areas/shelters) have the ubiquitous freestanding Pilot Rock standard grill" which can be useful for cooking when tent camping.
Limited amenities: RV campers accustomed to hookups should adjust expectations. The primitive nature of sites means no electric, water, or sewer connections. Most locations offer only basic facilities like vault toilets and non-potable water pumps.
Parking limitations: Vehicle restrictions apply at most preserves. Brian O. discovered at McKinley Woods: "We didn't realize this was a walk-in campground, the details on the Will county site were vague, and the satellite photo showed a paved road. The road is a path, so the sites are ADA accessible."
