Thomas Woods Campground provides weekend-focused tent and RV camping approximately 6 miles southwest of Harvard, Illinois. The campground sits at an elevation of about 900 feet within the McHenry County Conservation District, offering sites that range from drive-in to walk-in options. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with cooler evenings in the 60s, creating ideal conditions for camping from May through October.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: Access multiple trail types at Thomas Woods Campground with varying terrain from wooded paths to prairie landscapes. "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites. Camp hosts are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers. Hand pumps for water and well-kept pit toilets. Hiking galore! My 'leashed' dog loves this place, as do I," notes Marisa A.
Kayaking and canoeing: Navigate the connected waterways at Chain O' Lakes State Park for a day on the water. "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," shares Cora M.
Swimming access: Cool off during summer months at the beach areas near campgrounds. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, visitors mention "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."
What campers like
Budget-friendly glamping alternatives: Find economical glamping-style accommodations near Harvard at Turner Lake South camping area. "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," says Addison G.
Spacious sites for privacy: Many campgrounds offer secluded options away from crowds. "This campsite is well laid out campground, with some sites right on the roads and some buried back in the woods away from everyone (we chose the latter and felt like we had the place to ourselves)," reports one camper about their experience at Thomas Woods.
Year-round camping options: For those seeking glamping experiences near Harvard in colder months, Ottawa Lake Campground offers winter camping. "No showers in winter but awesome," notes David H., making this a viable option when other seasonal sites are closed.
What you should know
Weekend availability challenges: Several campgrounds near Harvard operate primarily on weekends or have limited availability. "I've been here two other weekends. Generally quiet and many of the tent spots are spaced out enough to provide privacy and quiet. Firewood is cheap on-site and delivered to your site on demand. Love this spot for proximity to my home so I can get out more frequently than a longer drive," shares Matt K.
Wildlife presence: Prepare for local wildlife encounters, especially after dark. At Honeysuckle Hollow, "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."
Weather considerations: The Harvard area experiences seasonal temperature fluctuations that affect camping comfort. "We would come back here to have a weekend getaway in the fall or spring," mentions one camper, indicating that mid-summer heat or bugs might be considerations for planning your glamping trip near Harvard.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Plan around specific organized events for children. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, "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. Clean bathrooms and shower," explains Leo V.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on proximity to amenities and play areas. "We were at site 4 which is electric hookup and it was a huge area! The kids had so much space to run around and explore. They loved the well pump. We explored the campground both tent and rv. Both areas were well spaced out with enough privacy," recommends Emily L.
Tick prevention: Take extra precautions in wooded areas, especially with small children. At Honeysuckle Hollow, one parent advises: "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: Check electric hookup locations before selecting sites. "Fox den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees," advises Debra M.
Site positioning: Consider both sun exposure and privacy factors when positioning RVs. At Elkhorn Campgrounds, "The outer lanes had shade, while our site was in the middle open area. Easy access to electric and/or water. If unsure, contact office. Site, restrooms, and showers were clean. There are a lot of sites but still felt like there was ample space."
Weekend traffic patterns: Anticipate busier conditions on weekends versus weekdays. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," shares Tina about her experience at a local campground, highlighting the benefit of mid-week glamping near Harvard for those seeking quieter experiences.
