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Scout
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
Camping near Hawthorn Woods, IL
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
State parks and forest preserves surrounding Hawthorn Woods, Illinois provide a variety of camping experiences within an hour's drive of this northern Chicago suburb. Chain O' Lakes State Park, located about 15 miles northwest in Spring Grove, offers multiple campground loops including Fox Den, Turner Lake South, Prairie View, and Honeysuckle Hollow, each with distinct characteristics and amenities. As one camper noted, "Turner Lake South loop has nice and private sites, in contrast to Honeysuckle Hollow which is open with row after row of RV sites." Closer to Hawthorn Woods, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo accommodates tent campers, RVers, and those seeking cabin or glamping options. For campers willing to travel slightly farther, Illinois Beach State Park in Zion provides lakefront camping along Lake Michigan.
Reservations through ExploreMoreIL.com are essential for most state park campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The camping season generally runs from May through October, with some facilities closing earlier in fall. Many Illinois state parks enforce a no-alcohol policy, even at individual campsites. Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds and even within different loops of the same park. As one visitor to Prairie View campground explained, "This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site." Shade availability is another important consideration in the summer heat, with some newer campgrounds lacking mature trees. Most campgrounds offer a mix of pit toilets and modern restroom facilities with showers, though locations within the parks aren't always clearly marked on reservation maps.
Water access represents a significant draw for many campgrounds in the region. Chain O' Lakes State Park provides boat launches, fishing opportunities, and water recreation on the Fox River and connected lakes. According to a visitor, "Chain O' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season." Fall visits offer a quieter experience with less crowding. Trail systems throughout the area range from paved paths to crushed gravel, with many campgrounds offering hiking, biking, and sometimes equestrian options. Privacy between sites varies considerably, with some loops providing foliage buffers while others position campsites in open arrangements. Campgrounds closer to Chicago tend to be busier, especially on summer weekends, with Sunday nights typically offering more availability and a quieter experience.
Best Campgrounds near Hawthorn Woods (56)
1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability2. Camp Reinberg
"Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."
"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!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability3. 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."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability4. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
5. Paul Wolff Campground
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability6. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
7. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
8. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."
9. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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."
"There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."
from $12 / night
Check Availability10. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
"I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"
"Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 35 min from Kenosha, WI
- 46 min from Racine, WI
- 54 min from Chicago, IL
- 1 hr 5 min from Rockford, IL
Recent Camping Photos near Hawthorn Woods, IL
190 Photos of 56 Hawthorn Woods Campgrounds
Glenn T.
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Janet P.
Mud Lake West — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Aida K.
Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Heather L.
Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Matt K.
Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Scott B.
Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Jack D.
Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
Art S.
Paul Wolff Campground
Linda M.
Escape to Nature
Christie S.
Chicago Northwest KOA
Jeffery S.
Happy Acres Kampground
Recent Reviews near Hawthorn Woods, IL
572 Reviews of 56 Hawthorn Woods Campgrounds
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
Bryan A.
TravelerMuskego Park by Waukesha County Parks
Always a great time
This park has always been a go to for me. As a full time RVer, I come here a lot. The scenery is beautiful, beach right next door, fishing holes not far from here. The people who come are all very friendly and the park rangers are very welcoming and always have firewood for the visitors. Highly recommend this spot for everyone.
- MManny A.Traveler
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Simple and local
First time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendRock Cut Equestrian Campground
A Peaceful Retreat for Horse-Loving Families
If your family's perfect camping trip includes saddling up and exploring miles of wooded trails together, the Equestrian Campground at Rock Cut State Park offers a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a few days. Tucked away from the park's busier camping loops, this rustic first-come, first-served campground provides spacious sites designed for campers traveling with horses, along with nearby potable water, restrooms and direct access to more than 14 miles of designated equestrian trails. While amenities are intentionally simple (erring on non-existent), the extra room to accommodate horse trailers and the quiet natural surroundings create exactly the kind of setting many riders are looking for. One of my favorite moments was watching families quietly prepare their horses in the early morning light before disappearing beneath the trees for a day on the trails, returning later with tired horses, dusty boots and smiles that needed no explanation. Arriving early is the best way to secure a site since camping is first-come, first-served and availability is limited. This campground is ideal for equestrian families given its spacious layout, direct trail access and peaceful atmosphere that allows both riders and horses to truly unwind.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Thousand Trails Pine Country
Shaded, Family-Friendly Country Retreat
There’s something instantly calming about rolling into a campground wrapped in tall pines and soft breezes, and Pine Country had that peaceful, easy feeling that made all of us exhale before we even found our site. This campground is expansive and welcoming, with full-hookup spots laid out across wide loops, plenty of shade, clean bathrooms and a friendly mix of families settling in for weekends or longer stays. Our boys loved wandering between the fishing pond and the small recreation areas and we ended the evening sharing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that we made over an open fire on a Camp Chef black skillet munching them down at the picnic table while listening to the trees rustle above us. For families looking for a convenient home base near Rockford with lots of room to spread out, EZ access to town for supplies and a campground that really does feel safe and relaxed, Pine Country is an EZ pick. Highly recommended for young families seeking space, shade and a low-key, gentle setting to recharge.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Sycamore RV Resort
Peaceful Lakeside Pause in the Heart of Corn Country
There’s something so comforting about pulling into Sycamore RV Resort and seeing the sunlight dance across those two spring-fed lakes, giving you that immediate exhale that only a calm Midwestern campground can bring. The property is medium-sized, incredibly tidy and thoughtfully laid out, with full-hookup RV sites circling the water, a small sandy beach for summer splashing, clean restrooms and showers, simple playgrounds and EZ walking loops that make it feel both manageable and welcoming for families. The boys were in heaven the next morning when we drove over to Elleson’s Bakery for fresh homemade donuts still warm from the oven. Later we wandered through historic downtown Sycamore during Pumpkinfest, taking in the decorated storefronts and carved pumpkins lined up like a little parade. Back at the RV Resort, from what we saw, the best campsites are any of the lakeside slots on the western shore because they offer the prettiest sunrise views and the quietest pockets of the resort. Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this campground for families thanks to its peaceful lakeside setting, its clean and convenient amenities and its proximity to a charming small provincial Midwestern town that makes even a simple weekend feel memorable.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Holiday Acres Camping Resort
Country Calm with a Dash of Classic Campground Fun
The moment we pulled into Holiday Acres, that cozy ‘old-school campground’ feeling washed over us, with tall trees, winding lanes and a big, friendly welcome from the office that instantly made the boys sit up and take notice. The campground is beautifully laid out with roomy sites, full hookups, a well-kept swimming pond, mini golf, a little camp store and restrooms that were impressively clean for a busy family spot. After a long drive, the boys made a beeline for the playground and the pedal carts, and later that night we all sat under the string lights eating ice cream sandwiches from the camp store while fireflies blinked and buzzed through the trees. If you’re a family looking for somewhere safe, shaded and EZ-going with just enough activities to keep the kids happily worn out, this place absolutely fits the bill. Highly recommended for its friendly atmosphere, great kid-focused amenities and peaceful, wooded setting.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Camp Reinberg
A Forest Preserve Escape for the Whole Family
From the moment we pulled into Camp Reinberg, our entire family felt something was unique and different about the peacefulness that you immediately encounter when arriving here to Camp Reinberg – it was the kind of quiet that settles over you long before the bags are unpacked, which felt remarkable considering how close this little retreat sits to suburban Palatine. This Forest Preserve of Cook County campground is modest in size with a mix of tent pads, a very small circuit of RV-friendly sites and several modern cabins that give it the feeling of a thoughtfully managed woodland outpost rather than a crowded complex. Amenities are simple but well-cared-for, including clean restrooms, hot showers, shaded picnic areas, a proper indoor camping kitchen and dining hall as well as a large open field for play complete with an enormous bonfire pit and BBQ grill area with direct access to the miles of hiking paths that wind through Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Our favorite moment came just before sunset when the boys darted between the oaks spotting chipmunks while we lingered at the picnic table with a thermos of hot cocoa, savoring the calm and popping in extra marshmallows for full effect. For families, this campground is genuinely recommended thanks to its safety, gentle trails and close-to-town convenience with the best site choice being either one of the tent pads along the wooded northeastern edge (sites#6-10) or the northernmost corner of the RV loop if you’re looking for a spot for your rig (#2-4), where the privacy and tree cover make the stay feel much more like a deep-forest escape.
Guide to Hawthorn Woods
Camping near Hawthorn Woods, Illinois includes several forest preserves and state recreation areas within a 30-mile radius of this northwest Chicago suburb. The area sits at approximately 830 feet above sea level with terrain shaped by glacial activity, creating a mix of prairie, woodland, and wetland environments. Camping season typically runs April through October, with July and August temperatures averaging 80-85°F during the day and cooling to 60-65°F at night.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing at Fox Den Campground: This campground provides direct access to the Fox River and connected lakes system with rentals available at the main boat launch. "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," explains a visitor to Turner Lake South Camping Area.
Hiking trail exploration: The region's preserves offer a range of trails from paved paths to more rustic options. At Camp Reinberg, "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout, and there's even a little up-and-down thanks to ice age glaciers."
Wildlife viewing and birding: Early mornings provide the best opportunity for wildlife spotting. "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. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two," notes a camper at Sunset Campground.
What campers like
Site privacy and natural surroundings: Many campers appreciate the secluded feeling at certain loops. "We stayed at the Prairie View section on site P27. Luckily it was fantastic. You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble," shares a visitor to Prairie View Camping Area.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable alternatives. "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," notes a camper at Turner Lake South Camping Area.
Lake access for fishing: Many sites provide direct water access for fishing enthusiasts. "We kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice. Great for kids lots of activities and space to play But very quiet and relaxing by nighttime," mentions a visitor at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal pest considerations: Insect protection is essential during summer months. "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," warns a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for nocturnal visitors at some campgrounds. "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."
Gate closure times: Many state parks implement strict entry/exit policies. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for playground access: Sites near recreational facilities offer convenience for families with children. "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," notes a camper at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Consider screened shelter options: Protection from insects is crucial during summer months. "Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair."
Visit during weekdays when possible: Campgrounds are notably quieter and less crowded mid-week. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week. The park has many trails, which were nice."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup planning: Some campgrounds have unusual electric arrangements. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance."
Water access considerations: Direct water connections aren't available at all 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. But they do it with a good attitude."
Seasonal timing strategies: Off-peak visits offer better site selection. "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish. The only big minus is the full hook ups fill up fast no spur of the moment camping unless it is early or late in the season."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Hawthorn Woods, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Hawthorn Woods, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hawthorn Woods, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 67 reviews.
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