Located northwest of Chicago, rv parks Hawthorn Woods, Illinois and surrounding camping options can be found amid the rolling landscape of Lake County. The area sees warm summers with temperatures averaging 80-85°F and cold winters that can drop below freezing, making May through October the prime camping season. Campsites vary from basic electric-only spots to full-service RV resorts with all-season capabilities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Northwoods RV Resort, visitors can enjoy catch-and-release fishing in their ponds. "There is a gorgeous Creek, a lovely small lake and I really enjoy the walking trails," reports one camper.
Hiking trails: The trail system at Paul Wolff Campground offers diverse terrain for all skill levels. "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options," notes a visitor who appreciated the variety.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas around Hawthorn Woods provide excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting. "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to believe that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated area," reports a camper at Paul Wolff Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained grounds at Chicago Northwest KOA in Union. "Staff was very friendly and the facilities were kept very clean. Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground," shares one reviewer.
Spacious sites: Sycamore RV Resort offers generously sized camping spaces. "Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out. We stayed at a back in site, easy access and site had plenty of room on each side," a visitor explains.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature pools for summer recreation. "The new pool, the game room, the playground, the beautiful new bath house and the grounds are just wonderful," notes a camper at Fox Bluff CottageS & RV, highlighting their recently upgraded facilities.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance bookings, especially during summer weekends. "Plan ahead! The location requires a 2 night stay minimum," advises a Fox Bluff CottageS & RV visitor.
Seasonal availability: Weather conditions limit operating seasons for some facilities. "The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs," notes a visitor to Paul Wolff Campground, which operates May through October.
Variable water quality: Some campgrounds have water quality issues to consider. "The park water is high in Iron," reports a camper at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, suggesting visitors might want to bring drinking water.
Road conditions: Internal roads at some campgrounds need attention. "The roads in park are large gravel rock and the dust is awful," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Pine Country, though they still rated their experience highly overall.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Chicago Northwest KOA offers programmed activities for children. "There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends. People are nice to you. Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise," shares a family camper.
Swimming options: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort offers beach access for families with children. "They have a huge lake with paved paths that we were able to walk the first night (not raining) and the beach looks like it will be fun to enjoy in the summer," notes a visitor.
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment for younger campers. "The jumping pillow" at Northwoods RV Resort was mentioned as a highlight by a family with children, along with "several playgrounds" throughout the property.
Tips from RVers
Site configurations: Prioritize site selection based on your needs. "The pull throughs were really long. We like dispersed sites so we wouldn't have liked this park 'in season' when it's packed," notes an RVer at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, highlighting the importance of timing your visit if you prefer less crowded conditions.
Utilities: Full hookup availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "Having a sewer hook up on site was a welcome change to our typical state park sites we frequent," reports a visitor to Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort who appreciated the convenience.
Parking surface considerations: Level sites can be an issue at some facilities. "Busy campground in July. Smaller, mainly RVs. Friendly staff and friendly people staying on the grounds. This gets 4 stars because you cannot put down a mat outside," explains a Paul Wolff Campground visitor about site restrictions.
Dump station access: Check the location of dump stations before booking. "There is no sewage, the dump station was about a mile down the road," notes a camper about one facility, suggesting large rig owners should plan accordingly for this extra step when departing.
