Best Campgrounds near Highwood, IL
The northern Illinois region surrounding Highwood includes several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, primarily concentrated along Lake Michigan and the Chain O'Lakes area. State parks and county forest preserves dominate the camping landscape, with Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park in Zion offering lakefront camping and Camp Reinberg in Palatine providing a more suburban camping experience. Chain O'Lakes State Park features multiple camping areas including Fox Den, Turner Lake South, Prairie View, and Honeysuckle Hollow, each with varying levels of privacy and amenities. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several also offering cabin options for those seeking additional comfort.
Reservations are essential during peak season from May through September, with many campgrounds filling completely on summer weekends. Illinois state parks enforce a no-alcohol policy even at individual campsites, a regulation campers should note before arrival. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions but increased chances of rain. As one camper noted about Chain O'Lakes, "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." Most campgrounds are accessible via paved roads, though sites vary significantly in size, shade coverage, and proximity to amenities.
Site privacy varies considerably throughout the area's campgrounds. At Turner Lake South, campers report "nice and private sites," contrasting with Honeysuckle Hollow's "open and row after row of RV sites." Illinois Beach State Park receives mixed reviews, with one visitor noting it is "generally loud, with no vegetation between you and your neighbor." Facilities typically include clean restrooms, showers, and fire pits with adjustable grills. Water recreation opportunities abound, particularly at Chain O'Lakes where boat rentals and fishing are popular activities. Hiking trails range from paved paths at Camp Reinberg that "dip through forested sections, open fields, and lily pad covered ponds" to the wider crushed gravel trails at Chain O'Lakes that accommodate multiple activities including horseback riding.
