Camping near Homer Glen offers outdoor recreation opportunities within an hour's drive of the Chicago metropolitan area. The region features a mix of prairie landscapes, wooded areas, and various water features including lakes and rivers. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with occasional humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with temperatures between 50-70°F.
What to Do
Water activities on smaller lakes: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers kayak rentals at $15 per hour including life vests. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," reports Layla P. who stayed at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Mountain biking trail access: The region features extensive single-track trails accessible directly from camping areas. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits. What's great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," notes Josh M.
Rock climbing for families: Indoor climbing walls provide activity options during inclement weather. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," explains Shane S. from Camp Sullivan.
What Campers Like
Early morning wildlife viewing: The natural areas surrounding camping locations offer excellent bird watching opportunities. "We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," shares Hatie P. who visited Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Sandy beach swimming: Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds maintains a sandy beach area not far from Homer Glen. "When the lake is open it's great to bring kids for the water sports. They have dances every Saturday night. It's mostly an RV park, but really great for the family," explains Amanda P. from Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds.
Year-round camping comfort: Some locations offer heated cabin accommodations for off-season visits. "The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There are small and medium cabins, some heated with their own bathrooms, that feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold," notes Hatie P. about staying at Indiana Dunes State Park during cooler weather.
What You Should Know
Train noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise throughout the night. "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be just fine," warns Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Membership requirements: Certain resort-style facilities require membership for access. "My mother-in-law was a member here for years. My family would frequently visit her camper during the summers. Always a great time! The list of amenities is remarkable, but membership is required," explains Bill M. about Leisure Lake Membership Resort.
Bathroom facility variations: Quality and maintenance of facilities varies significantly between locations. "The bathhouses are newer and kept fairly clean. I don't think they're checked everyday though because the ladies stalls were out of toilet paper our second morning. The water pressure in the showers was so-so, but there was no hot water," notes Lisa S. about Camp Sullivan.
Tips for Camping with Families
Free firewood advantage: Some campgrounds include complimentary firewood with site rental. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad. I believe this is a relatively newer campground. There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," explains Tim K. about his stay at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Yurt camping Homer Glen, Illinois area options: For families seeking alternative shelter without a tent or RV, yurt accommodations are available within driving distance. "Our family had an incredible stay at Leisure Lake Resort RV Park over Easter week. The location was perfect for a peaceful retreat, and the amenities provided everything we needed for a comfortable and enjoyable visit," reports Chad A. from Leisure Lake Membership Resort.
Playground proximity consideration: Request sites near play areas when traveling with children. "Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp," shares Sadie H. about her experience at Oak Lake RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Electric-only hookups planning: Some campgrounds offer electric but lack water connections. "Really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors," advises Kaitlin M. about her stay at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary significantly in privacy and spacing. "When we got here, we realize the electric sites on the right side of the bathhouse were in full sun, but the staff member graciously allowed us to switch sites to a more shaded area," shares Lisa S. about her experience at Camp Sullivan.
Specialty yurts near Homer Glen: Some campgrounds in the region offer luxury yurt camping options with modern conveniences. "The clean showers, space to walk, gorgeous lake - this campground has quality tent sites, but those looking for a yurt experience near Homer Glen should consider Oak Lake RV Resort which offers comfortable yurt accommodations," notes one frequent visitor to Kankakee South KOA.
