The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Huntley, IL

644 Reviews

Campgrounds for various types of camping can be found in multiple areas near Huntley, Illinois. The region includes established campgrounds like Paul Wolff Campground at Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin, approximately 10 miles southeast of Huntley, and Chicago Northwest KOA in Union, about 12 miles northwest. These locations offer a range of accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide amenities such as electric hookups, drinking water, and fire rings. Thomas Woods Campground at Marengo Ridge, located 15 miles northwest of Huntley, features tent and RV sites with both electric and water hookups in a wooded setting.

"Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home," noted one visitor about Blackwell Family Campground. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with limited year-round options. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity quickly. Many campgrounds require advance booking through Illinois' ExploreMoreIL reservation system. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with humid summers and cold winters affecting camping comfort. Several forest preserves enforce alcohol prohibitions, with one reviewer mentioning that "ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site."

Campers report high satisfaction with sites that offer privacy and natural surroundings. Rock Cut State Park, though farther from Huntley at about 35 miles northwest, receives consistent praise for its extensive trail system and lake access. A visitor described it as "an absolute natural treasure trove, whether in the midst of a humid and hot Illinois summer or in the bitter cold of a snow white winter." Campground density varies throughout the region, with some locations offering spacious, wooded sites while others feature more open layouts with less privacy between campers. The proximity to Chicago makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations, with many visitors appreciating the ability to escape urban environments without traveling far. Several developed campgrounds in the area provide shower facilities and sanitary dump stations for RVs, though amenities vary significantly between locations.

Map showing campgrounds near Huntley, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Huntley, Illinois (80)

    1. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "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."

    2. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4206

    "You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"

    "We stayed here for a weekend and there were plenty of activities for the kids...the staff was friendly and the bathrooms were clean...our camp site was near the bathrooms, pool, and store so we were nice"

    3. Thomas Woods Campground

    17 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 338-6223

    $20 - $35 / night

    "While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."

    "Most of the sites were right on the road and you’d need to position your car right for privacy. The tent sites are clumped pretty tight together with a couple exceptions."

    4. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Union, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4533

    $45 - $70 / night

    "Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front.  Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "

    "We couldn’t reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake. They also have free TV but we didn’t hook up to that."

    5. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."

    ", with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."

    6. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "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!"

    7. Sycamore RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Sycamore, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 895-5590

    "Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort. Nice walking path around the two ponds. The ponds are very low due to drought this summer."

    "Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out."

    8. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "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."

    9. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."

    "I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."

    10. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    23 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** 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!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 80 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Huntley Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Huntley, IL

248 Photos of 80 Huntley Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Huntley, IL

644 Reviews of 80 Huntley Campgrounds

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Ron D.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Pearl Lake

    Low Class Trailer Trashy Park

    Horrible customer service from the start. We registered online with a 35" 5th wheel for 2 nights. On checking in, we wouldn't fit in the site so the girl at the desk put us in a different site saying she couldn't escort us to our site. This was our first time being there and her excuse was they were short staffed. The street signage was very small and hard to read. Site numbers were said to be on every pedestal but they were not visible from any drive. After only a few minutes of driving around, we were astonished by all the trash and junky trailers on site. Note that if your camper is more than 10 years old, they want to first see a picture of it so as to keep their place classy. Not the case here once you have paid and are here. We call back to the office for assistance finding our site and the girl said she would have to lock the office and was hesitant about doing so but she would come out to hep us find our place. We simply asked for a refund saying we were very disappointed with the situation so far. When she told us they don't give refunds, we asked for a manager to call us back. At this point we left to find another place which we did and were at in about 30 minutes. The manager called us back offering us drinks at the bar, a premium site, tickets for kids in the bounce house, and free water craft but I and the wife were only there for 2 nights. We were not going back to that dump. She said she would have to speak with the owners about a refund but never called us back. Five days later I called several times to speak with the manager again but no call back. She did however text us saying they will not issue a refund saying the girl in the office could not leave the desk because her coworker was using the restroom. Then why did she say she couldn't leave because they were short handed? Long story short, think long and hard before you visit this trashy place. Showers were dark and dingy and smelled. The beach looked more like gravel and not pleasing. Just walking around, I couldn't get away from the awful smell of people smoking and vaping and a strong smell of pot smokers everywhere. Not at all the place we would take our grand kids ever.

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    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. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. 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. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Big Rock Campground

    Needs some shade

    This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.

    The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?

    It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

  • Kaitlin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Close to city, very peaceful

    Really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors. I made a reservation for the wrong campground and meant to book this one and the staff helped me switch my reservation and make a new one. Really great!

Guide to Huntley

Camping near Huntley, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different needs.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Kettle Moraine State Forest - Ottawa Lake stated, "Bathrooms and showers were clean."
  • Nature and Wildlife: Many enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife. A visitor at Blackwell Family Campground said, "Driving in here makes you forget you’re in the middle of town!"
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Pinewoods Campground are noted for being great for families. One reviewer mentioned, "The ranger did stop by around 5 or 6ish with some activities for the kids to do."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Rock Cut State Park Campground, have strict no alcohol policies. A camper expressed frustration, saying, "This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer."
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busy weekends, especially at popular spots like Big Foot Beach State Park. One visitor noted, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited amenities. A review for Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "The campsite overall is beautiful... The reason for the review is due to the bathrooms being horrible."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park that offer activities for kids. One parent said, "There are some lovely trails to walk which are pretty level so they are great for those for whom 'hikes' might be too demanding."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "The store is very nice and well stocked."
  • Check for Events: Some campgrounds have scheduled activities. A visitor at Blackwell Family Campground noted, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos."

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for Big Rig Friendly Sites: Campgrounds like Kettle Moraine State Forest - Ottawa Lake are big rig friendly. One reviewer said, "Campsites are kept up and quite clean."
  • Check Electrical Hookups: Ensure your site has the right hookups. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "The reason for the review is due to the bathrooms being horrible."
  • Reserve Early: Popular spots fill up fast, especially on weekends. A visitor at Rock Cut State Park Campground advised, "This place fills up, so I would definitely recommend calling ahead."

Camping around Huntley, Illinois, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Huntley, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Huntley, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 20 reviews.

Keep Exploring