Best Cabin Camping near Joliet, IL

Cabins near Joliet feature a range of accommodations from basic to fully furnished options. Camp Bullfrog Lake offers cabins with heating and air conditioning, while Leisure Lake Resort provides cabin rentals with varying amenities like picnic tables and fire rings. Most locations include essential furniture, bed frames, and some degree of kitchen facilities ranging from basic countertops to full kitchens with cookware. According to one visitor, "The cabins are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites. The central bathrooms are clean, heated and offer showers." Starved Rock Campground offers cabin options with proximity to hiking trails, while Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area features lakefront log cabins with their own balconies and fire pits.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Several campgrounds near Joliet maintain cabin accommodations with electrical hookups, while others offer more primitive experiences. Pet policies vary by location, with most cabin sites like Camp Sullivan, Kankakee River State Park, and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Millbrook allowing pets with certain restrictions. Reservations are typically required, especially during summer months when cabins book quickly. A visitor noted that "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." Most cabin rentals operate year-round, though some locations like Leisure Lake Resort are seasonal, operating from March through November.

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Cooking facilities vary widely—some cabins feature full kitchens with pots, pans, cooking utensils and dishware, while others provide only outdoor fire rings with cooking grates. Many locations offer on-site camp stores with essentials. At Kishauwau Cabins, visitors appreciate the "most and best well-stocked camp store and adjoining gift shop" with "a lending library full of reading books, music CDs or an endless array of DVDs to puzzles, board games" available to borrow during stays. Several cabin locations include charcoal or gas grills, though fuel may need to be purchased separately. Water sources are typically nearby, either at the cabin site or at community spigots throughout the campgrounds.

Best Cabin Sites Near Joliet, Illinois (22)

    1. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

    There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad."

    "The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc)."

    2. Leisure Lake Resort

    3 Reviews
    Joliet, IL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 741-9405

    $37 / night

    "Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"

    3. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0041

    $35 - $250 / night

    "Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."

    "As stated, there is electric hookup but no water at the site. However, staff was more than happy to meet us at the bathrooms to allow us to fill our tanks before we set up camp."

    4. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $25 - $35 / night

    "With the car in the drive blocking the road, I had complete privacy. There was a short walk to porta potties and a nice walk to the modern, clean bath house."

    "Starved Rock State Park and the surrounding area has some of the most beautiful views in north central Illinois."

    5. Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    14 Reviews
    Bourbonnais, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 933-1383

    "The campsites are very spread out and you will have a very private quiet campsite. This site is near a small cemetery that has tombstones that are hundreds of years old."

    "The campground manager was very friendly and helpful and our site was clean with a nice fire pit with built-in grill and very clean. Lots of shower stalls in the shower house."

    6. Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    30 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-2448

    $12 - $55 / night

    "We bought fire wood from a locals front lawn at the entrance to the state park. Put 5$ in the bin and take a bundle. Its 30 mins away from Starved Rock and Matthiesson State Park. Good hiking."

    "Spent a couple nights here (site 3) for Vintage Illinois at a nearby park. Quiet, fairly level, gravel sites. Electric worn but fully functional. Lots of trees and shade."

    7. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Millbrook

    6 Reviews
    Newark, IL
    20 miles
    Website

    "RV, tent, and cabins make it easy for everyone to enjoy their stay. Bathrooms need some attention and hotter showers would be wonderful."

    "This location has been taken over by new management and they are absolutely the greatest! We will continue to go there for as long as we live in this area."

    8. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 824-2565

    $25 / night

    "So now that you've found yourself nearby or contemplating a stay at Shabbona Lake SP, let me just forewarn you - you are about to embark upon one of the most amazing outdoor camping experiences Illinois"

    "Beautiful shady campground with large private sites.  Sites 111 - 139 are more open with less privacy, but they have lake views and are near the concession stand and boat launch. "

    9. Whitetail Campground — Illini State Park

    9 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-2448

    $10 - $45 / night

    "And about an hour and a half from central Chicago is Illini State Park, a comfortable slice of wilderness."

    "While both campgrounds offer close proximity to the Illinois River, you will be challenged to actually see the river from Whitetail, unless you head far west on Hawk Road where there is a separate picnic"

    10. Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort

    Be the first to review!
    Yorkville, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 553-6323

    $75 - $90 / night

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Cabin Reviews near Joliet, IL

320 Reviews of 22 Joliet Campgrounds


  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2023

    Kishauwau Cabins

    Pristine Outdoor Cabin Campground Experience

    Whether you consider yourself a tent camper or an RV nomad, if you want to discover Kishauwau Cabins, you’ll have to give up both of these traditional outdoor camping experiences in favor of heading indoors to explore the best of what nature has to offer in this area. Perfectly perched far away from traffic, noise and the routine drudgery of day-to-day life, Kishauwau is situated far back in a thick-forested pristine patch of land that places you very near two of the best state parks that the Land ‘O Lincoln has to offer – Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks – with each positioned kitty-cornered from one another and only 3-4 miles away from where you will be laying your head hear in one of Kishauwau's pristine log cabins.

    Apart from getting a really sweet discount of 40% if you are Dyrt Pro, what I love most about Kishauwau is the extremely personal hospitality that you will experience here, where the wife (Terisa) & husband duo that run this rustic, premium log-cabin scattered campus, promote a very strong vibe of 'Ohana,' Hawaiian for 'family,' which I have to admit, sounds a little weird when describing this very distinct Midwestern vibe, but it's true.  If there's anything that you will coming here it's 'family.'  From the moment you enter this serene, wide-open natural playground, you will feel at home. You will feel surrounded by good folks that want you to enjoy the community that they have painstakingly created here.  There’s a special vibe here that makes one immediately feel relaxed and a million miles away from that last worry or deadline that you so eagerly left your 9-to-5 work mindset to escape to and put some distance between. 

    Amenities for the cabins vary depending upon what size and level of deluxe accommodations you might be interested in and can include the following: full kitchen w/ pots, pans, cooking utensils, silverware, glassware and dishware, flat-screen TV w/ DVD player, fire ring, picnic table, brand new Weber BBQ charcoal grills (or in a few exceptions, gas grills), bed linens, heating and A/C as well as, my personal favorite, a mighty sized great front porch complete with either swinging bench or patio chairs (or in some cases both). Of course, the greatest amenity you’ll discover here at Kishauwau is the wide-open expanse of the place, as well as the amazing quality nature experience that awaits you just outside your front door. 

    And whether you’ve come packing everything you need for your stay or decided to come spur of the moment and didn’t bring a single thing, Kishauwau has you covered with what is, quite possibly, the most and best well-stocked camp store and adjoining gift shop I have ever seen for a place that is such a modest size campground. From a lending library full of reading books, music CDs or an endless array of DVDs to puzzles, board games and many other distractions to borrow throughout your stay, this place is very well accommodated should you need any distraction other than what the amazing nature provides that you are surrounded by.  One of my favorite touches here?  Even if the camp store isn't being attended by Terisa or her husband, there's an honor envelope where you can just take what you'd like and leave your money in the pouch that is provided.  Now, if trust isn't core to being family, I don't know what it is.  

    Insider's tips?  Here's a few: (1) First and foremost, the owner and manager of this property, Terisa King, is one of the most passionate, friendly and accommodating owners I have ever met in all of my outdoor camping adventures - so rest assured, should you decide to stay here at Kishauwau Cabins, you will have a top-rate experience, well, because with Terisa looking after your every want and desire, an amazing experience here, trust me, is pretty much guaranteed!; (2) Once you get tired of staring into the fridge or your Cordova roto-molded cooler and don't want to think about what that next meal is going to be and want to try out some local fare, then I highly recommend the following options: Starved Rock Lodge main dining room where you enjoy some fairly traditional continental cuisine, wherein I recommend the fried Walleye, fried pork chops or blackened catfish, and while this legendary lodge offers up just OK fried chicken, if that's what you have your heart set on, then don't compromise and drive another 20 minutes away to Rip's in Ladd, where trust me, you'll have the best fried chicken of your entire life; (3) Should you come either with your own canoe or kayak or simply want to rent one, no worries, there's tons of opportunities for you to get on the water, which is really isolated in these parts to the Illinois River, of which my good friends over at Kayak Starved Rock Campground have you covered - at either one of their properties on either side of the Illinois River; (4) If you come towing your bicycles and want some great trails to hit, then look no further than the I&M Canal trek, which has more than 20 miles of really great scenic bike trails for you to hit; (5) Whether its days spent hiking, biking, running or kayaking, when you get to that point where you'd just like to find a hole in the wall and throw down some ice cold tall boys, then you could head over to nearby Utica where you would have a handful of options from a very nice outdoor biergarten at Lodi Tap Room, August Hill Winery for some very mediocre Illinois produced wine or Canal Port for some great shots and decent cocktails; and (6) Last, but not least, unlike many other properties, Kishauwau Cabins offers up unique packages like Cabins Campfire Cookin', S'mores & More and Stargazing packages that come with unique amenities, discounts and experiences - check out their website for more details.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2023

    Nature’s Way RV Park

    Splendid Countryside Campground Experience

    If you find yourself either stuck in the middle of nowhere here in north central Illinois or actually looking to escape the hustle & bustle to find peace, serenity and a tranquil encounter with nature, then look no further than Nature’s Way RV Park, which is set amongst the golden rows of sweet corn that you’ll find out in these parts. From the winding blacktop that you’ll have to maneuver to get here, just a few minutes north of I80 and east of I39, while you will feel as though you are completely isolated, and for the most part you are, what I like most about Nature’s Way is that if you know where you are at and the surroundings, there’s actually an awful lot to explore and enjoy, but if you don’t want to go anywhere, you can simply set up camp here and allow nature to envelope you in a way that only she can. 

    As for the campground, what makes Nature’s Way pretty amazing is that there’s a tremendous amount of infrastructure and a ton of amenities that most private campgrounds don’t offer. Upon entry, you’ll veer left and arrive at the main office where you’ll check-in. Here also is a quaint community room chalk full of books, DVDs and VHS tapes (for anyone still using these) and board games as well as a small alcove kitchen area complete with microwave, sink, dining table & chairs along with 2 driers and 3 washers, both coin-operated. Beyond this, there’s also a seating room with two oversized dollies with freshly cut wood bundles available for purchase as well as yet another room that is the campground market store and has everything from souvenirs to camping supplies, ice, beverages and snacks to charcoal and lighter fluid, BBQ tool sets and roasting forks and just about anything else you could think that you’ll need during your stay here. Just outside and behind this main building, you’ll discover a rather large, covered pavilion which is great for larger groups or for anyone wanting to picnic under some shade. 

    Another reason why I love Nature’s Way RV Park so much is how they have organized the living arrangements. For mi tent pitching bredren, this campground IMHO has set aside the best spots for us – clear in the back, completely surrounded by God’s green nature, you’ll be able to pitch a tent just about anywhere under this shaded forest and will feel a world away from the caravan camping types that, rest assured, are on the other side of the careening creek that cuts this campground nearly in half. Over in these parts, just past the bridge that you would need to cross to reach this primitive camping area, there’s a K9 dog park as well as plenty of scattered picnic tables, in-ground raised BBQ pits as well as water spigots. For the RV driving / 5th Wheel toting crowd, Nature’s Way has spots reserved on its front porch lawn that you will encounter upon first arriving to the entrance. There’s about 20 or so designated RV spots here that offer full hook-ups including 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage. Apart from being located right in front of the main office / market, you’ll be straddled next to the main road, which really should be a problem as this is just a quiet, small country road with not much traffic on it. Just due east of these RV slots are 4 cabins available for rent along with small porches complete with benches, brand new grills, fire pits and picnic tables, which is great for anyone not packing a tent or hauling a makeshift campground with them. Due south of these cabins as well as west of the main building are additional RV slots, but these only offer electric and water, so if you need sewage, you’ll have to book slots #1– 19. 

    From an amenities standpoint, apart from what has already been covered, the ‘crown jewel’ asset here is the in-ground heated swimming pool, completely fenced in preventing the young kiddos from straying too far. Above and beyond this, there’s a designated propane refilling station, very well-maintained restroom and shower facilities, basketball court, scattered picnic tables and stand-up BBQ grills, WiFi and cable access, kid’s playground, community fire rings as well as designated dumpsters and dump stations. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s but a few: (1) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge, then check out some of the local establishments, of which I highly recommend nearby Cajun Connection, which has some pretty amazing deep fried alligator tail as well as somewhat mediocre Jambalaya (but ask yourself the question: who else is serving up this dish so far away from Louisiana?!); (2) If you are a hiker and looking for some trails to blaze, then check out either Starved Rock SP, which as more than 13 miles of hiking trails awaiting you, or better, the lesser known Matthiessen SP, which has 5-6 of fairly decent challenging, but completely isolated, non-touristy-laden trails to plant your steps on; (3) Should you be wanting to get that beak of your watercraft wet on your outdoors expedition, then look no further than the Illinois River, which is literally less than 5 miles away from Nature’s Way, where you’ll be able to oar your way to some pretty epic wildlife encounters as well as some fairly decent currents as well as amazing fishing holes; and (4) Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t warn you – within just a 20 minute drive of where you have camped out, you’ll discover Rip’s Chicken, which is hand’s down, unequivocally, and judged by experts in more than 40 nations (mmm, OK, that last one may be a stretch) as the best fried chicken in the known universe. Oh, and they have Schlitz on tap. But this place only takes cash, so come prepared. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2023

    Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    Wooded Oasis in The Midst of Corn Patches

    If you find yourself out in these parts near Shabbona in north central Illinois it is because of either one of two reasons - you are incredibly lost and stumbled across this hidden natural preserve gem by accident OR you are incredibly knowledgeable already or resourceful.  Whatever drew you to this particular location, here's the fact of the matter - you have arrived at 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 looking for great cross-country skiing trails.  So now that you've found yourself nearby or contemplating a stay at Shabbona Lake SP, let me just forewarn you - you are about to embark upon one of the most amazing outdoor camping experiences Illinois has to offer!

    As for this campground, PLEASE NOTE: there exists not 1, but 3 separate, individual campgrounds here at Shabbona Lake State Park: Teal Bay Campground (Sites#1– 60), Merganser Circle (Sites#61– 100) as well as Canvasback Cove (Sites#101– 150). In this review, I will be isolating my contributions towards the Shabbona Lake State Park – Teal Bay Campground.  That said, please do look at all the reviews that I leave behind here on TheDyrt, in order to find the absolute best campground for you and your family / friends, should that be arriving by RV / 5th Wheel, those looking for an existing wooden cabin by the sea (er, as it were, because we're in Illinois, a lake) or for mi tent-pitching bredren.

    The first of these three campgrounds is the first loop you will encounter after passing the Ranger Station at the front of the park, where you’ll drive about a half mile around the bend before reaching the first of three clearly marked Camp Host spots. At this point, you’ll want to hang a right, where there will be a slight left bend where sites #2–10 will be on your right, wherein site #1 is earmarked for the Camp Host, and at site #10, you’ll see opposite this spot a small water / privy facility, following which, you will see the rest of Teal Bay campground as it encircles a small loop (effectively sites #11–31 on the exterior of the loop, interrupted by another small water / privy facility between sites #29 and #30, with sites #32– 47 being plotted on the interior of this loop and finally, you’ll see sites #48– 50 upon your exit from the loop, where you’ll encounter that first small water / privy house, before coming across the final sites #51– 60 on the right as you exit Teal Bay. Immediately to the right, once you exit this campground, you’ll come across the lone Shower Building (more on this below). You will need to pass the Shower Building to access the second campground, Merganser Circle and to access the third campground, Canvasback Cove, where you would have turned left before passing the Shower Building as you head towards the lakefront and boat launch area. 

    With Shabbona Lake State Park specifically in mind… Holy Cow! (nod to Harry Carey and all my Cubs loving friends there!) are you in for a treat if you find yourself in north-central Illinois right off the I39 corridor and are rolling with either your RV, 5th wheel or are packing a tent and looking for an exceptional lakeside camping experience completely surrounded by God’s greatest natural prairie! To be blunt, Shabbona Lake State Park could be, quite possibly, one of the best, most pristine camping experiences that exists in this sweet corn riddled and drilled bean harvested farmland in the entire Land O’ Lincoln. 

    From a clandestine entrance, beset with golden tall grasses and strategically planted old Pines along with its superbly laid out and easily sign-posted inner roadway to the non-stop 3 meter wide natural hiking trails that are jam-packed in this luscious, picturesque state park along with its signature sparkling clear blue, man-made Shabbona Lake, this is one multi-campus campground that you must prepare yourself for, because it packs quite the punch! All in, there’s 150 Class A Premium campsites with 90 of these available for reservation with the remaining open on a first-come, first-served basis through the state’s online reservation system: ExploreMoreIL. 

    With amenities in mind, you will discover scattered spots that accommodate both RV and tent camping brethren alike, where half of the slots are nicely paved concrete, while the other half are cleverly laid small pebble-strewn platforms. All sites come with a fire ring, picnic table, water and electric hook-ups and no matter where you go, you are surrounded by some solid wilderness so there is never the chance that you will wake up or go for a hike and feel as though you are not being embraced by one of the best wilderness areas in the country. 

    Beyond the basics, and this is where Shabbona Lake SP shines brightest, you’ll discover that there are tons of additional bonus features such as: scattered picnic tables and sheltered pavilions, designated dump stations, (2) lakefront log cabins for rent (complete with their own balcony / veranda, grill and fire pit), Pokanoka’s Dockside Café with spectacular views of Shabbona Lake, concession store offering wood, groceries, bait & tackle, snacks, soda and camping items, over 8 miles of hiking in pristine wood- and grasslands, fishing piers (this is the Muskie Capitol of Illinois, BTW!) where you’ll find no shortage of bluegill, walleye, perch and many other fish. If you’re into hunting, Shabbona Lake SP has you covered too with 744 acres of land that allows for archery hunting of deer, dove and waterfowl (for those wanting to use firearms, there is discretionary times of the year where deer and pheasant hunting is allowed). 

    Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer; (2) Tired of fixing beans and franks and want to sample some local fare? Well, you’re in luck because in the nearby hamlet of Shabbona, there’s a few options, top of which I recommend Shabbona Café, which is a no-frills local diner serving up burgers, sandwiches, skillets, salads and typical Midwestern fare followed by a few scoops at Screamers Ice Cream; (3) If you don’t mind a slight drive to arguably the best fried chicken in the universe, then check out Rip’s Chicken in Ladd and trust me, while a longer drive than you might expect, this place is legend in these parts; (4) When thinking about Winter activities, this is one of the very few SP’s that allow for snow-mobiling and cross-country skiing where trails are open between 8am to 4pm with at least 4” of snow. Ice fishing and ice skating are also allowed if the thickness of the ice is good enough; and (5) During the summer months especially, this place fills up, so I would definitely recommend calling ahead for those first-come, first served campsites. Call 815-824-2106 during the week or the campground check station at 815-824-2565 on weekends. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2019

    Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    Great Privacy in Great Park

    I set up in site 110 for the night at this nicely wooded campground. My site was very private, set back in the trees and very clean. I had large and small trees and underbrush making it impossible to see the site next to me in one direction, and no one occupying the site on the other side. With the car in the drive blocking the road, I had complete privacy. There was a short walk to porta potties and a nice walk to the modern, clean bath house. The site had the usual picnic table and fire pit and plenty of space to put my tent. There were some sites that sat in a meadow that completely lacked privacy, but with tons of space for kids to play. There is a camp store near the entrance to the campground, but I didn’t go in so I’m not sure what it’s stocked with (besides the ice in the cooler outside). Campers who like to imbibe beware: NO alcohol is permitted at this campground. There are some GREAT trails for hiking in the park, but be prepared for lots of stairs on the boardwalks that take you in and out of the canyons/ravines. I didn’t hike up to the actual “Starved Rock”, but you can observe it from the river bank.

  • William S.
    Oct. 11, 2021

    Whitetail Campground — Illini State Park

    Fall is here

    And about an hour and a half from central Chicago is Illini State Park, a comfortable slice of wilderness. Offering RV sites with electric and water hook-ups, as well as drive-in tent camping, the camp portion is divided into two different areas, with the Whitetail partially abutting a lock and dam. Each individual site features at least one picnic table and iron grill (fires only allowed in the grill)

    For $10 a night I got a semi-secluded spot for my tent (the RV sites by the Army Corp of Engineers lock and dam was much more crowded), and for $6 a bundle at the nearby ice cream store I got firewood. 

    After reserving the site with the camp host (cash or check only) and picking up my wood (cash or card), I settled in for the night, enjoying the beginning of fall, which lots of color on the ground, the cicadas singing their last, and squads of migrating geese bedding down for the night. Also a little traffic noise from the nearby highway, but c'est la vie.

  • J
    Sep. 18, 2019

    Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    Woods near the river

    Went tent camping here and reserved our spot in advance. We bought fire wood from a locals front lawn at the entrance to the state park. Put 5$ in the bin and take a bundle. Its 30 mins away from Starved Rock and Matthiesson State Park. Good hiking. The river spots are all booked by large RVs and the tent spots have grills over the fire pits and picnic tables. lots of tree cover which came in handy when it rained in the morning. Otherwise great weather and not buggy. Dogs allowed.

  • B
    May. 21, 2021

    Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    Great views on every trail

    Starved Rock State Park and the surrounding area has some of the most beautiful views in north central Illinois. We’ve spent many days exploring trails for river views, bluffs and overlooks, even waterfalls! There is so much to see here! Whether you stay in a tent, cabin, or the resort, you’re sure to find a treasure for the eyes and spirit. Just note that the peak season is really crowded these days!

  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Nice but very little shade

    We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

    There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.

    There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.

    Overall it was pretty quiet.

    The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.

  • Hatie P.
    Apr. 19, 2018

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Lovely cabins, facilities and hiking!

    I visited Palos early this week (mid-April) for a very very chilly three days. The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc). 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. The central bathrooms are clean, heated and offer showers. The water is not yet potable so bring your own or check with the park team to ensure it's drinkable when you go. The hiking here is AWESOME with a bajillion different routes right from the campground. 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. I will definitely be back!


Guide to Joliet

Cabin rentals near Joliet Illinois provide rustic getaway options within 30-60 minutes of the Chicago suburbs. The area features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 500-700 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making heated cabin accommodations particularly valuable from November through March.

What to do

Hiking trails access: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers direct access to miles of mountain bike and hiking trails. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," notes Josh M.

Fishing opportunities: Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area provides excellent fishing. "The lake has produced a lot of trophy fish, if that's your thing. Otherwise it's quiet and peaceful. We like to go just to chill and read out in the woods," explains Scott C.

Kayaking options: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers affordable kayak rentals. "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," mentions Layla P. in her review.

Nature center activities: Kankakee River State Park has an educational nature center. "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!" shares Linda N.

What campers like

Budget-friendly rates: Illini State Park offers some of the most affordable cabin options. "At $10 per night for type 'C' primitive camping and $20 per night for the deluxe well-paved and connected accommodations, either campground here at Illini SP are some of the most inexpensive campgrounds you'll come across," notes Stuart K.

Peaceful surroundings: Kankakee River State Park features quiet, wooded sites. "Spacious sites with lush jungle-like greenery grown in between, which provides perfect privacy. Easy access to water pump," writes Yang L. about the atmosphere.

Clean facilities: Starved Rock Campground maintains good standards despite high usage. "For $25-35 per night, you can get a site with electrical hookup. The east loop has better tree coverage and more privacy," explains Kim L. about the camping experience.

Wildlife viewing: Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area offers opportunities to observe local animals. "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting," explains Joel K.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most cabin sites book up quickly, especially for summer weekends. "Book early—reservations open online 6 months in advance and book up quickly. Most summer weekends are completely full," advises Kim L. about planning ahead.

Site selection matters: Kankakee River State Park has varied site layouts. "We had four sites on Osage loop for tent camping. Two were very small (14&15), and little grass for tent setup, fine for RV or trailer campers. They were private with brush between sites. 16&17 were amazing for tents!! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade," explains Shannon H.

Bathroom conditions vary: Facility maintenance differs between parks. "The shower was hot and clean. For the price it's a solid experience, though plan on a car & tent wash after lots of tree sap," notes Katherine T. about Illini State Park.

Weekend noise levels: Expect busier, louder conditions on weekends. "Thursday night was GREAT. It was quiet and peaceful. Had a great day chilling on Friday during the day too. Friday afternoon people started funneling in and it still wasn't too bad into the evening," reports Bennie about Kankakee River.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Millbrook offers numerous activities for children. "Lots of activities to do everyday like crafts to keep the kids preoccupied during the day. RV, tent, and cabins make it easy for everyone to enjoy their stay," notes Tori P.

Swimming options: Camp Sullivan provides pool facilities for hot days. "The pool is nice as well as the hot tub. The hot tub is supposed to be adult only but it isn't really enforced," mentions Jeff G.

Playground locations: Illini State Park has playgrounds near specific sites. "Beautiful spot, but it was directly across from a playground, which I failed to read about when booking. If you have kids, this is perfect for you," advises Lola K.

Halloween camping: Jellystone Park Millbrook runs special Halloween events. "This is an activity packed weekend which is amazing. Good for kids of all ages including the adults. All the campers do amazing decorations for the weekend and trick or treating here the kids get more candy than they ever could at home," shares Marc W.

Tips from RVers

Hookup locations: Camp Sullivan has unique site configurations. "I'd reserved a site with electrical hookups, but the hookups were actually on the site next door, which, luckily, wasn't occupied. But my 25-foot power cord was insufficient to reach the hookups," warns Haven M.

Dump station quality: Illini State Park has basic facilities. "There are a few sites for fresh water fill, and a dump station. Took about 45 minutes for us to dump being 5th in line at 10:30am," explains Kim L.

Site dimensions: Starved Rock Campground has limited space for larger units. "For a 30-ft travel trailer, our campsite has just enough room for our slide out and awning. The fire pit was well placed and had a grate for cooking. Electrical was confusing—our site was listed at 50A only. It really was 50/30/20A," notes Kim L.

Site privacy considerations: Camp Bullfrog Lake has open layouts. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean," reports Lawrence B. about the camping conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there lakeside cabins available near Joliet for fishing trips?

Yes, several lakeside cabin options are available near Joliet for fishing enthusiasts. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area offers access to a fishing lake with cabin accommodations nearby, making it a perfect destination for anglers in north central Illinois. The area is known for good fishing opportunities and natural scenery. Camp Bullfrog Lake features cabins situated near the water, with some heated and equipped with private bathrooms. The lakeside setting provides excellent fishing access with tent sites positioned right next to the water. Most lakeside cabins in the region require advance reservations, especially during peak fishing seasons in spring and summer.

What amenities do cabin rentals near Joliet offer?

Cabin rentals near Joliet offer diverse amenities to enhance your camping experience. Kishauwau Cabins provides comfortable indoor accommodations perfectly situated to explore nature, with cabins that offer a more luxurious alternative to traditional tent or RV camping. Many cabins in the region come equipped with electricity, heating, and comfortable beds. Some feature private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and outdoor fire rings or grills. Camp Sullivan offers heated cabins with their own bathrooms, plus convenient access to shower facilities. Amenities typically include picnic tables, lantern poles, and proximity to hiking trails. Some properties provide camp stores, recreational facilities, and access to natural attractions like rivers, lakes, or state parks.

What is the average cost of renting a cabin at campgrounds near Joliet?

Cabin rental prices near Joliet typically range from $60 to $150 per night, varying by season, amenities, and location. Starved Rock Campground offers cabins at moderate prices with access to hiking trails, waterfalls, and river views. Basic cabins without utilities tend to start around $60-80 per night, while more equipped options with electricity, heating, and bathrooms can range from $100-150. Illini State Park provides affordable cabin options with proximity to outdoor recreation. Most cabins require a two-night minimum stay on weekends during peak season (May-September), and many charge additional fees for extra guests beyond the base occupancy. Reservations typically require deposits ranging from $25 to 50% of the total stay.