Glamping options near Kirkland, Illinois occupy predominantly wooded settings within 60 miles of the city. The terrain features a mix of forest and prairie with elevations ranging from 700-900 feet above sea level. Most sites experience moderate humidity during summer months with temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F during peak camping season from June through September, while spring and fall offer cooler conditions.
What to do
Kayaking on the Green River: Accessible from Green River Oaks Camping Resort, this waterway offers gentle paddling suitable for beginners. "We explored the grounds along the river and found a few secret beaches and spots to enjoy nature. Good place for fishing too," notes one visitor who appreciated the natural shorelines away from the main camping areas.
Hiking at Marengo Ridge: The trail system connecting to Thomas Woods Campground features several miles of forest and prairie paths. "There are basic toilets (hole in ground style), a spigot for water, great trails (heavy on the mosquitoes, of course), and a very responsive team of folks running the campground," shares a camper who found the paths challenging but rewarding.
Horseback riding and archery: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides dedicated areas for both activities near the Fox Den camping area. "There are horse/snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground," notes a visitor. Another mentions the variety of activities: "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing."
What campers like
Privacy at designated sites: Certain areas within Fox Den Campground offer seclusion not commonly found at established campgrounds. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Our site was protected on 3 sides by some fairly dens foliage and trees," explains a camper who valued the separation from other sites.
Clean facilities: Crazy Horse Campground maintains well-kept shower facilities and common areas. A visitor notes, "Such a nice campground. Plenty for kids to do and bathrooms/showers are clean!" Another camper adds, "Beautiful green grass, and very clean. The bathhouse was open but we did not utilize as we have a fully contained camper."
Budget-friendly options: Several sites offer affordable glamping close to Kirkland, Illinois without sacrificing basic amenities. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night," reports a camper about Turner Lake South.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most glamping facilities operate from April through October, with limited winter availability. At White Pines Forest State Park Campground, "There are showers here. I'm not sure if they're open year-round, but the campground is." Another camper mentions, "We had to work our way through a few downed trees. The trail looks like it would be pretty muddy if it rains so choose your timing."
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons and ticks require proper food storage and personal protection. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night," warns a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain and variable site conditions. "Many of the campsites are sloped and some are sloped A LOT. This isn't obvious from the booking page," shares a camper at White Pines Forest State Park. Another notes, "Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts to far from parking pad. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Turner Lake South offers numerous structured programs for younger visitors. "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas," comments a visitor who appreciated the variety of options for different age groups.
Camping with babies: Select sites with proximity to facilities and level ground. "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 as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep. Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe," advises a parent with young children.
Plan for insects: The wooded settings mean insect protection is essential. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair," warns a family visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Many camping areas near Kirkland have specific limitations for larger vehicles. "The sites are a nice size although if you have something other than a tent getting it into the sites might prove difficult. We camped with the pop-up and were able to get our pop up in a spot but there are no pads," explains an RV camper at White Pines Forest State Park.
Electric hookup availability: Sites with power connections require advance planning. "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. The only big minus is the full hook ups fill up fast no spur of the moment camping unless it is early or late in the season," notes a local camper at Fox Den Campground who uses the location for weekend getaways.
