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

Best Tent Camping near La Grange Park, IL

591 Reviews

Tent campsites within driving distance of La Grange Park, Illinois include several walk-in and water-accessible options along the Illinois waterways. Channahon State Park Campground offers tent-only sites with walk-in access, surrounded by trees and positioned along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove provides primitive tent camping from April through October with spacious, well-separated sites. Kayak Morris, located along the Illinois River, features riverfront tent camping with the unique option to paddle directly to your site. Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland serves as one of the closest established tent campgrounds to La Grange Park, designed with first-time campers in mind.

Most tent-only sites in the region require modest walks from parking areas to the actual campsites. At Channahon State Park, campers park nearby but must carry gear a short distance to reach their sites. McKinley Woods features four walk-in sites, with two offering ADA-accessible concrete pads. Water access varies significantly between locations, with some sites providing old-fashioned pumps delivering drinkable but cloudy water. Fire regulations permit campfires at most locations, with fire rings typically measuring 3 feet across. Vault toilets or portable facilities are standard, with limited or no shower access. Park closing times can be restrictive, with McKinley Woods closing as early as 8 PM during summer months and earlier in off-season.

The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail connects several tent campgrounds, creating opportunities for bicycle-accessible backcountry tent camping. One camper noted that Channahon State Park is "a nice, shady place to stop along the I&M Canal Trail" and particularly convenient for cyclists. At McKinley Woods, sites are notably far apart, with site #1 described as "the shadiest and most secluded but uneven." Tent campers should be aware of potential flooding in low-lying areas after heavy rain. The riverfront tent sites at Kayak Morris allow fishing directly from camp, with one visitor reporting catching numerous striped bass. Morning sounds vary from peaceful owl calls to early motorboat activity starting around 6 AM on waterfront tent sites.

Map showing campgrounds near La Grange Park, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near La Grange Park, Illinois (10)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 10 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

La Grange Park Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near La Grange Park, IL

13 Photos of 10 La Grange Park Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near La Grange Park, IL

591 Reviews of 10 La Grange Park Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • H
    May. 26, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Great stay, come ready

    We stayed two nights in mid-May, at site number 72. Area was gorgeous, well maintained, shady and quiet. Tons of hiking trails in very close proximity to the campground! There is electricity on site, but no water or sewage at each site. However there is a water fill station and a dump station. So just come prepared. Also, they have a very strict no alcohol policy. Not that that stopped people, but don't go walking around with a beer bottle! We would definitely return.

  • 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.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • Elizabeth G.
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Pleasant and quiet

    Stayed in site 43 of the Douglas loop. Douglas loop is all non electric.

    Our site was big enough for our tents, a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms/showers are really close by which is nice but you do get the lights from the bathroom facing site 43. Not a big deal but if you’re looking for more darkness then definitely choose one of the other sites around 43.

    All parking sites are paved for camper vans/trailers but no water or power hookups. All sites have nice huge tent pads that are nice and level. Only noise we heard was the train every now and then.

    The showers are individual rooms separate from the bathrooms. And there’s a gas station and liquor store near the entrance of the campground for fire wood and beer.

    I didn’t get to stay in the walk in campsites but they are very nice and close-ish to the showers.

  • Chris M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Clean & Spacious

    We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers. We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park. The buildings have great architecture. The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides. We have a 37’ motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit. We will definitely be back! I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2020

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Well maintained and clean

    Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

    There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

    Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Outer Circle

    We reserved a spot in the outer circle. We like having woods on one side. Nice campground camping….parking pad, fire ring, picnic table. Good amount of space between spots. Nice bathrooms & showers. We have a rooftop tent and we’re very happy. Loved the hike over “Mt. Tom” to the gorgeous beach and warmish lake for a swim. We choose the State Park vs. National Park so we could hike to the beach.

  • Crissy R.
    Sep. 24, 2019

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Let there Be Rain and Silence....

    If you’re looking to go camping with the conveniences of the modern world nearby, this is the place to be. Located off of golf way rd and duneway pkwy, this campground is located roughly about an hour from Elkhart, if that’s where you’re coming from. They have a few options as far as sites go. Sites 1-34 are reservable online and the remainder of the sites are first come, first served. Also keep in mind, sites 1-54 you’re able to park your car/RV. However, sites 55-67 are walk in only. There are showers and restrooms located center of both areas. There are also water stations which are very convenient. Most of the campsites are fairly close, but far enough where you are not sitting on top of each other. This time around I opted for the walk In. For starters, let’s just say to be prepared for whatever weather may come. My luck, it poured the entire time and was windy. Furthermore, each site has designated fire rings that have a grill. The experience was awesome, it’s $25 a night that you pay at the automated kiosk. There are rangers that drive around during the day and there are signs posted with all the latest updates, rules/regulations. Overall, great experience, definitely look forward to coming back!

Guide to La Grange Park

Tent camping near La Grange Park, Illinois, offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying essential amenities and activities.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Camp Shabbona Woods, campers can enjoy features like drinking water, picnic tables, and showers, making it a comfortable choice for first-time campers.
  • McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove provides drinking water and fire pits, along with accessible picnic tables, perfect for family gatherings.
  • Channahon State Park Campground offers a shady environment with vault toilets and a picnic area, ideal for a relaxing camping experience.

Local attractions for outdoor activities

  • The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail runs near Channahon State Park Campground, providing a scenic route for cyclists and hikers alike.
  • Kayak Morris is situated along the Illinois River, where visitors can enjoy kayaking and fishing, making it a great spot for water activities.
  • McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove features trails through the woods, perfect for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the area.

Tips for tent camping near La Grange Park

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near La Grange Park, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near La Grange Park, IL is Camp Shabbona Woods with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near La Grange Park, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near La Grange Park, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring