Camping options near La Grange, Illinois range from rustic tent sites to RV accommodations within 30-40 miles of the city. The area sits on glacial moraines that create the rolling landscape characteristic of northeast Illinois, with elevations ranging from 600-700 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler weather with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: 15+ miles of single track are accessible directly from Camp Bullfrog Lake with varying difficulty levels suitable for beginners to experienced riders. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails," noted one visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked lakes are available within a 30-minute drive. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers direct lakefront fishing spots. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. You can fish right from your site!" according to one camper who visited with family.
Winter recreation: Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails remain open year-round at several preserves. Indiana Dunes State Park maintains winter trails with equipment rentals available on weekends. "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," reported a spring visitor.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise from visitors. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked," noted a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake, while another mentioned, "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."
Family-oriented activities: Scheduled weekend events keep children entertained throughout the camping season at Chicago Northwest KOA. "This KOA has very limited full hook up sites. As far as KOA standards, it is not great. CG was very kid friendly, with tons for them to do," according to a visitor who appreciated the family focus despite other limitations.
Varied terrain: Unique landscape features including sand dunes, woodlands and prairie ecosystems all within close proximity. Dunewood Campground offers "Foresty and beautiful" surroundings with "great shading from trees and very green!" according to visitors who appreciated the natural setting.
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad proximity affects several campgrounds in the area. At Indiana Dunes State Park, one camper noted, "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."
Limited water hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric-only sites with water available at communal spigots. "No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal," mentioned one Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor.
Mosquito preparedness: Heavy seasonal populations require proper protection, especially in wooded areas. "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening," reported a summer visitor to Dunewood Campground.
Weekend crowding: Popular beaches and trails experience significant visitor volume during summer weekends. "The beach and dunes are the star of this show, but the campground is a good supporting actor," noted an Indiana Dunes visitor who recommended avoiding peak times.
Tips for camping with families
Rental options: Cabins and yurts provide glamping alternatives near La Grange for families not equipped for tent camping. Thomas Woods Campground offers "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites. Camp hosts are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers."
Swimming access: Kid-friendly water options include supervised beaches with lifeguards at select locations. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" shared a Fish Lake Beach visitor.
Site selection: Choose outer loop locations for more privacy and space for children to play. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods)," recommended a family who regularly visits Camp Sullivan.
Weather contingencies: Rapid temperature changes can occur in spring and fall. One Thomas Woods visitor advised, "I would come back here to have a weekend getaway in the fall or spring," indicating the preferable camping seasons for comfortable family experiences.
Tips from RVers
Limited availability: Reserve electric sites well in advance, especially for summer weekends. Camp Sullivan offers electrical hookups but one camper warned, "Very difficult to contact staff to book reservation. When we got there they told us they double booked us and requested we move after we got set up."
Leveling challenges: Bring blocks and stabilizers as many sites require adjustment. "Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice," reported a Chicago Northwest KOA visitor who appreciated the tree cover despite site limitations.
Dump station congestion: Schedule early departures to avoid Sunday morning backups at campground dump stations. "Two dump stations made wait minimal," noted an Indiana Dunes State Park camper who planned accordingly.
Electric-only preparation: Fill water tanks before arrival at most state parks. "It was electric only but that didn't really bother us - we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves," advised an RVer at Indiana Dunes State Park.
