The Lake Bluff area sits on the western shore of Lake Michigan, about 35 miles north of Chicago. Elevation ranges from 580 to 700 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 78-85°F during peak camping season. Most nearby campgrounds operate from April through October, though several RV parks near Lake Bluff remain open year-round for visitors needing accommodations during winter months.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities, including Northwoods RV Resort which features catch and release ponds. At Chain O' Lakes State Park, visitors can access various fishing spots. One camper noted, "There are tons of trails, a small fishing pond and ok bathrooms. The staff is very friendly. There is horse riding here as well. The views are breathtaking."
Hiking trail access: Camp Reinberg provides direct trail connections to Deer Grove Forest Preserve. "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout," shared one visitor.
Swimming options: Sycamore RV Resort features a swimming beach area that remains popular during summer months. A camper mentioned, "Nice fishing ponds and fun beach!! But no tent camping." Another reviewer added, "Great fishing and nice beach for swimming. Very nice shower/laundry house."
Water sports and boating: Chain O' Lakes State Park supports various water activities with equipment rentals available. "There is a bait shop and place to rent both a paddle boat and one with a small motor," stated one visitor. The Fox River runs through the park, providing additional water recreation options.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Cliffside Park Campground receives consistent praise for its upkeep. "The bathrooms were super clean and heated (as some mornings during our visit were in the 40's)," noted one camper. Another mentioned, "Level sites with electric and water at each site. Well taken care of grounds. Nice bathrooms with clean showers."
Spaciousness between sites: Many campers appreciate the generous spacing at certain campgrounds. At Cliffside Park, a visitor observed, "We saw a lot of bigger rigs but so much space between sites it didn't feel like we were crowded." The campground features sites that can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length.
Convenient location: Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort offers proximity to both natural settings and urban amenities. A camper noted, "Nice spot & not far from Chicago. You can tell they're trying to remodel some of the sites. There is lots of grass so all the rain this weekend and we weren't muddy was awesome!" The resort provides a balance of convenience and outdoor recreation.
Easy reservation systems: Several rv parks near Lake Bluff, Illinois feature straightforward booking processes. At Cliffside Park, "Self registration was simple and easy. Many spots to choose from since it's the shoulder season," according to one visitor who arrived during evening hours.
What you should know
Variable water access: Water availability differs significantly between campgrounds. At Camp Reinberg, "There are no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site," as one camper explained. Similarly, at Cliffside Park, "Each site has water but in order to reach some of the spigots you would need more than a 50' water hose."
Security measures: NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground has specific security protocols as a military facility. Some campgrounds implement curfews and gated access. One visitor at NAVSTA noted, "We decided to stay here - mostly because state parks are closed - and thought military campgrounds have an advantage over public parks."
Seasonal variations: Many campgrounds transform between seasons. At Lehman's Lakeside Resort, a visitor noted, "We wouldn't have liked this park 'in season' when it's packed. That being said we've already decided this will be our first stop when the season starts again!"
Utility limitations: Some RV parks have restrictions on utilities. At NAVSTA Great Lakes, a visitor explained, "None of the sites had sewage, the dump station was about a mile down the road. They have a few 50 amp lots. We did not have one."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Northwoods RV Resort offers multiple play areas for children. A visitor mentioned, "The pool is very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival. They also have a very pretty river to fish. The parks are great. But it's definitely a more lay back and relax kind of place."
Swimming options for different ages: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas appropriate for various age groups. At Sycamore RV Resort, "Nice lake for fishing and a beach area for the kids to go swimming," noted one camper.
Activity planning: Family-friendly programming varies by season and location. At Northwoods RV Resort, one camper observed, "Activities provided by the campsite" were a highlight, though they also noted it's "definitely a more lay back and relax kind of place. Not a ton of stuff to do for kids."
Bug preparation: Be ready for insects, particularly in wooded areas. A visitor to Northwoods RV Resort noted, "The site is nice and grassy but there are a ton of bugs; mostly gnats." Pack appropriate repellents and protective clothing during peak bug season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose RV sites based on specific needs. At Thousand Trails Pine Country, a visitor noted, "We start and finish the camping season here," suggesting its reliability for transition periods. Select spots with adequate distance from noise sources - at Northwoods RV Resort, avoid "sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20" which are near train tracks.
Hookup considerations: Different rv parks near Lake Bluff offer varying hookup configurations. At Sycamore RV Resort, "We stayed at a back in site, easy access and site had plenty of room on each side," according to one RVer who appreciated the full hookup capabilities.
Leveling requirements: Site preparation varies between campgrounds. At Cliffside Park, campers appreciate that sites are "flat sites with electric and water." Another noted, "Flat sites, some shade in the center sections. Outer sites backed to woods for most sites."
Road conditions: Interior roads can present challenges for larger rigs. At Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort, "The road has lots of dips and bumps but going slow they weren't an issue," according to one RVer.
