Join the fun near Lake Forest. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Lake Forest campgrounds just for you. Discover great camping spots near Lake Forest, reviewed by campers like you.
The campground in the southern unit at Illinois Beach provides 241 Class A Premium sites with electricity and access to showers and sanitary facilities. You must obtain a camping permit from the park staff, and must have a camping unit upon arrival.
The campground is open from April 1 through December 30. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance at ExploreMoreIL™. Reservations are only accepted from May 1 - September 30. Due to the high use of this area on holiday weekends, reservations are recommended. Campsites also are available on a first-come first-serve basis, but understand that the campgrounds fill up early on Fridays during the summer season. Six handicap accessible campsites are present in the campground near the accessible restrooms and a dump station.
$25 / night
Camp Reinberg’s tent sites and heated year-round cabins—plus dining hall and outdoor gathering areas—make it perfect for a group event or private getaway. Set in the oak woods of historic Deer Grove, Camp Reinberg provides access to miles of trails, beautifully restored landscapes and nearly unlimited recreation opportunities.
$45 - $60 / night
There are two family (modern) campgrounds with a total of 217 campsites, 54 with electric hookups. Six group campsites can accommodate 225 campers. There is also a cabin designed specifically for people with disabilities.
The sunset campground offers electric and non-electric campsites as well as some sites accessible for people with disabilities. Campground amenities include a shower building, flush and vault toilets, dump station and a playground area.
$20 - $30 / night
Within Burnidge Forest Preserve is Paul Wolff Campground. Paul Wolff Campground contains 89 improved, vehicle camp sites with 50-amp electrical service, water access, parking pad and fire ring. Improved camp sites are available to vehicle campers or tent campers. Each improved site is capable of handling a 50-foot motorhome. There are also 5 equestrian camp sites, where you may camp with your horse(s); and 10 primitive, wooded sites for tent camping only, away from the main camping area. Primitive sites do not have electric service and are available, weather permitting. All camp sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations are not taken.
$12 - $35 / night
There are two family (modern) campgrounds with a total of 217 campsites, 54 with electric hookups. Six group campsites can accommodate 225 campers. There is also a cabin designed specifically for people with disabilities.
The sunrise campground offers electric and non-electric campsites as well as some sites accessible for people with disabilities. Campground amenities include a shower building, flush and vault toilets, a dump station and a playground area.
Camp just steps from the water in the heart of the vast, hilly Palos Preserves. Camp Bullfrog Lake offers year-round camping, group activities and water-based recreation such as canoe rentals and fishing. Just around the corner from Maple Lake’s boathouse and the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, it’s also a perfect launching pad for hiking, mountain biking and birdwatching adventures on Palos’ 50-plus miles of trails.
$20 - $138 / night
The campground in the southern unit at Illinois Beach provides 241 Class A Premium sites with electricity and access to showers and sanitary facilities. You must obtain a camping permit from the park staff, and must have a camping unit upon arrival.
The campground is open from April 1 through December 30. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance at ExploreMoreIL™. Reservations are only accepted from May 1 - September 30. Due to the high use of this area on holiday weekends, reservations are recommended. Campsites also are available on a first-come first-serve basis, but understand that the campgrounds fill up early on Fridays during the summer season. Six handicap accessible campsites are present in the campground near the accessible restrooms and a dump station.
$25 / night
Camp Reinberg’s tent sites and heated year-round cabins—plus dining hall and outdoor gathering areas—make it perfect for a group event or private getaway. Set in the oak woods of historic Deer Grove, Camp Reinberg provides access to miles of trails, beautifully restored landscapes and nearly unlimited recreation opportunities.
$45 - $60 / night
There are two family (modern) campgrounds with a total of 217 campsites, 54 with electric hookups. Six group campsites can accommodate 225 campers. There is also a cabin designed specifically for people with disabilities.
The sunset campground offers electric and non-electric campsites as well as some sites accessible for people with disabilities. Campground amenities include a shower building, flush and vault toilets, dump station and a playground area.
$20 - $30 / night
Within Burnidge Forest Preserve is Paul Wolff Campground. Paul Wolff Campground contains 89 improved, vehicle camp sites with 50-amp electrical service, water access, parking pad and fire ring. Improved camp sites are available to vehicle campers or tent campers. Each improved site is capable of handling a 50-foot motorhome. There are also 5 equestrian camp sites, where you may camp with your horse(s); and 10 primitive, wooded sites for tent camping only, away from the main camping area. Primitive sites do not have electric service and are available, weather permitting. All camp sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations are not taken.
$12 - $35 / night
Legend
My first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
Legend
Recently camped here while visiting some family in the Racine area. Was nice and close to them and was a nice place to stay!
Lost of campsites between the two campgrounds. Sunset offered electric or non-electric sites. Shower building, flush toilets, vault toilets, dump station, playground. Firewood sold at the visitor center via a vending machine, card only.
Guide
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. Bathrooms could’ve been cleaner but we were grateful for the facility which doubled as a storm shelter. There’s indoor showers and bathrooms. There are also cabins at this campsite, not sure on pricing tho
Guide
Camp Sullivan offers a charming and well-maintained space for campers of all kinds, from tent enthusiasts to RV travelers like us. All the RV sites here are back in, and while they are tight, they are certainly manageable. We brought our 36-foot RV, the Badger, and although it barely fit, we were able to position it close enough to the power box by choosing not to extend the slide. This turned out to be a smart decision, considering the timbers that line the gravel surface of the site. These timbers add a bit of a challenge when maneuvering a larger rig, and in our case, (note to staff) removing the timber closest to the road would have made things much easier.
Each RV site is equipped with 15, 30, and 50-amp electrical connections, though it’s worth noting that there’s no water or sewer available at individual sites. As a result, water conservation becomes essential. The bathrooms here, however, are clean and well-kept, which is always appreciated, especially after a few days without on-site water. There is also a stainless steel sink for use in front of the RV area's bathroom where you can do dishes.
Security at Camp Sullivan feels solid, and while there is some noise, it wasn’t disruptive. We stayed over a weekend, and though there was a lively group in the group campsite Saturday night, they respectfully wrapped up their activities by quiet hours, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep.
The roads throughout the campground are in good condition, and the trees aren’t a concern for your RV clearance. In addition to RV sites, Camp Sullivan offers a range of accommodations for all kinds of campers. There are small rental cabins, large bunkhouses for group camping, and plenty of tent sites spread across the grounds. We didn’t have the chance to check out the"Barn" yet, but it’s a major feature here, housing a climbing wall and concessions.
We also noticed staff busy cleaning the bunkhouse areas and taking care of trash removal, even on a quiet Sunday. Everyone we encountered was friendly and added to the overall positive vibe of the place. Camp Sullivan is an excellent spot for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, (up to six days allowed) with plenty of amenities and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a place where we feel comfortable and cared for, with just the right balance of adventure and relaxation.
LegendWe stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites. Fox den and Prairie view loops are nice as well with mostly primitive sites. Be aware that the map on www.ExloreMoreIL,com(where you make your reservations) doesn't show where the restrooms are. In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61. Facilities are clean and well lit. Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill. This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove, where you have access to the Fox River and Grass lake. This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood. To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border. This will put you on the Fox river with developments to the north(including a bar& grill) or to the south which is all nature. I think the distance by boat between the two launches is 4-5 miles, but I'm not sure, Halfway there you'll meet up with the Goldfinch trail which is the shortest loop and the most diverse in term of flora. There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground. Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season. We canoe, and both times we stayed there it was October, so I can't tell you how crowded, but the vast number of picnic areas must be there for a reason. An odd thing is that you can hear a Steam Train whistle quite often, this is from Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. We don't have kids so we went to Stade's Farm& Orchard(which is also large and kid friendly) because they have an orchard and vegetable market. One last thing, the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)
Scout
So this place is much less dog friendly than is advertised. Dogs aren’t allowed in large swaths of the park nor on the (tiny tiny, bordered by loud highway) beach. Lake Geneva is very pretty, but the area is obviously very wealthy and obviously geared toward retirees without dogs or with tiny dogs they leave at the RV (to bark, constantly, at their next site neighbors. Until the owners get back.)
Traveler
Beautiful spot, very peaceful. We’ve been here for 3 months. There are two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack. Well run and maintained. Reasonably priced
Ranger
I somehow booked a different campground- website was confusing apparently. However the worker was so helpful and found me a spot anyway. Sites are kind of small so not a lot of space for big big campers. Cute lake and relatively quiet. Odd though that when I asked questions like where can we fill water and if they had a park map I got looked at like I had 3 heads.
Scout
Camped here on a whim. Amazing area. Super friendly hosts. The only thing I wish was a little more accessible is the website. I didn't know what kind of site I was getting, what it looked like, or if it was a hike in site or not. Turns out mine was, but it was not an issue for me on this trip. Site 30 for anyone interested.
Scout
Review: Holiday Acres Campground Our recent stay at Holiday Acres Campground was nothing short of a nightmare. From the moment we arrived, we felt unwelcome and targeted by both the staff and the locals. It's hard to say definitively if this place was racist, but the behavior we experienced certainly felt that way. Firstly, we were harassed and intimidated by the locals. They would drive around our campsite at night, yelling racial slurs and other offensive comments. This created a disturbing and unsettling atmosphere that made our stay extremely uncomfortable. The staff were equally unpleasant. We were falsely accused of peeing in the pool without any evidence, which seemed more like an excuse to target us than a genuine concern. Additionally, one staff member consistently displayed unprofessional and rude behavior. She berated one of us and treated him condescendingly, as if he were a boy rather than an adult. She exhibited this condescending behavior with the locals as well. Requests for assistance were met with eye rolls and obvious reluctance. Her dismissive and offensive attitude was consistent throughout our stay. The final straw came when we were kicked out for calling her a name after she persistently treated us with disrespect. While name-calling isn't appropriate, her behavior towards us was intolerable and unprovoked. The facilities were also abysmal. The bathrooms constantly smelled like fart, possibly due to the high sulfur content in the water, which only added to the overall negative experience. The showers were yellow with orange bits that could be scraped off, and the lack of cleanliness was appalling. The playgrounds looked so poorly maintained that you could get a splinter just from looking at them. To make matters worse, we were falsely accused of stealing by a local camper. Despite promises to review security footage, no evidence was provided, and no apology was offered for the false accusation. The pool area was another disappointment. The pool was cold, likely because it had just been filled. While the pool area itself was nice, it lacked lounging chairs, which would have enhanced comfort and relaxation. Overall, our experience at Holiday Acres Campground was horrific. The combination of harassment from locals, the hostile attitude of the staff, the filthy facilities, and the lack of amenities made for an extremely uncomfortable and distressing stay. I would strongly advise anyone considering this campground to stay far away, especially if you are looking for a welcoming and respectful environment.
Ranger
I was here for three months this time as i get to business completed. The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how. The grass is mowed every week. There is patroling at all hours for security. The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good. The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. The showers are cleaned and work great. The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.
TravelerThe campsites are kinda small but not on top of each other. Had some raccoons at night even after we locked up everything in the car. The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by. This loop is best for tent camping. The other loops are basically all rvs. The boat launch to the fox river was nice too but it does get busy.
Scout
Tried to stay here. Called several times. Left several messages. We were heading that way and decided to stop in and see if they had availability. Pulled in and there was a lady inside the office and it was locked. She gave me an evil look then ignored me. Called twice from the parking lot from inside my rig while staring at the woman. She ignored the call.
ScoutThe sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all. The people are very nice. Everyone waves to everyone.
We came here because they showed a water obstacle course on their website. When we got here, we were informed that their beach hasn't passed health tests for the past few years. So no obstacle course or beach area.
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.
There is no store. The only thing available is firewood. If you need anything at all, there is a Walmart about ten minutes down the road.
The site is nice and grassy but there are a ton of bugs; mostly gnats.
All in all, it's a very clean place with great people. The pool is wonderful. The parks are great. But it's definitely a more lay back and relax kind of place. Not a ton of stuff to do for kids.
Guide
My husband and I spent 4 days here, midweek. Mostly RV’s, but we used a tent. The sites were clean, grass was trimmed, plenty of trees for shade. The bathhouse, there are 2, was spotless. Showers with hot water. And surprisingly, the toilet paper was not the typical one ply. It was soft and thick. The campground does not have a store, but sells fire wood. There is a sewage dump for RV’s. Racine is a short drive away for any last minute needs. The campground was quiet. Short 1 mile hike to Lake Michigan. We will visit again.
Traveler
This was our first time camping tryout and we had a blast. It is deep enough in the forest preserve to feel like camping but is not far from our home, which allows for a quick getaway. The campsite was very clean and the staff/ranger nice and knowledgeable. The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and during our stay, blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around.
The toilets on the loops are vault and the ones by the main entrance are flush. Didn't use the showers on this trip but both facilities were well maintained and clean.
As other reviewers said, since it is in the forest preserve, the gates close an hour after sunset and reopen at sunrise. The ranger did cruise through the sites to make a formal announcement so that visitors could leave. It is also close to a main road and you could easily hear cars passing by throughout the night. We will definitely be revisiting as a quick getaway spot.
Guide
We stayed in Honeysuckle Hollow for a night. Not many people were there that night, as it thunder stormed. However site was well kept and concession stand available by the boat dock with everything you might need.
ScoutThe campground is beautiful wish it was open more than the weekend's. The campground host needs to lighten up and shes out on the gator every 30 minutes, that gets annoying, also since we have also worked as campground hosts you don't run around with the gator giving people rides. It is a shame but we won't camp here again.
They should check up on the campground host and hire one with a pleasant personality
ScoutClean, family friendly and basic ammenities available
Traveler
Loved everything about this place. The staff is so helpful, well maintained, nice trail system. We tent camped on site #1 and would definitely book that spot again. We also came back last weekend and stayed in one of the large cabins- game changer in the winter! It’s a perfect spot for a weekend away from Chicago, will definitely be back.
RangerI stayed here for two weeks when I first started rv'ing full time while I finished up work and finalized the selling of the house.
It has a well maintained laundry and shower facility. Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front. Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. The only down fall is the constant ambient sounds of highway trafic which is about 1/2 mile away from route 90.
GuideWe love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.
Traveler
Our first time camping and we had a blast. Convenient locations. Great hiking trails. Beach was really nice and sandy. Slots were easy to pull in/out of
Traveler
Stayed 4 nights- first come first served- no reservations- bring plenty of hose for water connections- first site we tried was just too far to connect- toilets but no showers available- electric/ water no full hook ups. Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi
Traveler
Rode my bicycle for an overnight test run. I stayed in the primitive tent area. There are 5 wooded and 5 prairie sites. There is water and vault toilets by the tent area and flush toilets a 3 minute walk into the RV area.
As noted in other reviews, I heard 3 trains between 10 pm and 6 am. Otherwise no other excessive noise issues. Tent area was very quiet.
Staff was also very pleasant and helpful.
Guide
The campground itself was very nice with good size sites and lots of room. There are shaded or open sites nice trees, a store at the beach side of the campground.
The bathrooms were old and wet. The dump station was closed.
Guide
We booked this stay last minute because we were visiting some family in Milwaukee and there was nothing closer to the city. We ended up extending our stay by a day and they were so accommodating. The pool was beautiful and kids didn’t surround it until about 1-2 pm so it was nice to have some quiet adults only time by it in the morning. There are goats next door too that are super cute.
Camping near Lake Forest, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping around Lake Forest, IL, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Lake Forest, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lake Forest, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 65 reviews.
What parks are near Lake Forest, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 parks near Lake Forest, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.
