RV parks near Lake Forest, Illinois range from basic forest preserve sites to full-service private campgrounds. Located in the northern Chicago suburbs, the area sits along glacial moraines that create rolling terrain with numerous lakes and wetlands. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°F, while summer camping season brings highs averaging in the low 80s with occasional humidity spikes.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Sycamore RV Resort features two lakes for catch-and-release fishing. "There are two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack. Well run and maintained," notes a camper at Sycamore RV Resort.
Hiking trails: Camp Reinberg provides direct access to miles of trails through 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, and there's even a little up-and-down thanks to ice age glaciers," reports one visitor.
Lakefront activities: NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground offers waterfront views and beach access. "Wonderful views of the lake and way close to the beach on base," reports a military camper despite other concerns about the facility.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Camp Reinberg consistently receives praise for maintenance. "The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," notes one visitor. Another adds, "Restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)" showing the attention to detail at this Cook County facility.
Security features: Campgrounds offer varying levels of security. "There is patroling at all hours for security," reports a seasonal camper at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort. Camp Reinberg has "a gate that is closed at 10pm every night and opened again in the morning," providing peace of mind for those leaving equipment.
Natural surroundings: Wisconsin's Cliffside Park Campground offers wooded sites within driving distance of Lake Forest. "Generously sized sites in wooded surroundings," notes a visitor, with another adding, "Outer sites backed to woods for most sites."
What You Should Know
Seasonal limitations: Several campgrounds close during colder months. Cliffside Park operates April 15 to October 15, while Thousand Trails Pine Country runs from "April 20 to October 15." Make reservations well in advance during peak times.
Reservation systems: Policies vary between parks. "Half the sites are reservable," notes a Cliffside Park camper, while another mentions "$12 processing fee if you want to reserve a site." Chicago Northwest KOA requires reservations, especially during summer weekends.
Water access challenges: Water hookups aren't standardized across all 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. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them."
Tips for Camping with Families
Children's activities: Chicago Northwest KOA provides organized entertainment. "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground," shares a family that visited. Another mentions "lots of activity for kids on the weekends."
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming facilities. Northwoods RV Resort has "a very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival. They also have a very pretty river to fish. The pool is very clean," reports a family visitor.
Playground access: Many campgrounds include play areas. Cliffside Park has "a playground as well as a baseball field," making it "a great campground for families." Northwoods features "parks" that one reviewer found "great" despite noting "not a ton of stuff to do for kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Sycamore RV Resort, "We stayed at a back in site, easy access and site had plenty of room on each side." Others note the importance of selecting shaded sites when available, as "many sites with little shade" can make summer camping uncomfortable.
Road conditions: Several RV parks have challenges with internal roads. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort has "pot roads [that] need service as they do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit," according to a long-term camper.
Leveling requirements: RVers should come prepared to level their rigs. Cliffside Park has "flat sites, some shade in the center sections," making it easier to set up, while other campgrounds may require more extensive leveling equipment.
