Camping opportunities near Lake in the Hills, Illinois include seasonal and year-round options within a 20-mile radius. The area features flat to gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 850 to 900 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler conditions ranging from 50-70°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sycamore RV Resort features two fishing 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 one visitor to Sycamore RV Resort.
Walking trails: Multiple campgrounds offer maintained trails for hiking and nature observation. At Paul Wolff Campground, trails connect various ecosystems. "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," reports a camper.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas for summer recreation. Thousand Trails Pine Country offers "nice good size pool, no jacuzzi, small play ground with a jumping pad. Pond for catch and release fishing," according to a visitor.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and common areas. "Very clean and well cared for property; especially the laundry and bathroom/shower areas," writes one guest about Sycamore RV Resort.
Friendly community: Many campgrounds foster welcoming atmospheres with regular social interactions. At Northwoods RV Resort, a camper notes, "The most impressive aspect in our opinion are the people. It is the nicest group of people I've ever been around. Everyone waves and speaks to you when they see you."
Seasonal activities: Throughout the camping season, scheduled events create social opportunities. Chicago Northwest KOA receives praise for its programming: "Staff was very friendly and the facilities were kept very clean. 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."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: RV sites at some campgrounds are closely positioned. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy."
Train noise considerations: Some campgrounds are located near train tracks, which can affect the camping experience. One Paradise Camping Resorts visitor advises, "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."
Seasonal closures: While some RV sites near Lake in the Hills remain open year-round, many operate on seasonal schedules. "Plan ahead! The location requires a 2 night stay minimum," notes a visitor to Fox Bluff Cottages & RV.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Thousand Trails Pine Country, families appreciate "nice pool, breakfast was good at the activity building. We did not end up signing up as we prefer to visit many more locations than they had listed."
Swimming safety: Beaches and pools have varying availability and maintenance status. At Northwoods RV Resort, a visitor cautions: "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."
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events at campgrounds often target families with children. Chicago Northwest KOA offers "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."
Tips from RVers
Site surface conditions: RV pads vary widely in construction and maintenance. At Paul Wolff Campground, "All the sites have paved pads. The highlight of our experience is the hiking. There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails."
Big rig access: Several campgrounds can accommodate larger RVs with specific site configurations. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "There is lots of grass so all the rain this weekend and we weren't muddy was awesome! Big park with tons of spots. The pull throughs were really long."
Water and power considerations: Utility connections vary between campgrounds. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, a camper reports, "Water pressure was steady. Power was consistent. Bathroom/shower/laundry rooms were all very clean and well maintained. We couldn't reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake."
