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Best Campgrounds near Lake Zurich, IL

586 Reviews

Camping destinations around Lake Zurich, Illinois include multiple developed facilities with varied accommodation options. Camp Reinberg in Palatine offers tent sites, RV pads, and cabin rentals with access to hiking trails in Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Chain O' Lakes State Park maintains several camping areas including Fox Den Campground, Prairie View, and Turner Lake South, providing options for tent campers, RV users, and those seeking cabin accommodations within 20 miles of Lake Zurich.

The camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. "This was a sweet camping spot. Only 4 sites tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve," noted one visitor about Camp Reinberg. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. The terrain is generally flat with good road access, making most sites suitable for standard vehicles without specialized equipment. Sites at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort and Illinois Beach State Park feature water access, while forest preserve campgrounds like Paul Wolff in Elgin offer more wooded settings.

Campers consistently rate the cleanliness of facilities as a highlight in this area. Several campgrounds provide amenities including modern shower facilities, electric hookups, and sanitary dump stations. According to one review of Camp Reinberg, the site offers "very clean and well-maintained" facilities with "all the amenities you could need: a small camping store, communal kitchen, firepits, and clean bathrooms." Proximity to Chicago makes these areas popular weekend destinations, with many visitors appreciating the blend of natural settings while remaining close to urban conveniences. Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months, particularly near water features. The mix of public forest preserves and private camping resorts provides diverse experiences from family-oriented campgrounds with organized activities to quieter natural settings.

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Best Camping Sites Near Lake Zurich, Illinois (61)

    1. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."

    "tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"

    2. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    3. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."

    "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."

    4. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

    5. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    18 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

    6. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."

    "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "

    7. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    18 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "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."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly.

    But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

    8. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    8 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    18 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."

    "You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."

    9. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."

    "I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."

    10. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    7 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    $12 / night

    "This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."

    "There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."

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Recent Camping Photos near Lake Zurich, IL

204 Photos of 61 Lake Zurich Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Lake Zurich, IL

586 Reviews of 61 Lake Zurich Campgrounds

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • Kevin B.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Camp Sullivan

    Enjoyed the camping experience

    Nice and clean areas, staff was very professional and helpful while I was there

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Big Rock Campground

    Needs some shade

    This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.

    The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?

    It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Camp Shabbona Woods

    Not the best but acceptable

    Stayed the weekend. Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background. They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok. No electric or water hook ups can’t keep your vehicle close to your campsite. The good the bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

Guide to Lake Zurich

Camping near Lake Zurich, 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 plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the many trails available in the area. Campers at Rock Cut State Park Campground enjoy "tons of trails, fishing, and even a swimming pond," making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area is known for its excellent fishing opportunities. One visitor mentioned, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
  • Swimming: For a refreshing dip, check out Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park. A reviewer noted, "We stayed right by the showers which happened to be right by the beach as well!"

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Ottawa Lake said, "Bathrooms and showers were clean," which adds to the overall camping experience.
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campers enjoy the spaciousness of the sites. One reviewer at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "The campsite overall is beautiful and the land is well kept."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Blackwell Family Campground offer a great environment for families. A camper shared, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos."

What you should know

  • No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, have strict no alcohol policies. A visitor noted, "This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer."
  • Crowded Weekends: Popular spots can get crowded, especially on weekends. A camper at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited amenities. A reviewer at Sunset Campground said, "The campsite itself was nice and peaceful... The only issue was that generators aren't allowed."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds that offer activities for kids. At Blackwell Family Campground, a camper mentioned, "The ranger did stop by around 5 or 6ish with some activities for the kids to do."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of quiet hours to ensure a peaceful experience. A camper at Sunrise Campground noted, "Lots of people during the weekend didn’t abide by the 'Quiet Hours.'"
  • Pack Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pinewoods appreciated the "playground for the kiddos."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to check if the campground has the necessary hookups for your RV. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "The reason for the review is due to the bathrooms being horrible."
  • Arrive Early: To secure a good spot, especially on busy weekends, arrive early. A visitor at Rock Cut State Park Campground advised, "This was after spending about 6 hours pulling apart all the electrical in the trailer."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of nearby attractions and dining options. A camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area recommended checking out local eateries for a break from camp cooking.

Camping around Lake Zurich, IL, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for every outdoor lover.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Lake Zurich campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Lake Zurich offer varying amenities to suit different camping styles. Blackwell Family Campground provides electric hookups at all sites, modern bathrooms, and reasonably priced firewood. It's especially convenient for weekend trips from Chicago. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park offers a more primitive camping experience with no electric hookups on site, though water fill stations are within walking distance. For those seeking full amenities, Chicago Northwest KOA provides typical KOA services, though spaces are more open and closer together.

When is the best season for camping at Lake Zurich?

The optimal camping season near Lake Zurich is late spring through early fall (May-October). Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, but Illinois Beach State Park provides spectacular Lake Michigan sunrises during this peak season. Be aware that summer heat can be challenging at campgrounds like Big Rock Campground, which lacks shade. Fall camping brings comfortable temperatures and beautiful foliage, particularly at Rock Cut State Park, where you'll find peaceful sites, walking trails, and lake activities until seasonal closures.

Where are the camping sites at Lake Zurich?

While Lake Zurich itself doesn't have dedicated campgrounds on its immediate shoreline, several excellent camping options are available nearby. Chain O' Lakes State Park offers multiple camping areas including Turner Lake South loop with private sites that are perfect for those seeking a lakeside experience. For campers wanting to stay within a reasonable drive of Lake Zurich, Camp Reinberg provides a forested setting with easy access to trails and unique clearings. Both locations are within comfortable driving distance of Lake Zurich while offering the natural lakeside camping experience many visitors seek.

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