Best Campgrounds near Lemont, IL

Campgrounds near Lemont, Illinois provide a mix of established facilities within an hour's drive of the Chicago metropolitan area. Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs and Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville serve as primary camping destinations, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. The region includes several forest preserves with camping areas that balance natural settings with convenient access to urban amenities. Most campgrounds feature electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfortable accommodations.

Reservations are strongly recommended at most established campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with Blackwell Family Campground typically open from May through September. "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home. They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites and great prices for firewood," noted one visitor about Blackwell. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few facilities like Camp Bullfrog Lake remaining open year-round. Road access to most camping areas is well-maintained, with paved entrances suitable for larger vehicles and RVs, though some sites may have size restrictions.

Campers report high satisfaction with the wooded settings and recreational opportunities available at many sites. Several campgrounds feature lakes or ponds for fishing and boating, with Blackwell Forest Preserve offering kayak rentals during summer months. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes near several camping areas, providing excellent biking opportunities on crushed gravel paths. According to reviews, "The preserve bumps up next to neighborhoods and major roads depending how far in you get, but the main trails are easy to follow." While camping near Lemont offers convenient access to nature, visitors should expect moderate noise levels due to proximity to urban areas and highways. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours, and many prohibit alcohol consumption to maintain family-friendly environments.

Best Camping Sites Near Lemont, Illinois (72)

    1. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."

    "What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."

    2. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    15 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."

    3. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0041

    $35 - $250 / night

    "Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."

    "There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."

    4. Martin’s Camping Ground

    7 Reviews
    New Lenox, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 726-3173

    "If you like having access to a bathroom and shower its great and because no one really hd a tent here but us we had some privacy. It is next to a highway so be mindful of that."

    5. Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Rockdale, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 744-9400

    "Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot. Pet-friendly. Pleasant park with good pad. Near busy road and shipping plant."

    "Nice safe location. Flat, pretty large spots..picnic tables."

    6. Leisure Lake Resort

    3 Reviews
    Joliet, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 741-9405

    $37 / night

    "Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"

    7. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 232-5980

    $18 - $35 / night

    "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"

    "Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."

    8. The Vaudeville

    4 Reviews
    Chicago, IL
    20 miles
    +1 (312) 420-4204

    "There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"

    9. Leisure Lake Membership Resort

    3 Reviews
    Joliet, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 741-9405

    "Our family had an incredible stay at Leisure Lake Resort RV Park over Easter week."

    "The beach and lake were always well maintained, and we had often enjoyed live music at the pavilion. You can even play mini golf here! I would highly recommend for anyone that can invest."

    10. Martin Campground

    2 Reviews
    Shorewood, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 726-3173

    $25 - $45 / night

    "We just purchased our first Winnebago and needed a spot close to home for a quick trial run. We have three small boys and they were very excited to camp."

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Recent Reviews near Lemont, IL

425 Reviews of 72 Lemont Campgrounds


  • Abhinay
    Oct. 7, 2025

    The Vaudeville

    Peaceful stay

    It’s was great nd peaceful place for staying on weekends for relaxation.

  • Ray S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great campground with everything you would need

    This was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • 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!

  • 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.


Guide to Lemont

Camp Bullfrog Lake and Blackwell Family Campground serve as primary camping options near Lemont, Illinois, with sites typically available from spring through fall. The terrain consists mostly of wooded forest preserves with lakes and ponds located within an hour of downtown Chicago. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping provides cooler temperatures around 50-65°F with less humidity.

What to do

Kayaking and water activities: At Camp Bullfrog Lake, visitors can rent kayaks for $15 per hour, which includes life vests. "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," noted one camper. The small lake provides a peaceful paddling experience suitable for beginners.

Mountain biking on nearby trails: Several trail systems connect to campgrounds in the area. "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," reports a Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor. The Palos Trail System offers multiple difficulty levels of single-track trails within minutes of some camping areas.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes throughout the forest preserves provide fishing spots. One camper at Blackwell Family Campground mentioned, "These sites are for boy/Girl Scout or large groups only. The trails are nice and the water is crystal clear. Nice place for a winter hike. Canoe rentals and free archery range." Many lakes are stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish.

What campers like

Free firewood at select campgrounds: Some campgrounds provide complimentary firewood with your stay. "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," notes a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake. This saves campers from needing to purchase or transport their own wood.

Clean bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. At Camp Sullivan, a visitor noted, "The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern." However, experiences vary as another camper at a different location mentioned inconsistent maintenance.

Proximity to Chicago: For urban residents seeking quick getaways, these campgrounds provide convenient access. "Awesome place to stay when you live in the city and wanna get away," states a Camp Bullfrog Lake reviewer. Most sites are within 30-60 minutes of downtown, making them suitable for weekend escapes without extensive travel.

What you should know

Varied noise levels: Proximity to highways affects some campgrounds more than others. A visitor to Martin's Camping Ground reported, "You can throw a stone and hit a semi driving by to I-80. There's a lot of traffic given the proximity to Chicago." Some inner campsites at forest preserves offer better noise buffering.

Site reservation requirements: Many campgrounds operate on different reservation systems. "Walkup only - no reservations taken. $35 a night is a bit steep," noted a visitor to Big Rock Campground. Weekends often fill quickly during summer months, particularly at the more popular forest preserve locations.

Limited shade at newer campgrounds: Recently developed sites lack mature trees. "This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade," explained a camper at Big Rock Campground. Consider bringing shade structures during summer months at these locations.

Campsite spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. "Sites are very close. You can watch the traffic on the highway from your camper," wrote a visitor about one location, while other forest preserve campgrounds provide more wooded separation between sites.

Tips for camping with families

Lake activities for children: Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches and water recreation. "The kids had a blast with the available activities," commented a visitor to Leisure Lake Membership Resort. Fishing docks and small beaches make water access easier for families with younger children.

Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Some locations offer additional recreational facilities. "There's also an open space for sports/games and some great climbing trees within the group area," mentioned a reviewer about Blackwell Family Campground. These amenities provide entertainment options beyond hiking and water activities.

Consider cabins for easier family camping: Several campgrounds offer cabin options for families new to camping. "I visited Palos early this week for a very very chilly three days... There are small and medium cabins, some heated with their own bathrooms, that feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold," shared a Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor.

Tips from RVers

Water hookup distances: Pay attention to utility placement when booking. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advised a camper at Big Rock Campground. Some sites require 50-150 feet of hose to reach water sources.

Limited sewer connections: Not all RV sites offer full hookups. At Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, a visitor noted, "Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot." Many campgrounds offer dump stations instead of individual sewer connections.

Site leveling considerations: While most developed sites are relatively flat, preparation helps. "Sites are pretty level. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest," reported a Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor. Bring leveling blocks as a precaution, particularly at older campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Lemont, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lemont, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.