A
Abdulrahman A.
Scout
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
Camping near Lemont, IL
76 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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 Campgrounds near Lemont (76)
1. Camp Bullfrog Lake
"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."
from $20 - $138 / night
Check Availability2. Blackwell Family Campground
"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."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability3. Camp Sullivan
"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."
from $35 - $250 / night
Check Availability4. Martin’s Camping Ground
"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
"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. Martin Campground
"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."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability7. Big Rock Campground
"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"
"Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply"
from $18 - $35 / night
Check Availability8. Leisure Lake Resort
"Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"
from $37 / night
Check Availability9. The Vaudeville
"There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"
10. Leisure Lake Membership Resort
"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."
Drive Time
- 20 min from Chicago, IL
- 54 min from Kankakee, IL
- 1 hr 8 min from Kenosha, WI
- 1 hr 10 min from Michigan City, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Lemont, IL
128 Photos of 76 Lemont Campgrounds
Josh M.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Marc W.
Blackwell Family Campground
Tyler J.
Backyard Bonfire
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff CottageS & RV
Jeffrey L.
Camp Shabbona Woods
Rita S.
McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove
Stuart K.
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area
Amanda K.
Big Rock Campground
Recent Reviews near Lemont, IL
449 Reviews of 76 Lemont Campgrounds
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
- EEd B.
TravelerLakeshore Camp Resort
looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage
Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
- RRichard C.Scout
Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground — Kankakee River State Park
Ok
JJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
Stuart K.
LegendLakefront Cabins - Shabbona Lake
Lakefront Seclusion Meets Cabin Convenience at Shabbona Lake
Tucked along the shore of shimmering Shabbona Lake, just under two hours west of Chicago mind you, are two rustic yet welcoming camp cabins at this particular SP. These modest structures, each around 200 sq ft, offer a cozy hideaway for up to six people. Facing southeast over the lake, the cabins are shaded and tucked away for privacy, with only a nearby boat launch dock reminding you of civilization.
Inside, the cabins keep it simple: two basic rooms in each, with electricity, baseboard heat, air conditioning and a ceiling fan. There are no cooking facilities or bathrooms (which I have to admit, I was surprised to learn) although there is a multi-leveled adjustable BBQ grill along with a very good sized firepit, so bring your own plans for cooking meals and preparing food. Guests rely on nearby campground amenities, including showers with running hot water, flush toilets, potable water, a dump station and the handy Camp Store that is a very short walk from these cabins and comes stocked with supplies, snacks, firewood and fishing gear.
What sets these cabins apart is the lakefront view combined with practicality. You step right from your door onto a serene, wooded lakeshore offering a perfect perch for early-morning fishing, sunrise coffee on the veranda or unwinding at sunset. The proximity to stocked waters featuring large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, channel catfish, walleye and muskies adds fishing convenience, while the quieter, smaller-scale lodging feels exclusive. Additionally, the Camp Store’s rentals(boats, bait, paddleboats) keep the fun within reach.
Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Reserve early as only two cabins exist, and they’re popular from May 1 through October 31 on ExploreMoreIL™; (2) Drive gently on the access path as the lake road can be narrow and shaded; (3) Expect no kitchen or plumbing, so prep meals or plan to dine at nearby Pokanoka’s Dockside Restaurant that sits inside the SP on the western side of the lake or, for a short drive to Shabbona, check out Shabbona Café, Chumley’s Pizza followed by some sweets at Screamers Ice cream after saving campfire cookouts for the fire ring; (4) Bring your own bathrooms habits as restrooms are shared in the main campground; and (5) Check out the Camp Store early for spare fishing poles, firewood or ice cream before being tempted into relaxation.
Happy Camping!
Kathy B.LegendIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Amateur hour
Nicely laid out campground with mature trees. Level sites. All with electric hookups. Was greeted by very kind person at the booth. You need to know that on Sundays check-in is until 5 PM as campers from the weekend have until 5 PM to vacate their sites. Of course you can check in early if they leave. The way the campground is laid out, there are no pass that lead to the bathrooms. Therefore, people are constantly cutting through your site to get to their restrooms.
- ssusan F.
RangerIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Beautiful location and great campground!
Nice sites, well spaced. Campground is well maintained with nice bathrooms and showers (we were there after a massive storm in early June and there had been some flooding in the bathrooms). From the campsite, walk through the forest and Dunes to the beautiful beach. Our dog was in heaven!
Michael M.GuideIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Great week
Just finished a week at this campground and overall had a great stay.
The campground is a short walk or bike ride to the public beach, and just east along the lake is the preserve area where we were able to take our dogs swimming, which was a huge plus.
The campground itself was nice. The East Loop felt a little older, with large mature trees providing shade over most sites, a centralized bathhouse, and a few pit toilets spread throughout. The West Loop had a similar feel.
There are also a few playgrounds throughout the campground, which our kids really enjoyed. They spent a lot of time bouncing back and forth between them and meeting new kids along the way, which ended up being one of their favorite parts of the trip.
The bathhouses were acceptable, though the campground was busy during our stay and it definitely showed.
We stayed in Site 8, which I wouldn’t personally recommend. There was very little usable space, and the fire pit felt like an afterthought—placed against overgrowth on sloping sand to the point that we couldn’t realistically set chairs around it.
One thing worth mentioning: we had some pretty severe weather come through during our stay, and the on-site tornado siren alerted everyone in the campground. Thankfully the storms missed us, but while the alarms were sounding, sheriff’s deputies were driving the loops and checking on campers, which was reassuring to see.
We’ll definitely be back—just not to Site 8.
Carole I.GuideWoodland Village Mobile Home & RV Park
Woodland
Helpful staff.
No picnic table at site #500
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?
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.
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