Campgrounds within 30 miles of Libertyville, Illinois offer options ranging from basic tent camping to full-service RV resorts. The region sits in the northern Illinois prairie landscape with elevations between 580-720 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons bring temperature fluctuations that can drop to near-freezing overnight.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Chain O' Lakes State Park features multiple lakes for fishing, with access to Fox River. "There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Lots of wooded trails within the campground. Perfect if you have a boat and want access to the Chain of Lakes," notes a Mud Lake East reviewer.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas during summer months. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "They have a huge lake with paved paths that we were able to walk the first night (not raining) and the beach looks like it will be fun to enjoy in the summer," mentions one camper.
Hiking trails: Most rv sites near Libertyville, Illinois include walking paths or hiking trails. A visitor to Chain O' Lakes State Park commented, "I used to live very close to this area and would hike it almost daily. It is small but has gorgeous views of the lake and lovely flora abound."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers cite cleanliness as a top priority. At Sycamore RV Resort, one reviewer appreciated the "very clean shower house and restrooms" while another noted the "immaculate" bathrooms with electronic key cards.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Parks with activities for children receive higher ratings. A Chicago Northwest KOA visitor shared, "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."
Water features: Lakes and swimming areas rank highly among camper preferences. A Sycamore RV Resort guest mentioned "beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out," while another appreciated the "two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack."
What you should know
Train noise concerns: Several campgrounds sit near active train tracks. At Northwoods RV Resort, a reviewer warned: "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."
GPS navigation issues: Multiple camping areas report problems with mapping services. A visitor to Northwoods RV Resort cautioned: "This place isn't EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you'll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place."
Seasonal closures: Operating dates vary widely. Chicago Northwest KOA typically runs from April through mid-October, while others like Thousand Trails Pine Country operate from "April 20 to October 15" according to their listings.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Choose campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "It's a nice park, nice good size pool, no jacuzzi, small play ground with a jumping pad. Pond for catch and release fishing," reported a Thousand Trails Pine Country visitor.
Weekend programming: Some parks offer scheduled activities on weekends. A Chicago Northwest KOA camper noted "There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends. People are nice to you. Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."
Swimming options: Pools provide controlled environments for children. "The pool is very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival," shared a Northwoods RV Resort guest, though they also mentioned "The only thing available is firewood. If you need anything at all, there is a Walmart about ten minutes down the road."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At many campgrounds near Libertyville, Illinois, site quality varies significantly. "Reliable full hookups. Very clean and well cared for property; especially the laundry and bathroom/shower areas. Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort," advised a Sycamore RV Resort camper.
Road conditions: Interior roads at some parks present challenges. One Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort visitor noted, "The road has lots of dips and bumps but going slow they weren't an issue. We were on the main road and there was lots of traffic going back and forth which was surprising since there wasn't a lot of campers."
Iron content in water: Be prepared for water quality issues. A reviewer at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort pointed out "The park water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit."
