Camping options near Lincolnshire, Illinois span across wetland preserves, lakefront properties, and wooded forest areas within a 20-30 mile radius. The region sits at approximately 650 feet above sea level with seasonal temperature fluctuations ranging from below freezing in winter to mid-80s during summer. Weather conditions in spring often include regular rainfall, making some campground access roads muddy from April through early June.
What to do
Kayaking the Fox River system: At Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park, campers have direct water access. "Easy access to the beach, great sites and was very quiet," notes Chrissy E., who also mentioned the need to bring your own sanitizer as bathroom supplies can be limited.
Hiking diverse terrain: Burnidge Forest Preserve's Paul Wolff Campground offers multiple trail types. "On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options," shares Art S., who appreciated the variety of surfaces available for different skill levels.
Fishing accessible lakes: At Turner Lake South, the fishing access includes convenient infrastructure. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," reports Julia B.
Archery practice: Blackwell Family Campground features an on-site archery range. "Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding... There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course," explains Marisa A.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Turner Lake South Camping Area offers natural separation between sites. "The site was so cozy because it was at the very back of the circle," reports Gus V. The layout maximizes seclusion compared to more developed sections of Chain O'Lakes.
Clean facilities: Camp Reinberg maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms. "Supreme suburban camping! This gem of a campground is run by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the care they have for it shows... restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)," reports Susan L.
Close-to-home convenience: Prairie View provides a wilderness feel without long drives. "We like this campground because its close to home and its clean/large campsites. But there aren't any showers and you need to pay with cash or check. No credit cards," notes Tara M., highlighting the balance of accessibility and limitations.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer low-cost options. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly," shares Addison G. about Turner Lake South, making it one of the best places to camp near Lincolnshire for those watching expenses.
What you should know
Gate closure enforcement: Chain O'Lakes enforces strict gate hours. "The gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark," warns Brian O. about Turner Lake South. Plan evening activities accordingly.
Reservation systems vary: Fox Den Campground requires advance planning. "I've camped here in the Fox Den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition," notes Michelle M., but securing these well-maintained sites requires reservation.
Bug preparedness essential: Ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent seasonally. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns Meg at Turner Lake South, who recommends bringing a screen house.
Wildlife management: "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," cautions Meg about Turner Lake South. All food items must be secured in vehicles overnight.
Tips for camping with families
Best playground access: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort caters specifically to children. "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," shares Leo V., who gave it 5 stars for child-friendly amenities.
Beach safety considerations: At Illinois Beach State Park, conditions require supervision. "Beautiful views and amazing sunrises but it is quite littered with trash and broken glass. Very busy in the summer and can get wild with people partying," warns Liz M., suggesting morning beach visits over crowded afternoons.
Tent placement strategies: At Paul Wolff Campground, site selection matters. "Odd numbered sites had better shade than evens. The RV sites looked closely spaced but nice enough," advises Cari B., which helps when setting up with children who need shade during hot afternoons.
Water activities for various ages: Fish Lake Beach offers multi-age options. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site!" recommends Chloe N.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area requires planning for utilities. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," advises Debra M.
Best sites for larger rigs: Fox Den provides better space than alternatives. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers," reports Ian C.
Water fill logistics: Camp Reinberg requires staff assistance for water. "They all have electric and the camp hosts will pull the hose over to the site in order to do a water fill up. This makes it very convenient to refill," explains Susan L., noting the extra step needed compared to standard hookups.
Dump station timing: Plan extra time during peak periods. "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021. We had a back-in site on the north side of the campground. We had 50 amp, but no water/sewer, although there was a water spigot next to our site that we could use to fill up jugs of water. The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," shares Tina about Honeysuckle Hollow.
