Carole I.
Scout
ScoutWoodland Village Mobile Home & RV Park
Woodland
Helpful staff.
No picnic table at site #500
Best Campgrounds near Lisle, IL
The suburban landscape surrounding Lisle, Illinois contains several family-friendly campgrounds where visitors can enjoy weekend getaways without venturing far from Chicago. Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville serves as the area's primary camping destination, offering electric hookups for both tent and RV campers in a forested setting. Other options within 30 miles include Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan, which provide additional amenities such as cabins and glamping accommodations. Most campgrounds in the region operate within county forest preserves, creating accessible nature experiences within the urban environment.
Camping availability in the area follows seasonal patterns, with many sites only open during warmer months. Blackwell Family Campground typically operates from May through September, while some facilities like Camp Bullfrog Lake remain accessible year-round. A camper noted, "We live in the area and went here when our child was a baby, as we didn't want to be far from home. The campsites are surprisingly nice. Most are wooded on each side for privacy." Advance reservations are highly recommended, particularly for weekend stays when sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours and gate closures after sunset, restricting late-night arrivals or departures—an important consideration for visitors planning day trips to Chicago or nearby attractions.
The forest preserve campgrounds provide unexpected natural experiences despite their proximity to suburban development. Campers frequently mention the contrast between urban surroundings and peaceful campsites. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Driving in here makes you forget you're in the middle town! Quite and roving park rangers which gives it a very safe feel around here." While road noise can be noticeable at some locations, particularly those adjacent to major highways, many sites offer sufficient tree coverage and separation to create a sense of seclusion. Recreational amenities commonly include fishing lakes, boat rentals, hiking trails, and archery ranges—making these campgrounds popular with families seeking convenient outdoor activities without long-distance travel. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide modern facilities including showers, flush toilets, and electric hookups.
Best Camping Sites Near Lisle, Illinois (86)
1. Blackwell Family Campground
22 ReviewsWarrenville, IL6 milesWebsite+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."
2. Camp Bullfrog Lake
30 ReviewsWillow Springs, IL11 milesWebsite+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."
3. Camp Sullivan
15 ReviewsOak Forest, IL19 milesWebsite+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. Big Rock Campground
18 ReviewsBig Rock, IL22 milesWebsite+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."
5. Paul Wolff Campground
21 ReviewsElgin, IL24 milesWebsite+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."
6. Camp Reinberg
13 ReviewsPalatine, IL24 milesWebsite+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!"
7. Martin’s Camping Ground
6 ReviewsNew Lenox, IL19 milesWebsite+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."
8. The Vaudeville
4 ReviewsChicago, IL20 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. Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort
5 ReviewsRockdale, IL21 milesWebsite+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."
10. Fox Bluff CottageS & RV
2 ReviewsYorkville, IL20 milesWebsite+1 (630) 553-6323$65 - $95 / night
"There's a gorgeous Creek, a lovely small lake and I really enjoy the walking trails."
"The location requires a 2 night stay minimum."
Recent Camping Photos near Lisle, IL
181 Photos of 86 Lisle Campgrounds
Martin C.
Blackwell Family Campground
Josh M.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Tyler J.
Backyard Bonfire
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff CottageS & RV
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Amanda K.
Big Rock Campground
Art S.
Paul Wolff Campground
Stuart K.
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area
Recent Reviews near Lisle, IL
536 Reviews of 86 Lisle Campgrounds
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendSycamore RV Resort
Peaceful Lakeside Pause in the Heart of Corn Country
There’s something so comforting about pulling into Sycamore RV Resort and seeing the sunlight dance across those two spring-fed lakes, giving you that immediate exhale that only a calm Midwestern campground can bring. The property is medium-sized, incredibly tidy and thoughtfully laid out, with full-hookup RV sites circling the water, a small sandy beach for summer splashing, clean restrooms and showers, simple playgrounds and EZ walking loops that make it feel both manageable and welcoming for families. The boys were in heaven the next morning when we drove over to Elleson’s Bakery for fresh homemade donuts still warm from the oven. Later we wandered through historic downtown Sycamore during Pumpkinfest, taking in the decorated storefronts and carved pumpkins lined up like a little parade. Back at the RV Resort, from what we saw, the best campsites are any of the lakeside slots on the western shore because they offer the prettiest sunrise views and the quietest pockets of the resort. Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this campground for families thanks to its peaceful lakeside setting, its clean and convenient amenities and its proximity to a charming small provincial Midwestern town that makes even a simple weekend feel memorable.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Holiday Acres Camping Resort
Country Calm with a Dash of Classic Campground Fun
The moment we pulled into Holiday Acres, that cozy ‘old-school campground’ feeling washed over us, with tall trees, winding lanes and a big, friendly welcome from the office that instantly made the boys sit up and take notice. The campground is beautifully laid out with roomy sites, full hookups, a well-kept swimming pond, mini golf, a little camp store and restrooms that were impressively clean for a busy family spot. After a long drive, the boys made a beeline for the playground and the pedal carts, and later that night we all sat under the string lights eating ice cream sandwiches from the camp store while fireflies blinked and buzzed through the trees. If you’re a family looking for somewhere safe, shaded and EZ-going with just enough activities to keep the kids happily worn out, this place absolutely fits the bill. Highly recommended for its friendly atmosphere, great kid-focused amenities and peaceful, wooded setting.
Jacob H.ScoutChippewa Campground — Kankakee River State Park
Good spot!
Did a night of tent camping here to test out some gear for a backpacking trip. Lots for tent camping class C are gravel or paved which isnt the best. You are also only able to reserve a spot 48hrs in advance which can be a bit annoying. Water is potable but orange from rust so I would recommend bringing some type of filter to get rid of the taste and color. Very chill staff from what I saw has a state park police truck that patrols ever now and then.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Gebhard Woods State Park Campground
A Tiny, Peaceful Hideaway by Nettle Creek
The soft hush of Nettle Creek and the canopy of old hardwoods set the tone the moment we rolled into the tiny family campground at Gebhard Woods, which I would describe as a simple and wooded pocket tucked along the historic I&M Canal in the very quaint nearby town of Morris that feels like stepping back into a gentler, slower rhythm. With only a very small number of walk-in and car-accessible sites, everything here is intentionally uncomplicated with basic picnic tables, simple fire rings, primitive vault toilets, functional stand-up grills, expansive shelter in case of rain and an abundance of shade. The entire campground opens up within EZ walking distance of the creek, footbridges and a canal path that our little ones immediately ran off to explore. One of my favorite moments came as we watched them marvel at all of the turtles they discovered near the creek banks, their laughter echoing under the trees while my husband and I stirred the campfire and breathed in that cool creek-bank air ... grateful for a night that asked so little of us except to be present. While Gebhard Woods is primitive in every way with no hookups, no frills and no store, it’s absolutely perfect for families who want quiet, nature and room for little imaginations to run wild with the best spots being the shaded sites closest to Nettle Creek where the breeze and water sounds soften everything just right. Highly recommended for families seeking peaceful simplicity, kid-friendly exploring and a truly low-key overnight in the woods.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Camp Reinberg
A Forest Preserve Escape for the Whole Family
From the moment we pulled into Camp Reinberg, our entire family felt something was unique and different about the peacefulness that you immediately encounter when arriving here to Camp Reinberg – it was the kind of quiet that settles over you long before the bags are unpacked, which felt remarkable considering how close this little retreat sits to suburban Palatine. This Forest Preserve of Cook County campground is modest in size with a mix of tent pads, a very small circuit of RV-friendly sites and several modern cabins that give it the feeling of a thoughtfully managed woodland outpost rather than a crowded complex. Amenities are simple but well-cared-for, including clean restrooms, hot showers, shaded picnic areas, a proper indoor camping kitchen and dining hall as well as a large open field for play complete with an enormous bonfire pit and BBQ grill area with direct access to the miles of hiking paths that wind through Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Our favorite moment came just before sunset when the boys darted between the oaks spotting chipmunks while we lingered at the picnic table with a thermos of hot cocoa, savoring the calm and popping in extra marshmallows for full effect. For families, this campground is genuinely recommended thanks to its safety, gentle trails and close-to-town convenience with the best site choice being either one of the tent pads along the wooded northeastern edge (sites#6-10) or the northernmost corner of the RV loop if you’re looking for a spot for your rig (#2-4), where the privacy and tree cover make the stay feel much more like a deep-forest escape.
Beth D.
GuidePaul Wolff Campground
Good place for a night or 2
First, you have to make reservations in advance online. The website says otherwise. They are spacious sites and well maintained the water. Spicket are a significant distance from each campsite so come prepared for that.
- MMark L.Scout
Rolling Oaks Campground
Always amazing
This was my family's campground before my grandmother passed when I was 7. From then till a few years ago I hadn't been back. The first time getting back was definitely a trip down memory lane. Now I try to get a campsite at least once a year. It's always quiet and peaceful & the staff is always willing to help make sure that you have the best experience possible.
Harold H.ScoutLehmans Lakeside RV Resort
Location is ok but staff are not
The worst thing about this campground is that the well water contains rust that affects your entire trailers water system. Staff did not tell you beforehand that your trailer will be destroyed. I’ve stayed here seven months and have had my water repeatedly cut off without notice.
Guide to Lisle
Camping options around Lisle, Illinois lie within the midwestern prairie terrain of DuPage County, with most sites situated at elevations between 650-750 feet above sea level. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from 75-90°F and moderate humidity during peak camping season. Sites in this suburban region offer distinctly different experiences during weekdays versus weekends, with significantly higher occupancy and more scheduled activities occurring Friday through Sunday.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Silver Lake at Blackwell Family Campground offers excellent catch-and-release fishing with several accessible shoreline spots. The fishing area is particularly productive in early morning hours. A camper noted, "The trails are nice and the water is crystal clear. Nice place for a winter hike. Canoe rentals and free archery range."
Mountain biking trails: Several miles of dedicated single-track trails are accessible directly from Camp Bullfrog Lake, ranging from beginner to intermediate difficulty. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. 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."
Kayak rentals: Rental kayaks cost $15 per hour at Camp Bullfrog Lake and include life vests. The lake is small but suitable for beginners and casual paddling. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around."
What campers like
Clean facilities: The bathroom buildings at Paul Wolff Campground receive frequent cleaning and maintenance. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked. It's a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff."
Proximity to Chicago: Many campers appreciate the convenience of reaching downtown Chicago within 30-45 minutes from suburban campsites. "Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway. For only $20 a night for DuPage residents this place is perfect!"
Level sites: Big Rock Campground offers particularly flat camping surfaces with crushed limestone pads that stay level even after rain. "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability. Lovely grasslands, ponds, hiking trails."
What you should know
Gate closure timing: Most forest preserve campgrounds enforce strict gate closure times, typically one hour after sunset. "If you are staying here to see Chicago the gates close for the park an hour after sunset." Plan day trips accordingly to avoid being locked out of your campsite.
Weekend reservations essential: Forest preserve campgrounds fill quickly on summer weekends, often booking completely 2-3 weeks in advance. Many sites hold 25% of spaces for walk-ups, but these fill by Friday afternoon in peak season.
Safety concerns: Some campgrounds have reported infrastructure issues. At Camp Sullivan, a camper noted: "The handicap shower drain is clogged, making the floor extremely slippery from soap scum of previous showers. The lock on the main door to the bathhouse doesn't lock, so if you want to shower at night it's a little sketchy."
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options: Camp Reinberg provides heated cabins that accommodate families looking for a compromise between tent camping and hotel stays. "They have cabins as an option too. Btw, nice fire-spitting show at the pavilion!" These heated cabins are particularly useful during spring and fall when nighttime temperatures can drop unexpectedly.
Best sites for privacy: At Blackwell Family Campground, certain sites offer more seclusion than others. "Site 20 is turf and nicely secluded. Most of the sites are partial shade." For families needing space from neighbors, request wooded perimeter sites when making reservations.
Activities for children: Many forest preserve campgrounds offer scheduled ranger programs on summer weekends. "There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup locations: At Big Rock Campground, water spigots are positioned unusually far from camping pads. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions! The sites are pretty level."
Site leveling: Most RV sites at forest preserve campgrounds feature paved or crushed limestone pads that require minimal leveling. "All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained."
Generator restrictions: Forest preserve campgrounds typically prohibit generator use even at RV sites, making 30/50 amp hookups essential for climate control. During heat waves, RV sites with shade become particularly valuable and book quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Lisle, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Lisle, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lisle, IL is Blackwell Family Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.
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