Cabin accommodations near Lyons, Illinois provide year-round options for outdoor recreation along the Kankakee River and surrounding forest preserves. Most cabin rental properties sit within an hour's drive of downtown Chicago, making them convenient weekend getaways. Winter temperatures average 25-35°F while summer months typically range from 70-85°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking trail access: Camp Reinberg connects directly to extensive trail networks through Deer Grove Forest Preserve. "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout, and there's even a little up-and-down thanks to ice age glaciers," notes one visitor to Camp Reinberg.
Mountain biking: The single-track trails at Palos Forest Preserve near Camp Bullfrog Lake offer some of the region's best mountain biking opportunities. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits. 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," reports one regular visitor.
Water activities: Many cabin properties offer seasonal access to swimming pools, while others provide lake access for fishing and kayaking. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," shares a camper who stayed at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cabin renters consistently mention the well-maintained shower and bathroom facilities at several properties. At Michigan City Campground, visitors appreciate "beautifully kept" grounds with newly renovated bathrooms. "This is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. It is gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter. We stayed in the premium sites which were 90ft pull thought with 50A service, water and sewer, and the best wifi I have seen at a campsite," notes one visitor.
Proximity to attractions: Cabins near Lyons provide convenient access to both natural attractions and urban amenities. "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. The campsites are well kept as are the grounds," reports a visitor to Camp Sullivan.
Cabin comfort: The cabin accommodations at many properties offer comfortable alternatives to tent camping. "We stayed in a large cabin... the bathroom was wonderful. The hiking here is AWESOME with a bajillion different routes right from the campground. We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," notes a visitor about their cabin rental experience.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: While some cabin properties operate year-round, others have limited seasonal availability. "Located in the Norwest suburb of Palatine, this campground is super accessible from Chicago and a fun getaway for suburban camping. Grocery stores and modern conveniences are minutes away," notes a visitor to Camp Reinberg.
Gate closures: Some properties implement security measures including locked gates during overnight hours. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting. What if there was an emergency? An ambulance would have had to rush the gate," warns one visitor about Camp Sullivan.
Site variations: Cabin sites vary significantly in size, privacy levels, and amenities. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM. Firewood was still wet and hard to burn," reports a visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Chicago Northwest KOA offers numerous organized activities for children. "Did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night. A little bit smaller of a campground with regards to site space, but that's about the only thing 'bad' to say, and it's not really a bad thing at all. 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," shares one parent.
Nature programs: Some cabin properties offer educational programming for children. "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!" reports a visitor to Kankakee River State Park.
Cabin selection: When booking cabins with children, request information about sleeping arrangements and cabin size. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods). Highly recommend," notes a family that regularly visits Camp Sullivan with young children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Water and electrical hookup availability varies across properties. "Really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors," reports an RV camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Site spacing: RV sites at many properties offer limited privacy compared to more remote camping areas. "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape, but as far as campgrounds go it was about 3x the price for less than half the space," notes one camper about their experience at Camp Sullivan.
Camp store convenience: On-site stores provide essential supplies for cabin and RV campers. "There is a swimming pool and a game room, and a small store with the essentials, and propane," reports a visitor to Michigan City Campground.
