The Northbrook, Illinois camping area offers access to several Cook County Forest Preserves and state parks within a 30-mile radius. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 580-700 feet, creating relatively flat terrain ideal for novice hikers and young families. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with moderate humidity, while fall camping brings cooler nights in the 40s and colorful foliage across the preserve lands.
What to do
Kayaking at Turner Lake: Turner Lake South offers peaceful paddling opportunities away from motorized watercraft. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," notes camper Cora M. at Turner Lake South.
Mountain biking on extensive trail networks: Riders appreciate the variety of terrain at Camp Bullfrog Lake, particularly for single-track enthusiasts. "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," shares Josh M., who uses the campground for "midweek camping trips to break up the work week."
Archery practice at free range facilities: Multiple forest preserves offer designated archery areas with family-friendly setups. At Blackwell Family Campground, Christian V. notes, "The trails are nice and the water is crystal clear. Nice place for a winter hike. Canoe rentals and free archery range."
Off-season hiking and wildlife spotting: Fall and early winter camping provides enhanced wildlife viewing opportunities. "The Goldfinch trail is the shortest loop and the most diverse in terms of flora," explains Brian O. about Chain O' Lakes State Park. Bird watchers regularly spot sandhill cranes, hawks, and various songbirds throughout the preserve system.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities close to Chicago: Camp Reinberg maintains high standards for bathroom cleanliness. "Seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!" says Susan L., who appreciates that the "campground is centrally located to the major roads (Quentin/NW Hwy) and about 10 minutes from the Palatine Metra train station."
Easy hiking access for dog owners: Pet friendly camping near Northbrook emphasizes accessible trail networks. "The trail system is great for walking the dogs. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout," notes Kristy G.
Fire pit setups and firewood availability: Most campgrounds provide quality fire rings and reasonable firewood prices. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, Lawrence B. mentions that "bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM," though cautioning that "firewood was still wet and hard to burn."
Privacy between campsites: Turner Lake South offers more seclusion than other campgrounds in the area. "The campsites are nice and private," reports Marisa A., noting that "Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East" are the "best sites for those hoping for privacy" with "campsites circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent."
What you should know
Seasonal insect challenges: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months. At Illinois Beach State Park, Liz M. warns, "Beautiful views and amazing sunrises but be warned flies and mosquitos are wild."
Weekend crowding vs. weekday tranquility: Plan your visit timing strategically for the experience you want. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," explains Tina about her stay at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Park gate hours affect late arrivals: Most preserves restrict entry after certain hours. Brian O. notes about Chain O' Lakes: "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."
Wildlife encounters require proper food storage: "We had some raccoons at night even after we locked up everything in the car," reports Julia B. at Turner Lake. Multiple reviewers mention similar experiences, emphasizing the importance of secure food storage.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites based on playground access for kids. At Honeysuckle Hollow, Meg recommends: "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep."
Tick prevention for crawling babies: Parents of young children should take extra precautions. "With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair," advises Meg.
Fishing opportunities for children: Multiple lakes offer beginner-friendly shore fishing. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," notes Julia B.
Camp store convenience: On-site stores provide essential items and treats for kids. Chloe N. at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort appreciates that "the camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for optimal shade: Most campgrounds offer limited shade coverage for RVs. At Paul Wolff Campground, Marisa A. advises, "The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes."
Water hookup limitations: RVers should note that water access varies by campground. "There is no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site," explains The School for Y. at Camp Reinberg.
Electrical hook-up sharing: At some campgrounds, power boxes serve multiple sites. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad," warns Debra M., recommending "sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance."
Reservation lead times for weekend camping: Most pet friendly camping near Northbrook requires advance planning. "This campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer," notes Marisa A., explaining that "a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends."
