Tent campsites near Matteson, Illinois lie within an hour's drive of Chicago, offering access to both urban conveniences and outdoor recreation opportunities. This area experiences four distinct seasons, with summer high temperatures averaging 84°F and winter lows dropping into the 20s. Many campgrounds face seasonal flooding concerns, particularly those along the Illinois and Des Plaines Rivers.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Kayak Morris provides direct river access for water recreation. "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!" notes camper Sam Murphy M. Sites allow kayak launching from your campsite.
Cycling trails: The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail connects multiple camping areas, making Matteson-area campgrounds popular with bicycle tourists. Channahon State Park Campground serves as a strategic stopping point for cyclists. "It's a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride," explains reviewer Art S.
Fishing spots: Multiple camping locations provide fishing access. The Kankakee River offers productive fishing at Mac Finn's Landing, where one camper describes it as "one of the best no wake zones and fishing banks on the Kankakee River" with "lots of access to great fishing holes up the Kankakee and Iroqouis Rivers."
What campers like
Private sites: Despite being in a populated region, several tent camping options near Matteson offer secluded spots. Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park provides privacy not mentioned in other campgrounds. "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long," reports camper Don W.
Riverfront camping: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. Kayak Morris stands out with riverfront sites. "We brought our own kayaks and launched right from our campsite which was amazing but they rent kayaks for pretty cheap if you don't have your own," notes camper Amanda W.
Urban-adjacent nature: Camping near Matteson combines natural settings with urban accessibility. As one camper at Camp Shabbona Woods notes, "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background. They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Water sources at tent camping sites vary in quality. At McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, "Water is available by an old fashioned pump, and is drinkable, but cloudy," explains camper Brian O.
Parking restrictions: Many tent-only sites require walking from parking areas. McKinley Woods campground presents unexpected challenges: "First off, we didn't realize this was a walk-in campground, the details on the Will county site were vague, and the satellite photo showed a paved road. The road is a path."
Site flooding potential: Low-lying campsites may flood during heavy rains. One McKinley Woods camper reported: "Nothing was mentioned about this site being a flood zone. Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Some Matteson-area campgrounds specifically cater to new campers. Camp Shabbona Woods is "set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping," according to Scott M. The organized layout and helpful staff make it accessible for families new to camping.
Water recreation access: Multiple sites offer family-friendly water activities. At Davis Creek Campground in Kankakee River State Park, "there is good access to water" and the area is described as "open, scenic" with "a lot of amenities" that appeal to families.
Accessibility features: Some campgrounds provide accessible sites. McKinley Woods offers "two of the four sites [that] have concrete pads for ADA accessibility" and "all sites have enormous banquet sized picnic tables with cut-out in the bench for wheelchairs."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Most camping options near Matteson lack RV hookups. Camp Shabbona Woods allows RVs but offers limited amenities for them. "No electric or water hook ups, can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite," reports Jeffrey L.
Seasonal considerations: RV camping in this region requires awareness of park closures and weather conditions. Early gate closures can impact plans, as one camper noted, "the park closes early, 8PM in summer, and earlier still off season. Check the fine print on your reservation!"
