Cabin camping near Mokena, Illinois provides access to the Illinois-Indiana state line area with its prairie landscape and small waterways. The region experiences seasonal temperature extremes with hot, humid summers and cold winters, affecting cabin availability and facilities. Most cabins operate from April through October with limited winter options depending on heating systems.
What to do
River activities: Kankakee River State Park features fishing opportunities along the river with boat docks available. "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 to Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Mountain biking: Trail networks surrounding western Cook County parks provide extensive single-track options. "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 a Camp Bullfrog Lake camper. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here."
Water recreation: Cedar Lake access is available at some campgrounds with equipment rentals. "You have access to the perks of the conference grounds including access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open," mentions a camper at Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park.
What campers like
Proximity to Chicago: Several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations within an hour of downtown Chicago. "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails," shares a visitor to Camp Sullivan.
Cabin variety: Options range from basic sleeping cabins to fully heated units with bathrooms. "Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," notes a camper at Camp Sullivan.
Year-round access: Some locations operate through winter months. "I visited Palos early this week (mid-April) for a very very chilly three days. There are small and medium cabins, some heated with their own bathrooms," writes a Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor.
What you should know
Reservation windows: Most cabins require advance planning, especially during peak season. "We spent the weekend exploring America's 61st National Park- Indiana Dunes National Park. The National Park campsite was full and recommended this place about 10 minutes away," shares a visitor to Sand Creek Campground.
Cabin amenities: Heating options vary by location and season. "There are small and medium cabins, some heated with their own bathrooms, that feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold," notes a Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor.
Shower facilities: Quality and availability varies between locations. "The showers on site TRICKLED, not even enough to wash your hair. The sinks constantly run, they don't shut off," reports a camper at Illini State Park.
Noise considerations: Many campgrounds experience traffic or train noise. "The train is so loud that it's bound to wake you up numerous times in the middle of the night. There are so many flood lights that it is never dark," mentions a visitor to Lakeshore Camp Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many locations offer play areas for children. "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)," shares a Camp Sullivan visitor with three children under 7.
Activities and facilities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled programming. "We took the kids to some knee deep water to play (swimming is NOT allowed in the river). Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had. 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!" notes a visitor to Kankakee River State Park.
Site selection for tents: When combining cabin and tent camping, consider site layout. "Wooded electric paved sites with fairly new bathhouse facilities. Pretty clean. Camp Reinberg is a tad closer to downtown and north suburban shopping but has only 4 electric sites, 2 disabled accessible. Camp Sullivan has twice as many sites and more availability," explains a camper.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up limitations: Water access varies between campgrounds. "This park does NOT have water and sewer hook ups. You will have to fill your water tank, before parking," warns a visitor to Illini State Park.
Site privacy: Many locations have minimal separation between spots. "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 a Kankakee South KOA visitor.
Winter storage: Some locations offer seasonal arrangements. "Some campers are stored there over the winter months," mentions a Sand Creek Campground visitor, which can reduce available sites during shoulder seasons.
