Camping options near Morton Grove, Illinois provide varying access to natural spaces while remaining close to Chicago suburbs. Located in Cook County about 14 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, this area offers access to forest preserves and lakefront recreation within an hour's drive. Seasonal availability tends to run from April through October for most local campgrounds, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months.
What to Do
Trail exploration: Paul Wolff Campground at Burnidge Forest Preserve features several miles of mixed-terrain trails. According to one visitor, "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them" (Art S.).
Fishing opportunities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers fishing access for all ages. One camper mentioned, "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there" (Chloe N.).
Kayaking and canoeing: For paddlers seeking water recreation near Morton Grove, Turner Lake South provides multiple water access options. A reviewer noted, "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" (Cora M.).
What Campers Like
Proximity to Chicago: Big Rock Campground provides convenient access for suburban Chicago residents looking for quick getaways. As one camper observed, "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, but the lack of trees and privacy isn't my preference. Still great option not far from Chicago" (Melissa C.).
Wildlife viewing: Fox Den Campground at Chain O'Lakes State Park offers multiple opportunities to spot local wildlife. One camper shared their experience: "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill. Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily" (Aida K.).
Affordable camping options: Turner Lake South provides budget-friendly camping options for those seeking lower-cost alternatives to equestrian facilities. A reviewer highlighted, "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner" (Addison G.).
What You Should Know
Limited equestrian accommodations: While searching for horse campgrounds near Morton Grove, Illinois, visitors should note that Big Foot Beach State Park and surrounding campgrounds have restrictions. As one visitor stated, "So this place is much less dog friendly than is advertised. Dogs aren't allowed in large swaths of the park nor on the tiny tiny, bordered by loud highway beach" (Alexandria P.), suggesting similar limitations may apply to horses.
Water quality concerns: At some facilities, water access can be problematic. One reviewer at Leisure Lake Resort noted, "Water quality has been very bad. The water is so unclean that our shower develops yellow stains within a day, and we've had to install a five-stage filtration system just to make it usable" (Iryna R.).
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Paul Wolff Campground has limited shower facilities despite its other amenities. A camper observed, "The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers" (David W.).
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for organized activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides family-focused programming. One visitor noted, "Child Friendly Campground. Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water" (Leo V.).
Consider age-appropriate hiking options: Big Rock Forest Preserve offers trails suitable for various ages. A visitor shared, "Took my daughter for a simple overnight and it was great. 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" (Mike D.).
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Even during summer months, evening temperatures can drop significantly. A camper at Paul Wolff Campground mentioned, "As a Troop we would rent one of the cabins for late season campouts. Clean facilities but the nice part is the scenic hiking for being close to town. Gentle hills and beautiful color" (Mike D.).
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection matters: At Fox Den Campground, sites vary considerably in size and privacy. A reviewer advised, "Chain O'Lakes State Park in IL has two electric campgrounds, 2 non-electric campgrounds and one group site. Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad" (Debra M.).
Water hookup extensions: For RVs at Big Rock Campground, water access requires planning. One RVer noted, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" (Amanda K.), while another observed, "I saw where some campers hooked about 150' of hose to spigots behind the loops to run to their campers" (Jeff G.).
Consider seasonal RV options: For those seeking alternatives to traditional equestrian camping near Morton Grove, seasonal RV options exist. A camper at Big Rock Forest Preserve explained, "We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by" (Julia B.).
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