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Best Campgrounds near Mount Prospect, IL

455 Reviews

The northwestern suburbs of Chicago surrounding Mount Prospect, Illinois feature a mix of county-managed and state park camping options within a 30-mile radius. Camp Reinberg in nearby Palatine offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with well-maintained facilities and access to forest preserve trails. Chain O' Lakes State Park, located about 35 miles north, provides multiple camping areas including Fox Den, Turner Lake South, and Honeysuckle Hollow with varying levels of privacy and amenities. Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville and Illinois Beach State Park in Zion round out the primary established camping options, with the latter providing Lake Michigan shoreline access.

Reservations are essential during peak season at most campgrounds in the area, particularly from May through September. Many Cook County forest preserve campgrounds enforce a one-week stay limit unless special approval is obtained. As one camper noted, "Full hook-ups fill up fast with no spur-of-the-moment camping unless it's early or late in the season." Illinois state parks enforce a no-alcohol policy even at individual campsites. Most campgrounds close their gates at night, with Chain O' Lakes using tire shredders to prevent late entry after 10 PM. Summer heat can be challenging at sites without adequate shade, and proximity to Chicago means weekend crowding is common.

Cycling and walking trails connect many of the camping areas to larger recreational networks. According to one visitor at Camp Reinberg, "The path is gorgeous, dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lily pad covered ponds." Sites at Turner Lake South are described as "nice and private" compared to the more open RV rows at Honeysuckle Hollow. Campers frequently mention the convenience of these locations for quick weekend getaways from Chicago, with some forest preserves offering county resident discounts. Site privacy varies considerably, with some campgrounds featuring closely spaced sites while others provide more natural buffers. Water recreation opportunities exist at several locations, particularly at Chain O' Lakes where boat rentals and fishing are popular activities during summer months.

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Best Camping Sites Near Mount Prospect, Illinois (59)

    1. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."

    "tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"

    2. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    3. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."

    "I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."

    4. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life.

    Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."

    "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."

    5. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."

    "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."

    6. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "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."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

    7. The Vaudeville

    3 Reviews
    Chicago, IL
    17 miles
    +1 (312) 420-4204

    "There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"

    8. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    30 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) 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"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

    9. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."

    "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "

    10. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    30 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly.

    But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Mount Prospect, IL

168 Photos of 59 Mount Prospect Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Mount Prospect, IL

455 Reviews of 59 Mount Prospect Campgrounds

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • Kevin B.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Camp Sullivan

    Enjoyed the camping experience

    Nice and clean areas, staff was very professional and helpful while I was there

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Big Rock Campground

    Needs some shade

    This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.

    The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?

    It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Camp Shabbona Woods

    Not the best but acceptable

    Stayed the weekend. 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. No electric or water hook ups can’t keep your vehicle close to your campsite. The good the bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    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. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

Guide to Mount Prospect

Camping near Mount Prospect, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to escape the city.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the trails at Rock Cut State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "There are plenty of scenic photo opportunities especially during the fall season."
  • Fishing: At Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, you can fish for bluegill, walleye, and perch. A reviewer noted, "This is the Muskie Capitol of Illinois, BTW!"
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sandy shores at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground. One camper shared, "It’s a unique location about .5 miles from the actual beach."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Dunewood Campground said, "The bathrooms were clean with individual locking showers."
  • Friendly Staff: Many reviews highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A camper at Michigan City Campground remarked, "The staff is great. Very helpful and will work with you on taking care of your camp site."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the wooded surroundings. One reviewer at Blackwell Family Campground noted, "Driving in here makes you forget you’re in the middle town! Quite and roving park rangers which gives it a very safe feel."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially at Dunewood Campground. One camper warned, "The mosquitoes here are insane!!! I came back with giant welts from the bites even with bug spray on."
  • Crowded Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy on weekends. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois."
  • Limited Privacy: Some sites are close together. A camper at Michigan City Campground said, "The sites are close together and the fire rings are small."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One parent at Blackwell Family Campground shared, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and during our stay, blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around."
  • Safety First: Choose campgrounds with good supervision. A camper at Rock Cut State Park Campground noted, "Very well kept safe supervision quiet clean facilities."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check for nearby dining options. A visitor at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area recommended, "In the nearby hamlet of Shabbona, there’s a few options, top of which I recommend Shabbona Café."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "The campsite overall is beautiful and the land is well kept."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some RV parks can be crowded. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground said, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."
  • Know Your Site: Understand the layout of your campground. A camper at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground advised, "Sites are decent sized and have asphalt driveways with concrete pads."

Whether you're looking for the best camping near Mount Prospect, IL, or just a quick getaway, these campgrounds offer a variety of experiences that cater to different needs and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Mount Prospect, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Prospect, IL is Camp Reinberg with a 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.

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