Camping cabins near Mundelein, Illinois offer year-round accommodation options in the Chicagoland region where winters often drop below 10°F and summers reach into the 90s. The area sits at approximately 797 feet above sea level and features a mix of forest preserves, prairies, and small lakes. Cabin camping facilities within 30 miles of Mundelein typically fill quickly from May through September when temperatures are most comfortable for outdoor activities.
What to do
Paddle the Chain O' Lakes waterways: At Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park, visitors can kayak through connected lakes and witness diverse wildlife. "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 one camper.
Mountain biking on forest trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to extensive trail systems. A visitor explains, "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day."
Archery and horseback riding: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers multiple activities beyond water sports. One camper shares, "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas."
What campers like
Affordable cabin options: The Turner Lake South camping area offers budget-friendly cabin rentals. "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. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night," reports one camper.
Lakefront cabin sites: At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, cabins provide direct water access. "I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site! The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," notes a visitor.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate the upkeep at cabins throughout the area. At Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area, a camper mentioned, "Very nice and clean facilities." Another camper added, "The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife."
What you should know
Winter cabin availability: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some cabins remain available during colder months. One camper at Camp Reinberg notes, "This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove, where you have access to the Fox River and Grass lake."
Mosquito preparation: Bring insect repellent, especially during summer months. A camper at Richard Bong State Recreation Area warns, "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."
Booking considerations: Reservations for cabins fill quickly, especially on weekends. "This state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends."
Tips for camping with families
Kids' activities schedule: Chicago Northwest KOA offers structured programming for children. A visitor shares, "Did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night. Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Safety considerations: When selecting a cabin site with young children, consider proximity to water and trails. One camper advises, "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 as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many camping cabins around Mundelein provide excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "We really like this place and was about a 30 minute ride from our place in the western burbs. We've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on our two trips so far."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal considerations: For campers with larger vehicles seeking cabins at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area, note shared utilities. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," advises one experienced camper.
Winter access: When snow covers the ground, cabin camping becomes the preferred option over RVs. "We stayed for a week over the summer in 2021. We had a back-in site on the north side of the campground. We had 50 amp, but no water/sewer, although there was a water spigot next to our site that we could use to fill up jugs of water."
Dump station logistics: For those combining RV and cabin stays, plan accordingly. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping."
