Camping options near Naperville, Illinois range from primitive tent sites to fully-equipped glamping accommodations. Located in the glacially-formed landscape of northeastern Illinois, most campgrounds sit at elevations between 700-750 feet above sea level. The area experiences humid continental climate with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season from May through September, often with periods of high humidity.
What to do
Kayaking and boating access: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides direct water access with multiple launch points. "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 at Turner Lake South.
Mountain biking trails: Several campgrounds feature dedicated single-track paths for cyclists. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, trails connect directly to campsites. A visitor mentioned, "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."
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds schedule themed weekends throughout the season. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Millbrook, fall brings special Halloween programming. "I've been to this site a handful of times growing up and it's a good campsite for the kids. Always came here for trick or treating and it's a fun event for the camp ground with plenty of spooky things to do," reports one reviewer.
What campers like
Privacy options: While some campgrounds feature closely-spaced sites, others offer more secluded options. At Chain O' Lakes State Park, "The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East. The campsites are a little bigger in Turner Lake South, I feel, but both have campsites circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent."
Accessible water features: Many sites provide fishing access right from campsites. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, "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."
Convenience services: On-site stores and amenities make camping more manageable, especially for families seeking glamping close to Naperville, Illinois. "The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" notes one Fish Lake Beach visitor.
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: Many campgrounds near Naperville have closely-arranged sites. At Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds, "The campsites are packed together so close you can see in your neighbors camper." Sites at Thomas Woods Campground offer more separation.
Weather preparation: Summer storms can develop quickly in this region. Chicago Northwest KOA provides helpful communication: "The text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for premium glamping accommodations near Naperville. "We stayed in the Turner South Loop, one of the older tent camping loops, and the age definitely showed. Most of the sites on this loop are pretty worn, with not much privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Beachfront activities: Several locations offer supervised swimming areas with family-friendly features. Hi-Tide Beach provides "sand castle building, waterslide, 'moonwalk,' ice berg, which is a 15' climbing wall in the center of the lake, water trampoline, log roll, rocket balls, floaties, innertubes as well as floating 'lilly pads' and shallow waters for the young kids."
Indoor recreation options: For rainy days, look for campgrounds with covered facilities. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," notes a visitor at Camp Sullivan.
Tick prevention: Prepare for insects, especially in wooded areas. A camper at Honeysuckle Hollow warns, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. They literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Not all electric sites offer full hookups. At Camp Sullivan, one RVer noted: "No water or dumping hook up. Electric only. The entrance was hard to find. It was near the intersection of Oak and 147th I believe."
Site dimensions: Check site measurements when booking luxury glamping close to Naperville, Illinois. At Chain O' Lakes State Park, "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."
Level sites: Many campgrounds feature relatively flat terrain. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy."
