Glamping opportunities in the New Lenox area span beyond traditional camping with options for luxury outdoor accommodations across northern Illinois and nearby Indiana. Located approximately 35 miles southwest of Chicago, New Lenox sits at an elevation of 670 feet with the Des Plaines River running nearby. Winter glamping is limited with most locations closing from November through March, though some heated cabins remain available during colder months.
What to do
Fishing access: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers fishing and boat rentals for water activities. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," notes Layla P. The small size makes it manageable for beginners.
Mountain biking trails: Multiple trail systems near campsites provide opportunities for cycling. "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," writes Josh M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake. Some trails connect between camping areas for longer rides.
Water recreation: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas with additional water features. At Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds, "the sandy beach is exactly what you'll find and what a great time it is for the whole family, complete with all of the many on-water distractions and entertainment options this place offers from sand castle building, waterslide, 'moonwalk,' ice berg, which is a 15' climbing wall in the center of the lake."
What campers like
Heated cabin options: Insulated accommodations make winter camping possible at select locations. "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," mentions a reviewer about Camp Bullfrog Lake. These cabins typically accommodate 4-8 people.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area's forest preserves support diverse animal populations. "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," reports Hatie P. Early morning and dusk provide best wildlife spotting times.
Proximity to Chicago: Camp Sullivan provides urban accessibility while maintaining a natural environment. "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails," notes Bill M. The location makes it suitable for weekend getaways without long drives.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds pack sites closely together. At Lakeshore Camp Resort, "If your idea of camping is to be surrounded by nature, quiet, and the ability to social distance then DO NOT CAMP HERE. Lakeshore resort is like choosing to camp in the middle of a neighborhood whose population density is higher than chicago, except instead of apartments, it's trailers."
Bathroom facilities differ between locations: Cleanliness and amenities vary greatly. "The bathhouses are newer and kept fairly clean. I don't think they're checked everyday though because the ladies stalls were out of toilet paper our second morning. The water pressure in the showers was so-so, but there was no hot water," reports Lisa S. about Camp Sullivan.
Membership requirements: Some glamping locations require memberships for access. At Leisure Lake Membership Resort, glamping amenities come with membership rules. "I would highly recommend for anyone that can invest. I didn't make the review 5 stars because of the need for membership, but some may find that appealing if they want an exclusive experience," explains Bill M.
Tips for camping with families
Themed activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Millbrook organizes regular family programs. "I've been to this site a handful of times growing up and it's a good campsite for the kids. Lots of activities to do everyday like crafts to keep the kids preoccupied during the day," writes Tori P. Activities typically run from morning through early evening.
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas for convenience with young children. "Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp," shares Sadie H. about Oak Lake RV Resort.
Holiday weekend camping: Special events occur during holiday periods with additional programming. "My family never misses the Halloween camping season at Millbrook. This is an activity packed weekend which is amazing. Good for kids of all ages including the adults. All the campers do amazing decorations for the weekend and trick or treating here the kids get more candy then they ever could at home," explains Marc W.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookups only: Many sites provide electricity but require campers to arrive with filled water tanks. "It is electric only but that didn't really bother us- we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves," explains Greg S. about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Site selection strategy: Choose outside perimeter sites for more privacy when possible. "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade. The middle sites are more exposed and much less private," advises Greg S.
Dump station quality: Facility conditions vary between campgrounds. "What's worse is the dump station I was forced to use. OMG what a disaster. It's a relic from decades ago. Uneven and puddles of 'water' all over the dump area," warns Jeff G. Consider planning dump schedules around campgrounds with better facilities.
