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Best Tent Camping near Northbrook, IL

459 Reviews

Tent campsites around Northbrook, Illinois are primarily located within established campgrounds in the surrounding region. Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland offers tent sites in an urban setting with new saplings providing minimal shade. The Illinois and Michigan Canal provides backpacking tent campsites with hike-in access in Joliet, about 45 miles southwest of Northbrook.

Most tent campgrounds in the Northbrook vicinity have limited amenities and varying regulations. Camp Shabbona Woods provides basic facilities including toilets, showers, picnic tables, and drinking water, with gates that close after 10pm. Fire regulations differ between locations—fires are permitted at both Shabbona Woods and the Illinois and Michigan Canal sites, though the latter offers no facilities or amenities for backcountry tent camping. Hammel Woods and Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area provide additional tent camping options with walk-in access but minimal facilities.

The tent camping experience near Northbrook reflects its proximity to urban areas. A recent review noted, "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background." Tent sites at Camp Shabbona Woods are well-maintained but offer limited privacy due to young trees and urban setting. The campground is described as clean and well-suited for beginning tent campers. Silver Springs and Illinois and Michigan Canal areas allow pets, providing options for tent campers traveling with dogs. Many tent sites require short walks from parking areas, with no ability to keep vehicles adjacent to campsites. Caretakers at established campgrounds maintain clean facilities, though most backcountry tent sites require self-sufficiency with no available water sources or restroom facilities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Northbrook, Illinois (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Northbrook, IL

3 Photos of 6 Northbrook Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Northbrook, IL

459 Reviews of 6 Northbrook Campgrounds

  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Nice but very little shade

    We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

    There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.

    There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.

    Overall it was pretty quiet.

    The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.

  • 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.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2020

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Well maintained and clean

    Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

    There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

    Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

  • Jonathan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2023

    Big Rock Campground

    First time campers

    Nice clean area to camp. Most of the sites are for travel camper or RV’s.

    A couple of drive Ups.

    50/30 amps hookups. Water hookups as well. Great water pressure.

    Running water restrooms & non-running water restrooms.

    2-dump sites they have sections for tent camping- but down fall is they do not have showers.

    Overall experience was great and we will return.

  • Scott N.
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Thomas Woods Campground

    Great trails, loud neighbors, lots of bugs

    Thomas Woods campground has some great sites, particularly the tent sites. Many of them are set off a short distance from the parking area. I stayed at site 30 which was less than a tenth mile from the parking spot. There are no trash cans at the site, the dumpsite is near the entrance. Most of the roads are one way so after dropping the trash off you must drive all through the campground to get back to your site. The site itself had plenty of room and privacy. The woods are dense and block all views of the neighboring sites. Unfortunately, I think some people think if they can’t see you, you can’t hear them. Every site has a raised pad for a tent. This was very nice. I did track in some of the small gravel into the tent, though. It looks like kitty litter. Not a big deal. It was nice sleeping flat and not sliding off my sleep pad.

    Near Marengo Ridge is a bike trail called H.U.M. Trail. It is only 3.5 miles long. From what I understand is they lost funding for the project. The path is paved and offers a scenic forested view. The hiking trails of Marengo Ridge are the true stars of the area. I walked for almost two hours and still didn’t see them all. Some of the trails have wide paths of grass while others are single-track dirt. 

    As other reviewers have written, the mosquitoes are insane.  Bring plenty of bug spray!

    My website:  https://www.lost13.com/camping/2020/7/13/marengo-ridge

    My video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4TzLzf\_PY&t=1s

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2019

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Amazing hiking and beautifully kept but a bit pricey

    This campground is in a populated area but the nature preserve is big. We rarely saw traffic once here. A train goes by a couple times but it was always during the day. 

    It’s pricey if you are from out of the county. We were hoping to camp at the primitive sites but they are walk-in only. Our teardrop wasn’t allowed. We settled at site 37 and enjoyed our stay. There are vault toilets but the large number of big RVs meant they were not used often leaving them almost like our private restrooms. Each site has water and electric. Trees are around the outside with few on the inside sites. All the sites have paved pads. 

    The highlight of our experience is the hiking. 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. 

    If the price was more reasonable we would certainly be back. If you need the water/electric then this is a great choice.

  • Meg
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Good For families, a few downsides

    *** 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. Closer to the center of this row is best.

    Pros- easy pull in sites and lots of walk-in availability. Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe. Also seemed pretty respectful in the evenings with people toning down the noise.

    Lots of electric sites, deep enough for 2 tents, 2 cars (although close to neighbors and no trees between sites), picnic table and fire pit.

    Bathroom shower houses were decent (we usually just have toddler use her travel potty, but this one was fine).

    Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks.

    Cons - SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair.

    Also - the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it’s dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s’mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down.

  • A
    Jul. 3, 2018

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Clean and cute

    This is a good place for people starting to camp. Good size lakeside sites and large, clean cabins on the inner road. Clean bathroom house. Firewood came with the site, which is awesome, and they rent gear, from tents to sleeping bags. Well stocked store and decent trails nearby. But keep your stuff locked and secured. We did and that's why the guy trying to open our car didn't make of with any of our stuff. Sigh... Cook County...

Guide to Northbrook

Tent camping near Northbrook, Illinois centers primarily around forest preserves and county parks in the surrounding regions. Located in Cook County, Northbrook experiences typical Midwestern climate with humid summers averaging 83°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. The terrain features gentle hills with mixed hardwood forests and prairie restoration areas, creating natural settings for overnight stays despite proximity to urban development.

What to do

Hiking trails access: Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area offers multiple trail connections from tent sites. Camping areas connect directly to 4.2 miles of trails through restored prairie and woodland habitats.

Fishing opportunities: Camp Shabbona Woods provides access to nearby fishing spots. "The campgrounds do not have a lot of shade as new saplings are still growing. Caretakers were very helpful and did a great job keeping the campground clean," notes camper Scott M.

Nature observation: At Melody Park Campground, tent campers can access Lakeshore Drive with views of Twin Lakes. The campground operates seasonally from May 1 to October 15, allowing for spring and fall wildlife viewing when migratory birds are most active.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Tent campers at Camp Shabbona Woods frequently mention facility maintenance. Jeffrey L. states, "The bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly," making it suitable for those who prefer basic amenities while tent camping.

Urban accessibility: Illinois and Michigan Canal offers backpacking tent sites approximately 45 miles from Northbrook. This location provides a unique balance of natural setting with proximity to urban areas, allowing campers to reach sites via public transportation connections.

Pet-friendly options: Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area welcomes dogs at their tent camping areas. The park requires pets to remain on leash at all times and owners must clean up after their animals on trails and in camping areas.

What you should know

Gate closing times: Several campgrounds near Northbrook implement strict access schedules. At Camp Shabbona Woods, Jeffrey L. reports, "They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok." This requires campers to plan arrivals accordingly or risk being unable to enter.

Limited privacy: Most tent sites in the Northbrook region feature minimal separation between camping areas. Hammel Woods offers walk-in tent sites with natural buffers between designated areas, though vegetation remains limited in many sections.

Reservation requirements: Tent camping areas fill quickly during summer weekends, particularly at established campgrounds. Reservations should be made 2-4 weeks in advance for Friday and Saturday stays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Urban noise presence: Proximity to developed areas affects the camping experience. As Jeffrey L. notes about Camp Shabbona Woods, "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background."

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly setup: Camp Shabbona Woods provides an entry point for family camping. According to Scott M., the "camp suite is set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping," with well-maintained facilities suitable for children.

Educational programs: Kishwaukee Valley Farms offers seasonal agricultural activities and demonstrations alongside their tent and glamping accommodations. Programs run mainly on weekends from April through October.

Vehicle restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Northbrook require parking in designated lots rather than at individual sites. Jeffrey L. points out, "No electric or water hook ups can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite," requiring families to plan accordingly when packing gear.

Tips from RVers

Alternatives to tent camping: Limited RV camping exists within 30 miles of Northbrook, with most sites offering no hookups. Many RVers opt for tent camping platforms at established campgrounds instead.

Equipment rental options: Several forest preserves partner with equipment rental services for families wanting to try tent camping without purchasing gear. Rental packages typically include a 4-person tent, sleeping pads, and camp chairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Northbrook, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Northbrook, IL is Camp Shabbona Woods with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Northbrook, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Northbrook, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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