Camping spots near North Chicago, Illinois range from shoreline settings along Lake Michigan to forested retreats in state parks. The region sits on relatively flat terrain with elevations around 600-700 feet above sea level, creating diverse wetland ecosystems throughout the area's state parks and forest preserves. Summer nights typically remain above 55°F, allowing for comfortable tent camping from May through September.
What to do
Kayaking on connected lakes: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, visitors can navigate through multiple interconnected waterways. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill. Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily," notes a visitor at Fox Den Campground.
Beach activities along Lake Michigan: Spend time along the shoreline at Illinois Beach State Park. "Easy access to the beach, great sites and was very quiet. My only complaint is that there wasn't any soap or sanitizer in the bathrooms," mentions one camper at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park.
Hiking varied terrain: The region offers trails through forests, wetlands, and prairie environments. "Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc. The preserve bumps up next to neighborhoods and major roads depending how far in you get, but the main trails are easy to follow," reports a visitor to Camp Reinberg.
Wildlife observation: Many camping areas support diverse animal populations. "If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go," explains a camper at Sunset Campground, adding, "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 campers like
Semi-private camping spots: Campers appreciate sites with natural buffers. At Prairie View Camping Area, a reviewer noted, "Our campsite was encased in foliage which gave us some privacy. I could see through the brush to neighbors but it was enough to give my dog a sense of peace without disturbances."
Accessible lakefront views: Waterfront sites are highly valued. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," shares a camper at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, adding, "I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site!"
Amenities in semi-urban settings: Many appreciate modern facilities while still feeling outdoors. "This campground is very well maintained with all the amenities you could need: a small camping store, communal kitchen, firepits, and clean bathrooms," states a Camp Reinberg visitor.
Cooler temperatures near water: Lake Michigan provides natural air conditioning. "Beautiful views and amazing sunrises," mentions a camper at Illinois Beach State Park, who still cautions about insects: "be warned flies and mosquitos are wild."
What you should know
Seasonal insect considerations: Mosquitoes and ticks are significant concerns. At Honeysuckle Hollow, a camper 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!"
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for nighttime visitors. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," advises a Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Road noise at certain sites: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. "Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by," notes a Sunset Campground visitor.
Gate closure times: Some parks restrict late-night access. A Prairie View camper cautions, "The park gates close early as well - we returned one evening at 10:30pm and couldn't get back in with a vehicle. Had to go back in on foot."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. At Turner Lake South, a visitor noted, "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."
Kid-friendly swimming spots: Beaches with gradual entry work best for children. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" recommends a Fish Lake Beach visitor.
Early evening activities: Plan for wildlife disruptions. "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," advises a Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Weekday visits for quieter experience: For families seeking tranquility, midweek stays offer less crowding. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," shares a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Check exact power post placement. "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 an RVer at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Seasonal availability: Most facilities close during winter months. "This was our first time at this campground and we were impressed. We stayed in the Fox Den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition," shares a camper at Fox Den Campground.
Site surface conditions: Some sites have challenges with water drainage. "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. Very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. A small lake is near the further parking lot," notes a visitor to Sunrise Campground.
Bathroom and shower access: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The shower houses are dated, yet I have seen them clean and also not clean on busy camper weekends," reports a Turner Lake South camper.
