Illinois offers several cabin camping options near North Riverside within a 60-minute drive radius. The region experiences distinct seasons with humid summers often reaching the 80s and winters dropping below freezing. Cabins become particularly sought after during October through March when overnight temperatures frequently fall below 40°F.
What to do
Water activities at Camp Bullfrog Lake: Visitors can rent kayaks for $15 per hour with life vests included. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," notes a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers extensive trail systems ideal for mountain biking enthusiasts. "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," reports one visitor who stayed at site #2.
Rock climbing at indoor facility: The activity barn at Camp Sullivan features a rock climbing wall suitable for families. A visitor noted, "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."
Fishing opportunities year-round: Multiple properties offer fishing access directly from campsites. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there."
What campers like
Cabin options for cold weather: Winter cabin camping provides a comfortable alternative to tenting. One camper at Camp Reinberg shared, "We stayed in one of the large cabins - game changer in the winter!" Another visitor added, "The rentable cabins are super clean."
Free firewood at select locations: Some locations include complimentary wood with reservation. "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," mentions a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Proximity to Chicago: Many locations offer wilderness experiences within short driving distance of the city. A visitor at Kankakee River State Park mentioned, "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," highlighting the convenience for urban residents seeking nature breaks.
Swimming options during summer: Pools and beach access provide cooling relief during hot months. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, campers appreciate "the pool is nice, but tons of kids. CG was very kid friendly, with tons for them to do."
What you should know
Seasonal water availability: Water systems may be limited during colder months. A visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake noted, "The water is not yet potable so bring your own or check with the park team to ensure it's drinkable when you go."
Bathroom quality varies significantly: Facilities range from recently renovated to basic. At Sand Creek Campground, "The woman's bathroom was very clean but the showers did not spray out enough of a stream to wash well."
Gate closure policies: Some campgrounds restrict nighttime access. A camper reported, "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting."
Noise levels from nearby transportation: Train and highway sounds may affect light sleepers. A visitor at Chicago Northwest KOA commented, "Light-sleepers will have difficulty anywhere in the region because of train traffic, but it was respectably secluded."
Tips for camping with families
Weekday visits recommended: For quieter experiences with fewer crowds, plan non-weekend stays. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "We did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night. A little bit smaller of a campground with regards to site space, but that's about the only thing 'bad' to say."
Check pool opening dates: Swimming facilities may not operate year-round. A visitor noted, "When we got here, we realize the electric sites on the right side of the bathhouse were in full sun, but the staff member graciously allowed us to switch sites to a more shaded area."
Book lakefront tent sites for fishing: Select waterfront locations for convenient fishing access. 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."
Cabin selection based on shade: Summer visitors should prioritize shaded sites. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad. I believe this is a relatively newer campground. There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," reports a visitor describing site options.
Tips from RVers
Limited water hookup availability: Some campgrounds require special arrangements for water access. "The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them. But they do it with a good attitude," notes a camper at Camp Reinberg.
Reserve early for summer weekends: Holiday periods book quickly at most locations. At Camp Sullivan, "When we got there they told us they double booked us and requested we move after we got set up. We declined as there were other spots open and we were staying for under 24 hours."
Leveling challenges at some sites: Terrain may require additional equipment. One RVer mentioned, "Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice. Had horrible WiFi, no cable and limited reception."
