Tent camping near North Riverside, Illinois offers access to waterfront, woodland, and state park camping options within a 40-mile radius. The region experiences typical Midwestern weather with hot, humid summers and cold winters, making late spring and early fall the optimal camping seasons. Sites in the area range from densely wooded walk-in spots to riverfront camping, with several options featuring accessibility accommodations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Kayak Morris, campers can take advantage of the river convergence for exceptional fishing. "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!" reports Sam Murphy M.
Trail exploration: The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail provides scenic cycling routes connecting multiple campgrounds. The crushed gravel path is accessible directly from campsites at Channahon State Park Campground, making it convenient for cyclists traveling between Chicago and Starved Rock.
Kayaking and canoeing: Multiple waterways offer paddling opportunities with varying difficulty levels. Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area provides calm water access for beginners, while the DuPage River section accessible from McKinley Woods offers more challenging conditions during seasonal water level changes.
What campers like
Riverfront access: Many campers appreciate direct water access at McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, where concrete boat ramps make launching easy. "There is easy access to the I&M canal and bike trail with a dock, access to the Des Plaines river is and unofficial path from the overlook," notes Brian O.
Privacy between sites: At Central Avenue Walk-in Sites in Indiana Dunes National Park, the layout provides good separation between campers. "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long," reports Don W.
Adaptive facilities: Several campgrounds feature ADA-accessible sites. "In McKinley Woods proper there is a large camping area and two of the sites have concrete pads for ADA accessibility," notes Scott N., highlighting the inclusive options available for campers with mobility considerations.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding risks: Some sites at Camp Shabbona Woods experience water accumulation during heavy rain. "Nothing was mentioned about this site being a flood zone. Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up," cautions Rita S.
Limited facilities: Most tent sites offer basic amenities only. "Water is available by an old fashioned pump, and is drinkable, but cloudy. There's only one pit toilet," explains Brian O. about McKinley Woods.
Urban proximity: Noise from nearby urban areas can affect the camping experience. Jeffrey L. notes at Camp Shabbona Woods: "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background. They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok."
Tips for camping with families
Small-scale introduction: Davis Creek Campground offers beginner-friendly tent sites for families new to camping. "This campground is open, there are a lot of amenities, it's very well kept, and there is good access to water," reports Andrea F.
Space for group activities: Several campgrounds feature oversized picnic tables suitable for family meals. At McKinley Woods, "All sites have enormous banquet sized picnic tables with cut-out in the bench for wheelchairs," making them perfect for family gatherings.
Water activities: Families with children can enjoy safe paddling opportunities. "We loved this campsite! We brought our own kayaks and launched right from our campsite which was amazing but they rent kayaks for pretty cheap If you don't have your own," writes a camper about Kayak Morris.
Tips from RVers
Vehicle accessibility limitations: Most tent sites require walking gear from parking areas. At Hammel Woods, the walk-in sites require hauling equipment from designated parking areas, which can be challenging with heavy RV equipment or supplies.
Equipment transport considerations: For those bringing trailers or larger gear, plan for manual transport. "We have a small, motorcycle trailer so we ended up rolling down hill 100 yds. then back again after our 2 night stay, a bit of a hassle, but not a problem. Just be aware of it," advises Brian O.
Park hour restrictions: Gate closure times can impact RV arrivals and departures. "They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok. No electric or water hook ups can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite," notes Jeffrey L., highlighting the important logistical considerations for vehicle-dependent campers.
