Camp Bullfrog Lake sits 30 miles from Northbrook, Illinois, on terrain shaped by glaciers that left behind a landscape of rolling hills and small lakes. The campground maintains its natural setting with wooded areas surrounding the small lake, offering a quiet retreat despite its proximity to Chicago. Weather patterns typically bring warm summers with occasional thunderstorms and cool falls perfect for camping.
What to do
Kayaking on small lakes: At Camp Bullfrog Lake, rentals cost $15 per hour and include life vests. One visitor noted, "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around."
Hiking accessible trails: The trail systems near Northbrook provide routes for various skill levels. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
Mountain biking singletrack: The western suburbs offer technical terrain for bikers. A reviewer at Camp Bullfrog Lake shared, "Some of the areas best mountain bike single track is right here. There is fishing kayaking and hiking trails too."
Horseback riding: Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area provides trail access for riders with their own horses. The campground sits within a state park that has "amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Fox Den Campground, each campsite offers separation from neighbors. A camper observed, "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers."
Water activities: Multiple lakes connected by channels create opportunities for paddling adventures. A reviewer at Fox Den stated, "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill."
Natural surroundings: Turner Lake South offers wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper reported, "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far."
Budget-friendly options: Affordable camping exists within driving distance of Northbrook. One visitor noted about Turner Lake South, "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear."
What you should know
Tick prevention: Ticks fall from trees in wooded areas, requiring vigilance. A visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow warned, "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 raccoons after dusk. A camper advised, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Site selection matters: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Thomas Woods Campground, a visitor explained, "This was a well laid out campground, with some sites right on the roads and some buried back in the woods away from everyone (we chose the latter and felt like we had the place to ourselves)."
Yurt camping Northbrook options: Limited yurt accommodations exist at Chicago Northwest KOA, requiring advance reservations. Yurts near Northbrook, Illinois provide an alternative to traditional tent camping with more weather protection.
Tips for camping with families
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds offer structured programming for children. A visitor to Chicago Northwest KOA shared, "Did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night. Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Contained play areas: When exploring yurt camping near Northbrook, Illinois, look for sites with designated recreation spots. A reviewer noted, "We really like this place and was about a 30 minute rude from our place in the western burbs. There is fishing kayaking and hiking trails too."
Water safety: Shallow swim areas work well for younger children. At Big Foot Beach State Park, "This part of the lake is shallow and many party boats anchor near the shore."
Quiet camping options: For families needing early bedtimes, select more remote sites. A Thomas Woods camper shared, "We chose the latter and felt like we had the place to ourselves."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookups: Check amperage before booking as options vary by campground. A Fox Den visitor advised, "There are three campgrounds close together, Fox Den and two non-electric campgrounds Turner South and Prairie View that share the bath house which was clean and is in the center of them all."
Site spacing: Some campgrounds offer more room between RV sites than others. A camper observed about Thomas Woods, "Both areas were well spaced out with enough privacy."
Water access: Not all sites have direct water hookups. "Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out. We prefer more brush/trees between sites so this campground was just ok with us."
Site leveling: Prepare for grading issues at some campgrounds. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers."
