Camping spots near Orland Hills, Illinois sit in the gently rolling terrain of northeastern Illinois, about 30 miles southwest of Chicago. The region features both wooded areas and prairie landscapes with moderate 800-900 foot elevation. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F with high humidity, while spring camping can bring significant rainfall averaging 4 inches per month.
What to do
**Mountain biking trails: Near Camp Bullfrog Lake, access some of the region's best single-track paths. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. 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," notes Josh M. The trails connect directly to the campground, eliminating any need for driving to trailheads.
**Kayaking: Rent kayaks for $15/hour at Camp Bullfrog Lake. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to Layla P., who found the water activities accessible despite the lake's modest size.
**Fishing: Multiple fishing spots exist throughout forest preserves near Orland Hills. "There is fishing kayaking and hiking trails too," reports Geoff at Camp Bullfrog Lake. The small lakes and ponds offer good catch-and-release opportunities, particularly for beginners and families with young anglers.
**Archery: Try the free archery range at Blackwell Family Campground. "There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course," notes Marisa A. The range provides a unique activity option not commonly found at other area campgrounds.
What campers like
**Free firewood: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides complimentary wood with site rental. "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," writes Josh M. This amenity saves campers from needing to purchase or gather their own fuel.
**Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained washrooms. "Bathhouse are newer and kept fairly clean," and "The central bathrooms are clean, heated and offer showers," notes Hatie P. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
**Proximity to Chicago: Location convenience ranks high for urban dwellers seeking quick getaways. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," mentions Josh M. This accessibility makes overnight or weekend camping trips practical without extensive travel time.
**Various accommodation options: Different camping styles are available across the region. "The sites are crushed limestone and are level and wooded," states Rich M. about Blackwell Family Campground. Many locations offer both primitive tent sites and cabin options with varying amenities.
What you should know
**Limited shade: Several campgrounds have young trees providing minimal coverage. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," Tim K. observed at Camp Bullfrog Lake. Summer campers should bring additional shade structures and sun protection.
**Site sizes vary significantly: Research specific site dimensions before booking. At Camp Sullivan, "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded," reports Lisa S. Some campgrounds feature cramped quarters while others offer more spacious arrangements.
**Gate restrictions: Some forest preserve campgrounds lock entrance gates overnight. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning!" warns Lisa S. about Camp Sullivan. Plan accordingly if you need early morning departures or late arrivals.
**Noise considerations: Urban proximity means some traffic and transportation noise. At Martin's Camping Ground, "You can throw a stone and hit a semi driving by to I-80. There's a lot of traffic given the proximity to Chicago," notes Iris A. The campground's location along major transportation corridors affects sound levels.
Tips for camping with families
**Reptile encounters: Visit the nature center at Potowatomi Campground. "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!" shares Linda N. This educational opportunity provides hands-on wildlife interaction.
**Spacious family sites: Look for specific locations with room for children to play. "Our site was perfect with trees to hang a hammock on and for the kids to run around," reports Linda N. about Potowatomi Campground. Site selection significantly impacts family camping experience.
**Climbing opportunities: Young adventurers enjoy natural features at several parks. "There are some rock cliffs that are suspended over the Kankakee river and also over a creek that feeds it. These are great for climbing and scaling," describes Andrea F. However, parental supervision remains essential near water features.
**Family-friendly bathrooms: Comfort facilities vary across locations. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked," notes Layla P. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, while others report inconsistent maintenance. Some campgrounds feature modern restrooms with hot showers while others offer more basic options.
Tips from RVers
**Hookup limitations: Water connections aren't available at all sites. At Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, "No water or dumping hook up. Electric only," reports Nomad Nurse Z. RVers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival at many locations.
**Site leveling: Ground conditions vary across campgrounds. "Great pad size for our travel trailer. No problem leveling," notes a reviewer at Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort. Some campgrounds feature paved pads while others have gravel or dirt surfaces requiring more extensive leveling.
**Dumping stations: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dumping facilities. "Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel)," reports TK n E. about Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort. Some locations require driving to external dumping stations.
**Size constraints: Larger rigs face challenges at certain campgrounds. "We were in site #2. For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest. Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," advises Tim K. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
