Orland Park camping options feature numerous campgrounds within a 45-minute drive of the Chicago suburb. Most facilities remain operational from April through October, with limited water services available during early spring. The area sits at approximately 690 feet above sea level with seasonal temperature variations requiring different camping preparations throughout the year.
What to do
Fishing access: Lake Alexander RV Park offers 120 acres of natural beauty along the Kankakee River with abundant fishing opportunities. "Lake Alexander RV Park is a quiet, spacious, family owned and operated campground located near Momence, Illinois, within a 1-hour drive of Chicago. The camp is 120 acres of natural beauty on the banks of the Kankakee River," notes reviewer Iris A.
Swimming options: Local campgrounds provide swimming facilities during summer months. At Fox Bluff Cottages & RV, one camper reports, "The new pool, the game room, the playground, the beautiful new bath house and the grounds are just wonderful." Lake Alexander also offers river swimming - "There's a river that's a 5 min walk from the campground that we swam in and it kept us cool from the heat," shares Maaya Y.
Hiking nearby: Several state parks within 30-45 minutes of Orland Park provide hiking trails. When staying at Glenwood RV Resort, "If you come to this area to do some hiking, you're in great luck as there are quite a number of really great state parks nearby to check out, including Starved Rock, Matthiessen and Illini," according to Stuart K.
What campers like
Convenient locations: Many RV sites near Orland Park provide easy highway access. The Love's RV Stop-Demotte location gets praise for accessibility: "Easy on and off I 65 yet barely any traffic noise. It just opened and it is well designed. The check in online is very easy," writes Ken P.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities rank high with campers. At Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, Jeana K. noted, "Clean campsite, clean showers & bathrooms!" Similarly, at Lake Alexander RV Park, a reviewer mentioned "The bathroom and shower facility was well maintained."
Friendly staff: Personal attention from campground operators creates positive experiences. As one camper at Lake Alexander shared, "Most importantly, Chris, the owner, was the highlight! From booking the reservation to the whole stay, she was friendly and welcoming." At Tameling Campground and RV Park, Thomas C. found "the people to be friendly and helpful."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds have limited water availability in early spring. At Hollywood Casino, one camper noted, "Not a bad spot. Average and relatively inexpensive," but warned about "No water before 4/15."
Noise considerations: Highway and industrial noise affects some locations. At Enchanted Shores RV Park & Campground, one reviewer cautioned, "Located right on US45-US52. Lots of truck traffic stopping at the intersection makes lots of noise at night."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require minimum stays or advance booking. At Fox Bluff, a reviewer advises, "Plan ahead! The location requires a 2 night stay minimum."
Site variations: Quality and amenities vary significantly between locations. Glenwood RV Resort campers note "powdery gravel sites (muddy when wet) that were not very level, and the long road in is very rough," while Love's RV locations typically feature "level sites, full hook-ups."
Tips for camping with families
Halloween events: Some campgrounds host special seasonal activities for children. Glenwood RV Resort offers "an extremely large Halloween event Columbus Day weekend. Jam packed for this event. Awards for site decoration. Campsites set up haunted houses, candy for kids, drinks for adults. Fun to see adults and kids all dressed up," reports Lisa T.
Recreational facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. Fox Bluff receives praise for family amenities: "The new pool, the game room, the playground, the beautiful new bath house and the grounds are just wonderful."
Community atmosphere: Many seasonal campgrounds foster relationships between families. As Gina H. from Fox Bluff notes, "We've developed quite a lovely community of really nice people."
Budget options: For families watching costs, some basic campgrounds offer affordable rates. The Love's RV Hookup locations provide "quite a lot here for such a small location" while maintaining reasonable pricing compared to Chicago-area hotels.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for variable site conditions at campgrounds near Orland Park. At Glenwood RV Resort, RVers mention "the powdery gravel sites (muddy when wet) that were not very level."
Electrical safety: Check power pedestals before full setup. One RVer at Love's RV Stop-Demotte reported, "The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit."
Alternative lodging: Some campgrounds offer cabin options for RVers wanting a change. Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort maintains both RV sites and cottages on their 650-site property near the river.
Registration systems: Online check-in streamlines arrival at newer RV parks. The Love's RV locations receive praise for this feature: "The check in online is very easy. I will definitely check out other Loves RV locations when traveling."
