Tent and RV camping near Palatine, Illinois offers several natural escapes within an hour's drive. Located in the northeastern portion of Illinois, the area features mostly flat terrain with elevations ranging from 700-750 feet above sea level and a humid continental climate. Winter camping is limited as average January temperatures hover around 24°F while summer camping season peaks with July averaging 74°F.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on connected lakes: Chain O' Lakes State Park features seven connected lakes ideal for water recreation. "Chain O'Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill. Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily," notes a visitor at Fox Den Campground.
Hiking wooded trails: Thomas Woods Campground offers natural terrain exploration. "The camp host delivered my fire wood right to my site. There were lots of bugs, but not too many bitey ones. Beautiful woods and prairie trails around here. Some really spectacular views to be had," reports a camper at Thomas Woods Campground.
Local antiquing trips: Take day excursions from your campsite. "Also it is 30 miles from Shipshawana where the Amish have a flea market and auction (Tuesdays & Wednesday)," mentions a visitor to Fox Den Campground.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Camping near water increases animal sightings. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," shares a camper at Turner Lake South.
Affordable tent camping options: Budget-friendly sites exist near Palatine. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," reports a visitor to Turner Lake South.
Proximity to Chicago: Several campgrounds offer natural settings with urban convenience. "This is our favorite place to camp. It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. It has the electrical hookups that we need and has a bath house that is close to where you camp," notes a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
What you should know
Gate closing times: Some parks have strict access hours. "The gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in... unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark," warns a camper at Turner Lake South.
Shower facilities vary widely: Bathroom conditions differ significantly between parks. "The shower houses are dated, yet I have seen them clean and also not clean on busy camper weekends," notes a visitor to Turner Lake South.
Ticks and mosquitoes: Prepare for insects, especially in wooded areas. "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!" cautions a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips for camping with families
Campground store conveniences: Some parks offer on-site supplies. "The camp store by the boat launch has fire wood, live bait, food, and other supplies," reports a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Activity-focused campgrounds: Seek out parks with dedicated children's amenities. "This is an activity packed weekend which is amazing. Good for kids of all ages including the adults," shares a camper at Jellystone Park Millbrook about their Halloween camping season.
Playground access: Some sites have dedicated play areas. "The playground gets a thumbs up from my son," notes a visitor to Jellystone Park.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup locations: Check details about site utilities before booking. "Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," advises a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites. "Sites are not consistent, some very large and shaded and some smaller and crowded," notes a visitor to Big Foot Beach State Park.
Dump station conditions: Waste disposal facilities vary in quality. "Several times we have been at sites where the sewer dump pipe sticks up over 8" above the ground. Higher than the outlet of my trailer. What's worse is the dump station I was forced to use. OMG what a disaster," warns an RVer at Jellystone Park.
