kelsea D.
Traveler
TravelerPrairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
A lot to do.
There’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
Glamping near Park Ridge, IL
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Camp Bullfrog Lake and Chicago Northwest KOA offer upscale glamping accommodations within driving distance of Park Ridge, Illinois. The glamping options include cozy heated cabins at Bullfrog Lake with bunk beds and private bathrooms, while Chicago Northwest KOA houses both cabins and yurts with comfortable amenities. Each location provides electricity, fire pits, and picnic tables for outdoor relaxation. One guest shared, "The cabins are clean, heated with their own bathrooms, feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold." The sites around Bullfrog Lake offer spectacular waterfront views with easy access to bathroom facilities featuring hot showers and flush toilets. Most glamping accommodations include a free bundle of firewood upon arrival, making evening campfires hassle-free.
The extensive trail systems surrounding these glamping destinations create perfect opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing without venturing far from comfortable accommodations. Camp Bullfrog Lake sits adjacent to miles of hiking and mountain biking trails where visitors regularly spot herons, songbirds, deer, and other wildlife. Fishing and kayaking opportunities exist directly from the glamping sites, with rental equipment available at some locations. According to a camper, "There is fishing, kayaking and hiking trails too. Friendly staff and clean bathrooms." Winter glamping remains an option at select locations with heated facilities, though availability varies seasonally. Most sites require reservations, with weekend bookings filling quickly during peak summer months when temperatures and humidity are highest.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Park Ridge (17)
1. Camp Bullfrog Lake
"Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits."
"The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc)."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $138 / night
2. Camp Sullivan
"As stated, there is electric hookup but no water at the site. However, staff was more than happy to meet us at the bathrooms to allow us to fill our tanks before we set up camp."
"Wooded electric paved sites with fairly new bathhouse facilities. Pretty clean. Only one indoor water faucet working but this may be a COVID casualty."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $250 / night
3. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
"We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers."
"The campground is a short walk or bike ride to the public beach, and just east along the lake is the preserve area where we were able to take our dogs swimming, which was a huge plus."
Check Availabilityfrom $43 / night
4. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"The staff is very friendly the grounds are beautiful and well maintained We kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice."
Check Availabilityfrom $43 - $73 / night
5. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"Non-electric sites in the loop on the small fishing pond were relatively quiet, well shaded, with decent screening between sites."
6. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"We stayed in the Fox Den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition. Our site was very shaded and quiet at night. The bath house was very clean."
"Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas."
7. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"There’s some small trails around as well that are beginner. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night."
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
8. Chicago Northwest KOA
"It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family."
"Plus they have a quiet time at night.So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."
9. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"We stayed at the Prairie View section on site P27. It was me, my wife, our 8 month old daughter, and our dog."
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
10. Thomas Woods Campground
"The trails are both wooded and hilly, but there's also a large prairie nature walk.
The campground has many secluded walk-in tent sites and a variety of sites for other types of campers.""Firewood is cheap on-site and delivered to your site on demand."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $35 / night
Drive Time
- 25 min from Chicago, IL
- 39 min from Kenosha, WI
- 51 min from Racine, WI
- 1 hr 16 min from Michigan City, IN
Recent Glamping Photos near Park Ridge, IL
5 Photos of 17 Park Ridge Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Park Ridge, IL
249 Reviews of 17 Park Ridge Campgrounds
Derek J.TravelerIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Great quiet place
Staying through the week just on the outside of Labor Day Weekend. This place was perfect for us to come over and get away from it and enjoy the changing weather. Electric only sites, and the staff were friendly. Always enjoy coming here for good hiking and beach time.
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendHoneysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Lively Little Campground Beside Turner Lake
There’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Nice overnight stay
We had an overnight stay here during some pretty nasty weather. Site 7 was perfect as it has a very wide concrete landing pad that kept us from trudging around our site in mud. Flooded roads resulted in a road race being diverted through the park. We were able to cheer them on while having dinner at our campfire. There’s a paved walkway around the circumference of the campground which allows you to take a nice stroll. Trails to the lake are easily accessible. The bathrooms and showers were clean, although a bit dated. We had a pleasant evening.
- SSTEVEN J.
GuideIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Indiana’s Dunes of Steel
Wow! What a State Park inside the National Park! Spacious, beautiful, and a big surprise on Lake Michigan South East. Indiana. Towering trees, San dunes, marshland, and fifteen miles of beach shore parklands. If you haven’t been, go! This is a year round play land. Camping is surrounded by forest, electric only, bathrooms/showers ((vault and flush), and clean for state park standards. Bring your, bikes, kayaks, beach attire, and hiking boots for spring, summer, and fall. Bring snowshoes and cross country skis in winter.
- HHolly B.Guide
Chicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
- EEd B.Traveler
Lakeshore Camp Resort
looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage
Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
- MManny A.Traveler
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Simple and local
First time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
Kathy B.LegendIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Amateur hour
Nicely laid out campground with mature trees. Level sites. All with electric hookups. Was greeted by very kind person at the booth. You need to know that on Sundays check-in is until 5 PM as campers from the weekend have until 5 PM to vacate their sites. Of course you can check in early if they leave. The way the campground is laid out, there are no pass that lead to the bathrooms. Therefore, people are constantly cutting through your site to get to their restrooms.
Guide to Park Ridge
Within an hour of Chicago, Park Ridge sits near forest preserves and small lakes that create diverse camping options. The region averages 38 inches of rainfall annually with summer temperatures often reaching the 90s. Winter camping options remain limited with overnight lows frequently dropping below freezing between November and March.
What to do
Kayaking at Chain O'Lakes State Park: Seven connected lakes provide excellent paddling opportunities at Turner Lake South, approximately 45 miles from Park Ridge. "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," notes camper Cora M.
Fishing from your site: Fox Den Campground features waterfront tent sites where fishing is convenient. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," states Josh M. The campground offers excellent access to multiple fishing spots.
Challenge yourself on dunes: The famous 3 Dunes Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground provides a workout with rewarding views. "If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list," shares Jackie H. Trail markers guide hikers through this unique topography about 65 miles from Park Ridge.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Thomas Woods Campground offers secluded tent sites about 45 miles northwest of Park Ridge. "I stayed in one of the tent camping sites with a little walk up (parking for a car available about 50 feet away). Nobody else was camping within sight of me, which was nice, though 2 other sites were visible from mine," explains Emily H. The campground provides a more remote experience despite proximity to the city.
Family-friendly activities: Chicago Northwest KOA maintains organized programming for children throughout summer weekends. "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water," reports Leo V. The KOA offers glamping close to Park Ridge, Illinois with both cabin and yurt options.
Clean facilities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort maintains well-kept shower buildings and restrooms. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms (no hot water in the showers) right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" notes Chloe N. This glamping destination near Park Ridge, Illinois offers both cabin rentals and tent sites.
What you should know
Train noise disruption: Several campgrounds experience railroad noise, particularly Indiana Dunes State Park. "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be just fine," warns Kaley A. Bringing earplugs can help ensure a better night's sleep.
Wildlife encounters: Ticks and raccoons present challenges at many campgrounds. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," shares Meg about Turner Lake South. Similarly, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Limited availability: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites," explains Marisa A. about Turner Lake South.
Tips for camping with families
Opt for designated family loops: Some campgrounds feature specific areas designed for families with children. "We stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites," shares Brian O. These designated areas often provide more space between sites.
Consider rentals for convenience: The beach and water activities at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort appeal to children. "I really enjoyed my stay here it's small but it's great they're pool and activities for families very quiet at night everyone and the staff were friendly," states Lori C. Cabin rentals provide a comfortable glamping option near Park Ridge, Illinois when camping with younger children.
Pack tick protection: Chain O'Lakes State Park requires vigilance for ticks. "Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house," advises Meg.
Tips from RVers
Arrive with full tanks: Indiana Dunes State Park provides electric hookups only. "It is electric only but that didn't really bother us- we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves," explains Greg S. The campground has a dump station but no direct sewer connections.
Ask about site size: Camp Sullivan has varying site dimensions that may challenge larger RVs. "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape, but as far as campgrounds go it was about 3x the price for less than half the space," cautions Lisa S.
Check individual electric hookup locations: Box placement matters at Chain O'Lakes. "These sites share an electric box. 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 Debra M. Bringing an extension cord can help overcome this challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping
campsite near Park Ridge, IL?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Park Ridge, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Park Ridge, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find
glamping camping near
Park Ridge, IL?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Park Ridge, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Park Ridge, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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