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Best Tent Camping near Park Ridge, IL

485 Reviews

Public lands surrounding Park Ridge, Illinois offer several tent camping options within an hour's drive. Tent campers can find established sites at Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland, which provides dedicated tent campsites with basic amenities. McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove features walk-in tent sites along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail, while Channahon State Park Campground offers year-round tent-only camping with walk-in access. The Illinois and Michigan Canal also provides hike-in backcountry tent camping opportunities for those seeking more primitive experiences.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require short walks from parking areas to reach the actual campsites. At McKinley Woods, campers should note that sites are approximately 100 yards from parking, with some sites featuring concrete pads for accessibility. Water sources vary by location, with some campgrounds offering old-fashioned pumps that provide drinkable but sometimes cloudy water. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, and fire rings or pits are typically available at established sites. Park closing times can be restrictive, with McKinley Woods closing at 8 PM during summer months and earlier in off-season. Reservation requirements differ between locations, with some sites being first-come, first-served.

Tent-only sites in the area provide varying levels of seclusion and shade. According to reviews, Channahon State Park Campground is "surrounded by trees" and serves as "a nice, shady place to stop along the I & M Canal Trail." This makes it particularly popular with cyclists using the tent campsites as overnight stops. At McKinley Woods, campers noted that "sites are far apart," with specific sites offering different experiences: "Site #1 is the shadiest and most secluded but uneven. Site #2 is wide open and in the sun." Seasonal considerations include potential flooding in some areas after heavy rains, and early morning noise from watercraft on nearby rivers. Wildlife observations commonly include owls, with distant train sounds providing ambient background noise at night.

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Best Tent Sites Near Park Ridge, Illinois (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Park Ridge, IL

10 Photos of 8 Park Ridge Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Park Ridge, IL

485 Reviews of 8 Park Ridge Campgrounds

  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Nice but very little shade

    We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

    There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.

    There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.

    Overall it was pretty quiet.

    The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.

  • H
    May. 26, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Great stay, come ready

    We stayed two nights in mid-May, at site number 72. Area was gorgeous, well maintained, shady and quiet. Tons of hiking trails in very close proximity to the campground! There is electricity on site, but no water or sewage at each site. However there is a water fill station and a dump station. So just come prepared. Also, they have a very strict no alcohol policy. Not that that stopped people, but don't go walking around with a beer bottle! We would definitely return.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • Chris M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Clean & Spacious

    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. We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park. The buildings have great architecture. The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides. We have a 37’ motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit. We will definitely be back! I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2020

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Well maintained and clean

    Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

    There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

    Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Outer Circle

    We reserved a spot in the outer circle. We like having woods on one side. Nice campground camping….parking pad, fire ring, picnic table. Good amount of space between spots. Nice bathrooms & showers. We have a rooftop tent and we’re very happy. Loved the hike over “Mt. Tom” to the gorgeous beach and warmish lake for a swim. We choose the State Park vs. National Park so we could hike to the beach.

  • Jonathan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2023

    Big Rock Campground

    First time campers

    Nice clean area to camp. Most of the sites are for travel camper or RV’s.

    A couple of drive Ups.

    50/30 amps hookups. Water hookups as well. Great water pressure.

    Running water restrooms & non-running water restrooms.

    2-dump sites they have sections for tent camping- but down fall is they do not have showers.

    Overall experience was great and we will return.

  • Scott N.
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Thomas Woods Campground

    Great trails, loud neighbors, lots of bugs

    Thomas Woods campground has some great sites, particularly the tent sites. Many of them are set off a short distance from the parking area. I stayed at site 30 which was less than a tenth mile from the parking spot. There are no trash cans at the site, the dumpsite is near the entrance. Most of the roads are one way so after dropping the trash off you must drive all through the campground to get back to your site. The site itself had plenty of room and privacy. The woods are dense and block all views of the neighboring sites. Unfortunately, I think some people think if they can’t see you, you can’t hear them. Every site has a raised pad for a tent. This was very nice. I did track in some of the small gravel into the tent, though. It looks like kitty litter. Not a big deal. It was nice sleeping flat and not sliding off my sleep pad.

    Near Marengo Ridge is a bike trail called H.U.M. Trail. It is only 3.5 miles long. From what I understand is they lost funding for the project. The path is paved and offers a scenic forested view. The hiking trails of Marengo Ridge are the true stars of the area. I walked for almost two hours and still didn’t see them all. Some of the trails have wide paths of grass while others are single-track dirt. 

    As other reviewers have written, the mosquitoes are insane.  Bring plenty of bug spray!

    My website:  https://www.lost13.com/camping/2020/7/13/marengo-ridge

    My video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4TzLzf\_PY&t=1s

Guide to Park Ridge

Explore the great outdoors with tent camping near Park Ridge, Illinois, where you can find a variety of campgrounds offering unique amenities and experiences.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy a peaceful stay at Camp Shabbona Woods, where you can relax by the fire and take advantage of the drinking water and picnic tables available.
  • Experience the scenic trails at McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, perfect for hiking and biking along the I&M Canal.
  • Visit Channahon State Park Campground for a great stop along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail, ideal for cyclists looking to rest or camp overnight.

Tent campers should check out McKinley Woods

  • At McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, you can enjoy spacious sites with picnic tables and fire pits, making it a great spot for family gatherings.
  • The campground features easy access to the Des Plaines River, perfect for kayaking and fishing enthusiasts looking to enjoy a day on the water.
  • Be prepared for a unique experience as some sites are walk-in, offering a more secluded camping atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Park Ridge, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Park Ridge, IL is Camp Shabbona Woods with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Park Ridge, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Park Ridge, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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