Camping spots near Palatine, Illinois concentrate in areas north and west of the suburb, with most options located within a 30-mile radius. The region features lowland forest preserves with small elevation changes from glacial moraines, creating both wooded camping areas and open prairie sites. Winter temperatures drop below freezing from December through February, with camping availability significantly reduced during these months.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing: Fox Den Campground: "We chose 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," writes one visitor to Fox Den Campground. The campground provides access to multiple connected waterways for paddling.
Hiking varied terrain: At Paul Wolff Campground, "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them," notes a camper. The preserve offers both paved and natural surface trails suitable for all skill levels.
Family activities: "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas," reports a visitor to Turner Lake South. Many campgrounds in the area offer supervised activities on summer weekends, particularly at the larger state parks and KOAs.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Some campsites offer more seclusion than others. "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," explains a camper at Turner Lake South. For those seeking privacy, Fox Den and Turner Lake South consistently receive better reviews.
Clean facilities: Camp Reinberg earns praise for its exceptional maintenance. "Lovely campground north west of Chicago. The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," notes one visitor. Another adds, "This gem of a campground is run by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the care they have for it shows!"
Wildlife viewing: "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to believe that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated area," writes a camper about Blackwell Family Campground. Early morning and dusk provide the best wildlife watching opportunities, with deer, raccoons, and various bird species commonly spotted.
What you should know
Site selection strategies: For tent campers, choosing the right location is important. "The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East... Both loops have an outhouse and water spigot nearby and are a quick drive to the showerhouse," advises an experienced camper.
Weekend crowding: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "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 for the weekends," notes a visitor to Turner Lake South.
Weather considerations: "There are multiple ada sites and two 'walk-in/ie roll-in' site in the tent-only area," explains a camper about Honeysuckle Hollow. During rainy periods, the ground can become saturated and muddy, particularly in lower-lying sites at Chain O'Lakes State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: "This is a really nice site, but the running water bathrooms were not cleaned regularly and the pit toilets were almost overflowing on a Thursday," warns a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow. Sites with modern facilities tend to be more comfortable for families with young children.
Safety precautions: "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair," cautions a parent at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Noise levels: "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," reports a camper at Paul Wolff Campground. Campgrounds generally enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM, but weekends can still be noisy until that time.
Tips from RVers
Site hookup variations: "We were in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade," notes a visitor to Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, highlighting how sites within the same campground can differ significantly.
Accessibility considerations: "We originally booked 96 but could not extend our slide because of large trees on either side of the pad and then the electric was about 50 feet away. Moved to 50 one of the nicest spots," reports an RVer at Honeysuckle Hollow. Many campgrounds have shared electric posts between sites, requiring extension cords.
Water access: "The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them. But they do it with a good attitude," explains a camper at Camp Reinberg. Not all RV sites offer water hookups, so checking in advance and bringing water containers is recommended.
