Camping around Port Barrington, Illinois offers relatively flat terrain with elevations ranging from 735 to 840 feet above sea level. Located within the Fox River watershed, the region experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in the area maintain operational status from April through October, with limited winter camping options.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Grass Lake Marina and RV Park provides access to Chain O'Lakes fishing. "The bald eagles nests are also amazing. We had water and 50amp, with a black water dump once or twice a week at your RV's site," noted one visitor who appreciated the wildlife viewing opportunities while camping.
Swimming options: At Fox Bluff CottageS & RV, guests have access to recreational water facilities. "The new pool, the game room, the playground, the beautiful new bath house and the grounds are just wonderful," mentioned a long-term guest who has maintained a river spot at the campground for five years.
Hiking trails: The Paul Wolff Campground offers extensive trail systems. "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," shared a camper who appreciated the variety of terrain available for exploration.
What campers like
Spacious sites: At Thousand Trails Pine Country, the campground layout provides comfortable spacing. "Tent camped here one night. Very nice, private sites. Not many campers, lots of RVs. Folks in the office were very helpful," reported a tent camper who enjoyed the privacy despite being at an RV-focused facility.
Clean facilities: Cleanliness is a priority at several rv parks near Port Barrington. One camper at Chicago Northwest KOA noted, "Staff was very friendly and the facilities were kept very clean. Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates."
Natural settings: Despite being in developed areas, many campgrounds maintain natural environments. A Paul Wolff visitor shared, "I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels."
What you should know
GPS challenges: Finding some rv parks around Port Barrington can be difficult. At Northwoods RV Resort, campers report navigation issues: "Hard to find (GPS takes you to a school parking lot, the campsite is behind it)," explained one camper who had trouble locating the entrance.
Reservation requirements: During peak season, advance planning is essential. "Plan ahead! The location requires a 2 night stay minimum," advised a Fox Bluff visitor. This applies especially to smaller facilities like Love's RV Hookup in Hampshire, which maintains only four sites with full hookups.
Pricing variations: Cost differences exist between residents and non-residents at some facilities. At Paul Wolff Campground, a camper noted: "It's pricey if you are from out of the county. We were hoping to camp at the primitive sites but they are walk-in only."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access considerations: Pools at rv parks Port Barrington, Illinois often have specific operating procedures. One Northwoods RV Resort visitor advised, "If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater."
Kid-friendly activities: Chicago Northwest KOA offers structured programming for younger campers. "A little bit smaller of a campground with regards to site space, but that's about the only thing 'bad' to say, and it's not really a bad thing at all. Plenty for the little kids to do," reported a weekend visitor.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas. At Sycamore RV Resort, families appreciate the recreational setup: "Great fishing and nice beach for swimming. Very nice shower/laundry house," commented a camper whose family counts this among their favorite destinations.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose locations based on your specific needs. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, an RVer recommended, "You can tell they're trying to remodel some of the sites. There is lots of grass so all the rain this weekend and we weren't muddy was awesome! The pull throughs were really long."
Hookup availability: Most rv parks Port Barrington, Illinois offer water and electric connections. "We had water and 50amp, with a black water dump once or twice a week at your RV's site," explained a Grass Lake Marina camper, highlighting the scheduled maintenance service rather than permanent sewer connections.
Road conditions: Internal campground roads vary significantly in quality. "The road has lots of dips and bumps but going slow they weren't an issue. We were on the main road and there was lots of traffic going back and forth," noted a Lehmans Lakeside visitor who was surprised by the traffic volume despite low occupancy.
