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Best Tent Camping near Prairie Grove, IL

666 Reviews

Forest preserves surrounding Prairie Grove, Illinois offer secluded tent camping opportunities within an hour's drive of Chicago's northwest suburbs. MacQueen Forest Preserve stands out as a premier primitive tent camping destination with nine widely spaced walk-in tent sites situated along the Kishwaukee River. Other options include Kishwaukee Valley Farms for tent campers seeking established sites, and Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area near Yorkville which provides hike-in tent camping access.

Most tent campsites in the region require modest walks from parking areas along gravel paths or mowed trails. MacQueen Forest Preserve provides a wagon and dolly to transport gear to sites, which are spaced approximately 50 yards apart for privacy. Basic amenities include fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets available but no potable water. Campers should bring their own drinking water, as on-site pumps are not suitable for consumption. Self-check-in systems are common, with payment boxes located in parking areas. Fees are notably affordable, with primitive tent sites at MacQueen costing only $4-5 per night.

The tent-only experience at these locations offers exceptional seclusion compared to mixed-use campgrounds. According to reviews, MacQueen's sites are "very private and secluded" with some situated in wooded areas while others occupy a meadow ideal for stargazing. Site #8 at MacQueen is particularly valued for its "remote location overlooking the river." Winter camping is possible, though campers should prepare for occasional weather challenges. The entrance gate at MacQueen is locked from sunset to sunrise, providing additional security. Visitors should note that some campgrounds prohibit alcohol, and train noise may be audible at night near certain sites. Dogs are permitted but must remain leashed at all times to avoid potential fines.

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Best Tent Sites Near Prairie Grove, Illinois (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Prairie Grove, IL

5 Photos of 6 Prairie Grove Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Prairie Grove, IL

666 Reviews of 6 Prairie Grove Campgrounds

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

    MacQueen Forest Preserve

    Secluded Hike-in Tent Campsites on the Kish

    This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs. There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy. This is a very primative campground with 1 set of Vault toilets. The other campsites require a walk/hike along a gravel path for completely wooded sites or cross a football sized meadow for open air sites. There are several well-water pumps "not for drinking." Each campsite has a fire pit and a picnic table. Pack out your garbage for the dumpster in the parking lot. There are only 9 sites total. VERY private and secluded. Tents only! Massive forest preserve area for excellent hiking. Some fellow campers were doing a diy tubing right to the campground. (About a 2 hr lazy river tube from Kingston or 5hrs from Genoa on the slow moving S. Branch of the Kishwaukee River which can be pretty deep in places.) Absolutely NO ALCOHOL. Cost for tent sites is only $4 per tent or tent-like structure. There are primitive cabins for rent and a large lodge if you rented the structure for an event here. By their facebook page, it looks like there have been beautiful weddings here. This is a former scout camp flanked by more forest preserves. The ranger is very nice and the entrance is locked from sunset to sunrise. I hesitated even posting this tent-camping primitive heaven, because I almost want to keep it for myself and the locals. Please practice leave no trace and follow the rules if you go so this place stays open. Dog friendly, but must be leashed all of time or a $50 fine. My dog loved the trails and river crossings! Gorgeous hidden gem about an hour into cornfield country from Chicago NW suburbs like Woodfield Mall. I had cell service at one spot in the parking lot, but it was fleeting with T-mobile. A fellow camper had the best private spot (#2) which other than the ada site was the best because it was closest to the parking lot, yet she still had a festival/yard cart to pull her gear up a gravel path. Make sure you bring yours or are outfitted with backpacking gear. Like anywhere, prevent insect deforestation and don't bring firewood, it's fine, they have plenty.

  • 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.

  • Meg
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Beautiful View (site 20), serious slope

    We LOVE site 20 as does everyone else who books this one up quick. Literally the only downside is that you have no flat spots anywhere on the site, which killed our backs sleeping in tents.

    Pros - lake view, but a safe distance down the hill so no worries about the kids at the campsite.

    On the end with tons of privacy, full row of trees and a ton of space until the next site. It’s like your own mini oasis.

    Lake is also fabulous. We decided to rent instead of hauling our own kayak and they were clean, affordable and quick process.

    Cons - lol that hill is no joke. Pit toilets I wouldn’t touch with a 10ft pole, but that’s pretty typical.

  • 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.

  • S
    Oct. 2, 2020

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Good Tent Sites

    We visited this spot last summer as a place to stay for 1 night on our way farther north.

    We really enjoy tent camping and prefer walk-in/hike in sites so we can have some privacy away from other campers. The campsites were decently dispersed and the ground was nice and grassy so it was pretty comfortable.

    We always want more space between campsites, but I think the privacy level was fine. The tent sites are right off the parking lot where the boat ramp is so maybe on a busy weekend it would be a little loud, but overall a nice night for us!

    We left in the morning to continue our drive so we didn’t spend much time checking out the hiking trails.

    We did however go checkout the beach which wasn’t much to write home about. If I remember correctly, we had to pay a fee to enter. Always happy to support a state park. We just figured since we were already paying to camp there, it wouldn’t cost extra. I’m pretty sure we paid an admission fee and didn’t stay for long. It was across the way and requires a drive instead of a hike to get there.

  • 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.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2021

    MacQueen Forest Preserve

    Beautiful primitive campground I almost don't want to tell anyone about

    $4 individual primitive site

    Note: if you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground. There's a little bit of road noise, but not disturbing at all in the middle of the night. There's also a river on one side of the campground, but it can only be heard if you were at one particular campsite.

    This is one of those places that's so awesome, you really don't want to tell people about it. It used to be an old boy scout camp, and now they let the public use it. There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart. That's right, at least 50 yards. You can't see the campsite next to you, and they all have a picnic table and a fire ring. You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in. It's an easy walk, on a crushed gravel road and mowed trail, and they do have one space near the parking lot that's handicap accessible. About half of the campsites are in a meadow at the back end of the campground. It would be beautiful for stargazing! There's also a giant fire pit with benches. The perfect area for a small group camp (as long as each party paid for the campsite that's back there).

    There's vault toilets and the one I used wasn't terrible, but it is primitive. There's even a light switch inside with a functioning light! There is a ranger house at the very front, and I get the impression that there's the possibility that someone actually lives there. The campsite looked very well maintained, like it had been freshly mowed around the edges.

    Even if the rangers don't actually live here, they're here regularly and it's obvious.

    The very best part? You're in the middle of the country, with gorgeous sunsets, and the primitive camping is only $4.

    There is water, but it is not, I repeat is not, potable.

    There are trash cans and dumpsters. There's also a lodge and pavilion which can be rented out for separate cost.

    I'll definitely be back next time I'm through this area. It's all self-checking, you just use the pay box in the parking lot.

  • Kristy G.
    Oct. 26, 2020

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Close proximity to Chicago, beautiful lake, nice trails

    We stayed on tent-only site 009 which gave us a small view of the lake through the trees, a direct trail to the lake to sit with our morning coffee, and plenty of space between sites so we couldn't see or hear any neighbors. It's a short walk in to the site from the parking area in that section (maybe 50 ft total) and parking is easy and plentiful in the lot. We brought our own potty so I can't speak on the cleanliness of the facilities, but I can say they store their firewood indoors which was excellent for nice dry wood that was easy to start and burned hot.

Guide to Prairie Grove

Primitive camping opportunities surround Prairie Grove, Illinois within an hour's drive north and west of Chicago. Most sites offer secluded experiences in oak-hickory forests with access to nearby water features. Campgrounds in this region typically operate from April through October, though several permit winter camping with proper preparation for temperatures that can drop below 20°F.

What to do

Fishing access: KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site provides secluded fishing spots along nearby streams. "Great backpack camp site. Decent walk and terrain to get to the site," notes camper Erin Z., who recommends bringing a small axe to process firewood found near the site.

River activities: The Kishwaukee River offers water recreation opportunities at MacQueen Forest Preserve. According to Marcus D., "There isn't much in terms of hiking trails. Just the main path and a few paths connecting sites and sort of a path along the river." Some campers create DIY tubing routes ending at the campground.

Stargazing: Open meadow sites at multiple preserves provide excellent night sky viewing. Nick C. reports that at MacQueen Forest Preserve, "Only sites 1,2,8 are forested the rest are around a large open field," making the meadow sites ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.

What campers like

Budget-friendly rates: Primitive camping near Prairie Grove offers exceptional value. Marcus D. appreciates MacQueen's affordability: "I will definitely be going back this year especially since it's close to me and it's only $5/night."

Privacy between sites: Snug Harbor Inn Campground utilizes terraced design for privacy. Josh F. notes, "The property is basically terraced along a slope down to the lake, with the RV and mobile home sites closer to the lake. The tent sites are above it all with decent views of the lake below."

Well-maintained facilities: Despite their rustic nature, many campgrounds maintain clean facilities. Darshon J. reports MacQueen Forest Preserve has "Well maintained bathrooms, great secluded sites. Super easy no registration its first come first serve."

What you should know

Train noise: Railroad tracks near some campgrounds create nighttime disturbances. Amy G. warns about Kishwaukee Valley Farms: "If you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground."

Weather preparedness: Winter camping requires additional preparation. Nick C. shares his experience: "Great time minus the winter squall that rolled threw our first night" when staying at MacQueen's site #8 during winter.

Campground security: Several preserves implement security measures. Amy G. notes about MacQueen: "The ranger is very nice and the entrance is locked from sunset to sunrise," providing campers with additional peace of mind during overnight stays.

Tips for camping with families

Best sites for groups: Look for adjacent campsites when traveling with multiple families. At Snug Harbor, Josh F. recommends, "Snapper 4, 5, 6 and 7 would be nice for group camping because they are all very close to one another and a bit more private, set away from the rest of the campsites."

Convenient locations: Melody Park Campground offers tent camping from May 1 to October 15 near Twin Lakes, providing easy access for families coming from Chicago's northern suburbs without extensive travel time.

Gear transportation options: Pack strategically for walk-in sites. Amy G. describes MacQueen: "A fellow camper had the best private spot (#2) which other than the ada site was the best because it was closest to the parking lot, yet she still had a festival/yard cart to pull her gear up a gravel path. Make sure you bring yours or are outfitted with backpacking gear."

Tips from RVers

Lakefront options: Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake caters to RVers seeking water views. James W. describes his experience: "The view was nice overlooking Turtle lake. Like the design of 3 levels so everyone gets a view. Nice place in the country but close enough to town to grab all those things we forgot."

Full-service amenities: Several locations offer comprehensive hookups for longer stays. Alix M. recommends Snug Harbor: "Great three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views. Has a pub/restaurant with good food. Lots to do!"

Beginner-friendly spots: First-time RVers find supportive environments at certain campgrounds. James W. recounts his maiden voyage: "Set up went well, didn't blow anything up! Yea! Staff was great, helped me back in... Met 2 nice couples which helped with any questions."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Prairie Grove, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Prairie Grove, IL is Kishwaukee Valley Farms with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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