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Best Campgrounds near River Forest, IL

596 Reviews

Campgrounds near River Forest, Illinois range from developed facilities to semi-urban camping experiences within an hour's drive. Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan offer established campgrounds with amenities for tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations approximately 15-20 miles southwest of River Forest. Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville provides electric hookups and water access about 25 miles west, while Camp Reinberg in Palatine features cabin options and RV sites roughly 30 miles northwest. The proximity to Chicago makes these locations popular weekend destinations for urban residents seeking outdoor experiences without traveling far from the metropolitan area.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through September. Blackwell Family Campground specifically operates from May 3 to September 29, while others like Camp Bullfrog Lake remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when sites fill quickly. The flat terrain throughout the area makes for easy access and level camping sites, though limited tree cover at some locations can mean less privacy between campsites. Winter camping options are significantly reduced, with fewer facilities maintaining operations during colder months. A visitor noted, "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home. They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites and great prices for firewood."

Campers consistently mention the convenience of these locations for Chicago-area residents seeking brief nature escapes. Several campgrounds are situated within forest preserves or near water features, providing recreational opportunities like hiking, biking, and fishing. Camp Reinberg receives praise for its well-maintained facilities and access to the Deer Park preserve's paved cycling and walking trails. A camper described it as "a very clean and well-loved semi-urban camping experience." Illinois Beach State Park, though farther north near the Wisconsin border, offers lakefront camping with beach access but limited privacy between sites. For those seeking more natural surroundings, Indiana Dunes National Park's Dunewood Campground provides a more immersive experience approximately 40 miles east, where visitors can enjoy the unique dune ecosystem and Lake Michigan shoreline.

Map showing campgrounds near River Forest, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near River Forest, Illinois (70)

    1. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."

    "What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."

    2. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."

    "I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."

    3. The Vaudeville

    4 Reviews
    Chicago, IL
    6 miles
    +1 (312) 420-4204

    "There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"

    4. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0041

    $35 - $250 / night

    "Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."

    "There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."

    5. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."

    "tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"

    6. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    127 Reviews
    Beverly Shores, IN
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 395-1882

    $25 / night

    "You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."

    "You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."

    7. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    67 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    8. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."

    "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."

    9. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 926-1952

    $23 / night

    "We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."

    "This campground was very nice and clean and for a packed park was very quiet and we did not feel too close to the sites next to us. "

    10. The Fawn Flats

    Be the first to review!
    Oak Park, IL
    5 miles
    +1 (618) 946-7614

    $35 - $75 / night

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Recent Camping Photos near River Forest, IL

195 Photos of 70 River Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near River Forest, IL

596 Reviews of 70 River Forest Campgrounds

  • Gina A.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Chippewa Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Kankakee River State Park Chippewa

    $20 a day with with restrooms has NO shower area. No water hookup .But has a swing set for the kids to play a few bike/hike trails. Quiet no street noise . They have a dump station and water too fill your camper.

  • Katrin M.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Campground Indiana Dunes

    We camped here on our way to Minnesota. The campsite had the typical amenities like a picnic table and a fire pit. The campground was clean and it was quiet. The bathroom was a bit outdated, but clean. The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening. Overall, it was a nice campground with spacious sites. It was not a long car ride at all to Lake Michigan.

  • Abhinay
    Oct. 7, 2025

    The Vaudeville

    Peaceful stay

    It’s was great nd peaceful place for staying on weekends for relaxation.

  • Ray S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great campground with everything you would need

    This was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • Operation_Fun ..
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    Could be better

    This seemed like it could be a really great campground, but it's not taken care of very well and felt a bit unsafe. 

    It's a huge park, yet the sites aren't very private. The mosquitoes and ticks are the worst I've experienced thus far, and the abandoned buildings by the beach feel like crack dens.

    We brought chairs and relaxed by the beach for a while, which was very peaceful and really made the trip.

    It's worth checking out if you're interested. I now understand why there are always sites available here when it seems every other campground is fully booked.

Guide to River Forest

Camping near River Forest, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Michigan City Campground noted, "Very well kept, safe supervision, quiet clean facilities."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention helpful staff. One camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake said, "The site overall is amazing. Just wouldn't ever camp here again due to the high price and the bathrooms being terrible."
  • Natural Beauty: Campgrounds like Dunewood Campground are loved for their beautiful wooded areas. A reviewer remarked, "We stayed 2 nights and the campground was thickly wooded and beautiful."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially at Dunewood Campground. One camper warned, "The mosquitoes here are insane!!! I came back with giant welts from the bites even with bug spray on."
  • Crowded Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy on weekends. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois."
  • Limited Privacy: Some sites are close together. A camper at Michigan City Campground noted, "The sites are close together and the fire rings are small."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Illinois Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park noted, "The campground itself was very nice with good size sites and lots of room."
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast, especially in summer. A visitor at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground advised, "Very popular campground so you do have to book well in advance during regular season."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you need. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "The bathrooms being horrible. Hot water for showers did not work and floors were nasty."

Camping near River Forest, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near River Forest, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near River Forest, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.

What parks are near River Forest, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near River Forest, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.

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