Camping cabins near River Forest, Illinois provide shelter options in the region's humid continental climate, where summer temperatures average 82°F and winters can drop below freezing. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level within the Des Plaines River watershed, with camping facilities typically open from April through October during the main season.
What to do
Water activities on local lakes: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers kayak rentals for $15 per hour which include life vests. "The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," notes one visitor who enjoyed the accessible water recreation despite the lake's size.
Biking through forest preserves: The trail systems around the camping areas provide excellent mountain biking opportunities. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day," reports a visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Fishing from your campsite: At Turner Lake South, lakefront tent sites allow fishing directly from your camping spot. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," shares a camper.
Wildlife observation: Many sites offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," reports one kayaker at Turner Lake South, highlighting the area's biodiversity.
What campers like
Proximity to urban centers with natural setting: Camp Reinberg provides a convenient escape from city life. "This gem of a campground is run by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the care they have for it shows! The campground is centrally located to the major roads and about 10 minutes from the Palatine Metra train station," writes one reviewer.
Clean facilities with modern amenities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained bathhouses. "The bathrooms are modern. The campsites are well kept as are the grounds. There are trails to walk. There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall," notes a visitor to Camp Sullivan.
Accessible trails for all abilities: The interconnected trail systems receive high marks for variety. "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods," reports a Camp Reinberg visitor.
Family-friendly atmosphere: "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods)," shares a Camp Sullivan visitor who regularly brings three children under age 7.
What you should know
Wildlife considerations: Prepare for encounters with local fauna. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night," advises a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Gate closures and access restrictions: Security measures may limit nighttime movement. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning," reports one Camp Sullivan visitor who needed staff assistance to exit for an early morning meeting.
Site selection for privacy: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spots than others. "The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East. The campsites are a little bigger in Turner Lake South, I feel, but both have campsites circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent," advises a regular visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Many cabins and camping facilities operate with limited schedules. "We stayed here code a week while my husband had to fly out for work. It was safe, and everyone was so friendly and kind. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly," notes a summer visitor to The Vaudeville.
Tips for camping with families
Consider cabin options for younger children: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers family-friendly accommodations. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Protect against insects: Take precautions for tick prevention, especially with mobile toddlers. "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," advises a parent from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Pack for various water activities: Multiple lakes offer swimming and boating. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," reports a Fish Lake Beach visitor.
Look for midweek camping opportunities: For a quieter experience with children, avoid weekends. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," notes a Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Know which sites accommodate your vehicle. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," recommends an RV camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake, providing specific site numbers for easier planning.
Hookup limitations: Be aware that not all sites offer full connections. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded," reports a Camp Sullivan RV visitor, indicating the trade-offs at some locations.
Plan for dump station timing: Some facilities have limited capacity. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," notes a Honeysuckle Hollow camper who stayed for a week.
Electric hookup positioning: Check the distance from your RV to utilities. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," advises an experienced Honeysuckle Hollow RVer.
