Best Glamping near River Forest, IL

Camp Bullfrog Lake houses safari tents and luxury cabins for upscale glamping experiences, situated on the scenic lakefront in Willow Springs, just 25 miles southwest of River Forest. Each accommodation features electricity, comfortable bedding, and modern amenities while maintaining a connection to nature. Additional glamping options include Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest, with its canvas tents providing a boutique camping experience complete with proper beds, electricity, and climate control for year-round comfort. The glamping units are thoughtfully positioned around the lake, allowing guests to enjoy waterfront views and easy access to hiking trails. "Lovely cabins, facilities and hiking! The cabins are heated with their own bathrooms, that feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold," noted one visitor.

Extensive trail networks surround the glamping properties, with miles of hiking and mountain biking paths accessible directly from accommodation doorsteps. The Palos Trail System connects these glamping destinations, offering outdoor enthusiasts immediate access to forest preserves and wildlife viewing opportunities. Guests can enjoy fishing from the lakefront, kayaking on Bullfrog Lake, or simply relaxing on private decks while taking in sunset views. During summer months, the campgrounds host guided nature walks and evening programs. A recent visitor mentioned, "The scenery is beautiful, you can fish, hike, or just relax. You're in the Chicago suburbs so it's easy to get to a store or restaurant if you need." Both glamping locations remain accessible year-round, with heated units available during colder months, though spring through fall offers the most amenities and activities.

Best Glamping Sites Near River Forest, Illinois (16)

    1. Camp Bullfrog Lake

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

    $20 - $138 / night

    "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits."

    "The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc)."

    2. Camp Sullivan

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

    $35 - $250 / night

    "As stated, there is electric hookup but no water at the site. However, staff was more than happy to meet us at the bathrooms to allow us to fill our tanks before we set up camp."

    "Wooded electric paved sites with fairly new bathhouse facilities. Pretty clean. Only one indoor water faucet working but this may be a COVID casualty."

    3. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

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

    $25 / night

    "Campsites had decent privacy and  even on a Friday night, quiet hours were respected.  "

    "We have camped in the walk-ins and the drive-up spots.

    The sites are private and the bathrooms are super duper clean. Showers are great."

    4. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

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

    $23 / night

    "We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers."

    "The state park is located within the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes National Park (formerly National Lakeshore), so don't get confused by this."

    5. Lakeshore Camp Resort

    16 Reviews
    Portage, IN
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 762-7757

    $49 - $57 / night

    "A lake with water rentals, floating water slide, playgrounds and sport courts, general store with the stardust’s “convenience mark-ups”,and water/ electric at all sites."

    "We were there the week before peak season opened so none of the pools or splash pads were open, but they were very accommodating so that we could still play mini golf and ride around on the pedal cars."

    6. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."

    "The staff is very friendly the grounds are beautiful and well maintained We kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice."

    7. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4206

    "Plus they have a quiet time at night.So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."

    "We stayed here for a weekend and there were plenty of activities for the kids...the staff was friendly and the bathrooms were clean...our camp site was near the bathrooms, pool, and store so we were nice"

    8. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    43 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

    "Non-electric sites in the loop on the small fishing pond were relatively quiet, well shaded, with decent screening between sites."

    9. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    43 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "There’s some small trails around as well that are beginner. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night."

    "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

    10. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We stayed in the Fox Den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition. Our site was very shaded and quiet at night. The bath house was very clean."

    "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas."

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Recent Glamping Photos near River Forest, IL

4 Photos of 16 River Forest Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near River Forest, IL

322 Reviews of 16 River Forest Campgrounds


  • Addison G.
    Oct. 23, 2024

    Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Awesome choice for campers on a budget

    These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There’s some small trails around as well that are beginner. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night. Bathrooms could’ve been cleaner but we were grateful for the facility which doubled as a storm shelter. There’s indoor showers and bathrooms. There are also cabins at this campsite, not sure on pricing tho

  • Chris M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Clean & Spacious

    We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers. We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park. The buildings have great architecture. The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides. We have a 37’ motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit. We will definitely be back! I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion.

  • F
    Aug. 1, 2016

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Dirty

    When I visited this place it was such a disaster. The trash was overflowing, the bathrooms were a mess, and there was no TP, and the quiet hours was not enforced, so people were up partying all night. I will look for another place to stay next time

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Fine camping in Northern Illinois

    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. Fox den and Prairie view loops are nice as well with mostly primitive sites. Be aware that the map on www.ExloreMoreIL,com(where you make your reservations) doesn't show where the restrooms are. In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61. Facilities are clean and well lit. Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill. This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove, where you have access to the Fox River and Grass lake. This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood. To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border. This will put you on the Fox river with developments to the north(including a bar& grill) or to the south which is all nature. I think the distance by boat between the two launches is 4-5 miles, but I'm not sure, Halfway there you'll meet up with the Goldfinch trail which is the shortest loop and the most diverse in term of flora. There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground. Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season. We canoe, and both times we stayed there it was October, so I can't tell you how crowded, but the vast number of picnic areas must be there for a reason. An odd thing is that you can hear a Steam Train whistle quite often, this is from Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. We don't have kids so we went to Stade's Farm& Orchard(which is also large and kid friendly) because they have an orchard and vegetable market. One last thing, the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)

  • Meg
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Good For families, a few downsides

    *** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren’t very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best.

    Pros- easy pull in sites and lots of walk-in availability. Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe. Also seemed pretty respectful in the evenings with people toning down the noise.

    Lots of electric sites, deep enough for 2 tents, 2 cars (although close to neighbors and no trees between sites), picnic table and fire pit.

    Bathroom shower houses were decent (we usually just have toddler use her travel potty, but this one was fine).

    Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks.

    Cons - SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people! 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.

    Also - 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 and all surfaces wiped down.

  • K
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Good enough I guess

    Biggest drawback was the road noise. You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly.

    But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine! My site had room for 2 tents and was close to the road but still felt tucked away.

    The fire pit is actually more like a grill which was cool and great for cooking. You can move the grill to have just a fire. Plus the grocery store is only a quick 15 minute drive away if you forget anything!

    People were playing music loudly at night which was annoying.

    Would have been super peaceful if it weren’t for the roadnoise (which the campground can’t do anything about of course!) and the camper noise.

    Best suited for folks just looking to just play outdoors and not for anyone looking for a peaceful escape to nature.

  • Kimberly B.
    Sep. 12, 2021

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Great campground.

    We stayed for two nights and had a great experience.  Campsites had decent privacy and  even on a Friday night, quiet hours were respected.  We were on a wheelchair accessible site which was the only one available, so there was more pavement than the other sites.

    There was a dishwashing sink which is always handy.  The bathrooms and showers were very clean, and the free showers were the best we've experienced in a campground with plenty of hot water, good water pressure, plenty of hooks and a bench. 

    Some noise from the highway and the trains, but I like trains so it was fine.  We wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

  • Terran B.
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Nice place, not maintained

    It’s a really nice site, but the running water bathrooms were not cleaned regularly and the pit toilets were almost overflowing on a Thursday. The site was also filled with garbage when we arrived.

  • jennifer Z.
    Aug. 11, 2018

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Favorite campground in the dunes

    This is seriously my favorite campground. My family and I have been camping here for more than ten years. We have camped in the walk-ins and the drive-up spots.

    The sites are private and the bathrooms are super duper clean. Showers are great.

    You can take the train from downtown Chicago and get off at the Beverly Shores stop on the south shore line. The campsite is seriously a quarter mile walk from the stop.

    There is an awesome gas station at the corner where you can get coffee and donuts in the morning. Ice and beverages during the day and soft serve ice serve ice cream at night. There are also two wood stove pizza trucks next to the gas station.

    There is a nice sandy beach one mile walking distance through an amazing prairie. Great walk at night back from the beach after watching the sunset. Very romantic.

    Plenty if things to do in the area. Lots of pick your own berry patches and kayaking spots.


Guide to River Forest

Cabin camping options near River Forest, Illinois range from basic tent sites to full-service glamping experiences with modern amenities. Located in the Midwest region characterized by rolling terrain and seasonal weather fluctuations, the campgrounds provide year-round options with varying levels of service. Most cabins stand within forest preserves that feature lakes, ponds, and extensive trail systems.

What to do

Kayaking and fishing opportunities: At Dunewood Campground, visitors can enjoy the clear waters of Lake Michigan. "The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by. This loop is best for tent camping. The other loops are basically all rvs. The boat launch to the fox river was nice too but it does get busy," reports one camper.

Mountain biking on dedicated trails: The trail systems near glamping accommodations in River Forest offer extensive riding options. "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," noted a visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Climbing the dunes: For a physical challenge, some campgrounds feature unique terrain formations. "The 3 dune challenge is not really a challenge if you are moderately healthy but it is fun and scenic! The cool soft sand feels fantastic, definitely best hiked barefoot," shares a camper about their experience at Indiana Dunes State Park.

What campers like

Easy access to water recreation: Lakes and waterways provide recreation without traveling far from camp. "The lake and dunes are spectacular and live up to the hype. The beach and dunes are the star of this show, but the campground is a good supporting actor," according to a visitor at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Privacy at select sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers," notes a review for Fox Den Campground.

Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds catering to families provide extra activities. "This is a very nice campground. A lot of locals go there to get away for the weekend," mentions a reviewer about Lakeshore Camp Resort, which offers activities beyond typical camping.

What you should know

Varying levels of site privacy: Site layouts differ significantly between campgrounds. "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape, but as far as campgrounds go it was about 3x the price for less than half the space," reports a camper at Camp Sullivan.

Wildlife awareness needed: Some campers report active wildlife at night. "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 and all surfaces wiped down."

Tick prevention important: Particularly in wooded areas, bugs can be an issue. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!"

Tips for camping with families

Bring extra towels for water activities: Many campgrounds offer multiple water recreation options. "The beach was well maintained, and had lifeguards during certain hours, which gave me a little bit of extra comfort in bringing my kids to the lake. It had really nice bathroom facilities, and changing room facilities there," a visitor comments.

Pack screen tents for bug protection: Especially during summer months, a screened area provides relief. "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."

Consider weekday visits for quieter experience: "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 camper at Honeysuckle Hollow, highlighting the benefits of non-peak timing for families.

Tips from RVers

Check hookup locations before setting up: "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."

Know campground road restrictions: Some locations have limited access hours. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting. What if there was an emergency?"

Consider partial hookup limitations: "It is electric only but that didn't really bother us- we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves. Our site was right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near River Forest, IL?

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

What is the best site to find glamping camping near River Forest, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near River Forest, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.