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Best Campgrounds near St. Charles, IL

652 Reviews

Several campgrounds surround the St. Charles area in Illinois, providing a range of overnight options for campers. Blackwell Family Campground in the Blackwell Forest Preserve stands out as a popular local destination, open weekends from May through September. The area includes both tent and RV-friendly sites, with Camp Reinberg in Palatine and Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin offering additional developed camping opportunities within 20 miles. Most campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups, with some also featuring cabins and glamping accommodations at locations like Camp Bullfrog Lake and Chicago Northwest KOA.

Seasonal considerations factor heavily into planning, as several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "For years, this was our go-to campground for weekend nearby adventures," notes one Blackwell visitor, highlighting its accessibility for suburban Chicago residents. Most forest preserve campgrounds in the area close their gates at sunset, restricting after-hours entry and exit. Campers should be aware that while many sites have electricity, water hookups vary by location. The camping season generally runs May through October, with a few locations like Big Rock Campground operating year-round. Advanced reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when sites fill quickly.

The forest preserve campgrounds near St. Charles provide an unexpected nature retreat amid suburban surroundings. As one camper described Blackwell: "Driving in here makes you forget you're in the middle town! Quite and roving park rangers which gives it a very safe feel around here." While road noise can be heard at some sites, many offer enough wooded privacy to create a genuine camping experience. Many campgrounds feature amenities like hiking trails, fishing lakes, and boat rentals. Reviews consistently mention the well-maintained facilities and level sites, though several note proximity to busy roads as a drawback. For campers seeking convenience combined with natural surroundings, these developed campgrounds provide accessible outdoor experiences without venturing far from Chicago's western suburbs.

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Best Camping Sites Near St. Charles, Illinois (83)

    1. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    10 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."

    2. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    10 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."

    3. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 232-5980

    $18 - $35 / night

    "Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"

    "Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."

    4. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    20 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!"

    5. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    26 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."

    6. Chicago Northwest KOA

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

    "You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"

    "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"

    7. Sycamore RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Sycamore, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 895-5590

    "Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort. Nice walking path around the two ponds. The ponds are very low due to drought this summer."

    "Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out."

    8. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 824-2565

    $25 / night

    "If you find yourself out in these parts near Shabbona in north central Illinois it is because of either one of two reasons - you are incredibly lost and stumbled across this hidden natural preserve gem"

    "All within easy walking distance to the lake. Camp store and two boat rental spots allow for flexiblity on busier weekends."

    9. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Union, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4533

    $45 - $70 / night

    "Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front.  Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "

    "We couldn’t reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake. They also have free TV but we didn’t hook up to that."

    10. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."

    "with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."

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Recent Camping Photos near St. Charles, IL

243 Photos of 83 St. Charles Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near St. Charles, IL

652 Reviews of 83 St. Charles Campgrounds

  • Abhinay
    Oct. 7, 2025

    The Vaudeville

    Peaceful stay

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

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    King's Campground

    Where Fireflies & Faith Meet Fresh Air & Farmland

    As a mom camping with my husband and kids, I loved how this Christ-centered campground felt both safe and family-friendly, with roomy sites that offer shade, fire pits, picnic tables and clean bathhouses close enough for those urgent kid trips. The layout makes it easy to relax while still keeping an eye on little ones and the amenities, whether tent pads or RV hookups, make setting up simple. What really stood out was the nearby fun and educational activity for kids, like a nature trail, nearby working farm, local park or our visit to Blackhawk Statue near Lorado Taft that gave the kids both excitement and a learning moment. At the end of the day, this is the kind of place where parents can unwind by the fire while the kids fall asleep happily worn out from their adventures.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Nature’s Way RV Park

    Relaxing

    Clean and well maintained facility. Staff was organized and friendly. Pet friendly. We want to come back when we can stay longer.

  • 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.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • Kevin B.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Camp Sullivan

    Enjoyed the camping experience

    Nice and clean areas, staff was very professional and helpful while I was there

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

Guide to St. Charles

Camping near St. Charles, 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 to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: Enjoy the scenic trails at Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park. One visitor shared, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls, sandstone overhangs, and spectacular overlooks."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, you can fish or rent a boat. A camper mentioned, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
  • Wildlife Watching: Rock Cut State Park Campground is great for spotting local wildlife. One reviewer noted, "You’ll hit the wild animal jackpot with easy viewing of white-tailed deer, red foxes, and raccoons."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park said, "The bathrooms were old but clean."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers enjoy the helpfulness of the campground hosts. One camper at Illinois Rock Cut State Park remarked, "The rangers were very nice and knowledgeable."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful landscapes. A review for Pleasant Creek Campground highlighted, "The campground does sit highest of all the potential spots you could pick here."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have outdated facilities. A visitor at Illinois Beach State Park mentioned, "The bathrooms were old and wet."
  • Noise Levels: If you're looking for peace and quiet, be aware that some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Blackwell Family Campground noted, "You could easily hear cars passing by throughout the night."
  • Crowded Weekends: Popular campgrounds can fill up quickly on weekends. One camper at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground said, "Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One reviewer at Blackwell Family Campground mentioned, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos."
  • Proximity to Amenities: Select campgrounds close to restaurants or stores. A camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area appreciated the well-stocked store.
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A visitor at Starved Rock Campground enjoyed the "abundant recreational activities."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Ensure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Rock Cut State Park Campground noted, "The park was old and not updated."
  • Look for Spacious Sites: Choose sites that offer enough space for your RV. A visitor at Illinois Beach State Park mentioned, "The sites are well dispersed so you don't feel like you are on top of other campers."
  • Plan for Waste Disposal: Make sure to know where the dump stations are located. A camper at Pleasant Creek Campground highlighted the importance of the designated dump site.

Camping near St. Charles, IL, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for you in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near St. Charles, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Charles, IL is Blackwell Family Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.

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