Best Campgrounds near St. Charles, IL

St. Charles, IL is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are St. Charles campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near St. Charles, IL. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

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

    18 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

    17 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

    28 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. 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."

    7. Chicago Northwest KOA

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

    "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"

    "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground.

    We'll be back for sure!"

    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

    77 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 Reviews near St. Charles, IL

625 Reviews of 83 St. Charles Campgrounds



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.

What parks are near St. Charles, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near St. Charles, IL that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.