Camping near Schiller Park, Illinois provides access to forest preserve sites with established facilities that range from 10-45 miles away. Cook County offers multiple camping options like Camp Sullivan, which is just 22 miles south of Schiller Park with both tent sites and cabins. Winter temperatures can dip below freezing during December-February, making year-round camping options particularly valuable for local residents wanting weekend getaways without long drives.
What to do
Mountain biking at multiple preserves: Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs offers direct access to extensive trail systems. "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," notes one reviewer who lives nearby and uses the campground for midweek camping trips to break up their work routine.
Water activities beyond swimming: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides kayak rentals at $15/hour including life vests. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," shares one camper who enjoyed this amenity despite noting the small lake size.
Winter hiking options: Some preserves maintain seasonal trail accessibility. Paul Wolff Campground has "scenic hiking for being close to town. Gentle hills and beautiful color. Always see turkey and other small game so great for Scout skills and badges," according to a reviewer who visited during late fall.
Archery practice: Blackwell Family Campground includes free archery facilities alongside other activities. A reviewer mentioned, "Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course."
What campers like
Easy access to Chicago: For those wanting to combine urban and outdoor experiences, certain campgrounds offer convenient public transportation connections. "We stayed here for a week while my husband had to fly out for work. It was safe, and everyone was so friendly and kind... There is easy access to public transportation," notes a visitor to The Vaudeville campground.
Free firewood at some campgrounds: Camp Reinberg in Palatine (15 miles from Schiller Park) provides complimentary firewood with stays. "Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5," shares a camper who appreciated this cost-saving amenity.
Clean bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive praise for their maintenance standards. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade... The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly."
Privacy variations by site number: At Paul Wolff Campground, campers note significant differences between sites. "Odd numbered sites had better shade than evens. The RV sites looked closely spaced but nice enough," reports one tent camper who found the park well-maintained.
What you should know
Train noise affects some campgrounds: Indiana Dunes State Park Campground has excellent amenities but noise can be an issue. "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and you can deal with that, you'll be just fine but us tent camping there was nothing to block the sound," warns a reviewer.
Limited shade at newer sites: Some campgrounds have young trees that don't provide much coverage. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, a reviewer noted, "I believe this is a relatively newer campground. There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small."
Water access varies significantly: Not all campgrounds provide water hookups at individual sites. At Camp Sullivan, a camper reported, "No water or dumping hook up. Electric only." Similarly, at Camp Reinberg, "There are no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site."
Weekend overcrowding: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer months. A camper at Indiana Dunes State Park noted, "Indiana Dunes State park campground is one of our favorites. The beach, the trails, bike trails. There is everything to do here, it does not disappoint. Well the weekend traffic can be a bummer."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity considerations: When selecting sites with children, location within the campground matters. At Camp Sullivan, one family mentioned their site was "right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private," creating an ideal setup for kids while maintaining some adult separation.
Educational programming: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led activities. "Check out the office for fun seasonal events like group hikes and geocaching contests," advises a Camp Reinberg visitor who found these programs enriched their family camping experience.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have better security setups than others. "When we got here, we realize the electric sites on the right side of the bathhouse were in full sun, but the staff member graciously allowed us to switch sites to a more shaded area," notes a camper who appreciated the flexibility but had other safety concerns about the facilities.
Family-friendly hiking difficulty levels: Blackwell Forest Preserve features trails suitable for various ages. "This is a little gem in DuPage County. We live in the area and went here when our child was a baby, as we didn't want to be far from home. The campsites are surprisingly nice. Most are wooded on each side for privacy."
Tips from RVers
Limited dump stations: At peak times, expect waits at some facilities. At Dunewood Campground near Indiana Dunes National Park, there are sanitary dump facilities but no sewer hookups at individual sites, requiring planning for longer stays.
Site length considerations: Paul Wolff Campground has varied site sizes. "Our camp site was #2. For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest. Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad."
Reservation systems vary by agency: Forest preserve campgrounds and state/national park facilities use different booking platforms. "The FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY online camping reservation site is tricky but after several tries I figured it out," shared a camper who stayed at both Camp Reinberg and Camp Sullivan.
Electric service without water connections: Many campgrounds near Schiller Park offer electric hookups without water at individual sites. "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," advises a visitor to Indiana Dunes State Park.
