Glamping options near Skokie, Illinois range from rustic tent sites to more upscale accommodations set within the Midwest prairie landscape. The area sits at elevations between 600-700 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and frequent humidity. Winter camping is available at select locations, with temperatures often dropping below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Kayaking at Chain O' Lakes State Park: Turner Lake South camping area offers direct water access with multiple connected lakes. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," shares a camper at Turner Lake South Camping Area.
Tackle the Three Dune Challenge: Test your endurance on this unique hiking experience at Indiana Dunes State Park. "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," notes one visitor at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Mountain biking for all skill levels: Multiple trail systems cater to bikers seeking workouts near Chicago. "This is a really nice campground. There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding. We did a nice short hike in area," explains a camper at Fox Den Campground.
Winter camping options: Unlike many regional sites that close seasonally, Camp Bullfrog Lake maintains year-round operations. "This is our second time staying at this campground...we also stayed here in 2019. Our camp site was #2. For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar," notes a reviewer.
What campers like
Lake access for fishing: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides easy water entry for anglers of all ages. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The lake is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," explains a camper at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Budget-friendly wilderness camping: Turner Lake South offers affordable tent sites away from RV areas. "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," shares a recent visitor.
Clean shower facilities: Most campers appreciate the well-maintained bathroom facilities. "Bathhouse was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus. The hosts were friendly," reports a camper at Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Beyond bird watching, campers report diverse animal sightings. "We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," notes a visitor from Camp Bullfrog Lake.
What you should know
Train noise at certain sites: Several campgrounds near Chicago experience railroad disruptions. "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," warns a camper at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Limited site privacy at some campgrounds: Camp Sullivan has mixed reviews on spacing between sites. "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," explains one visitor at Camp Sullivan.
Weather-related challenges: Seasonal conditions can impact comfort levels. "Brutally hot but otherwise nice" summarizes one visitor's experience at Dunewood Campground, while another notes "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening."
Night gate closures: Some locations restrict after-hours access. "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," reports a camper at Camp Sullivan.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Fish Lake Beach offers structured programming for children. "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water. Clean bathrooms and shower," reports a visitor to Chicago Northwest KOA.
Best sites for toddlers: Some campgrounds offer safer terrain for young children. "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," advises a parent camping at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds provide play structures for kids to burn energy. "Our site was right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private. The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center," recommends a parent from Indiana Dunes State Park.
Tick awareness with children: Prepare for insects in wooded areas. "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," warns a family at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Best sites for larger rigs: Look for newer campgrounds with adequate space. "We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. 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," shares an RVer at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Electric-only considerations: Plan water usage accordingly at state parks. "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 camper at Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park.
Dump station timing: Schedule departures with enough time for possible waits. "Two dump stations made wait minimal," notes a camper at Indiana Dunes State Park, while another camper warns "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."
Site selection for privacy: Choose locations away from main roads when possible. "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," advises a visitor.
