Camping near South Barrington, Illinois offers recreational opportunities within a landscape shaped by glacial activity, resulting in small hills and numerous water features. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 700-850 feet above sea level, with summer humidity levels often reaching 70-80%. The camping season typically runs April through October with overnight temperatures dropping into the 40s during spring and fall months.
What to do
Archery practice: Blackwell Family Campground provides an archery range that's free to use. One visitor noted, "There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families."
Mountain biking: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers exceptional mountain biking trails for all skill levels. A reviewer mentioned, "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails."
Kayaking: Explore the interconnected waterways at Chain O' Lakes State Park where multiple water access points provide varied experiences. A camper shared, "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."
Horseback riding: Several campgrounds offer equestrian activities within a 30-minute drive of South Barrington. One visitor to Turner Lake South noted, "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas."
What campers like
Free firewood: Camp Reinberg provides complimentary firewood with site rental. A camper mentioned, "Very friendly staff w well organized and well maintained campground. Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5."
Proximity to Chicago: Many campers appreciate the quick access from urban areas. As one visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake stated, "We really like this place and was about a 30 minute ride from our place in the western burbs. Some of the areas best mountain bike single track is right here."
Private sites: Turner Lake South offers more secluded camping experiences. A camper noted, "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."
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide fishing access without requiring boat ownership. A visitor at Turner Lake South observed, "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."
What you should know
Seasonal site availability: Many campgrounds near South Barrington have extremely limited off-season operations. At Paul Wolff Campground, a camper noted, "We like this campground because its close to home and its clean/large campsites. But there aren't any showers and you need to pay with cash or check. No credit cards."
Alcohol policies: Illinois Beach State Park and other state-run facilities enforce strict rules on alcohol consumption. While county parks often allow alcohol, state parks prohibit it completely, even at individual campsites.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for active wildlife, especially in wooded campgrounds. A camper at Turner Lake South advised, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Site selection strategy: Reserve early for prime spots, especially waterfront or shaded locations. One camper recommended, "I always forget that the sites in the 340's are awesome" at Illinois Beach State Park, while another noted specific site numbers at Blackwell: "Sites 21 & 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites."
Tips for camping with families
Budget-friendly options: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers affordable family camping with numerous amenities. A visitor noted, "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Tick prevention: In warmer months, ticks are prevalent at many campgrounds in the area. A family camper advised, "SO many ticks. 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."
Facilities access: When camping with young children, proximity to restrooms matters. One parent recommended, "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."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with varying amenities. As one camper noted, "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. This is not private or rustic camping but still very fun and relaxing."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Chicago Northwest KOA provides full hookup sites that book quickly. A reviewer mentioned, "This KOA has very limited full hook up sites. We paid for the deluxe patio site, which had no sewer. Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice."
Water access: Some campgrounds require special arrangements for water hookups. At Camp Reinberg, an RVer explained, "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."
Site spacing: RVers should research site layout before booking. One camper at Chicago Northwest KOA observed, "It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy."
Generator rules: Most campgrounds near South Barrington prohibit generator use regardless of time of day. A camper at Fish Lake Beach appreciated this policy, noting "Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise."
