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Best Campgrounds near South Barrington, IL

578 Reviews

The northwestern suburbs of Chicago include several camping options within a 30-mile radius of South Barrington, Illinois. Camp Reinberg in nearby Palatine offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with highly-rated sites tucked alongside biking and walking paths through forest preserves. Chain O' Lakes State Park, approximately 25 miles north, provides multiple camping areas including Fox Den, Turner Lake South, and Honeysuckle Hollow, each with distinct characteristics and amenities. Other options include Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin, Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville, and Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo, which features glamping accommodations alongside traditional camping sites.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with limited year-round options. Reservations through the Illinois ExploreMoreIL system are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends when sites fill quickly. One camper noted, "The full hook-ups fill up fast with no spur-of-the-moment camping unless it is early or late in the season." Illinois state parks enforce a no-alcohol policy, even at individual campsites. Weather conditions in this region feature hot, humid summers and cold winters with occasional heavy snowfall, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Many campgrounds close facilities with plumbing during winter months, though some loops remain accessible.

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with Chain O' Lakes State Park providing boat launches and water recreation opportunities. A visitor observed, "Chain O' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season." Sites vary considerably in privacy and shade coverage, with Turner Lake South loop offering "nice and private sites" in contrast to Honeysuckle Hollow's "open and row after row of RV sites." Proximity to Chicago makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for urban residents seeking nature escapes. Most campgrounds provide electric hookups, with water access varying by location. Biking and hiking trails connect many camping areas to surrounding natural features, with several preserves offering crushed gravel paths suitable for family recreation.

Map showing campgrounds near South Barrington, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near South Barrington, Illinois (67)

    1. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    11 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."

    2. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    6 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!"

    3. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    17 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."

    4. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    5. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

    6. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    22 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. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    29 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."

    8. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    25 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) 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"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

    9. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."

    "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "

    10. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    25 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly.

    But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

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Recent Camping Photos near South Barrington, IL

228 Photos of 67 South Barrington Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near South Barrington, IL

578 Reviews of 67 South Barrington Campgrounds

  • 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!

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Big Rock Campground

    Needs some shade

    This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.

    The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?

    It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Camp Shabbona Woods

    Not the best but acceptable

    Stayed the weekend. Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background. They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok. No electric or water hook ups can’t keep your vehicle close to your campsite. The good the bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

Guide to South Barrington

Camping near South Barrington, Illinois, offers a mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: Many campgrounds have access to beautiful trails. For example, at Rock Cut State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Tons of trails, fishing, and even a swimming pond." This makes it a great spot for those who love to explore nature.
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area is a fantastic choice. A visitor shared, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting," highlighting the lake's beauty and fishing opportunities.
  • Swimming: For a refreshing dip, check out Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park. One camper noted, "Staff were very friendly and helpful. Would stay again!" This park is perfect for a beach day.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Kettle Moraine State Forest - Ottawa Lake, a reviewer said, "Bathrooms and showers were clean," making it a comfortable place to stay.
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, "The campsite overall is beautiful and the land is well kept," which adds to the camping experience.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Blackwell Family Campground are great for families. One parent shared, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos," making it a fun spot for kids.

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, have strict no alcohol rules. A camper noted, "This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Always full on weekends," so plan accordingly.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake pointed out, "The bathrooms being horrible" as a downside, so be prepared for that.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. At Blackwell Family Campground, one reviewer said, "The ranger did stop by around 5 or 6ish with some activities for the kids to do."
  • Pack Games and Activities: Bring along games to keep the kids entertained. A parent at Rock Cut State Park Campground mentioned, "There are plenty of scenic photo opportunities," which can inspire fun family activities.
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A camper at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pinewoods noted, "24-hour quiet enforced - no pets or speakers allowed."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A visitor at Ottawa Lake Campground said, "Electricity on site and water nearby," which is essential for RV camping.
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some sites can be tight for larger RVs. A camper at Blackwell Family Campground mentioned, "Tight getting into the spot for Class As but spots are spaced nicely."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for some noise from nearby roads. A reviewer at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area noted, "You’ll hear a symphony of crickets at night," but also mentioned road noise.

Camping near South Barrington, Illinois, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for family fun, a peaceful retreat, or an adventure in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near South Barrington, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Barrington, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 20 reviews.

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