Best Campgrounds near South Elgin, IL

Are you in need of a campground near South Elgin, IL? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of South Elgin. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near South Elgin and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near South Elgin, Illinois (81)

    1. Paul Wolff Campground

    18 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    6 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. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    13 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."

    3. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    17 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!"

    4. Big Rock Campground

    17 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    19 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."

    5. Chicago Northwest KOA

    15 Reviews
    Union, IL
    19 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!"

    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. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    28 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. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Union, IL
    19 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."

    9. Thomas Woods Campground

    17 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 338-6223

    $20 - $35 / night

    "While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."

    "Most of the sites were right on the road and you’d need to position your car right for privacy. The tent sites are clumped pretty tight together with a couple exceptions."

    10. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    77 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    43 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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Showing results 1-10 of 81 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near South Elgin, IL

594 Reviews of 81 South Elgin Campgrounds



Guide to South Elgin

Camping near South Elgin, IL, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic trails to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Starved Rock Campground. 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: Head to Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area for some great fishing. A camper mentioned, “We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting.”
  • Boating: Enjoy a day on the water at Rock Cut State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, “With more than 3,000 acres of wetlands, tall grasses, and protected forest preserves, Rock Cut SP packs a punch from a camping perspective.”

What campers like:

  • Scenic Beauty: Campers rave about the picturesque settings. One visitor at Starved Rock Campground said, “Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!”
  • Family-Friendly Amenities: Many campgrounds offer great facilities for families. A reviewer at Illinois Rock Cut State Park mentioned, “They have sites with electric and sites just for tents. The only negative is no drinkable water.”
  • Wildlife Viewing: Campers enjoy spotting local wildlife. One visitor at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area shared, “You’ll hit the wild animal jackpot with easy viewing of white-tailed deer, red foxes, and raccoons.”

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have spotty cell reception. A camper at Starved Rock Campground noted, “Heavy tree canopy means no Starlink. Verizon and AT&T both had only 1 bar.”
  • Facilities May Vary: Some campgrounds have older facilities. A visitor at Illinois Rock Cut State Park mentioned, “The park was old and not updated but then ultimately told us it was our trailer.”
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A reviewer at Pleasant Creek Campground said, “If you want to meet new folks, stay here. Our fire ring was 10 feet from the table in the site next to us.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with amenities like playgrounds. One camper at Blackwell Family Campground said, “The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and during our stay, blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around.”
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A family at Illinois Rock Cut State Park enjoyed the “many trails and not too expensive” camping experience.
  • Pack Snacks: Keep the kids happy with easy snacks. A reviewer at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, “The store is very nice and well stocked.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Rock Cut State Park Campground noted, “The 30 amp plug there would work for about 2 mins and then would keep tripping again.”
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of local attractions. One visitor at Pleasant Creek Campground said, “You’ll be located just 5 miles from two of the best state parks that Illinois has to offer.”
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular campgrounds can get busy. A reviewer at Camp Bullfrog Lake mentioned, “The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday.”

Camping near South Elgin, IL, has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Elgin, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 18 reviews.

What parks are near South Elgin, IL?

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