Vernon Hills, Illinois camping options cater to those seeking outdoor recreation within a 30-mile radius of Chicago's northern suburbs. The campgrounds sit in an area characterized by glacial formations that created the region's many lakes and rolling terrain. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making May through October the primary camping season when temperatures range from 60-85°F.
What to do
Horseback riding and trails: Chain O' Lakes State Park features dedicated equestrian trails with riding options for visitors. "There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on," notes one visitor about the Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area. The park maintains separate trails for horses, keeping riders and hikers safely separated.
Kayaking on connected waterways: Explore the series of connected lakes by kayak or canoe. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," shares a camper about Turner Lake South.
Winter activities: Though most campsites close seasonally, the surrounding parks offer winter recreation. Trails convert to snowmobile paths during snowy months. "One last thing, the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark," warns a camper about late-night winter access.
What campers like
Privacy levels vary by loop: Different camping loops offer varying degrees of seclusion. "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," reports a visitor to Fox Den Campground.
Convenient urban proximity: The suburban location allows for quick access to supplies. "This is a ideal getaway place for Chi-town people," notes one camper. Another visitor to Camp Reinberg praises its location: "10min away from my home, this is a ideal getaway place for Chi-town people. Camp sites are all flattened and mulched but not too spacious."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Despite the suburban setting, wildlife remains abundant. "I used to live very close to this area and would hike it almost daily. It is small but has gorgeous views of the lake and lovely flora abound," shares a regular visitor to Mud Lake East. Birdwatchers frequently spot sandhill cranes, hawks and waterfowl.
What you should know
Seasonal bugs: Insects can be problematic during summer months. "We stayed for 4 nights in June in a pull thru FHU. The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years," reports a camper at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort. Ticks are also common from spring through fall.
Alcohol restrictions: Many public campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption. "Great park. Fishing, hiking, boating or biking. Small campstore and concession stand by boat launch. No alcohol, they will issue a ticket," warns a camper at Mud Lake East. Private campgrounds typically allow alcohol with restrictions.
Weekend crowding: Proximity to Chicago creates high demand on weekends. "Busy campground in July. Smaller, mainly RVs. Friendly staff and friendly people staying on the grounds," notes a visitor to Paul Wolff Campground. Weekday camping offers significantly more availability and quieter conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Beaches and swimming areas provide safe spots for families. "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. Clean bathrooms and shower," says a visitor about Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Raccoon precautions: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. "Spots are mostly wide open to the road but separated enough to feel private. While pretty busy it still felt private and quiet aside from nearby sites playing music most of the day and early night. Nothing too rowdy especially since no alcohol is allowed," notes a camper at Turner Lake South.
Playgrounds and activities: Many campgrounds offer structured recreation for children. "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," explains a camper at Prairie View.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Power connections can be challenging at some sites. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," advises an RVer about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Reservation timing: Popular RV sites book quickly during peak season. "We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting. No online reservations were allowed and their phone systems were down but we only found a few sites that were available," warns a visitor at Prairie View.
Site leveling considerations: Some campgrounds offer more level sites than others. "Our campsite was encased in foliage which gave us some privacy. I could see through the brush to neighbors but it was enough to give my dog a sense of peace without disturbances," reports an RVer about their experience at Prairie View campground.
