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Abdulrahman A.
Scout
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
Camping near Vernon Hills, IL
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping options around Vernon Hills, Illinois include several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of the city. Camp Reinberg in Palatine offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with paved trails throughout the surrounding Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in nearby Volo provides lakefront camping with tent sites, RV spaces, and glamping options from May through mid-October. Chain O' Lakes State Park maintains multiple camping areas including Fox Den, Honeysuckle Hollow, Prairie View, and Turner Lake South, each with varying levels of amenities and access types.
Most campgrounds in this region require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The terrain throughout the area is generally flat, making access straightforward for most vehicles. Electric hookups are common at established sites, though water and sewer connections vary by location. "This is a ideal getaway place for Chi-town people. Camp sites are all flattened and mulched but not too spacious," noted one camper about Camp Reinberg. Seasonal availability differs by property, with some campgrounds like Paul Wolff Campground operating from May through October, while others like the NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground remain open year-round.
Campers frequently mention the well-maintained facilities and trail systems as highlights of camping near Vernon Hills. The proximity to Chicago makes these sites popular for weekend getaways, with many campgrounds located within forest preserves offering hiking and biking opportunities. Water features represent another draw, with Fish Lake Beach providing swimming and fishing opportunities directly from some campsites. A visitor described Illinois Beach State Park as having "chairs and relaxed by the beach for a while, which was very peaceful and really made the trip." While not offering remote wilderness experiences, these campgrounds provide accessible outdoor recreation opportunities within the Chicago suburbs, with many sites featuring amenities like showers, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Best Campgrounds near Vernon Hills (49)
1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"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!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability2. Camp Reinberg
"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!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability3. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
"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."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability4. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"*** 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!"
5. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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. "
6. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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!"
7. Paul Wolff Campground
"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."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability8. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."
9. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."
"There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."
from $12 / night
Check Availability10. NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground
Drive Time
- 30 min from Kenosha, WI
- 42 min from Racine, WI
- 43 min from Chicago, IL
- 1 hr 7 min from Rockford, IL
Recent Camping Photos near Vernon Hills, IL
153 Photos of 49 Vernon Hills Campgrounds
Glenn T.
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Naomi M.
Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
Janet P.
Mud Lake West — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Aida K.
Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Heather L.
Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Brian O.
Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Scott B.
Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Art S.
Paul Wolff Campground
Amanda K.
Happy Acres Kampground
Linda M.
Escape to Nature
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Recent Reviews near Vernon Hills, IL
475 Reviews of 49 Vernon Hills Campgrounds
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
Bryan A.
TravelerMuskego Park by Waukesha County Parks
Always a great time
This park has always been a go to for me. As a full time RVer, I come here a lot. The scenery is beautiful, beach right next door, fishing holes not far from here. The people who come are all very friendly and the park rangers are very welcoming and always have firewood for the visitors. Highly recommend this spot for everyone.
- MManny A.Traveler
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Simple and local
First time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendThousand Trails Pine Country
Shaded, Family-Friendly Country Retreat
There’s something instantly calming about rolling into a campground wrapped in tall pines and soft breezes, and Pine Country had that peaceful, easy feeling that made all of us exhale before we even found our site. This campground is expansive and welcoming, with full-hookup spots laid out across wide loops, plenty of shade, clean bathrooms and a friendly mix of families settling in for weekends or longer stays. Our boys loved wandering between the fishing pond and the small recreation areas and we ended the evening sharing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that we made over an open fire on a Camp Chef black skillet munching them down at the picnic table while listening to the trees rustle above us. For families looking for a convenient home base near Rockford with lots of room to spread out, EZ access to town for supplies and a campground that really does feel safe and relaxed, Pine Country is an EZ pick. Highly recommended for young families seeking space, shade and a low-key, gentle setting to recharge.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Sycamore RV Resort
Peaceful Lakeside Pause in the Heart of Corn Country
There’s something so comforting about pulling into Sycamore RV Resort and seeing the sunlight dance across those two spring-fed lakes, giving you that immediate exhale that only a calm Midwestern campground can bring. The property is medium-sized, incredibly tidy and thoughtfully laid out, with full-hookup RV sites circling the water, a small sandy beach for summer splashing, clean restrooms and showers, simple playgrounds and EZ walking loops that make it feel both manageable and welcoming for families. The boys were in heaven the next morning when we drove over to Elleson’s Bakery for fresh homemade donuts still warm from the oven. Later we wandered through historic downtown Sycamore during Pumpkinfest, taking in the decorated storefronts and carved pumpkins lined up like a little parade. Back at the RV Resort, from what we saw, the best campsites are any of the lakeside slots on the western shore because they offer the prettiest sunrise views and the quietest pockets of the resort. Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this campground for families thanks to its peaceful lakeside setting, its clean and convenient amenities and its proximity to a charming small provincial Midwestern town that makes even a simple weekend feel memorable.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Holiday Acres Camping Resort
Country Calm with a Dash of Classic Campground Fun
The moment we pulled into Holiday Acres, that cozy ‘old-school campground’ feeling washed over us, with tall trees, winding lanes and a big, friendly welcome from the office that instantly made the boys sit up and take notice. The campground is beautifully laid out with roomy sites, full hookups, a well-kept swimming pond, mini golf, a little camp store and restrooms that were impressively clean for a busy family spot. After a long drive, the boys made a beeline for the playground and the pedal carts, and later that night we all sat under the string lights eating ice cream sandwiches from the camp store while fireflies blinked and buzzed through the trees. If you’re a family looking for somewhere safe, shaded and EZ-going with just enough activities to keep the kids happily worn out, this place absolutely fits the bill. Highly recommended for its friendly atmosphere, great kid-focused amenities and peaceful, wooded setting.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Camp Reinberg
A Forest Preserve Escape for the Whole Family
From the moment we pulled into Camp Reinberg, our entire family felt something was unique and different about the peacefulness that you immediately encounter when arriving here to Camp Reinberg – it was the kind of quiet that settles over you long before the bags are unpacked, which felt remarkable considering how close this little retreat sits to suburban Palatine. This Forest Preserve of Cook County campground is modest in size with a mix of tent pads, a very small circuit of RV-friendly sites and several modern cabins that give it the feeling of a thoughtfully managed woodland outpost rather than a crowded complex. Amenities are simple but well-cared-for, including clean restrooms, hot showers, shaded picnic areas, a proper indoor camping kitchen and dining hall as well as a large open field for play complete with an enormous bonfire pit and BBQ grill area with direct access to the miles of hiking paths that wind through Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Our favorite moment came just before sunset when the boys darted between the oaks spotting chipmunks while we lingered at the picnic table with a thermos of hot cocoa, savoring the calm and popping in extra marshmallows for full effect. For families, this campground is genuinely recommended thanks to its safety, gentle trails and close-to-town convenience with the best site choice being either one of the tent pads along the wooded northeastern edge (sites#6-10) or the northernmost corner of the RV loop if you’re looking for a spot for your rig (#2-4), where the privacy and tree cover make the stay feel much more like a deep-forest escape.
Denise B.TravelerSanders Park Campground
Sanders park
Love this quaint smaller campground, close to home although you feel like you're way up north! Clean restrooms showers! Walking trails with preservation.
Guide to Vernon Hills
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Vernon Hills, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Vernon Hills, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vernon Hills, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 67 reviews.
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