Wadsworth, Illinois camping areas sit within the Chain O'Lakes region, nestled between the Wisconsin border and Chicago metro area. Most RV campgrounds operate in a humid continental climate with warm summers averaging 80°F and cold winters that typically drop below freezing. Year-round camping options near Wadsworth remain limited, with seasonal operations typically running April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Catch-and-release fishing at Sycamore RV Resort provides access to stocked ponds. "Nice fishing ponds and fun beach!! But no tent camping," notes a camper, while another mentions that the resort has "two lakes, catch and release fishing" available for guests.
Lake activities: Visit Grass Lake Marina and RV Park for water access. "This is a no frills campground with super nice people and great place to let the pups run, play, swim, and walk. The bald eagles nests are also amazing," reports one visitor who stayed for two weeks.
Local attractions: The Wisconsin State Fair RV Park provides easy access to Milwaukee attractions. "1.7 miles on bike path to Brewer Baseball field. It was raining to we used Uber to the game and walked back for an afternoon game," notes one reviewer who found the location convenient for city exploration.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Cliffside Park Campground offers generous camping areas with good separation. "All sites are spacious with their own power and water," writes one camper. Another notes, "Went on our maiden voyage with a new trailer and loved this place. Flat sites, some shade in the center sections. Outer sites backed to woods for most sites."
Clean facilities: Many campers value the well-maintained bathhouses at Thousand Trails Pine Country. "Very nice, private sites. Not many campers, lots of RVs. Folks in the office were very helpful," writes one tent camper. Another mentions, "It's a nice park, nice good size pool, no jacuzzi, small play ground with a jumping pad."
Natural surroundings: Wooded camping areas provide shade and privacy at several parks. At Naga-Waukee Park, a camper noted, "A very nice, woodsy campground. Feels like you are further north than you really are!" Another visitor described it as "nestled in the heart of lake country (Waukesha County) and accessible from the Lake Country Trail and Ice Age Trail."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. One camper at Wisconsin State Fair RV Park noted, "Summer months May through April you do have to book 2 nights minimum. That was a little annoying as it already seemed high price of $60 per night."
Tent camping limitations: Not all RV parks permit tent camping. A reviewer at Sycamore RV Resort specifically mentioned, "No tent camping allowed but pop up trailers on up are welcome," indicating that pure tent campers have fewer options near Wadsworth.
Site variations: Campsites vary significantly in quality and amenities. At NAVSTA Great Lakes, a camper reported, "It was a small RV park had a concert pad but not big enough for a 43 ft motor home. The site was 60 ft, but the whole site was not concrete. We were there for one night, it rained and the whole site had puddles around it."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Naga-Waukee Park offers child-friendly facilities near campsites. "The beach on the shores of Lake Nagawicka is well-groomed, clean, has a seasonal lifeguard and a playground within earshot," notes one camper. Another mentioned it's "perfect for those just passing through or families looking for a quick and easy weekend camping adventure."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas for children. At Northwoods RV Resort, a visitor observed, "The pool is very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival. They also have a very pretty river to fish."
Activity planning: Some campgrounds offer organized events for children. "Activities provided by the campsite" was listed as a pro by one camper at Northwoods RV Resort, though they also noted the pool "was not heated (confirmed by a seasonal that it is indeed a heated pool but wasnt turned on)."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose RV sites near Wadsworth, Illinois based on specific needs. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, a camper advised, "You can tell they're trying to remodel some of the sites. There is lots of grass so all the rain this weekend and we weren't muddy was awesome! Big park with tons of spots. The pull throughs were really long."
Hookup variations: Full-service connections vary between parks. At Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, one RVer noted, "Full hookup sites are all blacktop. Not a place for recreation, but good as a base for Milwaukee attractions." Another camper mentioned it has "big paved parking lot with full hookups. Very close to downtown, right off of interstate."
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects site conditions dramatically. A reviewer at NAVSTA Great Lakes commented, "We were there for one night, it rained and the whole site had puddles around it. I do understand that it is a RV site but we stayed at others that were not concrete pad and did not flood this much. It was extremely muddy."
