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Best Campgrounds near Waukegan, IL

505 Reviews

Several campgrounds surround Waukegan for those looking to spend time outdoors. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park lets campers stay right along Lake Michigan's shoreline. Blackwell Family Campground has larger sites that work well for families with kids and multiple tents. Rock Cut State Park Campground draws many visitors because of its trails and good fishing spots. Remember that all Illinois State Parks don't allow alcohol, so leave the beer at home. You should make reservations ahead of time, as summer weekends tend to fill up fast at all these places. Getting your booking in early helps avoid disappointment, especially for holiday weekends. During dry spells, campfires might be restricted, so check the rules before you pack your marshmallows. Most people camp near Waukegan between May and October when the weather cooperates for sleeping outdoors. Winter camping exists but you'll need serious cold-weather gear to stay comfortable. The campgrounds typically provide basics like bathrooms, tables, and fire rings. Make sure to pack out all your trash to keep these camping areas clean for everyone who comes after you.

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Best Camping Sites Near Waukegan, Illinois (50)

    1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    65 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "Showers are clean, electric worked perfectly, site was flat, and the staff is around a lot of you need something.

    The only downside in my opinion is the beach is super rocky."

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

    2. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    16 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!"

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

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    16 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. "

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

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    16 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!"

    5. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    22 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    22 miles
    Website

    "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"

    "Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."

    6. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    7 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    14 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."

    7. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    18 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!"

    8. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    20 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    22 miles
    Website

    "the property is HUGE and most things are about a 10 to 15 min walk from the campsites. lots of hiking, boating, swimming fishing and more! a great place for anyone!"

    "You can fish, hunt, hit the trail in your boots, or on your ORV. There is swimming but as kids I remember some people getting swimmers itch or chiggers from time to time."

    9. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    8 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    16 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "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."

    10. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    7 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    $12 / night

    "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."

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Showing results 1-10 of 50 campgrounds

Recent Camping Photos near Waukegan, IL

172 Photos of 50 Waukegan Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Waukegan, IL

505 Reviews of 50 Waukegan Campgrounds

Guide to Waukegan

Camping near Waukegan, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From scenic trails to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this area.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Camp Bullfrog Lake stated, "The restroom and showrooms are very clean as well."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Blackwell Family Campground. One happy camper said, "The campsite was very clean and the staff/ranger nice and knowledgeable."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Big Foot Beach State Park Campground are great for families. A reviewer mentioned, "Clean, family friendly and basic amenities available."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Some campgrounds, like Rock Cut State Park Campground, have strict rules against alcohol. A visitor warned, "NO alcohol allowed."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or markets. For instance, Cliffside Park Campground sells firewood but lacks a store. One camper noted, "The campground does not have a store, but sells firewood."
  • Noise Levels: Some areas can be noisy due to nearby roads. A review for Blackwell Family Campground mentioned, "You could easily hear cars passing by throughout the night."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Electrical Hookups: Make sure your site has the right electrical hookups. A reviewer at Camp Bullfrog Lake noted, "Hot water for showers did not work and floors were nasty."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground said, "Always full on weekends."
  • Know Your Limits: If you prefer quieter spots, look for campgrounds that enforce quiet hours. A camper at Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area mentioned, "Lots of people during the weekend didn’t abide by the 'Quiet Hours.'"

Camping around Waukegan, Illinois, has its perks and quirks. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's plenty to explore and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Waukegan, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Waukegan, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 65 reviews.

What parks are near Waukegan, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 parks near Waukegan, IL that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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