Campsites near West Chicago provide diverse overnight options across McHenry and Cook counties, with elevations ranging from 600-850 feet above sea level. The region's four distinct seasons affect camping conditions, with summer humidity levels often reaching 75-85% during July and August. Weather patterns create ideal spring and fall conditions when temperatures typically stay between 50-70°F—perfect for outdoor activities without summer's crowds.
What to Do
Kayaking on interconnected waterways: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers multiple launch points for paddlers across its seven connected lakes. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," shares one Fox Den Campground visitor who appreciated the park's water-based recreation options.
Mountain biking single-track: The Palos region features miles of dedicated mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels for all rider abilities. A visitor at Camp Sullivan noted, "There are a lot of groomed and ungroomed walking trails," making it perfect for both hikers and cyclists looking to explore without traveling far.
Wildlife observation: The region's preserves host diverse ecosystems where campers regularly spot native wildlife. "We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," reports one visitor who documented their wildlife encounters during spring camping.
What Campers Like
Proximity to urban areas: Many campgrounds provide natural settings surprisingly close to metropolitan areas. "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything," explains one Fox Den Campground visitor who appreciated being able to access civilization when needed.
Family activities: Campgrounds like Jellystone Park Millbrook focus on structured recreation for children. "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," reports one camper about their experience at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Fire pit arrangements: Several campgrounds provide well-designed fire rings with cooking options. "Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill," notes a camper at Turner Lake South, describing practical features that enhance cooking capabilities beyond basic fire containment.
What You Should Know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. One camper at Thomas Woods Campground explains, "While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends."
Wildlife encounters: Ticks and mosquitoes present challenges during warm months. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns a visitor about conditions at Honeysuckle Hollow, recommending containment solutions for young children.
Campsite privacy variations: Site privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds and loops. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," notes one camper about specific sites at Camp Sullivan, while another mentions, "This loop is best for tent camping. The other loops are basically all RVs."
Tips for Camping with Families
Screen enclosures essential: Bring screen shelters for bug protection, especially with small children. A visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area advises, "Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Playground accessibility: Choose sites near recreation areas when traveling with children. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms," shares one family about their strategic site selection at a local campground.
Food storage protocols: Raccoons actively visit campsites after dusk. A camper at Honeysuckle Hollow cautions, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," recommending early dinner and thorough cleanup before nightfall.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Check electric post placement before booking. "Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad," warns an RVer at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area, explaining, "We originally booked 96 but could not extend our slide because of large trees on either side of the pad and then the electric was about 50 feet away."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. "Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice," notes one RVer about their glamping experience near West Chicago at Chicago Northwest KOA, highlighting the trade-off between perfectly level sites and desirable shade.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential lines at single dump stations during peak checkout times. One RVer from Thomas Woods Campground shared, "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping."
