Camping options near West Dundee, Illinois span across several county forest preserves and privately owned campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Summer temperatures in this region typically range between 75-90°F during peak season, with evening temperatures dropping to the 60s. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally from April or May through mid-October, with closures during winter months when freezing temperatures make water systems inoperable.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pierce Lake at Rock Cut State Park offers 40 miles of hiking trails alongside fishing options. "One of the greatest assets here is the very massive Pierce Lake, which is great for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming," notes a visitor. For those staying closer to West Dundee, multiple smaller lakes provide additional fishing spots.
Hiking through diverse terrain: Explore forested trails at Thomas Woods Campground where "the trails were very easy and was a nice walk" according to one family. The campground features a mix of prairie and woodland habitats with relatively flat terrain suitable for casual hikers and families.
Beach activities: Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches for summer recreation. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, "the lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," reports one camper who appreciated the family-friendly water access.
What campers like
Proximity to Chicago: Many campers appreciate these campgrounds as quick getaways from the city. Camp Reinberg in Palatine receives praise for its accessibility: "For nature that's close to civilization, Deer Grove Forest Preserve is the best... The trails through the grounds are varied and long—you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking."
Wildlife viewing: The suburban forest preserves support surprising biodiversity. "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to believe that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated area just outside Elgin, IL," mentions a visitor to Burnidge Forest Preserve.
Clean facilities: Blackwell Family Campground gets high marks for maintenance standards. "The grounds are very well maintained. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level," notes a regular visitor who camps there multiple times per year.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially for summer weekends. At Chicago Northwest KOA in Union, "the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground," making the reservation process smoother.
County resident discounts: Many forest preserve campgrounds offer significant discounts for county residents. One camper at Blackwell noted: "They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites and great prices for firewood."
Limited facilities at some sites: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities. At Thomas Woods, "hand pumps for water and well-kept pit toilets" are the standard facilities, while other locations like Paul Wolff lack showers. One camper observed, "This is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort provides lake access and recreational facilities. "There is a lake for fishing and some trails," notes a family visitor who appreciated having activities for children right on site.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds border roads or transportation corridors. One camper at Sycamore RV Resort described it as "quiet, nice activities for kids, nice pass through camp site—however, very close sites and for sure not 'scenic'."
Best family campsites: At Blackwell, "most sites have a chip pad for tents and concrete for the vehicle. Site 20 is turf and nicely secluded. Most of the sites are partial shade." Look for sites along the outer edges of campgrounds for more privacy when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup limitations: Many RV sites in forest preserves don't offer full hookups. At Camp Reinberg, "the camp hosts will pull the hose over to the site in order to do a water fill up. This makes it very convenient to refill" rather than offering direct connections.
Electrical capacity issues: Several older campgrounds have limited electrical service. RVers should check amperage before booking—Rock Cut State Park has both 30-amp and 50-amp sites, while other campgrounds may only offer 30-amp service, limiting air conditioning use during summer heat.
Road conditions: Internal campground roads vary in quality. A visitor to Lehmans Lakeside noted: "The pot roads need service as they do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit." RVers should drive slowly and check clearance when navigating forest preserve access roads.
