Camping options near Western Springs, Illinois include established campgrounds in forest preserves, state parks, and county-managed facilities. Most sites lie within 30 miles of town, with camping season varying by location. Tent campers, cabin users, and RVers can find suitable accommodations, though many locations require advance reservations. Several campgrounds connect to trail systems for hiking and mountain biking, with varying levels of shade and amenities.
What to do
Mountain biking: At Camp Bullfrog Lake, trails provide extensive riding opportunities directly from campsites. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day," notes a visitor.
Kayaking: Rent kayaks for $15 per hour at Camp Bullfrog Lake, including life vests. "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," shares one camper.
Hiking: Deer Grove Forest Preserve offers varied trail options for all skill levels. "While the camp sites are small, the amenities are super clean and the rentable cabins are as well. The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking," reports one visitor.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Paul Wolff Campground maintains well-kept grounds and restrooms. "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff," writes one camper.
Urban accessibility: Many campers appreciate Camp Sullivan for its proximity to Chicago. "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails. Camp Sullivan is used a lot by scouting groups. There are lots of trees and it is somewhat woodsy," mentions a reviewer.
Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds throughout the forest preserves offer opportunities to spot local animals. At Deer Grove Forest Preserve, one camper reports: "I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels."
What you should know
Limited shade: Many campgrounds have minimal tree coverage. "This is a relatively new campground not too far (about an hour drive) from Chicago. But, no shade in the Illinois heat and no shower made it unacceptable," warns a camper about Big Rock Campground.
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality of restrooms differs significantly between locations. At Camp Sullivan, one camper notes: "I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers? It's ridiculous there are two bathroom stalls and complete strangers have to pass a toilet paper roll between the stalls."
Higher non-resident fees: County forest preserve campgrounds often charge more for non-residents. At Paul Wolff Campground, a camper explains: "Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county."
Tips for camping with families
Climbing activities: Families enjoy the recreation options at Camp Sullivan. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," mentions a reviewer.
Kid-friendly trails: Blackwell Family Campground offers accessible hiking for children. "We like to hike and this site had great (kid and beginner adult level) trails. We were in town for the Sgt Tommys fishing day and lived that event as well," shares a visitor.
Quick getaways: Many campgrounds serve as convenient weekend escapes. One camper at Blackwell notes: "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home. They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites and great prices for firewood."
Tips from RVers
Water hookups: Bring extra hose length for some sites. At Big Rock Campground, one RVer advises: "The water hookups are kind of far from the individual sites (make sure you have extra hose)."
Space considerations: Sites vary in size and privacy. A reviewer at Illinois Beach State Park shares: "We love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It's always quiet and the view is beautiful. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by."
Gate restrictions: Some campgrounds limit access during certain hours. At Camp Sullivan, a camper notes: "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting. What if there was an emergency?"
