W
William M.
Traveler
TravelerDunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Excellent and clean
Super great here, some bugs, people were quiet
Camping near Western Springs, IL
77 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping areas within a 30-mile radius of Western Springs, Illinois include a mix of forest preserve campgrounds and lakeside facilities. Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs offers tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations alongside a scenic lake. Several other options include Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville and Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest, both providing established campground settings with various amenities. Most camping in this region consists of developed sites rather than dispersed camping, reflecting the suburban Chicago landscape where these facilities are situated.
The camping season varies significantly across sites, with some like Blackwell Family Campground operating only from May through September, while others such as Camp Bullfrog Lake remain open year-round. "We stayed here for two nights recently. There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," noted one visitor about Camp Bullfrog Lake. Reservations are typically required at most facilities, with prices that campers often describe as relatively high for the region. Many campgrounds provide modern amenities including clean bathhouses with showers, electric hookups, and drinking water. Most tent sites feature fire rings and picnic tables, though some primitive walk-in sites may have more limited facilities.
Campers consistently highlight the trail systems connected to many of these campgrounds as a major attraction. Mountain biking trails near Camp Bullfrog Lake receive particular praise, with numerous miles of single-track accessible directly from the campground. Several reviewers mentioned the convenience of these locations for Chicago residents seeking quick weekend getaways without long travel times. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the forest preserves, with visitors reporting sightings of deer, raccoons, various birds including herons, and occasionally coyotes. While noise levels vary by location, most campgrounds maintain quiet hours and provide reasonable separation between sites. Limited shade at some facilities can be challenging during summer months, particularly for tent campers seeking relief from the sun.
Best Campgrounds near Western Springs (77)
1. Camp Bullfrog Lake
"Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."
"What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
from $20 - $138 / night
Check Availability2. Blackwell Family Campground
"Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."
"I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability3. Camp Sullivan
"Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."
"There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."
from $35 - $250 / night
Check Availability4. The Vaudeville
"There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"
5. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
from $25 / night
Check Availability6. Camp Reinberg
"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!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability7. Paul Wolff Campground
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability8. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability9. Martin’s Camping Ground
"If you like having access to a bathroom and shower its great and because no one really hd a tent here but us we had some privacy. It is next to a highway so be mindful of that."
10. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
"We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."
"This campground was very nice and clean and for a packed park was very quiet and we did not feel too close to the sites next to us. "
from $50 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 13 min from Chicago, IL
- 52 min from Kankakee, IL
- 55 min from Kenosha, WI
- 1 hr 3 min from Michigan City, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Western Springs, IL
207 Photos of 77 Western Springs Campgrounds
Andrew S.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Marc W.
Blackwell Family Campground
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Tyler J.
Backyard Bonfire
Jeffrey L.
Camp Shabbona Woods
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff CottageS & RV
Art S.
Paul Wolff Campground
Amanda K.
Big Rock Campground
Recent Reviews near Western Springs, IL
637 Reviews of 77 Western Springs Campgrounds
- AAbdulrahman A.
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
- EEd B.Traveler
Lakeshore Camp Resort
looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage
Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
- Matthew C.Scout
Central Avenue Walk-in Sites — Indiana Dunes National Park
Beautiful but Needs Some Love
We stayed a Thursday and Friday night in July 2026 on site 1. We did need to head to the Welcome Center for a piece of paper to display on your dash so that we can park in the parking lot. There isn't a National Park entrance to access the site, you just park in a parking lot that a park ranger at the visitors center told us was owned and operated by the town and not the park service. There was an area of reserved parking for those camping at the walk-in sites.
There is a decent sandy hill that you need to go up to access the site, which really wasn't bad. The site itself was heavily wooded and secluded. It is fairly sandy, but there was a nice spot to set up the tent that was grassy. The mosquitos were aggressive, but a little Deep Woods Off and they left us along mostly. We got to the site and there was trash and cigarette butts scattered around that we had to clean up. I discovered the first night that a contributing factor to some of the trash is most likely a sizeable and bold raccoon that was not afraid of us, and both nights came wandering into our campsite looking for food while we were sitting there.
Additionally, the fire pit has probably not been cleaned out in years, since it was filled to the top with ash. With this being a wooded site, this could increase the risk of a fire getting out of the pit.
We were at site 1, so heading to the port-o-potty was fine and it was well kept. The beach was about 3-5 minutes walking. However, the bathrooms and outdoor shower were all "Closed for the Season". There were a couple port-o-pottys there, but they were not in as good of shape as the one near the campground. There was also a ton of trash in that bathroom building area, which was disappointing to see.
- RRichard C.Scout
Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground — Kankakee River State Park
Ok
JJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
Stuart K.
LegendLakefront Cabins - Shabbona Lake
Lakefront Seclusion Meets Cabin Convenience at Shabbona Lake
Tucked along the shore of shimmering Shabbona Lake, just under two hours west of Chicago mind you, are two rustic yet welcoming camp cabins at this particular SP. These modest structures, each around 200 sq ft, offer a cozy hideaway for up to six people. Facing southeast over the lake, the cabins are shaded and tucked away for privacy, with only a nearby boat launch dock reminding you of civilization.
Inside, the cabins keep it simple: two basic rooms in each, with electricity, baseboard heat, air conditioning and a ceiling fan. There are no cooking facilities or bathrooms (which I have to admit, I was surprised to learn) although there is a multi-leveled adjustable BBQ grill along with a very good sized firepit, so bring your own plans for cooking meals and preparing food. Guests rely on nearby campground amenities, including showers with running hot water, flush toilets, potable water, a dump station and the handy Camp Store that is a very short walk from these cabins and comes stocked with supplies, snacks, firewood and fishing gear.
What sets these cabins apart is the lakefront view combined with practicality. You step right from your door onto a serene, wooded lakeshore offering a perfect perch for early-morning fishing, sunrise coffee on the veranda or unwinding at sunset. The proximity to stocked waters featuring large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, channel catfish, walleye and muskies adds fishing convenience, while the quieter, smaller-scale lodging feels exclusive. Additionally, the Camp Store’s rentals(boats, bait, paddleboats) keep the fun within reach.
Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Reserve early as only two cabins exist, and they’re popular from May 1 through October 31 on ExploreMoreIL™; (2) Drive gently on the access path as the lake road can be narrow and shaded; (3) Expect no kitchen or plumbing, so prep meals or plan to dine at nearby Pokanoka’s Dockside Restaurant that sits inside the SP on the western side of the lake or, for a short drive to Shabbona, check out Shabbona Café, Chumley’s Pizza followed by some sweets at Screamers Ice cream after saving campfire cookouts for the fire ring; (4) Bring your own bathrooms habits as restrooms are shared in the main campground; and (5) Check out the Camp Store early for spare fishing poles, firewood or ice cream before being tempted into relaxation.
Happy Camping!
Kathy B.LegendIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Amateur hour
Nicely laid out campground with mature trees. Level sites. All with electric hookups. Was greeted by very kind person at the booth. You need to know that on Sundays check-in is until 5 PM as campers from the weekend have until 5 PM to vacate their sites. Of course you can check in early if they leave. The way the campground is laid out, there are no pass that lead to the bathrooms. Therefore, people are constantly cutting through your site to get to their restrooms.
- ssusan F.
RangerIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Beautiful location and great campground!
Nice sites, well spaced. Campground is well maintained with nice bathrooms and showers (we were there after a massive storm in early June and there had been some flooding in the bathrooms). From the campsite, walk through the forest and Dunes to the beautiful beach. Our dog was in heaven!
Guide to Western Springs
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?"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Western Springs, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Western Springs, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Western Springs, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What parks are near Western Springs, IL?
What parks are near Western Springs, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Western Springs, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.
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