Cabins near Western Springs, Illinois are located in an area where the Des Plaines River Valley meets the Valparaiso Moraine, creating a diverse landscape of forests, wetlands, and prairie remnants. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and winter temperatures often below freezing. The topography varies from flat to gently rolling terrain, with elevations ranging from 650-700 feet above sea level across most campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake features extensive trail networks ideal for both hiking and mountain biking. "The hiking here is AWESOME with a bajillion different routes right from the campground. 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," writes one camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Paddling opportunities: Several campgrounds offer lake access for kayaking and canoeing, usually with rental options. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to a visitor.
Climbing activities: Family-oriented campgrounds sometimes feature unique recreational options. Camp Sullivan has "an activities barn with a rock climbing wall," making it popular with families looking for structured activities beyond typical camping experiences.
Water recreation: While swimming is prohibited in some water bodies, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers both swimming and fishing. "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," notes a reviewer.
What campers like
Accessibility from Chicago: The cabins and camping facilities near Western Springs are valued for their proximity to the city. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," mentions a visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake. This makes these locations ideal for quick getaways without extensive travel.
Nature immersion despite urban proximity: Camp Reinberg offers a surprising wilderness experience close to populated areas. "For nature that's close to civilization, Deer Grove Forest Preserve is the best. While the camp sites are small, the amenities are super clean and the rentable cabins are as well," says one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The forest preserves support diverse ecosystems with abundant wildlife observation opportunities. A reviewer at Camp Shabbona Woods noted their campground was "set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping," though they mentioned "the campgrounds do not have a lot of shade as new saplings are still growing."
Clean facilities: Many campers specifically mention the maintenance standards. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked," notes one Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor, while another at Camp Reinberg stated they found "seriously the cleanest [restrooms] I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!"
What you should know
Gate closures affect access: Several campgrounds implement security measures that can impact late arrivals or early departures. A camper at Camp Sullivan reported, "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."
Water availability varies: Access to potable water differs between campgrounds. At Camp Reinberg, "There are no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site," according to one RVer.
Urban noise factors: The proximity to Chicago means some campgrounds experience noise pollution. "We kept looking for the hot dog vendor, paddle swans and a bowling pin juggling mime. The lake is a pond but the illegal fireworks were great," noted one less-than-impressed visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Seasonal considerations: Most cabin facilities have limited availability during peak summer months. A Kankakee River State Park camper shared, "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with structured recreational options for various ages. "We've camped here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods)," notes a family that regularly visits Chicago Northwest KOA with young children.
Beach alternatives: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers dedicated swimming areas appropriate for children. "The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids," mentions a parent who found the amenities helped simplify family camping.
Weather preparation: The Chicago region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly in spring and fall. "Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue," noted one camper, highlighting the importance of bringing weather-appropriate gear and supplies.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At many campgrounds, site quality and size vary significantly. A visitor to Kankakee River State Park advised, "We had four sites on Osage loop for tent camping. Two were very small (14&15), and little grass for tent setup, fine for RV or trailer campers. 16&17 were amazing for tents! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade."
Hookup limitations: Most campgrounds near Western Springs offer electric hookups, but water and sewer connections are less common. "We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape, but as far as campgrounds go it was about 3x the price for less than half the space," reported a Camp Sullivan visitor.
Reservation timing: The limited number of RV sites at many forest preserve campgrounds requires advance planning. "Camp Reinberg is a tad closer to downtown and north suburban shopping but has only 4 electric sites, 2 disabled accessible. Camp Sullivan has twice as many sites and more availability," explained one RVer who stayed at multiple locations.
