Tent camping near Willowbrook, Illinois provides access to forest preserves and waterways within the Des Plaines and Kankakee River watersheds. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 500-650 feet above sea level in terrain characterized by gentle hills and river valleys. Winter closures affect several locations, with most tent sites only accessible from April through October when average temperatures range from 45-85°F.
What to do
Kayaking opportunities: Kayak Morris offers both camping and water recreation along the Illinois River. "I have my own kayak and the river here is so calm its awesome. My friends rented the dual kayaks ant they loved them. Great location great cover on hot days," notes camper Art P.
Fishing excursions: Anglers find productive spots where rivers converge near camping areas. At Mac Finn's Landing, campers can access "one of the best no wake zones and fishing banks on the Kankakee River" according to visitor Raven Rock S., who adds "Lots of access to great fishing holes up the Kankakee and Iroqouis Rivers."
Trail exploration: The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail connects multiple camping areas with crushed gravel paths ideal for hiking and cycling. This historic route runs alongside several campgrounds, creating opportunities for multi-day adventures between sites.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Many campers appreciate direct river access at various sites. Eric R. mentions that at Kayak Morris, "Camp sites are dotted next to the shore of the river, there's kayak rentals, and there's enough space for multiple tents on one site."
Wildlife viewing: The region's river corridors support diverse bird and animal populations. Early morning hours provide the best viewing opportunities, with Amanda W. noting that her family "loved this campsite" where they could launch kayaks directly from their campsite and explore the water.
Fishing success: The confluence of waterways creates productive fishing environments. Sam Murphy M. reports: "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!"
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Campers should check weather forecasts before trips to riverside locations. At McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, one camper experienced significant flooding: "Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up. We had three inches up the the fire pit."
Accessibility limitations: Many campgrounds require walking to reach tent sites. Brian O. notes: "First off, we didn't realize this was a walk-in campground, the details on the Will county site were vague, and the satellite photo showed a paved road. The road is a path."
Park closing times: County forest preserves enforce strict gate closure times. Many campgrounds close gates as early as 8 PM in summer and earlier in other seasons, so campers must plan accordingly for arrivals.
Tips for camping with families
Concrete pad options: Some sites offer accessibility features beneficial for families with strollers or gear carts. Scott N. noted about McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove that "two of the sites have concrete pads for ADA accessibility."
Spacious gathering areas: Many locations feature oversized picnic tables suitable for family meals. According to Brian O., some sites have "enormous banquet sized picnic tables with cut-out in the bench for wheelchairs."
Early morning activities: Plan for potential early morning noise. One camper mentioned being "rudely woken up by the Woodpecker Association at 7am" while others note that "motorboats and jet-skis begin around 6:AM" at riverside campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: The camping options near Willowbrook primarily cater to tent campers with few RV-friendly amenities. Most sites lack electrical hookups, water connections, or dump stations.
Parking restrictions: Several campgrounds require campers to park in designated lots rather than at individual sites. At Davis Creek Campground — Kankakee River State Park, the open layout provides good accessibility but vehicles must remain in designated areas.
Trailer considerations: Small trailers may access some locations but require manual transport to tent sites. One camper with "a small, motorcycle trailer" ended up "rolling down hill 100 yds. then back again after our 2 night stay, a bit of a hassle, but not a problem."
