Wilmette, IL is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Wilmette is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Wilmette, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$25 / night
"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!"
$45 - $60 / night
"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!"
$20 - $138 / night
"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."
"There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"
$25 / night
"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."
$20 - $30 / night
"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."
$12 - $35 / night
"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."
$23 / night
"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. "
$43 - $73 / night
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
ScoutPlan ahead! The location requires a 2 night stay minimum.
GuideThis is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.
The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.
The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.
Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.
Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.
Overall I’d definitely stay here again.
ScoutI reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
ScoutNice and clean areas, staff was very professional and helpful while I was there
ScoutFar enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!
GuideIt's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go.
We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.
But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two.
What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.
Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.
Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.
TravelerThis is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.
The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?
It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.
GuideStayed the weekend. Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background. They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok. No electric or water hook ups can’t keep your vehicle close to your campsite. The good the bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly.
TravelerWe would gladly stay here again!
Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.
The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.
Camping near Wilmette, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.
Camping around Wilmette, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any seasonal restrictions for camping near Wilmette?
Most campgrounds near Wilmette operate seasonally due to the harsh Midwest winters. Illinois Beach State Park typically closes for camping during winter months, generally from November through April. Chain O' Lakes State Park follows a similar seasonal pattern, with full services available from spring through fall. During peak summer months (June-August), reservations are strongly recommended at most campgrounds as they fill quickly, especially on weekends. Some facilities like bathroom buildings may close during colder months even if the campground remains open. Always check current operating hours and availability before planning your trip, as opening and closing dates can vary based on weather conditions and park management decisions.
Where are the best campgrounds near Wilmette?
Within an hour's drive of Wilmette, Camp Reinberg offers an excellent nearby option with extensive biking and walking trails that lead to unique clearings and bridges. For those willing to travel a bit further, Blackwell Family Campground provides a convenient weekend getaway with level, clean sites and electric hookups at reasonable prices. Other solid options include Big Rock Campground (though it lacks shade and showers), Illinois Beach State Park for spectacular Lake Michigan sunrises, and Chain O'Lakes State Park with multiple camping areas offering varying levels of privacy and amenities. Most of these campgrounds are within 1-2 hours of Wilmette, making them perfect for quick weekend escapes from the city.
What amenities are available at campsites near Wilmette?
Campgrounds near Wilmette offer varying levels of amenities. Chicago Northwest KOA provides full hookups for RVs, though spaces are relatively close together. For a more primitive experience, Prairie View at Chain O' Lakes State Park offers no-service sites with water available at communal fill stations. Big Foot Beach State Park features electric sites (though limited in number) and provides access to a small beach area. Most public campgrounds in the region offer basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and modern bathrooms with flush toilets. If you need full hookups and additional amenities like WiFi or laundry facilities, private campgrounds will be your best option, though they typically come with less privacy and higher fees than their public counterparts.
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