Glamping options near Wilmette, Illinois provide access to outdoor recreation with modern conveniences. Located approximately 14 miles north of Chicago along Lake Michigan's shoreline, this area experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers averaging 80°F and winters dropping below freezing. Many campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, though some luxury camping accommodations remain available year-round.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers extensive single-track trails with various difficulty levels. "There are miles and miles of trails. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day. We had a blast riding our bikes," notes one visitor to Fox Den Campground.
Kayaking on interconnected waterways: Chain O' Lakes provides multiple launch points for paddlers. A visitor to Turner Lake South shares, "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far."
Winter activities: For those interested in glamping near Wilmette during colder months, some parks maintain cross-country skiing trails. A visitor notes that Indiana Dunes State Park "has many well maintained hiking trails and cross country skiing trails in the winter."
Lake Michigan swimming: The national lakeshore provides beach access with lifeguard supervision during summer months. "The beach was well maintained, and had lifeguards during certain hours, which gave me a little bit of extra comfort in bringing my kids to the lake," reports a camper at Indiana Dunes.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: While luxury glamping options feature open layouts, traditional campsites often provide more seclusion. At Dunewood Campground, "The sites are decently private with good tent pads. Shower house was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus."
Proximity to city attractions: Many glamping locations offer easy access to Chicago while providing natural surroundings. A visitor to Camp Sullivan explains it's "probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails."
Fishing opportunities: Several parks provide shoreline fishing access. At Chain O' Lakes, "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by."
Seasonal events: Summer activities include ranger-led programs at state and national parks. "The visitor center is nice, fairly large and the workers were very friendly. They had one of the nicer programs that I have been to in the state," comments an Indiana Dunes camper.
What you should know
Site reservations fill quickly: Popular glamping locations near Wilmette book up fast, especially during summer months. At Chain O' Lakes, "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer... While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites."
Guide
