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Best Tent Camping near Wilmette, IL

587 Reviews

Tent camping options near Wilmette, Illinois include several established campgrounds within driving distance of the Chicago suburbs. Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland, Illinois offers a tent-friendly environment with accessible sites, while Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park provides more secluded tent camping approximately 50 miles from Wilmette.

Most tent campgrounds in the Wilmette area feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Camp Shabbona Woods provides drinking water, toilets, showers, and reservable sites with picnic tables. Fires are allowed with firewood available on-site. In contrast, the Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park offer a more primitive experience with toilet facilities but no fires permitted. The Illinois and Michigan Canal backpack camp near Joliet allows fires and pets but lacks amenities like toilets or drinking water. Gates at some campgrounds like Shabbona Woods close after 10 PM, restricting late-night access.

The tent camping experience near Wilmette ranges from urban-adjacent to more secluded natural settings. Camp Shabbona Woods provides a convenient introduction to camping but with an urban atmosphere. A visitor noted, "This camp site is in a very urban area and is very small... The campgrounds do not have a lot of shade as new saplings are still growing." The Central Avenue Walk-in Sites offer greater privacy and natural immersion. According to a camper review, "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long." Urban noise from emergency vehicles can be heard at some locations closer to populated areas, while sites farther from Chicago provide more seclusion and nature-focused experiences.

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Best Tent Sites Near Wilmette, Illinois (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Wilmette, IL

3 Photos of 6 Wilmette Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Wilmette, IL

587 Reviews of 6 Wilmette Campgrounds

  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Nice but very little shade

    We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

    There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.

    There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.

    Overall it was pretty quiet.

    The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.

  • H
    May. 26, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Great stay, come ready

    We stayed two nights in mid-May, at site number 72. Area was gorgeous, well maintained, shady and quiet. Tons of hiking trails in very close proximity to the campground! There is electricity on site, but no water or sewage at each site. However there is a water fill station and a dump station. So just come prepared. Also, they have a very strict no alcohol policy. Not that that stopped people, but don't go walking around with a beer bottle! We would definitely return.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We 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.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. 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. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • Elizabeth G.
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Pleasant and quiet

    Stayed in site 43 of the Douglas loop. Douglas loop is all non electric.

    Our site was big enough for our tents, a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms/showers are really close by which is nice but you do get the lights from the bathroom facing site 43. Not a big deal but if you’re looking for more darkness then definitely choose one of the other sites around 43.

    All parking sites are paved for camper vans/trailers but no water or power hookups. All sites have nice huge tent pads that are nice and level. Only noise we heard was the train every now and then.

    The showers are individual rooms separate from the bathrooms. And there’s a gas station and liquor store near the entrance of the campground for fire wood and beer.

    I didn’t get to stay in the walk in campsites but they are very nice and close-ish to the showers.

  • Chris M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Clean & Spacious

    We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers. We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park. The buildings have great architecture. The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides. We have a 37’ motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit. We will definitely be back! I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2020

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Well maintained and clean

    Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

    There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

    Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Outer Circle

    We reserved a spot in the outer circle. We like having woods on one side. Nice campground camping….parking pad, fire ring, picnic table. Good amount of space between spots. Nice bathrooms & showers. We have a rooftop tent and we’re very happy. Loved the hike over “Mt. Tom” to the gorgeous beach and warmish lake for a swim. We choose the State Park vs. National Park so we could hike to the beach.

  • Crissy R.
    Sep. 24, 2019

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Let there Be Rain and Silence....

    If you’re looking to go camping with the conveniences of the modern world nearby, this is the place to be. Located off of golf way rd and duneway pkwy, this campground is located roughly about an hour from Elkhart, if that’s where you’re coming from. They have a few options as far as sites go. Sites 1-34 are reservable online and the remainder of the sites are first come, first served. Also keep in mind, sites 1-54 you’re able to park your car/RV. However, sites 55-67 are walk in only. There are showers and restrooms located center of both areas. There are also water stations which are very convenient. Most of the campsites are fairly close, but far enough where you are not sitting on top of each other. This time around I opted for the walk In. For starters, let’s just say to be prepared for whatever weather may come. My luck, it poured the entire time and was windy. Furthermore, each site has designated fire rings that have a grill. The experience was awesome, it’s $25 a night that you pay at the automated kiosk. There are rangers that drive around during the day and there are signs posted with all the latest updates, rules/regulations. Overall, great experience, definitely look forward to coming back!

Guide to Wilmette

Tent camping options within a 50-mile radius of Wilmette, Illinois take advantage of the surrounding Lake Michigan shoreline and inland forest preserves. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season. Winter camping is available at select locations but requires proper cold-weather gear and preparation due to temperatures that regularly drop below freezing from December through February.

What to do

Shoreline exploration: Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park provide direct beach access on Lake Michigan. One camper noted, "The walk to the beach was not too long. Site one is the only site on the front end of the trail."

Hiking trails: Multiple forest preserve campgrounds connect to regional trail systems. At Camp Shabbona Woods, trails wind through restored oak woodlands and wetlands. One visitor mentioned, "Caretakers were very helpful and did a great job keeping the campground clean."

Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds near Wilmette offer fishing access. The Illinois and Michigan Canal sites provide direct water access for anglers. The canal supports multiple fish species and allows pets, giving campers flexibility during longer stays.

What campers like

Privacy levels: Some tent sites near Wilmette offer more seclusion than others. A camper at Central Avenue Walk-in Sites shared, "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy."

Facility maintenance: Despite being in an urban area, Melody Park Campground keeps grounds well-maintained throughout the May to October season. Restroom cleanliness and trail upkeep are consistently noted at most established campgrounds.

First-timer friendly: Some campgrounds specifically cater to camping novices. One review for Camp Shabbona Woods stated, "Camp suite is set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping."

What you should know

Gate closures: Several campgrounds restrict night access. A camper at Camp Shabbona Woods reported, "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."

Noise considerations: Best tent camping near Wilmette, Illinois often means proximity to urban areas. "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background," wrote one Hammel Woods visitor about their experience.

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds within 50 miles of Wilmette require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. Many sites can be reserved online up to six months in advance, with some tent-only areas filling quickly during peak season.

Fire restrictions: Rules vary significantly between campgrounds. While Camp Shabbona Woods allows fires with firewood available for purchase, other locations prohibit open flames entirely due to proximity to urban areas.

Tips for camping with families

Shade availability: Young trees at some newer campgrounds provide limited coverage. A Camp Shabbona Woods camper observed, "The campgrounds do not have a lot of shade as new saplings are still growing."

Distance to bathrooms: When selecting a tent site at walk-in campgrounds, consider bathroom proximity. Some sites at Kishwaukee Valley Farms and similar locations require longer walks to reach toilet facilities, which can be challenging for families with young children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wilmette, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wilmette, IL is Camp Shabbona Woods with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Wilmette, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Wilmette, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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