Cabin camping options near Winnetka, Illinois provide recreational access to the forests and lakes throughout northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin. Located in the Chicago suburbs, Winnetka sits at approximately 650 feet above sea level, with nearby camping areas featuring mostly flat terrain with occasional glacial ridges and scattered wetlands. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F, while spring and fall can fluctuate between 40-65°F with higher rainfall.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing at Chain O' Lakes: Turner Lake South provides water recreation opportunities with a small fishing pier accessible from campsites. "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," reports one visitor to Turner Lake South.
Hiking on varying terrain: Camp Reinberg connects to miles of trails through Deer Grove Forest Preserve with multiple difficulty levels. "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout, and there's even a little up-and-down thanks to ice age glaciers," notes a camper at Camp Reinberg.
Wildlife viewing and bird watching: Richard Bong State Recreation Area offers wetland habitats perfect for wildlife spotting. "If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 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," shares a visitor to Sunset Campground.
What campers like
Heated cabins for year-round use: Camp Bullfrog Lake cabins provide climate-controlled accommodations even in winter months. "The cabins are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There are small and medium cabins, some heated with their own bathrooms, that feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold," explains a visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Free firewood at some locations: Several campgrounds include complimentary wood with site rental. "Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5," notes a camper about their experience at Camp Reinberg. Another visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake adds, "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits."
Accessibility to Chicago: Many campgrounds offer convenient proximity to the city while providing a nature escape. "This is my go-to getaway place for Chi-town people. Camp sites are all flattened and mulched but not too spacious. You cannot pull your vehicle by the site but they provide wagons and staffs are willing to help," shares a camper at Camp Reinberg.
What you should know
Shower facility variation: Bathroom and shower quality varies widely between campgrounds. "The shower houses are dated, yet I have seen them clean and also not clean on busy camper weekends," notes a camper about Chain O' Lakes State Park. Conversely, at Camp Sullivan, "The bathhouses are newer and kept fairly clean. I don't think they're checked everyday though because the ladies stalls were out of toilet paper our second morning."
Insect protection essential: Ticks and mosquitoes can be prevalent, especially in wetland areas. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!" warns a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Water access limitations: Some RV sites lack convenient water hookups. "The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them. But they do it with a good attitude," explains a camper at Camp Reinberg.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds and activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers various recreational options for children. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" shares a visitor to Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Budget-friendly options available: Some campgrounds offer economical rates for families. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night," notes a camper at Turner Lake South.
Seasonal programming: Check for special events when booking. "The campground provides easy access to hiking and bike trails directly in the park and they go for miles and miles. This was a highlight for me, along with the butterflies and fireflies that put on a beautiful show," reports a visitor to Camp Reinberg.
Tips from RVers
Dump station etiquette: At busy campgrounds, plan for wait times at dump stations. "Since there's no full hookup, they needed someone to control the traffic that comes from two different directions going to the dual dump stations. There's no honor system, especially on a holiday weekend," advises an RVer at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites carefully for better seclusion. "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," recommends a visitor to Sunset Campground.
Advance planning for hookups: RV site amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. "We had a back-in site on the north side of the campground. We had 50 amp, but no water/sewer, although there was a water spigot next to our site that we could use to fill up jugs of water. The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water," shares an RVer at Honeysuckle Hollow.
