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Best Campgrounds near Wheeling, IL

470 Reviews

Campgrounds near Wheeling, Illinois include a mix of forest preserve campsites and private camping resorts within relatively short driving distances of Chicago's northwest suburbs. Camp Reinberg in Palatine offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins within a Cook County forest preserve setting, while Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides lakefront camping with both tent and RV accommodations. The camping landscape extends from suburban forest preserves to state parks like Chain O' Lakes and Illinois Beach State Park, creating a surprisingly diverse range of overnight options in this predominantly urban and suburban region.

Many campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations, typically from May through October, with facilities closing during winter months. Electric hookups are common at most established sites, though sewer connections are less universal. "Very friendly staff with well organized and well maintained campground. Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5," noted one camper about Camp Reinberg. Access to these camping areas is straightforward via paved roads, making them accessible for most vehicles without specialized equipment. Reservations are strongly recommended at most locations, especially on summer weekends when Chicago residents seek outdoor escapes from urban environments.

Suburban camping experiences in this region offer convenient access to trail systems while remaining close to metropolitan amenities. Several visitors emphasized the balance between natural settings and proximity to urban conveniences. The Cook County Forest Preserve campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for cleanliness and maintenance, with one camper describing Camp Reinberg as having "access to the entire Deer Park preserve and its paved cycling and walking trails." Sites at most campgrounds provide standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby restroom facilities with showers. Water-based recreation proves popular at places like Fish Lake Beach, where campers appreciate swimming and fishing opportunities directly from their campsites. Though not wilderness camping by any definition, these locations serve as accessible natural retreats within the Chicago metropolitan area.

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Best Camping Sites Near Wheeling, Illinois (58)

    1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    67 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "So I have to tell you this is only the third park I have been to and the first one in my fifth wheel. The park is huge!"

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    2. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $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!"

    3. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $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."

    4. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $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."

    5. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $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."

    6. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $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."

    7. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    26 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

    "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."

    8. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."

    "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "

    9. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    26 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

    10. The Vaudeville

    4 Reviews
    Chicago, IL
    20 miles
    +1 (312) 420-4204

    "There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"

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Recent Camping Photos near Wheeling, IL

161 Photos of 58 Wheeling Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Wheeling, IL

470 Reviews of 58 Wheeling Campgrounds

  • Abhinay
    Oct. 7, 2025

    The Vaudeville

    Peaceful stay

    It’s was great nd peaceful place for staying on weekends for relaxation.

  • Operation_Fun ..
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    Could be better

    This seemed like it could be a really great campground, but it's not taken care of very well and felt a bit unsafe. 

    It's a huge park, yet the sites aren't very private. The mosquitoes and ticks are the worst I've experienced thus far, and the abandoned buildings by the beach feel like crack dens.

    We brought chairs and relaxed by the beach for a while, which was very peaceful and really made the trip.

    It's worth checking out if you're interested. I now understand why there are always sites available here when it seems every other campground is fully booked.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This 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.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I 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.

  • Kevin B.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Camp Sullivan

    Enjoyed the camping experience

    Nice and clean areas, staff was very professional and helpful while I was there

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far 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!

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It'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.

  • D
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Big Rock Campground

    Needs some shade

    This 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.

Guide to Wheeling

Camping near Wheeling, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to check out.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds, like Rock Cut State Park Campground, have trails that let you explore the great outdoors. One visitor mentioned, "There are plenty of scenic photo opportunities especially during the fall season."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. A camper shared, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
  • Beach Access: If you’re near Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, you can hit the beach. One reviewer noted, "It’s a unique location about .5 miles from the actual beach."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park said, "Staff were very friendly and helpful."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Dunewood Campground mentioned, "Our site was huge and the bathrooms were clean."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Blackwell Family Campground provide activities for kids. One camper said, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in summer. A camper at Dunewood Campground warned, "The mosquitos here are insane!!!"
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A visitor at Rock Cut State Park Campground noted, "The electricity wasn't working... the park was old and not updated."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A camper at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Always full on weekends."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places that offer family-friendly activities. One camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area said, "The store is very nice and well stocked."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Make sure to remind kids about quiet hours to keep the peace. A visitor at Sunset Campground noted, "Lots of people during the weekend didn’t abide by the 'Quiet Hours.'"
  • Pack Bug Spray: To combat the bugs, always have bug spray handy. A camper at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground mentioned, "Mosquitoes were out but not the worst out of the campgrounds we've been in."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Electrical Hookups: Ensure your site has the right electrical hookups. A visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake said, "The campsite overall is beautiful... but the bathrooms were horrible."
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds can fill up fast, especially during peak season. A camper at Rock Cut State Park Campground advised, "Be sure to stop by this multi-campus nature preserve camping outpost."
  • Know Your Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Blackwell Family Campground mentioned, "Tight getting into the spot for Class As but spots are spaced nicely."

Exploring the wheeling, IL campgrounds can be a great way to enjoy nature and spend time with family and friends. Just remember to plan ahead and be prepared for the local conditions!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping sites in Wheeling?

Tent campers near Wheeling can enjoy several natural settings. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park offers primitive tent sites with no electric hookups but accessible water. This no-services campground provides a more rustic experience for tent campers seeking a natural setting. MacQueen Forest Preserve is another excellent option for tent camping, offering basic amenities in a peaceful environment that tends to be less crowded, especially during early spring and weekdays.

What campgrounds are available in Wheeling for families?

Families camping near Wheeling have several excellent options. Blackwell Family Campground is perfect for families seeking weekend getaways close to Chicago. They offer electric hookups at all sites, clean and level camping areas, modern bathrooms, and reasonably priced firewood. For families who enjoy water activities, Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park provides nice private sites with good separation between campers, making it ideal for family camping. The park offers multiple recreational opportunities with its trail system and lake access.

Are there any camping cabins available in the Wheeling area?

While traditional camping cabins are limited near Wheeling, there are alternatives for those seeking cabin-like accommodations. Chicago Northwest KOA offers cabin rentals in a reasonably clean campground setting, though spaces are somewhat close together. For a unique lakeside experience with cabin options, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort near Volo (within driving distance of Wheeling) provides cabin accommodations along with traditional camping sites and resort amenities.

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