Woodstock, Illinois offers numerous camping destinations within a 30-mile radius, with options ranging from forested sites to lakeside retreats. The area sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level and features rolling terrain with a mix of prairie and woodland environments. Seasonal camping generally runs from April through October with most facilities closing for winter due to freezing temperatures.
What to do
Kayaking on Chain O' Lakes: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, kayakers can explore the interconnected waterways. "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," notes one visitor.
Horse trails: Several parks near Woodstock accommodate equestrians. "There are horse/snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground. Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season," explains a camper who visited Turner Lake South.
Fishing opportunities: Fox Den Campground offers excellent fishing access. "There is a boat launch with rentals and a bunch of hiking trails closer to the entrance," mentions a reviewer. The nearby concession serves as a camp store with fishing supplies, food, and other items.
Hiking variety: Multiple trail systems exist throughout the region, from prairie paths to wooded routes. One visitor to Paul Wolff Campground stated, "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them."
What campers like
Privacy in tent sites: Thomas Woods Campground offers secluded camping areas. "I've been here two other weekends. Generally quiet and many of the tent spots are spaced out enough to provide privacy and quiet. Firewood is cheap on-site and delivered to your site on demand," shares a repeat visitor.
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value at some locations. A reviewer at Turner Lake South noted, "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."
Convenience for Chicago residents: Rock Cut State Park provides an accessible escape from urban life. "This park isn't too far away from Chicago, which makes it a great place for a quick get away! There are a variety of sites from electric to non-electric," explains a camper. Another local resident mentions, "We camp here at least 5 times a year. It's only 8 miles from our home."
Wildlife viewing: The best places to camp near Woodstock, Illinois often feature abundant wildlife. "I enjoyed the fact the site was further off the main road which allowed for more privacy. Most of the sites were right on the road and you'd need to position your car right for privacy," shares a Thomas Woods visitor who appreciated the natural setting.
What you should know
Mosquito prevalence: Summer months bring heavy insect activity. One camper at Thomas Woods Campground said, "Larger site for an RV but I used a tent only. I enjoyed the fact the site was further off the main road which allowed for more privacy. Most of the sites were right on the road and you'd need to position your car right for privacy."
Facility limitations: Many campgrounds have basic amenities only. "They should check up on the campground host and hire one with a pleasant personality," observed a Thomas Woods visitor, highlighting the variable management styles across different parks.
Seasonal crowds: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort and similar locations experience peak visitation during summer holidays. A visitor noted, "We like dispersed sites so we wouldn't have like this park 'in season' when it's packed. That being said we've already decided this will be our first stop when the season starts again!"
Water quality concerns: Some campsites have issues with their water supply. "The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as they do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit," reported a guest at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly programming: Chicago Northwest KOA offers organized activities. "Did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night. A little bit smaller of a campground with regards to site space, but that's about the only thing 'bad' to say, and it's not really a bad thing at all. Plenty for the little kids to do," notes a family who visited.
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide water recreation for children. A visitor to Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort shared, "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there."
Playground facilities: Multiple camping areas feature play equipment. "There is a park for the kids in several areas. Not far from town in case you need to go to the store and there is also a bait/shop store on premises," mentions a camper at Turner Lake South.
Tick awareness: Parents should take precautions, especially with small children. One family camping at Honeysuckle Hollow warned, "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."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: At Paul Wolff Campground, "All the sites have paved pads. Each site has water and electric. Trees are around the outside with few on the inside sites."
Spacing considerations: Fox Den Campground gets positive reviews from RVers for site spacing. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers," notes an experienced RVer.
Dump station access: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort offers full hookups but has busy dump facilities. "Water pressure was steady. Power was consistent. Having a sewer hook up on site was a welcome change to our typical state park sites we frequent."
Navigating park roads: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads. A visitor to Rock Cut State Park advised, "State park offers some good hiking and all season activities. Camp ground was quiet and clean," though others mentioned the need to carefully navigate internal roads.
