Woodhaven Lakes

The first thing that struck us about Woodhaven Lakes was that it didn't feel like a campground at all - it felt like a small town built entirely around family camping. Spread across nearly 1,800 acres of woodlands, lakes and prairie in north-central Illinois, this membership campground somehow manages to offer seven lakes, swimming pools, sandy beaches (yes, even though you are in the middle of a land-locked state), miles of trails, playgrounds, mini golf, restaurants, a well-stocked camp store, spotless bathhouses and more family activities than we could possibly fit into one trip without losing its relaxed, welcoming feel. My favorite memory was watching families gather along the beach as the kids bounced between building sandcastles, splashing in the water and making brand-new friends before racing back to camp for dinner. Some places are measured in acres; this one is measured in smiles, laughs and conversations. From what we saw, the waterfront campsites in Zones 1-5, 7, 10-11, 16, 21, 23 and 24 offer the nicest combination of peaceful lake views and convenient access to many of the campground's amenities. We would absolutely recommend Woodhaven Lakes for families looking to create lasting memories because of its incredible variety of activities, beautifully maintained facilities and endless opportunities to simply enjoy being together outdoors.