The forest doesn’t rush—yet everything grows.

Need motivation to camp in the mother nature? Here are the benefits 🌿

👉 Improves mood and helps combat depression
👉 Relieves stress and promotes relaxation
👉 Supports cardiovascular and metabolic health
👉 Helps regulate blood sugar levels
👉 Boosts concentration and memory

So, make it a tradition to spend a couple of days an year, at least, in a nature-enthused campsite.

Featured Campsite – Devil’s Lake

If you want cut to through the chase and just need ONE all-in campground recommendation near Chicago area, look no further than Devil’s Lake.

Devil’s Lake State Park is the most trafficked Wisconsin park and has the triple charm of aquatic activities in Devil’s Lake beach, exquisite hikes for all ages and well tended campsites (with alcohol allowed, if that matters for you 😉 )

Tip: If camping in a big group, which is double the fun anyway, look for the group campsites like #413/414 in the Ice Age campground.

Quick Plug For First Time Campers

For first timers, I would recommend to start somewhere closer to your place at a cabin or an electric site (vs non-electric) and then move out to farther places. Bullfrog Lake and Blackwell Forest Preserve were the first ones we tried. Note that most public campgrounds in Illinois will have strict alcohol restrictions. You could also go for glamping options or cabins in Koa campgrounds to ease your family into camping.

Campfires – a recipe for endless tales and memories

Best Illinois Campsites

Here goes some of the best Illinois-based campgrounds near Chicago area, they are designated as premium sites which are typically very high in demand. You can book them here. 

1. llinois Beach State Park
Nestled at Lake Michigan – along with various amenities like visitor center, camp store, picnic area and hiking, 6 miles of pristine Lake Michigan beach access is a huge perk for Illinois Beach State Park.

2. Chain O’Lakes State Park
Other than boat rentals, Chain O’Lakes offers archery, hikes, concession stand, fishing, hunting and picknicking. Very sought after all year so try to book early.

3. Kankakee River State Park
Known for the trails and the serene river, Kankakee River State Park might not offer as many activities like Chain O’Lakes or Illinois Beach but still a great option for camping enthusiasts.

4. Rock Cut State Park
The largest state park in Northern Illinois – Rock Cut State Park, offers boat rentals, hiking, biking and also swimming in one of the lakes. Both electric and non-electric sites are available.

5. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area
Shabbona Lake is another coveted campground with activities like boating, fishing, hunting, picknicking and snowmobeling in winters.

6. Starved Rock State Park
This should need no introduction – Starved Rock is perhaps the most celebrated state park for Chicago dwellers and the campgrounds are no exception. Fishing, hunting, trails, kayaking and boating are among the many activities. It offers both cabins and regular tent sites.

Tip: Note that none of the Illinois public campgrounds will allow alcohol, you would need to venture out to Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan or one of the private sites like Bullfrog if you want leniency for hooch.

Morning at Chain O’Lakes campground

Best Campsites Outside Illinois

1. Indiana Dunes Campgrounds, Indiana
1 hour from Chicago

Hardly an hour from Chicago, Indiana Dunes offers great campsites along with 50+ miles of trails along the exotic shifting Indiana sand dunes, prairie, woodlands and lavish wetlands .

Courtesy, Indiadunes.com

2. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, Iowa
3 hours from Chicago

Humungous bluffs, intricate cave system and miles of scenic trails make Maquoketa Caves State Park one of the most visited campgrounds in Iowa.

Courtesy, iowadnr

3. Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin
3 hours from Chicago

Devil’s Lake is the Primus of all campsites near Chicago area in my biased opinion. A perfect mix of outdoor merriment for families – a lake boasting of every activity you could ask for: kayaking, river tubing, swimming; exquisite hiking trails, and very well-tended campsites. No wonder this is the most popular campground in WI and gets booked very early in the year.

Read all about our Devil’s Lake camping trip here.

Devil’s Lake, as seen from an overlook at East Bluff trail


Devil’s Doorway point on the hike

4. Sleeping Bear Dunes Campgrounds in Michigan
5 hours from Chicago

Nestled in lower Michigan Peninsula, Sleeping Bear Dunes offer a magnanimity which seems surreal – the 1.75 mile strenuous hike has plenty of panoramic views, humongous dune hills and one of the most prettiest Michigan beaches as your reward when you conclude your climb.

One of the many spectacular views

NPS offers great camping options around the area, I would highly recommend the Platte River campgrounds – you can also merge river tubing at the natural lazy river to make a truly memorable camping trip.

You can read all about my Sleeping Bear Dunes and River Tubing at Platte River road trip here.

5. Campground at the Ozarks, Missouri
8 hours from Chicago

Nestled by the Jacks Fork river, CircleB campground boasts of cabins, RV sites and campsites. If you can manage the longer journey, you will also be treated to the unparalleled river tubing experience in Ozark Scenic Riverways.

River tubing in Jacks Fork River

Alley Springs Mill, courtesy Chris Friese under Creative Commons

Cabins at CircleB, Courtesy circlebcampgrounds

You can find all the details of my Ozark camping road trip here.

Other Noteworthy Mentions

Palisades-Kepler State Park Campgrounds, Iowa

Peninsula State Park in Door County, Wisconsin

Tip: If you want a dash of luxury in your camping trip, search for “Glamping” – it is a fast-growing trend.

That’s all, hope this helps you plan your next camping adventure.

---