We want to spend some time in Chicago this summer, any suggests for campgrounds in the area?

There are no campgrounds very close to Chicago. We've stayed at the CG at the Empress Casino in Joliet, IL a few times and it's not too bad.

Stayed at a CG in Yorkville once, (Hide a Way Lakes but wouldn't recommend it to anyone).

There are also some parks North of Chicago, but don't have any experience with them. Maybe someone else has some recommendations.

Jim

Hi Larry,

You didn't say how long that you would be in Chicago.  We have camped at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion.  This is about 40 miles north of downtown right on Lake Michigan and near the interstate.  We have family north of Chicago and find that this park meets our needs.

Wayne

Not sure how convenient you need to be to Chicago, but we stayed at the Indiana Dunes State Park, which is very nice, and took the Metrorail commuter train into Chicago for a day-trip.  The train ride was probably over an hour, but convenient since the train station is right at the entrance to the state park.

We've stayed at the Richard Bong State Recreation Area, just over the Wisconsin border in Kansaville. It's about an hour drive to downtown Chitown. As everyone has said, there's nothing close to Chicago.

It seems like such a shame that there's not a park closer to Chicago. The closest park that we've heard good things about is Indiana Dunes State Park. Which is in Chesterton, IN. $18.00 a night.

Happy RVin'
Amanda
http://www.rvparking.com

Northwest of Chicago in Elgin there is a county park Paul Wolfe that has a campground. There are about 100 sites. A new section has some 50 A sites and a few pull thru. It has water, elec., dump station but few other amenities. The train station to Chicago is about 3-4 miles down the road. The cost last season was $25. They do not take reservations (first come first serve and a two week limit). If you come in during the week there should not be a problem getting a site. It does get a lot of big rigs of people visiting the area. I live about 8 miles from there and I go there to walk the dog just so I can meet some of the full timers and pick their brains.

Thanks for the info...how long of a trian ride to downtown Chicago?

Just checked the schedule and it looks like about an hour from the Elgin Big Timber station to Union station in Chicago. Here's a link for the campground. http://kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=11

Is it safe at night?
Thanks

The Campground or the train? I've not heard of any problem at the campground. I don't take the train very often and have not taken it late at night. I would think that once on the train safety would not be a major concern.

Thanks for the info...we will give it a try this summer.

We too are looking for camping in Illinois near Plainfield. We see Lake Renwick in Will County, IL just a few miles from there and was wondering if anyone has information about camping there. We need electrical and showers, any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark & Becky