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wildwood1's avatar
wildwood1
Explorer
May 06, 2014

chicago campgrounds

We are going to Chicago area for 9 days this summer and would like to know of your suggestion for campgrounds. We are thinking about Lehman lakeside RV resort in marundo,il. We have checked out some online and each have +/- s. We would like to be near Chicago in the northern or NW area,within about 50 minutes.
thanks
  • IL Beach SP in Zion, IL has a good number of sites with electric hookups, and some with electric & water - the latter more of a paved parking lot. It's along one of the commuter rail lines to the city, which is quite handy. Chicago Northwest KOA in Union, IL is near I-90, northwest of the city, probably at least an hour out driving (more in heavy traffic). Chain o' Lakes SP has two loops with electric hookups; the newer & nicer (with nicer bathhouse) is Fox Den CG. This park is near Fox Lake, which is the terminus of another of the commuter rail lines into the city. Driving, probably 70-80 minutes into Chicago in good traffic. There is virtually nothing any closer in.

    We have been to all these CGs, many multiple times to Chain o' Lakes, since this was our old home area. Any will do, but if you're staying for 9 days, you'll need to be careful with water usage or else be prepared to hitch up & drive to the dump station midway during your stay (or more often), or have a portable waste tank to haul to the dump station. You can get FHUs at the KOA.

    Sorry, we have never heard of the CG you mentioned. Another private CG near Fox Lake is Fish Lake Beach, but it seemed cramped and is popular with seasonals. We weren't impressed.

    Wherever you stay, advance reservations are a MUST. All of them fill up most weekends.
  • Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort - Marengo, IL is $45+/night with WiFi and cable TV. The reviews on Yelp and RV Park Reviews are not very favorable.

    The above mentioned State Parks are $25/night with electric only. Both parks are about one hour from Downtown Chicago on the Metrarail commuter trains.

    IBSP is about a 20 minute drive from Six Flags Great America and about 20 minutes from the Jelly Belly plant where they have free tours.
  • There is also a KOA in Union IL, not far from Marengo. You've got Sycamore RV resort in Sycamore supposed to be very nice. There is a Jellystone in Millbrook which is also decent. Quite a few at a distance of approx. 60 miles from the city.
  • Hollywood Casino in Joliet off I-80 and close to I-55 going into the city. The sites have electric and water with dump just offsite. One of the big camping wastes is that there are no campgrounds within the city limits.
  • We have spent time at Fish Lake Beach and Chicago/Northwest KOA. Both are fine. I90 is under construction near the Chicago/Northwest KOA so Fish Lake might be a good place to try. It is near Fox Lake and public transportation to Chicago.

    Yes it is mostly seasonal residents but the location is good and the campground was fine.

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