louiskathy wrote:
When we lived in Elgin, IL we liked to head to Le-Aqua-Na west from Rockford, IL on hwy 20. Pretty sure it's an Illinois State Park. It's been years since we were there but try it out, I think you'll like it.
If you are cramped for time... there are several Forest Preserves that have camping. Clickyhttp://kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=11
All of them are nice for day hikes with the dogs (at least the ones between Schaumburg and Elgin, IL between Irving Park Rd (Rt. 19) and Golf Road (Rt. 58) WEST of Hwy 59 were nice for day hikes.
And I know you specifically asked for SE Wisconsin areas but we stopped going to the Wisconsin CG's ... they were expensive and crowded and we felt that there was a grudge against Illinois campers...like we were taking up sites that should be for people with Wisconsin license plates. JMHO.
Other State Parks that we enjoyed are along the Illinois border to the Mississippi... like The Mississippi Palasade clicky
Here's a whole state map on State Parks by Region DNR Illinois State Parks
That's kinda funny. You are correct, there is a thing about IL. Plates in southern WI every weekend from April through October.
I think I'm uniquely qualified to speak to this since my wife and I grew up in Chicago and suburbs. (I grew up on the north side and Hoffman Estates, my wife was north side and Mount Prospect) we moved to WI 20 years ago, I always say that we moved as soon as we realized we had a choice. :) We have found that there is a general arrogance that seems to follow a large percentage of the Chicago area weekenders up here. They do expect everything to be as it is in Chicago area with regards to convenience yet they want it to be their Wisconsin experience?
This is not a universal attitute but it is the most prevalent.
Along with the attitude that the locals (WI) are somehow completely dependant on the Chicago dollars to support our local economy.
We always found WI to be much more conducive to our life style and perception of quality of life.
The campgrounds closest to the border are themost crowded and designed for maximum capacity.
As you move north and west (Dells being the exception) the densities become (in our opinion) much more favorable.
We have also found some nice cg's down in the Peoria area as well as towards Galena area.
We have also ventured into southern, IL to find more space. One of the places we really enjoy is Canal campground in Grand Rivers, KY ( about 15-20 mins south east of Paducha).
Bottom line, you need to get pretty far from the city before you will find cg's with some space.
Good luck.