Chicago area where do you go?

[zcookiemonstar]

Question is for Chicago are campers. Where do you go for weekends? I am not looking to go hang out at a campground I am looking for places/things to see. I know about Starved Rock and have no interest in going downtown Chicago with my camper. So again where do you go or should I say have you gone for the weekend that was something to see?

[zcookiemonstar]

campinginthewoods wrote:
Rend Lake has 5 campgrounds Gun creek is close to the golf course and full of golf carts, Wayne Fitzgerald State Park is first come first serve, South Marcum is nice, North Sandusky is nice and has a swimming beach, and you will see a lot of deer, and south Sandusky is nice and also has a swimming beach. There are bike trails and hiking areas and there's also a marina where you can launch your own boat or you can rent several types of boats. You are about 30 minutes between Marion IL and Mt. Vernon IL. We really never went to far as we camp to relax so haven't really went sight seeing to much. Small town of Sesser Il has a great little custard stand. It's about 10 miles from Wayne Fitzgerald SP (which is the only SP on Rend Lake rest COE). We have taken a drive down to Sikeston MO and visited Lambert's Home of the thrown Roll Good food. We love going to Rend lake for 2 weeks in the fall but have been other times and love going. I'm from the Champaign area so it's not a bad drive for me.

Good info Thanks

[campinginthewoo]

Rend Lake has 5 campgrounds Gun creek is close to the golf course and full of golf carts, Wayne Fitzgerald State Park is first come first serve, South Marcum is nice, North Sandusky is nice and has a swimming beach, and you will see a lot of deer, and south Sandusky is nice and also has a swimming beach. There are bike trails and hiking areas and there's also a marina where you can launch your own boat or you can rent several types of boats. You are about 30 minutes between Marion IL and Mt. Vernon IL. We really never went to far as we camp to relax so haven't really went sight seeing to much. Small town of Sesser Il has a great little custard stand. It's about 10 miles from Wayne Fitzgerald SP (which is the only SP on Rend Lake rest COE). We have taken a drive down to Sikeston MO and visited Lambert's Home of the thrown Roll Good food. We love going to Rend lake for 2 weeks in the fall but have been other times and love going. I'm from the Champaign area so it's not a bad drive for me.

[zcookiemonstar]

Wadcutter wrote:
Have you ever toured the Lincoln sites in Springfield? You could easily stay busy for 2-3 days. If that would interest you I can provide you a couple of nice campgrounds and a list of things to do/see.
And yes, we have indoor toilets, running water, TV, phone service and we don't marry our cousins in the part of IL south of Chicago.

Springfield is a good idea driven through many times been to the Sec of State office but that is it.

You forgot to wink at the end of the last part;)

[zcookiemonstar]

dodge guy wrote:
Galena IL, Mississippi Palisades, Geneva nd St Charles IL are nice. IL Beach State Park is OK, Chain -O-Lakes State Park is nice.

A few nice ideas here. Been to Galena few times it's a nice day trip when we are at Woodhaven. We did like going into Iowa from there to the Dubuque Greyhound Park. Never been to Mississippi Palisades or IL Beach State Park both do look interesting. I have always heard chain o lakes is just to crowded.

So why are "Dodge guy" when I see a Ford in your pic?

[zcookiemonstar]

jplante4 wrote:
I don't know how far you want to go, but we stayed at Rand Lake COE in southern IL and it was a nice place. Great bike trails. We were there over a weekend and it didn't seem to be party central, but that was also in April. It's about 300 miles from Chicago.

A little closer and very popular is Wisconsin Dells. The state parks in the area get very high reviews on RV Park Reviews. The private parks not so much.

Rend lake is a nice idea. My brother goes fishing there a few times a year but I have never gone. I don't fish and didn't know what else there was to do there. Thanks for the idea.

[Wadcutter]

Have you ever toured the Lincoln sites in Springfield? You could easily stay busy for 2-3 days. If that would interest you I can provide you a couple of nice campgrounds and a list of things to do/see.
And yes, we have indoor toilets, running water, TV, phone service and we don't marry our cousins in the part of IL south of Chicago.

[valhalla360]

zcookiemonstar wrote:

stickdog wrote:
Why not check out state parks in IL, WI, IN, MI.

What ones have you camped at and what about it was worth seeing?

What if I suggested a nekked park...lots to see.:o

I have no idea what you like to do so hard to say what you should do.

[dodge_guy]

Galena IL, Mississippi Palisades, Geneva nd St Charles IL are nice. IL Beach State Park is OK, Chain -O-Lakes State Park is nice.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Cookiemonster, it would be easier if you told them what you have an interest in or would enjoy visiting, or doing. River float trips, Museums, festivals, air shows, back country hiking.
As an example, check out
www.festivalnet.com
state by state month by month list of all types of events from crafts, to wine, to music. Once you find one that interest you, check out an app for something like rv parky or a state parks website for campgrounds nearby.

[jplante4]

I don't know how far you want to go, but we stayed at Rand Lake COE in southern IL and it was a nice place. Great bike trails. We were there over a weekend and it didn't seem to be party central, but that was also in April. It's about 300 miles from Chicago.

A little closer and very popular is Wisconsin Dells. The state parks in the area get very high reviews on RV Park Reviews. The private parks not so much.

[zcookiemonstar]

I am not asking how to search for things I am asking for people to tell me where they go and what is there.

[valhalla360]

Lots of parks along Lake Michigan on either side are in range.

Wisconsin Dells.

St. Louis

What do you want to see and do and how far are you willing to drive. If you are willing to drive 4hr, draw a 200mile circle around your home and see what's on the map.

[zcookiemonstar]

stickdog wrote:
Why not check out state parks in IL, WI, IN, MI.

What ones have you camped at and what about it was worth seeing?

[stickdog]

Why not check out state parks in IL, WI, IN, MI.

[zcookiemonstar]

Dick_B wrote:
I'd take a double decker bus tour of the city. Alas one has to go downtown to do that.

I should clarify. I live in the Chicago area. I am looking for places to go away from the area. Short trips 2-3 day type.