Peace and Space in Southeast Wisconsin?

[SomeoneTakeTheW]

We've recently relocated from Central Washington to Chicago. We're enjoying the city, but with the fun of city life east of the Mississippi has come cramped, tight campgrounds. We were quite used to having large, secluded sites where our dogs could run around. Mt Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula were favorite destinations.

We really enjoy late fall and early spring camping and use our RV as much as a pied a terre as a pass to the outdoors. Could anyone advise of some large campgrounds or parks where we could be slightly off-to-ourselves with a semblance of seclusion? Would love to have water and electric, but could boondock it for the right site.

We have a 33' motorhome.

[dodge_guy]

Unfortunately southern WI and northern IL don`t have the large sites you are accustomed too! there are some nice places with a bit smaller sites, but can still be enjoyed.

[bakerkids]

Although we live in southern IL, my SIL lives in Peru, IL, so we've stayed at Starved Rock. I found their sites to have a large amount of space. This photo was our site last summer, and the "lane" back to the site was very long.

[tbred]

Another thumbs up for Devil's Lake SP, not huge sites but some are very heavily wooded. Nice lake and many hiking trails . Very large and picturesque with plenty to do/see. Only downside is it books up pretty early in the season. We are 45 min. west of Chicago and it's approx. a 2 1/2 hour trip.

[essness]

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.

[rockhillmanor]

Bong State Park is a good jumping off point for you. It is very expansive and IMHO is run in such a manner that all enjoy it. It's just a couple minutes drive to Lake Geneva which has a beautiful lake that you would enjoy and of course a quaint shopping town.

There also is another state run park Big Foot Beach right in Lake Geneva. Only a few with full hookups but it is right on the lake and you can stay there in your RV when you go to Lake Geneva. The boat trip IMHO is a must do. The rock formations are something not to be missed by boat.
or
Right down the road a bit is this CG. No nonsense, a REAL peaceful CG. Owners are very nice and run a a very nice quiet CG. Fellow Mortals was granted the surrounding land from these owners for their wildlife rescue and I believe their educational buildings should be completed by now. I go there to decompress when I head back north.
http://www.meadowlarkacres.org/

Then you can take off from there and explore Door County and see if you like any of the CG's there. Scenery is spectacular and you might feel more like home.

I'm from that area and once you get the lay of the land you will realize you moved to one of the most beautiful areas of the Midwest! :C

[sele]

I have not been there but have always heard good things about Starved Rock State Park In Northern Illinois

[louiskathy]

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

[camperpaul]

Bong is a state recreation area and you will need a vehicle pass just to enter the park. Campsites are 30 Amp electric only.

You might want to check out Cliffside Park in Caledonia.
$23/night w/50/30/20Amp electric and water in all sites and no park entry fees.

[Son_of_Norway]

I don't think your semblance of seclusion will ever be the same at your new home, but there are a lot of great places to go. Bong is great, used to go there with my scout troop when I was a kid. Other places that come to my mind include: Kohler-Andrae state park, Devil's Lake state park, Horicon Marsh area, Kettle Moraine area, Door Peninsula, Wolf River area of the Menominee Indian reservation. You will need to head farther north to northern Wisconsin, upper Michigan or northern Minnesota to find the more secluded type of camping you are used to.

Miles

[luvglass]

Try the Richard Bong Recreation Area, just over the border in Wisconsin. It's about an hour from downtown Chicago. Sites are well spaced and well treed. It's quite nice. We hosted there a few years ago. Here's the site.
http://wisconsinstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/Richard_Bong_State_Recreation_Area/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=WI&parkId=60008