The Windy City is always a great place to take a vacation, and traveling in an RV can cut your costs significantly. Although there’s plenty of big-city activities to enjoy, you can also find some quiet spots just outside the Chicago area for peace and serenity. Prepare your own RV if you have one or consider renting one from a local owner through RVshare. Take a look at these top 10 campgrounds and pick out a few of your favorites to start planning a great trip.
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Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in the Chicago area has been ranked in the top 10 of all the Yogi Bear Parks in the country. Enjoy all the on-site amenities, nearby activities and planned weekend festivities. Families will appreciate the activities for children throughout the campground.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park offers horseshoes, mini golf, a playground, a pool table and volleyball courts. Whether you want to stay on-site or head into the big city, this park will provide all that you require for your RV vacation.
“Excellent campground, well put together. Their entire staff is run by (from what I saw) a very mature and well-trained group of people. They knew how to run all of the activities, which were well planned out. There’s food at the gift shop. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Just an overall great 5-star experience. Thank you!!!” – Jerry, Google Review
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Kankakee South KOA is a Chicago, Illinois, campground that offers a quiet retreat from the daily grind. Although the big city is just an hour away, you can find excellent restaurants, golf courses and canoe trips nearby. Large lots, a group pavilion and a seasonal pool are available on-site.
If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, the training camp is right around the corner from Kankakee South KOA. For outdoor lovers, enjoy the Kankakee River State Park where hiking, biking, fishing and canoeing are popular activities.
“I must say this is one truly great campground. All the sites are 4 star and most 5 star. Fills up on weekends, so make reservations. They have hay wagon rides, kids barrel train rides, and movies on the weekends. Also has a small general store, with a pool, and coin laundry room. I have met numerous campers there and everyone was polite and friendly. Pet friendly with a large fenced dog run.” – Stan, Google Review
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Chicago Northwest KOA is a family campground with many activities. Enjoy gem mining, GaGa ball, a jump pad, Frisbee golf and a playground. Weekend activities abound, including flashlight candy hunts and hay rides.
Chicago Northwest KOA is one of the peaceful Chicago campgrounds just outside the big city. The friendly country setting provides a quiet escape from hectic daily life. If you decide to do some daytrips, you can visit Donley’s Wild West Town, the Illinois Railway Museum or Six Flags Great America.
“Friendly staff and very clean bathrooms. Staff regularly makes their way around the park and ensures the park is clean. Sites are fairly close together, but nothing out of the ordiry for this area. Good activities for the kids, albeit very short regarding how long they last. Miniature golf does look like something out of an abandoned theme park and doesn’t look like it’s been maintained in years. Gym set and pool are very well maintained and the kids spent a lot of time there.” – Scott, Google Review
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Enchanted Shores is one of the campgrounds in Chicago, Illinois, that is a gem to find. Quiet and peaceful, the park features lovely scenery, beautiful birds and a friendly environment. Many local attractions are a short distance away.
Come as a stranger, leave as a friend! When you camp at Enchanted Shores, you’ll enjoy the on-site playground, basketball court, volleyball, and horseshoe areas. When you’re ready to get out and about, you’ll find golfing, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, shopping and bowling nearby. For meals, you can find a local restaurant or cookout by a campfire.
“I have loved staying there. The people are very friendly and always making you feel at home. I recommend it highly. The people who run it are always coming up with fun activities for everyone to get together and have a good time. Thank you for such a fun experience. I will be back with family.” – Penny, Google Review
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Leisure Lake Membership Resort is a family-focused campground that is owned and operated by its members. Many activities are planned throughout the year. Members have unlimited use of amenities including a pool, a stocked fishing pond, a lake and free Wi-Fi.
If you’re looking for an RV resort that is more of a permanent camping home, check out Leisure Lake Membership Resort. Located 40 miles from Chicago, this campground operates for and by its members. Both camping membership and day-use memberships are available.
“I just stopped by to see the house trailer that my friend had just purchased, but this property is beautiful. There is a lake or pond for swimming, and a separate one for fishing. Not to mention a smaller pool size area with water spraying for the kids. Almost everyone we drove past waved at us and the entire atmosphere seemed very friendly and welcoming. Like I said, I didn’t actually stay there… But from what I saw, I would definitely recommend it to anyone, especially families.”- Matthew, Google Review
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Race View Farms is a family-owned and -operated business. Located on 160 acres, the family has had the property for more than a century. The family opened its property to provide RV camping for fans of the nearby Rt 66 Drag strip and the Chicagoland Speedway.
If you’re in the area for the races that take place on nearby racetracks, you’ll want to stay at Race View Farms. Although the campground has limited amenities, it is only “2,000 feet to your seat” for these popular racing events in the Chicago area, making it a convenient place to camp for race fans.
“Crash up derby was great! Fireworks were good. Prices are middle of the road. Great fun for the whole family!!”- Kerry, Google Review
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MWR Navy Gateways RV Campground borders Lake Michigan. This facility is available year-round, and you have access to the beach and fishing piers as well as a playground area for children. If you’re looking at RV parks near Chicago and you have a military affiliation, be sure to consider this one.
If you are active or retired military or affiliated with the Department of Defense, this is a great campground to consider. You have access to the beach with a beach house, piers and cleaning stations for fishing, an archery range, playground and plenty of picnic spots to enjoy. The Community Recreation Rental Center and the Marina’s Ship’s Store are just a short drive away.
“Open to military, military retirees and DOD civilians. Narrow sites with nearly no shade — BUT a GORGEOUS VIEW of Lake Michigan!”- Bruce, Google Review
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Martin’s Camping Ground is family-owned and offers RV and tent sites. If you’re looking for affordable RV camping near Chicago, this may fit the bill. It’s conveniently located near major highways, yet it still provides some peace and quiet for visitors.
Besides having basic amenities, Martin's Camping Ground provides propane gas refills right on-site for your convenience. Whether you’re looking for a place to stop on a longer trip, a quiet home base for your adventures into Chicago or a great place to work on a business trip, Martin’s Camping Ground may have just what you need.
“Under new ownership, I am here for work as a lot of others here are. Been here two months. Bathrooms are working, and 15 bucks to fill your propane. That is why it’s perfect for the working person. And five minutes from I-80 and jump on I-355 in another five literally. Can come any time of day, they might not answer the phone, but have drop box on door. Settle up with them in morning. Everyone here is nice, and I leave all my things outside and they are always right where I left them. It’s safe and friendly here. No run-down RVs or punk kids. It is very quiet at 8 p.m.” – Sean, Google Review
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Pine Country RV Camping, located in Northern Illinois, is a great place to spend the night or your entire vacation. The campground has easy access to major highways and isn’t far from Chicago. Local attractions and amenities abound for visitors.
Pine Country RV Camping is within driving distance from Lake Michigan as well as downtown Chicago. A recipient of a 2017 Certificate of Excellence, Pine Country RV & Camping Resort is one of the best RV campgrounds that Chicago, Illinois, has to offer.
“We camp here year after year, and we can rest assured that our kids can be kids and us adults get to have our fair share of fun also. It is not only clean but they also have activities for the kids, bands every now and then and one of the seasonal campers does an outdoor movie once or twice a year that I know of. Great camping and yet there are stores not that far away if you forgot something like a swimsuit (oh yeah, forgot to mention heated pool) or bug spray. A great time all in all.” – Adam, Google Review
The Chicago, Illinois area is a fantastic place to take a vacation. You can easily find camping spots close to the city that allow you to take advantage of the art, culture, theater, and cuisine that Chicago has to offer. Many campgrounds are also on the outskirts where you can find some peace and quiet communing with nature as well.
To see what’s available, RVparking has more information about prices, amenities, and offerings. While you’re in the heartland of America, be sure to check out the best trips in Illinois and extend your vacation a few days or a week or two.
The top 10 campgrounds we selected all show daily, weekly and monthly rates for you. Pricing will vary.
Pricing will vary. The top 10 RV Parks we selected all display daily, weekly and monthly rates for you.
Staying at an RV Park for a long period of time will vary on the campground & RV Park you choose. View our post for more information.
Yes. The majority of campgrounds we selected in this blog allow pets.