Nature calls.

Between the dateless festivals , near - daily cylinder block parties , a little thing calledLollapalooza , and enoughrooftop barsto keep you sip all season long , there ’s no shortage of thing to do — and drink — in Chicago during the summertime . But beyond the city , nature is call . We swear ! The Chicagoland exurbs may not be , say , Montana , but the Midwest has its fair share of secluded wild that should grave the itch better than bug spray . From the shimmering shore of the Great Lakes to craggy canyons , an Ice Age Trail , and fragrant pine timber , camping site come in all manner of mode and vibe — all within a six - hour cause of your apartment . Here are 15 camping trip-up to take this summer from Chicago .

Camp Aramoni

Tonica , IllinoisDistance from Chicago : 2 - hr driveIf your idea of camping is less “ rough in it ” and more “ secret en - suite restroom , ” then Camp Aramoni is the summer retreat for you . Since hosting its first full time of year in 2022 , the young campground is really more of a glampground , make up 11 luxury safari - style collapsible shelter , each equipped with hotel - fashion amenities like mini fridges , A / C , linen paper - seamed bed , private bathrooms , and personal fire pit . Perched along the Vermilion River , on a 96 - acre parcel of forested land that once contained a brickyard , the historical turf now contain an slipstream coffee barroom , a cosmopolitan depot name Gertie ’s , and a bougie b . work more like a B&B , reservation here include breakfast , dinner , and every night foodie s’mores . Additional a la carte items include coffee , wine , beer , cocktails , and upgrade experience like fancy picnics , whiskey flights , and even Chicago - style hot dog packages . Meanwhile , “ rough it ” on secret hiking trails or in the countryfied - chic hand-crafted canoe on Ristokrat Pond .

Big Foot Beach State Park

Lake Geneva , WisconsinDistance from Chicago : 2 - hour driveLake Geneva may be awinter wonderland , but it ’s just as magical in the summertime month , when Chicagoans treat it like their Hampton . If money is no object , the democratic lake contain plenteous habitation rentals and hangout , but for the budget - savvy , Big Foot Beach State Park bring home the bacon comfortable and convenient lodgment , while still being mere steps from the summertime flimflam and flurry . Theyear - round campgroundis one international mile from the heart of Lake Geneva , and contains100 campsites—34 of which have electrical hookups . This area can get crowded on summer weekends especially , soreserve your spot early . The camping area also vaunt 150 pushover tables , five miles of hiking lead , volleyball courts , and 100 - foundation of beach access .

Kankakee River State Park

Bourbonnais , IllinoisDistance from Chicago : 1 - 60 minutes driveStretching along 11 miles of the Kankakee River , this namesake state common just an hour south of Chicago boasts a wealth of nature adventures both on the H2O and within its 4,000 wooded acres . After a day of canoe , kayaking , and sportfishing or hiking , biking , and hogback equitation , thepark ’s 200 - plus campsitesoffer a muted and relaxing retreat with shower bath and electrical energy claw - ups alongside more primitive experience . Both the Chippewa and Potawatomi campgrounds areopen for reservationsMay through October .

Chain O’ Lakes State Park

Spring Grove , IllinoisDistance from Chicago : 1.5 - 60 minutes driveUnplug among the large concentration of natural lake in Illinois . piddle partisan will be intimate this park ’s prime access to three large natural lakes — plus seven smaller ones along the chain — all stem from the mighty Fox River . With near 6,500 acres of water and 488 miles of shoreline , it ’s a Eden for swim , sportfishing , kayaking , canoeing , boating , and waterskiing . arrange up coterie for a weekend of piss - oriented action and hiking or horseback ride amid the scenic trails . The park’s230 campsitescan all bereserved online . Nearby , nature - enthusiasts will find plenty of cannon fodder in the McHenry County Conservation District ’s 400 - Accho Glacial Park , surrounded by 3,000 untasted acres . Roam the cattail Reginald Marsh , bogs , and kames ( crushed rock hills ) leave behind by methamphetamine old age glacier .

White Pines Forest State Park

Mt. Morris , IllinoisDistance from Chicago : 2 - hour driveUnwind in the wild at one of the old state parks in Illinois . This 385 - acre getaway , a pit ’s cam stroke from the hiking haven that isCastle Rock State Park , sport one of the region ’s southernmost white pine forests complete with concrete Ford that span two creeks , allow visitant to cruise straight through the flow current or stop to discover nearby wildlife . Picnic , hike , fish , andcamp yr - roundsurrounded by wildflower , shady plantation , and moss - covered cliffs . earmark a campsite — each equipped with a fire ring and picnic tabular array — for a serene stay under the stars . For some added puff , cabin at theWhite Pines Inn , in the beginning constructed in the thirties , are also an option .

Devil’s Lake State Park

Baraboo , WisconsinDistance from Chicago : 3.5 - time of day driveWisconsin ’s most popular state parkland provides a gorgeous panorama of the 360 - acre Devil ’s Lake from gamey atop quartzite bluffs . posit along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail , the over 9,000 - Accho park contains almost 30 miles of tramp trails , lakeshore picnic areas , and swim beaches . Complete your lakeshore adventure by renting a rowboat , paddleboat , kayak , or canoe . While the parkland ’s campsites do n’t offer views of the lake , you canreserve a spotat one of severalyear - round and seasonal campgrounds . Not all the area attractions are indoors , though ; there ’s also a nearbycircus museum , celebrating the fact that Ringling Bros. once made its central office here .

Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods Recreation Area

Herod , IllinoisDistance from Chicago : 5.5 - 60 minutes driveSpend some fourth dimension wandering the forest within one of seven wilderness areas in this 280,000 - Accho surface area stretching across the crown of southern Illinois . Characterized by alone innate sandstone rock formation and cliffs that register at around 320 million long time old , this amazing geologic vacation spot is well deserving the route slip . Stretch your legs by traversing 70 - groundwork bluffs then spend the night under the stars fence by calm forests , rivers , and canyons . First come , first serve well camping at theGarden of the Godsis uncommitted for a fee whiledispersed primitive campingwithin the park ( outside of public refreshment orbit ) is detached all class long . If you prefer wine lead to hike lead , theShawnee Hills Wine Trailis a 40 - mile scenic campaign line with 11 countryside vineyard .

Kettle Moraine State Forest

Campbellsport , WisconsinDistance from Chicago : 2 - hour driveWisconsin ’s talkative 30,000 - acre state wood cover gorgeous glacial landforms and hilly terrain plus your cream of 750 campsite ( not to mention 250 mile of hike lead and 75 miles of off - road cycling lead ) . Divided into subdivision — the gravid northerly and southerly units and smaller Pike Lake , Loew Lake , Lapham Peak , and Mukwonago River unit , to be accurate — the parking lot covers a 100 - mile stretch . allow a spotin the Northern Unit ’s year - roundMauthe Lake Campgroundnear Kettle Hole Woods and do n’t miss theIce Age National Scenic Trail , where 31 mile of the nigh 1,200 - Roman mile path follow a maze of sinuate eskers , tumbled moraines , bogs , and bass boiler .

Illinois Beach State Park

Zion , IllinoisDistance from Chicago : 1 - minute drivePitch your tent a stone ’s cam stroke forth from the longest public swim arena of any res publica park . During thecampground ’s peak season , May through September , you’ll call for a reservationand license to access more than 240 situation with shower , firewood , and electricity . In improver to relaxing on the beach , campers can research the singular landscape of grit dune , marshes , woodland , and cacti - speckled prairies or take advantage of rugged bike trails . If glamping is more your style , stake out a elbow room atIllinois Beach Resortinside the park , the state ’s only haunt on Lake Michigan , staring with a newlocally source eating house .

Starved Rock State Park

Oglesby , IllinoisDistance from Chicago : 2 - hour driveWhile the campground is n’t really located within the bounds of this striking Illinois park best known for its fascinating stone formations and canyon falls , thesecluded and wide yr - round campsitesare decidedly still worthreserving . After a day of hike any of the park ’s 13 mile of trails and glacier - chiseled canon , your collapsible shelter ’s wooded surroundings ( with access to electrical energy , shower , and restrooms ) will be a welcome respite come nighttime . If you ’re looking to upgrade your overnight accommodations , snag a room at the National Register of Historic Places - listedStarved Rock Lodge .

Mississippi Palisades State Park

Savanna , IllinoisDistance from Chicago : 3 - time of day driveThis 2,500 - Akko state parking lot sits near the meeting of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers in northwestern Illinois and comprise a foresighted and storied connection to Native American history . Campers can navigate the same dramatic bluffs , limestone caves , and wooded ravines the pathfinders of yore once coursed along the rock-and-roll palisades . 15 miles of varied track give hiking aficionados ample terrain , and rock climbers with their own equipment can tackle Twin Sister and Indian Head , two of the most popular formation open for scaling . Thepark campgroundhas241 reservable campsites(electrical hookup available at 110 sites ) , with access to tramp and cycling lead as well as to the Mississippi River .

Turkey Run State Park

Marshall , IndianaDistance from Chicago : 3 - hour driveSituated just south-west of Crawfordsville along State Road 47 , this Indiana state park afford visitors a hazard to marvel at instinctive geologic wonders like cavern - like sandstone ravine and take in scenic views while canoe Sugar Creek . Take a break from the tough hikes and blazing sun by popping into the fully stockpile nature centre , customized with a planetarium , or checking out a cabin commemorating Colonel Richard Lieber , the Father of the Church of Indiana ’s state parking area . Parke County is also dub the “ Covered Bridge Capital , ” with 31 historical bridges in the orbit , and Indiana ’s magnanimous fete , theParke County Covered Bridge Festival . Once you ’re all bridged out , stake a sleeping and stargazing spot in one of the park ’s manyon - site campgroundsor hit up bank secret outfitter offeringcamping and more near Turkey Run .

Indiana Dunes National Park

Chesterton , IndianaDistance from Chicago : 1 - hour driveThis national park ’s 15,000 acres of federally protected Hoosier landscape painting offers the best of both worlds : beautiful forests and picturesque , monolithic Baroness Dudevant dune . Campers can find solitude in 50 mile of hiking trails criss - crossing over tell dunes and through wetlands , prairie , rivers , and woods . Crash at one of the lakeshore campgrounds , either in thenational parkor nearbystate park . Both the national park’sDunewood Campground , which offersreservable wooded campsites , and theIndiana Dunes State Park Campgroundnear the Lake Michigan shoreline give campers the perfect place to hook up all the outdoor vibes from trail hike to beach lounging . When you ’re done testing your durability and survival by harness the park’s3 Dune Challenge , cool down with a plunge in the lake or continue on your physical fitness journey via the country ’s many hiking and wheel trail .

Kelleys Island State Park

Kelleys Island , OhioDistance from Chicago : 5 - hour drive / ferry rideA longer road trip and short ferryboat ride out to Lake Erie ’s " Emerald Isle " will hit you the ultimate getaway . Nature enthusiasts assay a restful , secluded hideaway will find a 677 - Akko province green on the island ’s northerly shore double-dyed with a coastline dotted with low drop and limestone shelf , glacial groove , and fair game . Bring your own tent to theisland bivouac , try out out the reservable , tussle - barren yurt and rent - a - inner circle units , or even book yourself a private cabin — just be sure toclaim your spotbefore you depart from the mainland . Nearby , it ’s impossible to come up to this part of Lake Erie andnothit upCedar Pointfor some adrenaline - pumping roll coaster .

Rock Island State Park

Washington , WisconsinDistance from Chicago : 5.5 - minute driveway / ferry rideIt ’s not often that you find truly rude campgrounds within driving distance , but if you make the trek from Chicago to Wisconsin ’s Door County islands , you ’ll be reward with gloriously uninhabited soil . Stationed off the peninsula ’s far peak , vehicle - liberal Rock Island is dwelling house to Wisconsin ’s sometime lighthouse , hiking trails , and a full 2,000 feet of flaxen shores . The seasonal passenger - only ferryboat from Washington Island connects visitors to walk - in collapsible shelter website uncommitted for on-line engagement . Picnic expanse flush toilets cover most of your bodily needs , but you ’ll have to do your bathing in Lake Michigan .

Devil’s Lake State Park

Devil’s Lake State Park|MarynaG/Shutterstock

Camp Aramoni

Courtesy of Camp Aramoni

Article image

Flickr/Tom Gill

Fox River

Fox River|Flickr/Eden, Janine and Jim

White Pines Forest State Park

White Pines Forest State Park|Eddie J. Rodriquez/Shutterstock

Devil’s Lake

Devil’s Lake|Sarah Quintans/Shutterstock

Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois

Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois|anthony heflin/Shutterstock

Kettle Hole Woods

Kettle Hole Woods|Flickr/Joshua Mayer

Illinois Beach State Park

Illinois Beach State Park|Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

La Salle Canyon in Starved Rock State Park

La Salle Canyon in Starved Rock State Park|Eddie J. Rodriquez/Shutterstock

Palisades State Park

Palisades State Park|Vanessa Melton/Shutterstock

Turkey Run State Park

Turkey Run State Park|Jason Patrick Ross/Shutterstock

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park|Matthew J Patenaude/Shutterstock

Kelleys Island

Kelleys Island|Adelya Isyanamanova/Shutterstock

Rock Island

Rock Island|Flickr/Joshua Mayer