Chicago Campgrounds

[csichoice]

I have a meeting to attend I Chicago and I am thinking about taking the family with me and making a little vacation out of it. I posted this question on another forum and the just gave me campgrounds that were over an hour away from Chicago. the meeting will be at JW Marriott in down town Chicago. can anyone give me a campground the is close to Chicago.

[TURBS]

Martin campground joilet Illinois.
Ive not stayed there but will be in two weeks on the way to the goshen rally.

"sabre owners united!"


turbs

[keith_h]

I haven't camped in the area but used to live in the western suburbs. I would expect most campgrounds to be in the outer suburbs or about an hour into downtown. I don't know where your meetings are but when my wife and I go back to visit family if we are planning a late night we drive in and park under Grant Park and then walk the rest. If we are going to the Museum of Science and Industry (highly recommended) we park in its' lot. If we are planning to leave Chicago between 7-10 PM we will take the train in and out. We will walk from the Chicago Northwestern station in the AM and usually taxi back in the evening. There is no real time difference taking the train just the relaxation factor. Plus for the younger folks a train ride can be fun. You should be able to catch trains out of the Joliet area, Fox Valley and Crystal Lake/Woodstock area. I know there are trains to the north and south but am not familiar with those.

Just noticed your meeting location. Grant Park or the hotel parking would not be bad if you plan on going to meetings while the family does touristy stuff. Both are nice walks to and from the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute (free to visit).

[kingwood390bh]

The closest we found was a casino in Jolliet.

[realredrebel]

There are two nice campgrounds in Kane County. One in the north and one in the south. Both are only a few years old. The south one (Big Rock Campground) isn't far from I-88.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[rscconrad]

There is a campground in Winfield at the Blackwell forest preserve. About 25 miles west of Chicago

[pro97]

Short of a Walmart parking lot, I don't image you will get much closer.

Hour north in Caldonia, WI is Jellystone Park which can keep little kids busy, they also have some nearby outlet malls and Six Flags Great America in Gurnee IL.

If you are looking for state parks, you can look at Starved Rock maybe 90 minutes south west nice hiking trails. We also have Chain of Lakes maybe an hour north west, booking our first weekend there now.

[Chuckinca]

Get into downtown about 4 AM and park on a street with meters - take two or three spaces in a row.


.

[boowho]

I would say to try and find something close to the end of one of the subway/elevated lines.

I don't know how far the Chicago trains run out from downtown, but that works great in the SF bay area; just ride the BART into town each day.

Boowho??

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by realredrebel

There are two nice campgrounds in Kane County. One in the north and one in the south. Both are only a few years old. The south one (Big Rock Campground) isn't far from I-88.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Paul wolff (been around for years) is a hidden gem and close to stores and things to do. Very close to I90 and trains,.... I camp there a lot

Big rock (just opened) is in the middle of no where. Its a long drive to get supplies of any kind at big rock.

State parks in northern Il. are not well taken care of anymore. States flat broke and the parks are suffering.

[realredrebel]

Originally Posted by Platokidd

Paul wolff is a hidden gem and close to stores and things to do. Very close to I90,.... I camp there alot



Big rock is in the middle no where. Its a long drive to get supplies of any kind at big rock.

Not really... Sugar Grove is just right down the road. Plenty of places to get supplies and several nice restaurants.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by realredrebel

Not really... Sugar Grove is just right down the road. Plenty of places to get supplies and several nice restaurants.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Paul wolf is minutes to walyworld, major grocery stores ,movies and so on.
Sugar Grove has a few things to offer.
Been to them both several times. Big rock is brand new cg and has no shade and gravel roads (dusty), where Paul wolf is more mature and offers both shade and sun.
Neither park has showers but we do visit them both.

There is also a koa.

http://www.chicagonwkoa.com/

[keith_h]

Originally Posted by boowho

I don't know how far the Chicago trains run out from downtown, but that works great in the SF bay area; just ride the BART into town each day.

Boowho??

There is train service out to the western suburbs. The two recommendations in Kane County are both close to direct highway access into Chicago. Burnidge Forest/Paul Wolff campground is not only close to I-90 but is on the same road as the Milwaukee RR west line commuter train station. For the Big Rock campground you could always take I-88 into the city or the BNSF commuter from Aurora The Union Pacific from Elburn would be an alternative. Keep in mind the routes go to different stations in Chicago so one might be better for you than the other.

Here is a link to the Metra rail line map. Schedule & Fare Finder