If you are a Chicago resident, camping is simply a road trip away since you can camp local without even leaving the city. Throughout spring-summer and even early fall, there are great campground locations within a few hours with gorgeous nature views and numerous recreation opportunities. If you are an experienced tent camper or if you have never camped before, camping is a great way to get in touch with change of season that is characteristic of Midwest.
Spring Camping: Greetings Springtime Near Starved Rock State Park
When the cold winter days of Chicago keep you inside for months, get back to nature by getting your tent in one of several campgrounds that are near the Starved Rock State Park. 30-odd miles southwest from the city, this region becomes vibrant in spring in times when wildflowers bloom and when 18 scenic canyons within this park invite for a hike. Rent an RV or tent site at Starved Rock Lodge or rent a rustic cabin at the KOA Campground in Ottawa. It’s perfect to spend your days doing outdoor activities such as going on a hike along the park’s 13 hiking trails that hope to lead to La Salle Canyon, Lover’s Leap and the ice cold waterfalls in French Canyon. During warm months go for a kayak down the Illinois River or you could try out the stand up paddle boarding too. Go under the moon, sit by the campfire and stargaze, then go to the camp and enjoy a comfy night’s sleep.
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Summer Waterfront Camping: Tips for Beating the Heat in Southern Wisconsin
If the heat and humidity of the summer months gets too much in Chicago, much cooler countryside and campsites with a taste of the lakeside are just over the border in Wisconsin. Tent camping can be arranged just an inch from the pristine waters of beautiful Lake Koshkonong at the Fort Atkinson Campgrounds, only an hour and a half drive from the city. Sometimes they can imagine what beaches they can go to and spend time sunbathing on them, a swim in the water and go to the sea and go fishing from the shore. Take a paddle boat ride or launch your own kayaks to go deeper into the water And do not forget to take a walking tour of the many trails in the Lake Koshkonong State Wildlife Area. Also just thirteen miles up the road there is also beautiful Lake camping at Gibbs Lake Campground which is equipped with sand swimming beach and some of shaded sites for those who wish to avoid the direct sunlight during the day.
Seasonal Camping near me around Chicago
When the foliage sweetly turns to fall, camping holidays and festivals in Michigan await you. Michigan is a state that every Chicago camper should consider when the fall season which starts from September displays its colours. It only takes around 4.5 hours of car drive to some of the best sites for watching the foliage turn colour in southwestern Michigan. One of the best basecamps is the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in the town of Bremen for fall camping. Here you’ll enjoy yourself within the amazing maple, oak and ash trees blazing in astonishing gold and red colours all over. But this camp does not just stand for mere tent camping but comes with added incentives such as wagon trips, gem panning, foam zone or interaction with Yogi Bear. The nearby traffic also takes to pumpkin picking with La Grange’s Pumpkinfest, autumn leaves with carnival rides, a parade of pumpkins and decorating of campground spaces. For more camping festivals, there is Wellstock Bluegrass Festival or you can attend arts & music celebration in Campit Festival. Regardless of the campground, be sure to fully appreciate those cool night, warm days and vibrant colours of the fall from within the confines of your tent.
Winter Cabin Camping and Light Celebrations for the Holidays
Do not run inside to stow your camping equipment away when the weather gets chilly in Chicago. Thus, look for the KOA campgrounds, which provide the heated cabins, which can be rented irrespective of the season. Cabin camping can be availed few miles below 90 minutes north west close to the Wisconsin Dells at River Bend Resort that is located at the quietude of the Lake Petenwell. Here there is an opportunity to indulge in some winter activities on the snowy area or even go on the snowmobile tracks maround when it is possible. Meanwhile, children will love to interact with Yogi Bear in his winter scarf and a Santa cap during the holidays when visiting Jellystone Park at the Wisconsin Dells. If you are interested in winter camping festivals, look at the calendar and Chetek Wisconsin having Christmas in the Park within 4 hours from the campground with light decorations, sledding and ice skating Or you can just over 2 hours resolved to visit Snowfest many in Chestnut Mountain Resort that located in Galena that you will see extravagant snow sculptures and dramatic firework display at night.
The list of seasonal camping options within 5 hours from Chi-Town presented below will help you plan the next outdoor adventure in IL, WI or MI. Due to the large number of areas with natural sites near you, where you can pitch your tent throughout the year, it is possible to engage in camping within visible distance regardless of whether it is for weekend travels on wheels or for an adventurous holiday in nature during all four seasons.
