If you want to spend some quality time with your family in South Barrington, Illinois, you may consider going camping. There are primitive, glamping, and in-between options that cater to your family’s level of wilderness expertise, so be sure to explore the best camping spots in South Barrington below.

Camp Reinberg

Image via Flickr by RichardBH Licensed CC BY 2.0

Camp Reinberg has multiple camping options for your family. You can have a more old-fashioned camping experience by setting up at one of the area’s 13 tent campsites. Each campsite can accommodate six people and includes a fire ring, a picnic table, and a 10-foot by 10-foot mulched tent pad for easy tent pitching. Two of these tent campsites are accessible for people with disabilities, as they have an accessible picnic table, a raised fire pit, and easy-to-navigate paths. Cook County residents receive a discount on reservation rates, so be sure to take advantage of this.

If you want more of a “glamping” experience, there are other sites available for your family. You can roll up in your RV and settle into one of the RV and tent campsites that have electricity. While these sites don’t have sanitation stations, there are public buildings close by that contain bathrooms and showers. Camp Reinberg also has small cabins for eight people and large cabins for 10 people. Both cabin types have bunk beds, ceiling fans, heating, air conditioning, and picnic tables. The larger cabins have additional perks, like single beds and a porch.

Veterans receive a 50% discount if they reserve a cabin Sunday through Thursday night. They can also receive half-off on RV non-electric fees no matter when they make their reservations. You can call Camp Reinberg’s office or visit in person to receive the discounted rates. No matter what campsite your family stays at, there’s enough wilderness to keep everyone busy. The Deer Grove Trails expand for miles, and they grant hikers beautiful views of restored landscapes. You can walk, run, or bike on these trails with your kids or go on a solo trek for a mini escape.

Feel free to take the family dog with you on Camp Reinberg’s trails as long as you keep it on a leash. If your family needs a break from the great outdoors for a bit, you can take a trip to the nearby Crabtree Nature Center to learn about the area’s local wildlife and natural history.

Fish Lake Beach

Fish Lake Beach is a great family-friendly camping ground. Your family can participate in overnight camping in a tent or RV. Your group can also reserve a rental for a more luxurious camping experience. All campsites have a picnic table and setups for water and electricity. Select campsites also have sewer hook-ups, which can be useful if you plan on staying for a longer period.

No matter where you stay, all campers have free access to the campground’s amenities, heated pool, and beach. Play a round of beach volleyball on the designated courts or enjoy outdoor movies at the pool. Your family can also participate in themed weekend activities. In the past, Fish Lake Beach has hosted themed weekend activities like Kids’ Halloween Weekend, Pirates and Mermaids Weekend, and Christmas in July Weekend.

Give your kids the true camping experience by starting a fire in your campsite’s fire ring. While you can bring your own firewood, it’s also available for sale at concessions. You may also visit concessions to purchase snacks and toiletries if you forgot any from home. Fish Lake Beach also offers coin-operated laundry facilities, a dump station that’s free to use, and large restrooms with hot water for showers.

Paul Wolff Campground

Do you have an adventurous kindergartner or another young child who loves horses? If so, Paul Wolff Campground is the perfect camping spot for your family, and it’s only 20 minutes from South Barrington. The camping season runs from May 1st until the last Sunday of October. During this time, you can reserve one of 89 improved camping sites, 10 primitive sites, and five equestrian campsites.

The preserve contains nine miles of trails that you can use for biking, hiking, or equestrian use. The designated trails for horse riding are mowed-grass paths with natural surfaces. Even if your child is too young to ride the horses, they can marvel at their beauty and gracefulness. There’s also a stocked fish pond where you can catch and release fish or keep some as long as you follow local regulations.

Camp Shabbona Woods

Camp Shabbona Woods is one of South Barrington residents’ favorite camping spots. It has several nearby activities that your family can enjoy while camping, including the Burnham Greenway Trail System and the Green Lake Family Aquatic Center. The Sand Ridge Nature Center is just a short walk away from most camping sites, so you don’t even have to corral everyone into the car. At the Sand Ridge Nature Center, you can explore interactive exhibits and learn about the Calumet Region from the center’s knowledgeable staff members.

Camp Shabbona Woods has 16 tent campsites that each contain a 10-foot by 10-foot mulched tent pad so that you can set up camp with ease. Each site also has a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate to enjoy late-night marshmallow-roasting sessions. Two of these 16 campsites are accessible to people with disabilities, as they include accommodations like accessible parking and a raised fire pit. You may also rent a small cabin that fits up to eight occupants and includes bunk beds, a porch, and a ceiling fan.

Feel free to visit Camp Shabbona Woods from April to October to stay at a tent campsite or small cabin. You can get affordable rates when you book your stay for a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night, but you can get even bigger savings when you book your stay for Sunday through Wednesday nights. The campground closes from November through March because of the cold weather, but you can still enjoy the grounds’ trails and other activities.

Those are some of our favorite camping spots near South Barrington, Illinois. Did we miss one of your go-to camping sites? Reach out today to let us know, and we’ll be sure to check it out.