Beach Camping Near DeKalb, Illinois, US: 12 Best Beach Campsites 2025

Welcome to Hipcamp! If you're looking for camping near DeKalb, Illinois with a beach, you're in luck. We've got over 70 options for you to choose from. Whether you're interested in pitching a tent at Linden Campground, enjoying the urban farm experience at The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun!, or staying in a cozy cabin like Beaver Point Cabin, we've got you covered. With options starting as low as $25 per night and an average price of $39 per night, you'll find something that fits your budget. And don't just take our word for it - our top campsites like Linden Campground (190 reviews), The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun! (136 reviews), and Beaver Point Cabin (117 reviews) have been highly rated by fellow campers. Plus, you'll find popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, potable water, and toilets, along with activities like wind sports, snow sports, and off-roading (OHV). So pack your bags and get ready for a beach camping adventure near DeKalb, Illinois!

94% (329)

Top-rated campgrounds

Welcome to Hipcamp! If you're looking for camping near DeKalb, Illinois with a beach, you're in luck. We've got over 70 options for you to choose from. Whether you're interested in pitching a tent at Linden Campground, enjoying the urban farm experience at The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun!, or staying in a cozy cabin like Beaver Point Cabin, we've got you covered. With options starting as low as $25 per night and an average price of $39 per night, you'll find something that fits your budget. And don't just take our word for it - our top campsites like Linden Campground (190 reviews), The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun! (136 reviews), and Beaver Point Cabin (117 reviews) have been highly rated by fellow campers. Plus, you'll find popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, potable water, and toilets, along with activities like wind sports, snow sports, and off-roading (OHV). So pack your bags and get ready for a beach camping adventure near DeKalb, Illinois!

94% (329)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Escape to Nature

98%

(355)

22mi from DeKalb · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Huntley, IL

Each reservation includes firewood that is rough cut. Always call ahead when you are planning to enjoy a local attraction. This property is located on the outskirts of the village of Huntley. It is only an hour west of Chicago. This is a kid-friendly and pet friendly location. Our ducks, geese, turkeys and chickens will visit you, and you'll see likely see deer, raccoon, opossum, wild turkey, sandhill cranes, falcons, hawks, woodpeckers, coyotes and cardinals, all right from your seat in the backyard. What to do here: Hike all over our six acres of wooded countryside and nearby forest preserves and conservation district parks. If relaxation is your goal, order breakfast from our menu and skip the cooking. Downtown Huntley hosts an assortment of festivals, free concerts, and celebrations throughout the year. The Farmer's Market and antique shops are worth the visit. Check out these amazing area attractions! -The Illinois Railway Museum, within 10 miles, is the largest railway museum in the United States. Enthusiasts come from all over to ride on steam, diesel, and electric trains. (http://www.IRM.org) -Tower Hills Stables, Trail Rides, Horseback Riding Camp (ages 5 to 14), Riding Lessons, just 8 miles drive, (https://www.towerhillstables.net/.) -Summerfield Farm and Zoo, a privately owned zoo in rural Belvidere, IL, 3088 Flora Rd, Belvidere, IL 61008, a 30 minute drive. (https://summerfieldfarmandzoo.com/.) -Safari Lake Geneva, 45 minute drive to the north, Visit Safari Lake Geneva, Wisconsin's original drive through animal park. Feed and interact with a variety of animals from the comfort of your car (https://safarilakegeneva.com/). Additional suggestions include Santa's Village Amusement and Water Park in West Dundee, Randall Oaks Zoo, in Dundee on Randall Road, Minor League Baseball with Schaumburg Boomers or Kane County Cougars, Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Sullivan Mobile massage, Belvidere Park in Belvidere, IL, Volo Auto Museum, Department of Natural Resources Bike and Hiking Trails and fishing. When you're ready for a faster pace, head into Chicago, where the city offers unlimited attractions, museums, and amazing restaurants. We do not have full electric and water sites available. Try the Kane County Forest Preserve for this at https://kaneforest.com/location/paul-wolff. Need more ideas of things to do in the area? Ask us! We love being your concierge! Visit our website for additional ideas. HarmonyInnHuntley.com. FAQ FAQ FAQ FAQ 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 Here are some answers to common questions. We provide camping toilets with a privacy tent. Check in starts at 4 PM and check out ends at 11 AM. Late check out is available for purchase as an extra for $10 per hour. ELECTRIC: If you need to use electricity to inflate a mattress or something just for a few minutes, an outdoor outlet can be found on the "lower garage" building. Just look to the left of the west facing garage door. WATER: If you need to use the garden hose to fill a 5-gallon bucket or smaller, you can use the garden hose attached to the back side of the house. Please be sure to turn the water off completely when you are done. CAR BATTERY: If your car battery dies and you need a jump David will help you if he is available. Otherwise, please call a towing service, such as Whitey's Towing. WOOD: We may have rough firewood available at no charge. We recommend campers bring their own hand saw or hatchet to cut it to the desired size. You may bring your own firewood. PICNIC TABLE/PATIOS: Please do not place any cooking device on the picnic tables. You can use a large log for this. Feel free to roll one to a desired spot. You may move the picnic tables if you would like to, we provide a limited number of picnic tables. Campers are not guaranteed that one will be available. Campers may use the patios by the house, we have 2 patios with firepits. INSECTS: If you find ground wasps or bees, just relocate your camp farther away from them. We do try to address these when we are made aware of them. We recommend bringing mosquito repellent. HAMMOCKS: Hammocks are acceptable if you protect the trees from any damage. EXTRAS (after you arrive): Please bring exact cash if you want to purchase extras after you arrive. Hip Camp does not have the capability to add extras after you have made your booking. ARRIVAL TIME: Your host would appreciate a message and phone call with your arrival time so that he can greet you and get you settled upon arrival. Remember, we have an added fee for arrivals after 10 PM.

2. Paradise Quarry

97%

(52)

17mi from DeKalb · 1 site · Tent, RV · Sugar Grove, IL

Welcome to our beautiful property! This is a very special place, located an hour from Chicago and only minutes from the west suburbs, you will be transported to another time! This has to be the best “swimming/ fishing hole” in Chicagoland and you can have it all to yourself. The property features 20 acres of woods, prairie and an 8 acre lake!!! The lake is crystal clear because it’s so deep (reportedly 125 ft) and is sandy on the bottom. We created a massive beach area with many camping spots to choose from. The kids will love exploring the trails on foot and on bike. Everyone will love lounging under the umbrellas on the comfy chaise lounges and enjoying the views. You won’t want to leave, but if you need to restock, there a gas station 1/4 mile away and full service grocery store and restaurant under a mile away. We even get pizza delivered! There’s a nice driveway of gravel that leads to a nice open field for RV campers. Tent campers can continue to the beach and set up in style. The property was once an active quarry and was then basically abandoned for 40-50 years. Nature took over over, Trees matured, the stocked lake grew some massive fish. A few years ago we started camping out there and just loved it. We’ve worked hard to make it amazing and we want to share it with you.

3. Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

100%

(6)

48mi from DeKalb · 1 site · Tent · Twin Lakes, WI

Tent Camping Site on Lake Mary’s Channel. Private place to pitch a couple tents, hammocks, enjoy a campfire, and most importantly enjoy access to Lake Mary & Lake Elizabeth via a short channel which is only steps from the door of your tent! The channel is shallow, while you cannot swim from the campsite to the lake you can easily launch kayaks and after 850ft of paddling you are out on Lake Mary! 15minute safe sidewalk or quiet neighborhood road walk to Lance Park from camping site. The park also has ample parking. Drive time from camping site to the park is only 2minutes! Lance Park has a wonderful pubic beach swimming area. The water quality of Lake Mary is amazing with great clarity and no algae or seaweed growth. It also has a public boat launch. The park also hosts the “AquaNut” Water Show every Wednesday and Saturday nights in the summer! Lance Park also has a clean and very large handicap accessible porta potty that can be used 24/7. Twin Lakes has a cute Main Street with lots of fun to be had. There are also several restaurant/bars on Lake Mary or Lake Elizabeth. Lake Elizabeth can be accessed by a small waterway that connects the lakes. Kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes can easily float under a lower foot and car bridge. Larger and taller motorized boats cannot move between lakes. This camping site offers such a fun and inexpensive way to get outdoors this summer!

4. Lowden State Park

100%

(2)

89 sites · Oregon, Illinois

Explore where legendary Chief Black Hawk once lived with his people.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Rock Cut State Park

100%

(6)

266 sites · Loves Park, Illinois

Four seasons of fun await at this rock-cut wilderness within day-trip distance of Chicago.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

6. Kayak Starved Rock Campground

87%

(171)

43mi from DeKalb · 41 sites · Tents, RVs · Ottawa, IL

Waterfront Rustic Primitive(no water/no electric/no showers) Camping we allow primitive tent camping(whole campground), tear drop campers, pop up campers(sites 60 and up) and campervans(whole campground) we are right on the illinois river across from Starved Rock State Park. Towering views of St. Peters sandstone bluffs, soaring bald eagles and sandy islands. We are primitive. no water no electric. Just rugged natural beautiful riverside camping with ultra clean pimped out porta potties that have wipes, underarm spray deodorant, air freshener and hand sanitizer. Please note kayak rentals or guided kayak tours are not included but may be purchased onsite or from our website kayak starved rock campground. showers are available nearby at Ottawa or Oglesby swimming pool for a small fee You must be 21 y.o. to make a camping reservation. If anyone in the camping reservation is under 21 then someone 20 years older must be present at all times camping with the person(s) under 21 Check-in time Mon-Thurs 3:00 pm-5:30PM Friday-Sun 3:00PM-7:30PM Check-out time is 3:00 pm. KAYAK STARVED ROCK CAMPGROUND Camping Rules Our Rules are to promote a family friendly and safe camping experience We reserve the right to evict anyone without refund for improper behavior or failure to observe our rules and regulations. All Campers must check in/show ID at the KSRC office and sign a waiver and receive a parking pass/wristband. WE DO NOT ALLOW GUESTS! ANYONE ON THE PROPERTY MUST BE REGISTERED AHEAD OF TIME AS A CAMPER AND PAID FOR! All Campers are required to wear wristbands. All vehicles must have a Parking pass on the dashboard. Anyone within camp area must have a wristband on. NO GENERATORS!!!!! NO MUSIC IS TO BE PLAYED THROUGH SPEAKERS AT ANY TIME QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10PM TO 7AM THAT MEANS NO NOISE WHATSOEVER. Strictly Enforced Vehicular entry/exit is not permitted between these hours. Children should be on campsite by 9:00 pm. If you violate this rule you will be evicted without refund and you will be banned from ever camping again.

7. White Pines Forest State Park

100%

(2)

115 sites · Mount Morris, Illinois

Ogle at this resort area just two hours from Chicago.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

8. Starved Rock State Park

93%

(28)

128 sites · North Utica, Illinois

Gushing waterfalls, ice sculptures, white-tailed deer and soaring eagles offer year-round excitement

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near DeKalb

100%

(2)

Lowden Campground

31mi from DeKalb · 89 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lowden State Park

100%

(6)

Rock Cut Campground

32mi from DeKalb · 266 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rock Cut State Park

100%

(2)

White Pines Forest Campground

37mi from DeKalb · 115 sites · in White Pines Forest State Park

93%

(28)

Starved Rock Campground

45mi from DeKalb · 128 sites · Tents, RVs · in Starved Rock State Park

Stories from the community

M

Mary

October 2025

20 ft campervan

1 night at Escape to Nature

Having been on the road the last year and half since retirement, we can honestly say this has been one of the most beautiful campgrounds. It combines a wonderful balance of unspoiled nature, views and peace with any and all nearby resources. Further, if not most importantly - David had been a most attentive and amazing host.

F

FannyGo

October 2025

15 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to Escape to Nature

We got one of the 3 spots, all the way at the end of their property. The grass was so beautiful that I was jealous! All the birds were so cute! Especially the ducks with the white fluffy heads. Those were adorable! They didn’t let us pet them, but were very well into our lettuce. It’s 9min away from a shopping area with Walmart, Walgreens and all kinds of food places. Be aware of the bees. They have beautiful flowers and happy bees. Tons of bees that are not shy at all.

Julia

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Escape to Nature

The site was nice and having free firewood is a nice perk. Other campers were courteous, but we decided not to stay the second night that we had booked. The road noise from nearby highway was a reminder of how close we were to suburban life.

D

Daddy

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Paradise Quarry

Ms. B’s, Quarry is a beautiful private property. Easy to find the property. Very close to town and yet has the feel of being secluded. On an A,B,C grade scale I give it a solid “A”. I would book Ms. B’s property again in the future. I left some fire wood for the next hip campers. Ms. B is good on responding back to messages. Our dogs absolutely loved it. Please clean up after yourself & respect this paradise as we have! Truly this place is worth every penny spent. Also as anything there could be improvements, but really it’s perfectly beautiful as is and the ports potty was extremely clean!

M

Mary

October 2025

20 ft campervan

1 night at Escape to Nature

This property is a chill experience with a beautiful pastoral view. We were the only campers out of 4 sites for 3 days. There were occasional road/neighbor sounds but the camping area is set way back and behind the Inn so the campsites are fairly private. The hosts were very respectful and helpful when approached for information.

M

Mary

October 2025

20 ft campervan

1 night at Escape to Nature

We enjoyed several nights camping here on this beautiful, quiet and peaceful property in our self contained RV. There was plenty of firewood to enjoy each night and good internet was a plus. The road into the property is rustic and grassy and might be challenging after a lot of rain. Our host was very friendly and helpful. Seeing the ducks and turkeys roaming free was really charming.

M

Mary

October 2025

20 ft campervan

1 night at Escape to Nature

This was the most natural campsite that we have stayed at so far. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather (no rain that might have made access challenging) and we had privacy as the only ones camping during a weekday. The old growth trees and horses in pasture added to the natural beauty. The site was effectively administered by a host that was friendly and helpful. Our 21' L 10' H Minnie Winnebago just fit into the level grassy site although the small road there was a wee bit bumpy and had low hanging branches. We enjoyed a fire every night and watched the farmers harvesting the corn field by day.

M

Mark

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Escape to Nature

I only camped for one night here but I want to book another 5 consecutive nights later this week. This is a very beautiful property. David, the host, was very pleasant and accommodating. I can see why Escape to Nature received the high marks that it has. Any fellow Hipcampers will not be disappointed. Book it ! Mark

M

Megan

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

My family and I had an awesome time camping at Steve’s thoughtfully laid out campground. The ground was soft and level so the tents were super comfy. Lots of seating on stumps surrounding a clean fire pit. Watching the moon reflect on the water was magical!

chris

October 2025

12 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Escape to Nature

Dave was a great host. Site is clean, quiet and relaxing.

D

David

October 2025

21 ft travel trailer

1 night at Paradise Quarry

We picked this site because it was private with only one site and a small lake. The weather perfect! We would go back again. A small draw back that should be fixed is the gate. As stated in other reviews, it is very hard to open! Very hard. Also out of now where three people showed up to fill in a hole. We were not expecting visitors. A little earlier an we all would have been very embarrassed

M

Malaika

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

Steve’s campsite was a lovely quiet spot that was private enough that we felt comfortable sleeping in the tent without the cover up. It was really peaceful and the trees covering the spot made it very secluded despite being in a neighborhood! Steve was very responsive and attentive as a host. 11/10 would stay there again!

J

Jacob

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Escape to Nature

This place is so beautiful. The hosts are very kind and knowledgeable. We will definitely be back

A

Ayal

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Escape to Nature

I enjoyed the combination of easy road access while still feeling more rural at this campground. The host, Dave, was very welcoming and organized. He raises, chickens and ducks, and a few peacocks, who roam around freely, greeting visitors. The nearby road is a bit noisy, but see you soon get used to it. Recommend recommended.

L

Lindsay

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Escape to Nature

Great first camping experience for our 15 month old!!!

J

Josh

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Paradise Quarry

Great spot, plenty of room and we caught some fish!

Y

Yaroslav

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Kayak Starved Rock Campground

Great place for camping, nearby there are places to go hiking, kayaking, rocks, I definitely recommend it!!!

C

Clark

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Paradise Quarry

Had a great time camping here - enjoyed the views and the paddle boards. Great spot for a campfire and plenty of places to sit! Anyone who complains of bugs… it’s the great outdoors get over yourself!

J

Jay

September 2025

17 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Kayak Starved Rock Campground

Beautiful quiet place to stay. It was nice to kayak and visit Starved rock.

A

Alexander

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Escape to Nature

Beautiful space, kind and communicative owners, adorable ducks, turkeys and chickens, this was the perfect space for a family camping trip. Thanks - we'll be back!