95% (259)
Top-rated campgrounds
95% (259)
Top-rated campgrounds
Public campgrounds near Downers Grove
Stories from the community
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James
November 2025
Tent
Fantastic piece of land and fantastic people! It was quiet and beautiful, perfect kind of spot for cozy and secluded camping. Heidi couldn’t have been more nice and helpful, it was really a phenomenal experience. Can’t say enough good things, definitely try this out!
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Eric
November 2025
Tent
Easy to get to, great spot, tons of room. It's a horse farm with lots of friendly animals running around. (But the camping area is down a small trail and secluded). Heidi brought us fresh eggs in the morning and the roosters made sure we didn't over sleep and waste our day. I'd def come back here. Thanks
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Sarah
November 2025
50 ft fifth wheel
Steve was an awesome host. After we got parked he explained some things he had to offer. I got lavender bunches, honey, and a book written by Steve himself. I teared up when he was explaining the true story of a princess he met at the age of 95, who has an incredible story… I am looking forward to reading it. We spent Halloween night here, without any scary stuff happening, and we lived to tell another story. Thanks Steve.
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Drew
October 2025
Tent
This is our 3rd time camping here. We love the land. And Heidi is an amazing host who always goes above and beyond
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Julia
October 2025
Tent
We enjoyed our stay. The description was perfect and Heidi was very helpful in helping us take our gear to our site. We had a wonderful night's stay. The load of wood provided was really nice. The fresh eggs were a nice extra too!
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Chelsea
October 2025
Tent
With kids
My family and I loved camping on Heidi's land. It was our daughter's first time camping, she is 6 months old. They have dogs on their property and my daughter loved the pomeranian. All of their dogs were super friendly and great with our daughter. We had the camp site next to the ravine, very beautiful. The site was big, lots of space. Heidi and her husband were wonderful hosts! We definitely recommend the stay! The property was easy to find and we had good cell service.
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Jonathan
October 2025
13 ft travel trailer
When we pulled up to the site, Kristen made sure we knew exactly where to park and gave us the layout of her land. It was nice to be able to park our camper there while we visited the nearby town.
This site was quiet and private. We felt very safe here. Kristen communicated well and we knew everything we needed to know before even showing up. We would definitely camp here again!
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Brian
October 2025
Tent
The Commons Oak Savannah is a beautiful property and was the perfect setting for our 1930's themed camp-out. The hilly 1/2 mile cow lane from the highway back to the campsite passes through fields and woodlands and lends a feeling of travelling to a distant place and time, and we had no problem negotiating it our 1928 Model A Ford. The site itself is surrounded by woods with ancient oaks to the north, east and south, and we enjoyed the magnificent sunset over the open fields to the west. Darkness brought the sounds of screech owls and even the distant yips and howls of coyotes. The site itself was large and well mowed, and we found an abundance of wood in the brush pile concealed in the tall grass next to the lane. Prospective campers may want to note that there is a small group of well-maintained honey bee hive boxes adjacent to the site, but they ignored us completely and did not even stray into our camp. The host, Steve, was very congenial, with excellent communication via both hipcamp messaging and phone texting, and his interest in helping us enjoy our experience was readily apparent. I heartily recommend The Commons Oak Savannah to campers seeking a tranquil and authentic experience and hope to return many times myself.
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Vanisa
September 2025
With kids
The Hruby Ranch was everything we were hoping for and more. You can tell immediately that there is a lot of love put into the property. It is very well maintained and easy to do our overnight getaway, having comforts of home and still outdoor camping feeling. Seeing both sunset and sunrise from our site was so special. The animals were our kiddos favorite along with the trampoline!
Thank you Tom and Ally for the hospitality, we hope to make this at least an annual getaway.
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Cyndi
September 2025
Tent
With kids
We had an excellent experience. The campsite was absolutely massive for our group of 17 people. I would definitely come here again.
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Gwen
September 2025
Tent
I had a great camping here. A great place to enjoy the peaceful nature. Great host!
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Emily
September 2025
Tent
A last-minute change of plans, we originally reserved Meadow's Edge, but Heidi offered to move us to a different site that was a better fit for our needs. Arrival instructions were clear, but you do need to read them. When you get to the (correct) driveway, there are a few buildings where the horses are tended, and the parking lot and campground are beyond. You drive past the buildings through a field, with horses on the left, until you reach the wooded area. An orange portapotty marks the campground entrance. The camp site had everything we needed for a night - picnic table, fire pit and accessories, space for a tent, and recycling/garbage bins. The walk from the parking area to our site was not far, but we took Heidi up on the tractor help at the start and used the cart provided when leaving, as we had some heavy things. Easy, private, clean, peaceful. There was some noise from surrounding area (distant music, truck noises), but not problem. Tiller visited us when we were packing up and what they say about him is true. Horses and chickens also very cool. Would recommend and would stay again.
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narlycharley
September 2025
Tent
Steve was a great host. Great with communication. The property was very pretty. Had to cut down and process our own dead wood. The path to the wooded area is grass with very tall thick grass/plants in the center. If you have a vehicle with a nice (painted) front lower bumper, keep scratching in mind. I plan on staying again.
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Rachel
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Heidi has such a special spot! We had such a relaxing, fun time. Our site had everything we needed and more. Heidi was so helpful getting our stuff to our site for us and it was easy to walk stuff out with a wagon. The trails are clearly marked and easy to maneuver. It was an easy drive to many good hiking spots. We also love all of the animals! Tiller, one of the dogs, was a regular visitor and such a good boy! Our son loved going to visit the barn each day to visit the animals and Heidi was so welcoming in introducing us to the animals and showing us around. We will absolutely be back!
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Janina
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Heidi's welcome to our magical woods site was perfect for my family. There are a few sites, and their operation is smooth and feels visitor oriented. Heidi is very kind. The sites have the most useful basics. Trash and recycling, wood starters, lighters, and trash bags. There is a grill to drop over the firepit. The sites are all in heavily sided area, with no traffic sounds. We loved that it was not drive up, and the family helpfully and without hesitating carried our things via tractor. We had the pondside paradise space. We fit 7 people, 3 tents ama 3 hammocks. Note that each site has an entry and exit for the tractor. You have to adjust to camping across those wide paths. Our site may have been the most private, as we were at the end of the tractor road/path. The stream in the description is at the bottom of a huge green ravine. Heidi's family have tied a rope such that you can clamber down the ravine edge. The pond is lovely, albeit very small and slowly drying up. Despite being near water, there were no bugs, as Heidi had promised! It took some time to understand the path to the port-o-potty. Many of the other sites seemed to be closer or open to the tractor road. The overhead trees were glorious and we heard woodpeckers, coyotes, and possibly a wolf. Loved the barn cats, dogs, sheep, goat, chickens, mini horse and chickens. Tiller visited a few times too - A quiet, very gentle dog. 20-30 min from starved rock and mathiessen . Highly highly recommend!
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Vince
August 2025
Tent
With pets
My son and I enjoyed our 2-day campout along with our dog. The site was quiet and very private. There were no other campsites nearby, a huge bonus. It was a bit overgrown when we arrived, but we were able to quickly clear an area for our tent and tarp. I’m sure we will try go back in the future. The location was convenient to my NW suburban home.
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Lauren
August 2025
Tent
With kids
This was our second time staying on Heidi’s beautiful land. Another perfect camping trip!
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Lor
July 2025
Tent
With pets
Heidi was an unbelievable host! The sites are very happy private and pleasant to be in. I cannot recommend this spot enough, especially if you’re looking to enjoy all the national parks in the area. The proceeds that are made from these camping sites go towards the equestrian therapy that Heidi graciously runs. Everything about this place is loving safe and beautiful.
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Nameless
July 2025
Tent
With pets
Had a great time. Heidi and tiller are great hosts!!!
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Jazzy
June 2025
Tent
The place we stayed at was great and we had a ton of fun!! Heidi is such a sweet, kind host, she was a ton of help with getting our stuff back to camp! There’s an option for free camp games and she provides water, eggs, and other goodies. Overall great place and a great host with cute doggies!
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