- Waterside Camping
The best lakeside camping near Lake in the Hills
98% (327) • 13 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Lake in the Hills
Paradise Quarry
1. Paradise Quarry
97%
(53)
28mi from Lake in the Hills · 1 site · Tent, RV
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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$108
/ night
The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun!
2. The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun!
93%
(315)
37mi from Lake in the Hills · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
Twenty years of growing this farm... Not what grows here but the farm itself! Stone and brick pulled from the ground till we found the beautiful earth beneath and built an incredible community around it. Or rather, it grew itself from the energy that surrounds it. It's a special spot where you may happen upon a fire in the sugar shack while we boil city collected sap into maple syrup or have an open jam night with world class jazz musicians. Enjoy the morning serenade of our rooster! Really, just come and be here. Though we think we're pretty cool, a few things to note that you may not think are so cool: There is a train that runs directly behind the farm. Light sleepers, may want to bring ear plugs. We try to accommodate parking your car on site but it's weather and situation conditional. Assume the possibility that you may need to park on the street.
Bring your tent to The Vaudeville! (RVs, campers, trailers, vans please see the ** at the bottom). Our urban farm is smack in the middle of Chicago only a 10 minute bike or train ride from Downtown, Lake Michigan, The Mag Mile and all Chicago has to offer! Bike the Lake Shore Trail, walk the 606, kayak the Chicago River, catch a blues show or Hawks game or just relax with the goats and chickens in the 9,000 square foot farm that we absolutely love to share with fellow campers!
** We have stopped hosting RVs, campers/vans, pull behinds and larger vehicles because we are finding it difficult to get them in the entrance gate but if you feel amazingly capable with your backing in skills in your rig and you're super patient, laid back and extra cool, let us know and we may be able to make it work!! :)
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$48
/ night
Ice Age Retreat
3. Ice Age Retreat
99%
(58)
49mi from Lake in the Hills · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Surrounded by the Kettle Moraine Forest, we purchased this property in October of 2022 to be closer to nature and to share this property with you. We look forward to hosting you. The forest provides many opportunities enjoy! Close to the Ice Age Hiking Trail, Blad Bluff Scenic Overlook within walking distance of our retreat. Hiking, Moutain Biking, Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoe, Horse Back Riding and much more
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$45
/ night
Chain O'Lakes State Park IL
4. Chain O'Lakes State Park IL
100%
(2)
State park 21mi from Lake in the Hills · 185 sites
Explore these connecting lakes on the water or on land!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
5. Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
83%
(9)
State park 31mi from Lake in the Hills · 224 sites
Illinois’ only beach ridge shoreline sits within an hour of the city.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Private Lake Mary Channel Camping
6. Private Lake Mary Channel Camping
100%
(6)
24mi from Lake in the Hills · 1 site
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!
Pets
Campfires
from
$49
/ night
Rock Cut State Park
7. Rock Cut State Park
100%
(6)
State park 35mi from Lake in the Hills · 266 sites
Four seasons of fun await at this rock-cut wilderness within day-trip distance of Chicago.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area
8. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area
100%
(4)
State park 42mi from Lake in the Hills · 92 sites
Follow the yellow brick road, follow the yellow brick road (otherwise known as Route 30) about an hour west of Chicago and find yourself amidst 1,550 acres of rolling prairie! Shabbona Lake encompasses a unique mix of habitats, providing superb outdoor recreation in an untarnished environment. There’s prairie restoration areas where you can spy a variety of native wildflowers and grasses. Spot your feathered friends on their vacation in the 15-acre migratory waterfowl seasonal nesting area.And for the fishers: the park concession stand sells bait and tackle and rents boats, so you can take a spin and cast a line on the 318.8-acre lake. Tent, RV and cabin camping is available, as well as endless picnicking opportunities. FYI: no booze is allowed in the park, so maybe save your famous margs for another occasion.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
98% (327) • 13 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Lake in the Hills
Paradise Quarry
1. Paradise Quarry
97%
(53)
28mi from Lake in the Hills · 1 site · Tent, RV
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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$108
/ night
The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun!
2. The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun!
93%
(315)
37mi from Lake in the Hills · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
Twenty years of growing this farm... Not what grows here but the farm itself! Stone and brick pulled from the ground till we found the beautiful earth beneath and built an incredible community around it. Or rather, it grew itself from the energy that surrounds it. It's a special spot where you may happen upon a fire in the sugar shack while we boil city collected sap into maple syrup or have an open jam night with world class jazz musicians. Enjoy the morning serenade of our rooster! Really, just come and be here. Though we think we're pretty cool, a few things to note that you may not think are so cool: There is a train that runs directly behind the farm. Light sleepers, may want to bring ear plugs. We try to accommodate parking your car on site but it's weather and situation conditional. Assume the possibility that you may need to park on the street.
Bring your tent to The Vaudeville! (RVs, campers, trailers, vans please see the ** at the bottom). Our urban farm is smack in the middle of Chicago only a 10 minute bike or train ride from Downtown, Lake Michigan, The Mag Mile and all Chicago has to offer! Bike the Lake Shore Trail, walk the 606, kayak the Chicago River, catch a blues show or Hawks game or just relax with the goats and chickens in the 9,000 square foot farm that we absolutely love to share with fellow campers!
** We have stopped hosting RVs, campers/vans, pull behinds and larger vehicles because we are finding it difficult to get them in the entrance gate but if you feel amazingly capable with your backing in skills in your rig and you're super patient, laid back and extra cool, let us know and we may be able to make it work!! :)
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$48
/ night
Ice Age Retreat
3. Ice Age Retreat
99%
(58)
49mi from Lake in the Hills · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Surrounded by the Kettle Moraine Forest, we purchased this property in October of 2022 to be closer to nature and to share this property with you. We look forward to hosting you. The forest provides many opportunities enjoy! Close to the Ice Age Hiking Trail, Blad Bluff Scenic Overlook within walking distance of our retreat. Hiking, Moutain Biking, Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoe, Horse Back Riding and much more
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$45
/ night
Chain O'Lakes State Park IL
4. Chain O'Lakes State Park IL
100%
(2)
State park 21mi from Lake in the Hills · 185 sites
Explore these connecting lakes on the water or on land!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
5. Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
83%
(9)
State park 31mi from Lake in the Hills · 224 sites
Illinois’ only beach ridge shoreline sits within an hour of the city.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Private Lake Mary Channel Camping
6. Private Lake Mary Channel Camping
100%
(6)
24mi from Lake in the Hills · 1 site
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!
Pets
Campfires
from
$49
/ night
Rock Cut State Park
7. Rock Cut State Park
100%
(6)
State park 35mi from Lake in the Hills · 266 sites
Four seasons of fun await at this rock-cut wilderness within day-trip distance of Chicago.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area
8. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area
100%
(4)
State park 42mi from Lake in the Hills · 92 sites
Follow the yellow brick road, follow the yellow brick road (otherwise known as Route 30) about an hour west of Chicago and find yourself amidst 1,550 acres of rolling prairie! Shabbona Lake encompasses a unique mix of habitats, providing superb outdoor recreation in an untarnished environment. There’s prairie restoration areas where you can spy a variety of native wildflowers and grasses. Spot your feathered friends on their vacation in the 15-acre migratory waterfowl seasonal nesting area.And for the fishers: the park concession stand sells bait and tackle and rents boats, so you can take a spin and cast a line on the 318.8-acre lake. Tent, RV and cabin camping is available, as well as endless picnicking opportunities. FYI: no booze is allowed in the park, so maybe save your famous margs for another occasion.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
G
Gemini
2 weeks ago
Tent
If you’re looking for a truly unique waterfront camping experience, this is it. This beautiful quarry-turned-campsite is an absolute hidden gem. The family has thoughtfully transformed the land into a peaceful, scenic escape that feels worlds away from the city. Waking up by the water, surrounded by quiet and natural beauty, was exactly the reset I needed. It’s rare to find a place that feels both secluded and welcoming at the same time — but this spot absolutely delivers.
The hosts were fantastic — responsive, kind, and genuinely accommodating. Since I camped in the winter (which made the experience even more serene), they graciously allowed me a late checkout because bookings are lighter this time of year. That flexibility made my stay even more relaxing and showed how much they care about their guests’ experience.
For future campers, just a couple helpful tips: the gate could use a bit of maintenance, as it was somewhat heavy to open and close — especially as a solo camper. And be sure to bring heavy-duty tent stakes designed for rocky ground. Standard stakes are tough to drive into the soil, which is completely understandable given that the property is a former quarry.
Overall, this was an incredible stay. Peaceful, picturesque, and thoughtfully hosted — I would absolutely return and highly recommend it to anyone who loves camping by the water and wants a special getaway.
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Bryan
January 2026
Tent
Easy to find and location was great. Very quiet and private. Would do a return visit. Chris was very responsive if I reached out but I didn't have any issues so didn't have a lot of interaction. Appreciate Chris for allowing my the privilege to camp on his property. I would like to return for another camp there.
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K
Kasie
November 2025
20 ft campervan
Nice private location with great access to trails including the Ice Age Trail. Another site located across field at a good distance allowing plenty of space for all. Will definitely be back.
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M
Mary Jo
October 2025
21 ft campervan
Nicky's urban farm was truly an oasis and refuge in the big city. After spending the day in Chicago, to come just 6 miles away and have grass, trees, goats, and chickens, potential for a fire in a fire pit, and calm, was priceless. Nicky and her partner are super friendly and helpful. The train does come behind her property, but they are quieter and fewer at night and did not disturb us. A wonderful stay!
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Heidi
October 2025
23 ft travel trailer
We have stayed here in the past and have enjoyed the peace and quiet. It's a perfect camping spot. Chris is an awesome host!
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V
Viviane
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Chris was accommodating and helpful. The site came with water and wood. A lot of room. Dogs loved it too!
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D
Daddy
October 2025
Tent
With pets
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!
See moreR
Ruben
October 2025
Tent
Great little hidden gem just outside downtown! The space is gated, peaceful, and perfect for posting up , my small tent fit like a dream. Nicole was super kind and accommodating, and the Green Line’s only a 5 minute walk (if that). Oh, and there are goats. Actual, adorable goats. Baaah. 10/10 would camp again.
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M
Megan
October 2025
Tent
With kids
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!
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D
David
October 2025
Tent
Great site! Host is friendly. Plenty of firewood, well-maintained compost toilet. Good access to hiking and regional attractions. No complaints.
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D
David
October 2025
21 ft travel trailer
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
See moreM
Malaika
September 2025
Tent
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!
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K
Katie
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Great spot to relax and view the stars at night! It feels really secluded when you get to your site, there’s 1 more in the vicinity but you still have plenty of privacy. You may hear some road noise during the day but it gets quiet and serene as it gets dark. Host was kind and communicative, she even came by around checkout to see if we needed any help. All around a great time, I can’t wait to spend another night here again in the future
See moreJ
Jersey
September 2025
Tent
sweet host & adorable animals! camping here was such a unique experience :)
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jim
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Very nice location in the city. Nicky was super nice and accommodating.
See moreD
Dominick
September 2025
Tent
Nicky was an amazing host with an awesome spot for relaxing and conversing. It was a very welcoming environment and met my needs perfectly. I will be back!
See moreC
Christian
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
Quiet and secluded campsite with lots of space. The site came with lots of good firewood which was super nice to not have to worry about.
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J
Josh
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Great spot, plenty of room and we caught some fish!
See moreJ
Joseph
September 2025
20 ft travel trailer
With pets
We camped w a 20 ft trailer rv. It was a nice quiet semi remote site. Nature and peace n quiet. And mosquitoes. We had tiki torches n citronella n spray n really enjoyed our stay. Firewood was supplied n great quality. Until it rained, lol.
Definitely will be coming back again.
Thanks for the great spot
See moreP
Pat
September 2025
Tent
Beautiful place.
And great location -- near the Ice Age Trail, and Old World Wisconsin.
Great hosts!
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