Aurora

It’s possible to camp near Chicago with a stay in Aurora.

Find & reserve the best beach, lake, and river, stream, or creek campsites near Aurora, Illinois. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

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Governor Dodge State Park

Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

Mirror Lake State Park

Chain O'Lakes State Park IL

Brunet Island State Park

Council Grounds State Park

Hartman Creek State Park

Peninsula State Park

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The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun!

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!! :)

East Woods on the IL River

This 25 acre parcel was once owned by a sand mining company.  There are mounds and valleys all along the Illinois River.  We purchased the property in 1987, and cut in the road.   The city of Ottawa recently annexed the property into the Ottawa city limits.  It's like owning our own wild park.

Welcome to our Magical Woods

Peaceful and enchanting. Very rustic and private.  we are in the best part of the Illinois wilderness. Our woods transport you a world away, yet you are just a short walk from your vehicle and a short drive to Starved Rock, numerous parks, lakes, hiking, fishing and boating sites, stores,  and restaurants. 

We have 4 well spaced campsites complete with fire pit, picnic table and a couple of chairs ready for you at your campsite.  Rent 1 or rent them all! Just bring your tent or your hammock!  Your initial firewood . lighter, trash and recycling cans, and firestarters  are brought to your site before you arrive. 

Our "camp host" Tiller the big lovable doggo will patrol to scatter any trash pandas that might happen by. We keep track of him using GPS, so we know if He is hanging with you around the campfire. When his collar lights up and plays a tune, it's time for him to come home! Please send him on his way - thank you.

We are LBGTQ+, LatinX and Very Family Friendly.  Everyone is welcome here. 

Message us when you are 30 minutes out, so we can you our tractor to help bring your things to your site.  Same at check out. Just let us know 30 mins before you are ready to go and we will help you pack out!  Sorry you will not be able to drive your vehicle to your site. This keeps the woods quiet for all of our guests. Each site is just a few hundred feet from the parking area. 

The magical woods is located along the bridle trails behind our horse farm. Sorry, we do not offer trail rides as we have show horses. However you are welcome to arrange a visit to meet the animals when you arrive. We have horses, a miniature horse, a mule, miniature sheep and a very sweet goat named Hairy. There are about 50 chickens wandering the yard all day and we have 3 dogs and 3 cats that are always around. They are used to other dogs. 

At night we have a lovely lullaby of owls, night birds, insects and frogs. Sometimes you can even hear sounds from the Illinois River and railway a miles away.  Barges, trains (not many) tug boats,  and the interesting sounds that come with them. Listen carefully, can you tell them apart?

Golden pond is treated regularly for mosquitos

Kayak Morris Riverside Tent Campsit

Enjoy your stay on our sandy wooded shores of the Illinois river.  Spend your time kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching.  Forgot something?  Starbucks, Walgreens, jewel and Walmart are only 2 miles away. Stroll 2 blocks away to historic downtown Morris and peruse antique shops specialty stores or take in a cold one at one of the many local watering holes

Kayak Morris 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 Kayak Morris kayak Rental office and sign a waiver and receive a parking pass/wristband.  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.

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

 

NO GENERATORS!!!

Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am and is 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 we may call the police file a report, you will be evicted without refund and you will be banned from ever camping again.

IF YOUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PARKING PASS IT WILL BE TOWED AT YOUR EXPENSE!   

Check-in is at 3:00 pm. Check-out time is 3:00 pm.

Footwear must be worn at all times in the camping area.

No vehicles may be driven within the area where tents are placed at any time.  You must park your vehicle next to the road behind the barriers(which is only steps from your tent.)

The speed limit is 10mph in the campground.

We have Jumbo wood bundles for sale($8) at the front office.

You may not use any wood(&gt;3”diameter) found within the campground for your campfire. 

Swimming is prohibited from any beach in the campground. You may wade up to your thighs however, ALL CHILDREN MUST HAVE A LIFE JACKET ON AND BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES

Glass containers/bottles of any sort are prohibited in the campground.

Garbage must be bagged and placed into the Dumpster(opposite campsite #3)  within the Campground upon leaving.  If any garbage is left at your site you will be charged a $50 cleaning fee.

No fires permitted except in fire rings.

Absolutely no firearms or fireworks! IF FOUND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE.

No ATVs, dirt bikes, generators, motorized scooters (battery or gas) or trailers in the park.

power boats or jet skis are only allowed in campsites  12 and up.

Dogs are NOT allowed in the Campground or in any rented boat(at this location)

WE are not responsible for damage or theft of your personal belongings.  Please leave all valuables at home.

Rancho Comienzo

Rancho Del Comienzo is located at the intersection of Somonauk Creek and the Fox River. 150+ years ago, it was a commonly used Native American encampment. Now it is the site of Rancho Del Comienzo Hay and Horses. We ask that if you find an arrowhead that you respect the land and leave it where it lays.

Somonauk Creek is a known spawning ground of musky and other Illinois river fish. There is access to both the Fox River and Somonauk Creek for kayaking, canoeing, fishing and other water-activities!

We have two unique camping sites that are level and allow campfires. We look forward to hosting you!

Wonderful, Relaxing site overlooks our fields and CRP (conservation) land!

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