The best forest campgrounds near Skokie, Illinois

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping options near Skokie, Illinois, with a forest terrain preference. With over 340 options available, you're sure to find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. Looking for a campsite with great reviews? Check out Mulln-Heim Vineyards (342 reviews), Purplehaze Acres (295 reviews), and East Woods on the IL River (135 reviews). Prices start as low as $20 per night, with an average price of $50 per night. And don't worry about amenities - popular options like trash, showers, and toilets are available. Plus, you'll have plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching, hiking, and even surfing. Happy camping!

98% (157)

Top-rated campgrounds

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping options near Skokie, Illinois, with a forest terrain preference. With over 340 options available, you're sure to find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. Looking for a campsite with great reviews? Check out Mulln-Heim Vineyards (342 reviews), Purplehaze Acres (295 reviews), and East Woods on the IL River (135 reviews). Prices start as low as $20 per night, with an average price of $50 per night. And don't worry about amenities - popular options like trash, showers, and toilets are available. Plus, you'll have plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching, hiking, and even surfing. Happy camping!

98% (157)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Daisy’s Farms On Notalotta Acers

99%

(41)

46mi from Skokie · 10 sites · Tents · Big Rock, IL

Local Farm. Close enough to socialize. Far enough away to matter. Next door to “‘More Polish Pottery” in Big Rock IL. Near Dekalb, Sandwich, Plano, Hinkley, Big Rock, Aurora, and Sugar Grove. Many sites, bars, shops, and places to eat. Touching Big Rock forest preserve. Features egg stand. Private setting. Fire pit. Multiple spots to choose from. Great views. Pet friendly. Local showers and pool at local Plano YMCA. May see farm animals up close and personal. Please leave them at site. 11 min or less to Raging Waves Water Park. It’s right down the road! An hour commute or less to Chicago. Open May 1 through Sept 30 (extended due to nice weather so if you can book it. You can stay.) The end of the season this year will be September 30th. And then we will be closed for the winter until May first. Unless otherwise specified. Usually closed for the winter months. Sugar Grove Family Fun Center up the road. Goat Yoga and Wholly Bean close by. Local forest preserve has toilets or bring your own porti-john. Bring your horses. Set up a temp spot. We have the space. And there is riding at the forest preserve right around the corner. Camp with your HORSES! We have a swing set and small child play sets. A trampoline. A tire swing. Y’all are more than welcome to use it. Just be respectful and make sure your children do not harm our land, animals, or gardens. 💕🙏

2. Auch Farm.

100%

(62)

45mi from Skokie · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Mount Pleasant, WI

Rustic Escape on an 8-Acre Homestead – Pines, Trails & Wetland Views Step into a peaceful, off-grid retreat on our 8-acre homestead—where open grassy fields meet whispering pines, and nature invites you to slow down. Set up camp in the wide-open meadow or follow a quiet trail through the woods to a secluded, wooded site overlooking untouched wetlands. It’s the perfect spot to relax in a hammock, stargaze by the fire, or just kick back and stay a while. We border protected wetland conservation land, offering a truly remote and rustic experience—secluded, yet still close to town for anything you might need. Please note: This is boondocking only. There are no toilet facilities, so we ask campers to bring a bucket, sawdust, and pack everything out. It’s your stuff—we don’t want it! Farm Life Bonus: We share the land with friendly goats and egg-laying hens. You’re welcome to say hello, feed the goats (they LOVE weeds—feel free to pull some and treat them!), and even pick up fresh eggs in the morning ($5/dozen—just ask, as availability varies). This is a back-to-nature experience, perfect for tent campers, vanlifers, and RVers who enjoy space, simplicity, and real connection with the land.

3. A Creek Runs Through It

93%

(15)

32mi from Skokie · 2 sites · RVs · Elgin, IL

I love sharing this beautiful piece of land with other nature lovers. You feel like you're out in the middle of the woods yet if you drive 5 minutes to Randall road there's any restaurant or store you could ever need. I look forward to sharing this space with you!

4. The Dunes Escape

45mi from Skokie · 1 site · Lodging · Porter, IN

We live 4 miles from the National Lake Shore ..

5. The Commons Oak Savanna

92%

(25)

40mi from Skokie · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Woodstock, IL

Learn more about this land: (NOTE) Greenwood Rd and Illinois Rt 120 are the same...Google uses Greenwood Rd, and the State prefers Illinois Rte 120) Get away from it and commune with nature in a pre-settlement natural oak savanna with oaks and hickories of 200-400 years. 25-acre woodland completely fenced and surrounded by cropland and woods with no homes or roads within a half mile. Experience the land as the nomadic Indian tribes saw it. Trails cross the property. Hawks, owls, turkeys, and occasional bald eagles, along with finches, woodpeckers, doves, and martins fill the sky; while deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits roam the grounds. Only two camps are available to keep the setting pristine and primitive and a third site can be used behind the sheds if you encounter unexpected weather.

6. Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

100%

(6)

43mi from Skokie · 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!

7. Walnut Woods Farm

100%

(3)

49mi from Skokie · 1 site · Tent · Yorkville, IL

7 acres with a mile of winding trails on a working horse farm, featuring two ponds (one stocked for fishing) and a rustic hike-in private campsite. The property offers two small private campsites and a fenced area for horse camping. Explore pristine fenlands, a young black walnut grove, a small prairie restoration, and more. An archery range and horse camping are also available. Owners live on-site and are happy to help if needed, but never intrusive. And yes — therapy chickens are available for cuddles! 🐔❤️

8. The Mannex! Indiana Dunes Nat'l Pk

100%

(12)

46mi from Skokie · 1 site · RV · Beverly Shores, IN

The Man's Annex aka the Mannex is located on Scenic US HWY 12 to the South and The South Shore Commuter Rail to the North. The campsite is very clean, tidy and safe. The main pebble parking area slopes gently to the North so you will want levelers if you're in a camper. I have a brand new RV Pedestal complete with 50 and 30amp service, a mechanical timer for the LED lights encompassing the parking area as well as a rheostat so you can dim the lights. I have a 40" firepit with spark arrestor (please use to be in compliance with local laws) as well as a polywood octagonal picnic table and well water with 100' hose. Trash and human waste is to be carried out. Please keep your camper to the east of the blue and yellow birdhouses as access to the building is needed. The location is great! You're inside the dunes national park and only 1.35 miles to the beach. Just north of the train tracks is the Calumet bike path. .35 to the west is a gas station with a bathroom, the south shore train station (day trip to Chicago anyone?), a great restaurant and liquor store as well. Bikes are HIGHLY recommended to be able to help facilitate your exploring of this very unique part of the country. If you're a birder and you don't already know, bring your binocs, this is one of the best birding towns in the Midwest / country due to the location and it's biodiversity.

9. The Aloha Ranch

100%

(19)

48mi from Skokie · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Harvard, IL

We have 26 acres of land to have fun on and enjoy nature! Turtles, rabbits, deer, possums, and snakes are just a few of the wildlife that you may encounter. The Kishwaukee river runs along the property bringing a variety of creatures as well as a nice place to cool off on hot days. You can find wild berry trees and beautiful flowers. Enjoy campfires and gaze upon the vast sky full of stars at night. There are multiple camping sites, some surrounded by trees and others in open fields to suit your preference and camping vehicle. Learn more about this land: Welcome to our 26 acres surrounded by the Kishwaukee River. Small trails, secluded yet near food, shopping and activities. Pet friendly, bon fires, barbecuing, gorgeous sunrises and tranquil sunsets. We are a family run small farm with dogs, horses, ponies and chickens. Only 1 hour 20 minutes from downtown Chicago and 1 hour from Ohare airport. Near Wisconsin border, Fox River, Lake Geneva, Rush Creek, Volo Museum & Antiques. Look up things to do in McHenry as well.

Camper favorites near Skokie

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

The Dunes Escape

45mi from Skokie · 1 site · Lodging · Porter, IN

We live 4 miles from the National Lake Shore ..

The Commons Oak Savanna

92%

(25)

40mi from Skokie · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Woodstock, IL

Learn more about this land: (NOTE) Greenwood Rd and Illinois Rt 120 are the same...Google uses Greenwood Rd, and the State prefers Illinois Rte 120) Get away from it and commune with nature in a pre-settlement natural oak savanna with oaks and hickories of 200-400 years. 25-acre woodland completely fenced and surrounded by cropland and woods with no homes or roads within a half mile. Experience the land as the nomadic Indian tribes saw it. Trails cross the property. Hawks, owls, turkeys, and occasional bald eagles, along with finches, woodpeckers, doves, and martins fill the sky; while deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits roam the grounds. Only two camps are available to keep the setting pristine and primitive and a third site can be used behind the sheds if you encounter unexpected weather.

Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

100%

(6)

43mi from Skokie · 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!

Walnut Woods Farm

100%

(3)

49mi from Skokie · 1 site · Tent · Yorkville, IL

7 acres with a mile of winding trails on a working horse farm, featuring two ponds (one stocked for fishing) and a rustic hike-in private campsite. The property offers two small private campsites and a fenced area for horse camping. Explore pristine fenlands, a young black walnut grove, a small prairie restoration, and more. An archery range and horse camping are also available. Owners live on-site and are happy to help if needed, but never intrusive. And yes — therapy chickens are available for cuddles! 🐔❤️

The Mannex! Indiana Dunes Nat'l Pk

100%

(12)

46mi from Skokie · 1 site · RV · Beverly Shores, IN

The Man's Annex aka the Mannex is located on Scenic US HWY 12 to the South and The South Shore Commuter Rail to the North. The campsite is very clean, tidy and safe. The main pebble parking area slopes gently to the North so you will want levelers if you're in a camper. I have a brand new RV Pedestal complete with 50 and 30amp service, a mechanical timer for the LED lights encompassing the parking area as well as a rheostat so you can dim the lights. I have a 40" firepit with spark arrestor (please use to be in compliance with local laws) as well as a polywood octagonal picnic table and well water with 100' hose. Trash and human waste is to be carried out. Please keep your camper to the east of the blue and yellow birdhouses as access to the building is needed. The location is great! You're inside the dunes national park and only 1.35 miles to the beach. Just north of the train tracks is the Calumet bike path. .35 to the west is a gas station with a bathroom, the south shore train station (day trip to Chicago anyone?), a great restaurant and liquor store as well. Bikes are HIGHLY recommended to be able to help facilitate your exploring of this very unique part of the country. If you're a birder and you don't already know, bring your binocs, this is one of the best birding towns in the Midwest / country due to the location and it's biodiversity.

The Aloha Ranch

100%

(19)

48mi from Skokie · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Harvard, IL

We have 26 acres of land to have fun on and enjoy nature! Turtles, rabbits, deer, possums, and snakes are just a few of the wildlife that you may encounter. The Kishwaukee river runs along the property bringing a variety of creatures as well as a nice place to cool off on hot days. You can find wild berry trees and beautiful flowers. Enjoy campfires and gaze upon the vast sky full of stars at night. There are multiple camping sites, some surrounded by trees and others in open fields to suit your preference and camping vehicle. Learn more about this land: Welcome to our 26 acres surrounded by the Kishwaukee River. Small trails, secluded yet near food, shopping and activities. Pet friendly, bon fires, barbecuing, gorgeous sunrises and tranquil sunsets. We are a family run small farm with dogs, horses, ponies and chickens. Only 1 hour 20 minutes from downtown Chicago and 1 hour from Ohare airport. Near Wisconsin border, Fox River, Lake Geneva, Rush Creek, Volo Museum & Antiques. Look up things to do in McHenry as well.

Stories from the community

J

Jacob

November 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Auch Farm.

Beautiful land, the host has clearly been working hard to create nice camp sites. We enjoyed it so much we booked another night.

J

Jennifer

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Walnut Woods Farm

Suzanne, Jeremy and roommates were AMAZING! I love their property and the work they have put in to it to share with others. They spent so much time with me, teaching me! The horses , chickens (Beta ❤️), stocked pond and mowed paths. Beautiful!

Big rock forest preserve right around the corner. Hiking trails. Allows horses! I’ll allow horses on the farm. Ask me on advance to set something up. Camp with your horses!

C

Cristian

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Daisy’s Farms On Notalotta Acers

Easy check in and check out simple signs and location. Nice set up.

A

Ash

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Auch Farm.

great place to stay. it was a private and easy to get to camp spot, goats and bees near by. Thank you Ron

Meaghan

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Auch Farm.

We had a great time camping on Ron's land. Lots of great places for kiddos to walk around and explore, plus they had fun visiting the chickens and goats. Would love to come back!

J

Jonathan

October 2025

13 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to A Creek Runs Through It

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!

a

amanda

October 2025

35 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Auch Farm.

First impression I thought I was lost, that’s the point right? Very responsive to communication and flexible. Escorted by farm tractor to location, let me see different sights to pick from. I picked tucked in the woods for some seclusion. Brought my two dogs and they loved running in the 3 different fields close by, we even visited the goats multiple times to give them some weeds. 2 other sites were being used but you would never know it. Would visit again for a quick getaway.

A

Adam

October 2025

24 ft Class C

Weekend Trip to Auch Farm.

Ron had a beautiful piece of property! We loved the peace and quiet getting away from the everyday hustle. Would recommend to anyone. We were able to get our class c camper nestled in the perfect spot.

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!

D

Deron

October 2025

24 ft travel trailer

3 nights at The Mannex! Indiana Dunes Nat'l Pk

Absolutely PERFECT private camping spot!! Geoff has done an immaculate job of setting up a well maintained and comfortable stay. 30amp plug in, hose to transfer water, fire pit and café lighting hung for ambiance. Timer and dimmer in the electric box. As it says in his profile, there is the e-train that goes by occasionally- but by no means does it minimize the stay! Geoff stopped by to welcome us, great guy. Had some common threads and ended up having a couple beers with him and great conversation. Ended up booking with him b/c the campgrounds were full - but will easily stay there again no matter what!

Motor Camping Near Woodstock, IL, ca. 1930

B

Brian

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Commons Oak Savanna

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.

N

Nicolas

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Auch Farm.

Had a great time staying at Ron’s farm. The goats and chickens were adorable and the fresh eggs were delicious. Fire pit was awesome and the area was really spacious. Ron was a very nice guy, super helpful if you need anything. Highly recommend!

E

Estefania

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Walnut Woods Farm

One of the best camping experiences I’ve ever had 🌿. The place feels super safe, cozy, and peaceful; we truly enjoyed a real camping experience with lots of privacy and connection to nature. Suzanne was so kind from the moment we arrived, and even helped us carry our things to the campsite with a tractor. We also got to meet her beautiful horses and give them treats 🐴💛. Another highlight was the flexible check-in and check-out times, which made everything so much easier and stress-free. That was one of the main reasons we chose this spot, and it really made a difference. We left feeling delighted and are already looking forward to coming back!

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!

N

Nicole

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Daisy’s Farms On Notalotta Acers

The site we were at was absolutely beautiful woke up to a beautiful sunrise. Highly recommend site A!!

Bonnie

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Walnut Woods Farm

My two nights at Suzanne‘s campsite were perfect. She was very responsive when I was having difficulties with the directions, she had brought down nearly 5 gallons of water to the campsite as well as wood, if I wished to have a fire, and helped me bring my tent and bags to the campsite on her tractor. Suzanne is practicing great stewardship of the land while having a working farm with horses and lots of chickens. . She and her husband have horses and many happy chickens. She was also kind enough to light the path to and from the Porta potty and my campsite. I traveled with my two small dogs. Both of them loved running around on the miles of trails that they have on their property. And I will definitely return to see how it develops over the years. I was also really charmed by that neck of the woods. As a resident of a suburb of Chicago, I forget how much of Illinois is not Chicago and how beautiful many parts of it are including the nearby Fox River. I’d definitely recommend this campsite (and she has a bigger one too!).

G

Gwen

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Commons Oak Savanna

I had a great camping here. A great place to enjoy the peaceful nature. Great host!

n

narlycharley

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Commons Oak Savanna

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.

Rob

September 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Auch Farm.

I wish we could’ve stayed longer. We were just starting to get to know our neighbors- the goats and chickens, Bard owls, coyotes, and the usual suspects - Jays, cardinals, chickadees, and the eastern peewee. The property is beautiful. You can choose sites that are more remote or in fields with mature pines and open skies for star gazing. The place is located between Racine and Kenosha - an abundance of good restaurants, taverns and resale shops. Also good to note that the “big” lake is a 5 minute drive. Beaches and parks nearby, if you choose to picnic or go for a swim. All in all, a beautiful visit. Enough to decompress before we head back to the busyness of life. Thank you for sharing your property with us, Ron. We wish you well, we wish you happiness, and we wish you peace.

N

Nicole

September 2025

15 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Auch Farm.

We had an outstanding last minute holiday weekend at Ron’s land. Ron was very hospitable and his land is gorgeous. Very nicely groomed walking paths and we met some of the friendliest goats ever on his farm. We can’t wait to return again in the future.