The best waterside campgrounds near Skokie, Illinois

Skokie packs over 650 waterside camping options—meaning you can pitch a tent steps from rivers, lakes, or quiet ponds. Average nightly rates sit around $46, with some sites dipping as low as $39. You’ll find practical comforts: toilets, showers, and campfire rings are standard at most sites. snow sports, swimming, and fishing keep campers busy year-round. Locals rave about The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun! (222 reviews), Escape to Nature (181 reviews), and Paradise Quarry (22 reviews)—expect ponds ringed with wildflowers, quiet fishing spots, and easy trail access. Skokie isn’t wilderness, but it’s a quick escape with legit waterside views and real outdoor breathing room.

97% (543)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

96%

(24)

40mi from Skokie · 5 sites · Lodging · Gary, IN

This is a hidden gem in the outskirts of Gary. Located on the Calumet river is this amazing horse farm with 3 horses and 4 ponies. It’s 1 mile off of the 80/94 and 65 highway. Only a 45 min drive from Chicago. We also offer free parking to Miller Beach on Lake Michigan which is only a 10 min drive to there and the Indiana Dunes. Theres also Deep River Dam where you can drop your kayak and do some fishing less then a mile away. Pet fee 50 dollars for 1st pet 25 dollars for 2nd pet (75) 2 max pets

2. 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!

Skokie packs over 650 waterside camping options—meaning you can pitch a tent steps from rivers, lakes, or quiet ponds. Average nightly rates sit around $46, with some sites dipping as low as $39. You’ll find practical comforts: toilets, showers, and campfire rings are standard at most sites. snow sports, swimming, and fishing keep campers busy year-round. Locals rave about The Vaudeville Urban Farm Fun! (222 reviews), Escape to Nature (181 reviews), and Paradise Quarry (22 reviews)—expect ponds ringed with wildflowers, quiet fishing spots, and easy trail access. Skokie isn’t wilderness, but it’s a quick escape with legit waterside views and real outdoor breathing room.

97% (543)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

96%

(24)

40mi from Skokie · 5 sites · Lodging · Gary, IN

This is a hidden gem in the outskirts of Gary. Located on the Calumet river is this amazing horse farm with 3 horses and 4 ponies. It’s 1 mile off of the 80/94 and 65 highway. Only a 45 min drive from Chicago. We also offer free parking to Miller Beach on Lake Michigan which is only a 10 min drive to there and the Indiana Dunes. Theres also Deep River Dam where you can drop your kayak and do some fishing less then a mile away. Pet fee 50 dollars for 1st pet 25 dollars for 2nd pet (75) 2 max pets

2. 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!

Public campgrounds near Skokie

83%

(9)

Illinois Beach Campground

28mi from Skokie · 224 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park

95%

(40)

Dunewood Campground

46mi from Skokie · 66 sites · Tents, RVs · in Indiana Dunes National Park

Stories from the community

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!

C

Camilla

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

We had a wonderful stay. Nice to have a getaway like this so close to the city. We enjoyed the site- absolutely beautiful view of ponies and goats. Camper was worn and comfortable and very well stocked. There’s some highway noise but it becomes like white noise- I didn’t notice it really. The host was incredibly nice and helpful and communicative. We hope to return.

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!

s

smita

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

We had such a wonderful stay here! Derek is a very helpful and responsive host. My daughter absolutely loved all the animals — cats, dogs, horses, and goats — which made the trip extra special. The location is perfect, close to the beach and just a short drive from Chicago, so it was both relaxing and convenient. We would definitely love to come back again.

Y

Yasmine

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

This spot is perfect for a one tent camp. You could tell the owner put a lot of work into this spot. The two dogs we brought did really well off leash and loved diving off the docks at Lake Mary. Check out Cup of Joe in town for good coffee. Make sure to bring your kayaks ( we did not ) as the little creek does take you straight to the lake. Lastly this spot is hidden within a neighborhood just as an fyi, but I definitely think it’s worth trying out.

Amanda

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

Love this place so much, this was my second time back and plan to come again next summer. Beautiful spot and beautiful beach 10 min away. It’s close to Illinois so it’s a short drive. Highly recommend

B

Ben

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

Great host, great place! Tips: bring bug spray and the water heater is a 6 gallon dudad. Great for camping, though. Enjoyed the rocking swing.

Amanda

July 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

I loved this place sooo much. The location was perfect and the private beach that we were able to go to from the Host was AMAZING! I unfortunately had to come later and leave earlier but I already booked another stay cause I cannot stop thinking about it! This was absolutely needed after a rough week. Cannot wait to go back. Highly recommend.

K

Kate

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

Such a great spot! Beautiful and easy to get to !

j

jordan

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

The site is exactly as advertised. Due to storms i wasnt able to check out lake mary sadly but im sure having a direct channel into the lake would have been nice. The camp site is small and very close to 2 back yards from neighbors so unfortunately you have to be pretty quiet. You also may have trouble pitching a very large tent due to the small size of the site. Overall a good place to camp thanks for the experience 👍

T

Taylor

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Private Lake Mary Channel Camping

Great spot to camp. Firewood provided!! Would definitely recommend it.

D

Davin

November 2024

Weekend Trip to Rocking Horse Camping Ranch