Looking for a peaceful lakeside campground within striking distance of Chicago? Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Illinois, offers a relaxing setting with big-rig-friendly sites, great lake views, and easy access to both nature and urban adventures. Here’s our experience from our mid-July stay!
Campground Review
We were pleasantly surprised by the large, spacious campsites at Illinois Beach State Park. Plenty of room between sites gives you that “off-the-grid” feel — even though you’re less than 90 minutes from the Windy City.
We reserved a site in the 300 section, which backed right up to Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, it was a bit too steep for our 38-ft motorhome. No problem, though — we moved to a first-come, first-served site in the 100 section, which was much more level and worked out perfectly.
Weekday camping was nearly empty, but the place filled up over the weekend. Despite the crowds, it stayed surprisingly quiet — lots of folks enjoying campfires and a peaceful atmosphere.
🚴 Pro tip: Lots of kids are riding bikes, so take it easy driving through the loops. We saw quite a few folks ignoring the posted 10 MPH speed limit.
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Location
Illinois Beach State Park
39150 Illinois Beach State Park Rd
Zion, IL 60099
Only about an hour’s drive from downtown Chicago, this park makes for a great base camp if you want to explore the city without being stuck in the hustle and bustle.
Amenities
- Showers: Extremely clean. Could use a new curtain, but the water pressure was excellent — one of the best we’ve seen.
- Playgrounds: Several areas for the kiddos to burn off energy.
- Staff: Very friendly and helpful. Always ready to answer questions.
- Grounds: Well-maintained and clean throughout the park.
Watch out for mosquitoes! They were relentless during our visit. Don’t forget your bug spray.
The Beach Beyond the Resort Area
On July 9, we scouted the area past the resort to find a kayak launch for Lake Michigan. Honestly, we weren’t impressed. The parking lot felt a little sketchy — too many people just hanging out, loud music blaring from their cars. It didn’t feel like a safe place to leave our Jeep unattended while kayaking, so we skipped it.
That said, the beach itself was very clean, and several people were out swimming. There’s no lifeguard on duty, but the shore is wide and inviting.
At first glance, the beach looks trashy — but it’s actually covered in white rocks and shells, not garbage. Great place for sandcastle building, but no dogs are allowed in the beach area.
Things to See and Do Nearby
We made the short drive to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and also visited Chicago. We originally planned to ride the Metra into the city, but the schedule didn’t work for us. We ended up driving and paying for parking (ouch).
Still — totally worth it. We caught a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, and hopped on one of those hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses for a fun overview of downtown.
👉 Click here for more things to do around Chicago
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a campground near Chicago that feels like a getaway, Illinois Beach State Park is a solid choice. It’s far enough from the city to be quiet and peaceful but close enough for day trips. We’d stay here again — with plenty of bug spray in tow!
Have You Been?
Have you visited Illinois Beach State Park or found another great camping spot near a major city? Drop your recommendations in the comments — we’re always on the lookout for neat, out-of-the-way places to add to our list!
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