Campgrounds and RV parks near Arlington Heights, IL

Arlington Heights sits in Chicago's northwest suburbs, and most RV camping options are clustered north and northwest of the village in Lake and McHenry counties. The Chain O' Lakes region and the Lake Michigan shoreline hold the closest developed campgrounds, roughly a 45-minute to 75-minute drive from Arlington Heights depending on traffic on I-90 and IL-53. Options range from state-run parks to private lakeside resorts. Illinois Beach State Park stretches 6.5 miles along Lake Michigan, and the 4,160-acre park offers a campground in the South Unit with 241 Class A Premium sites with electricity, showers, and sanitary facilities. Inland, Chain O' Lakes State Park anchors a large interconnected lake system with more than 230 campsites across several loops, including Turner Lake South - Chain O Lakes State Park. Private resorts fill in the gaps for travelers who want full hookups and family amenities. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo, Pingala RV Resort, and Grass Lake Marina and RV Park all sit within easy reach of the Chain O' Lakes waterways, giving RVers a mix of state-park nature and resort-style convenience.

Illinois state park campgrounds use a single online reservation system. Reservations for Turner Lake South and other loops at Chain O' Lakes State Park are made through ExploreMoreIL, or by calling 866-716-6550, and the campground tends to fill quickly on summer weekends. At Illinois Beach State Park, reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance through ExploreMoreIL, and the reservation window covers stays from May 1 through September 30. A limited number of first-come, first-served sites remain, but they usually fill by early Friday in peak season. Private resorts book directly. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, Pingala RV Resort, and Grass Lake Marina and RV Park take reservations through their own websites or by phone, and popular summer weekends and holiday packages sell out well in advance.