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41 campgrounds and RV Parks near Highwood, IL. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
41 campgrounds
7562 campsites
106 RVs available for delivery
From $20/night
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Best campgrounds near Highwood, IL
Illinois Beach State Park
Zion, IL (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(241 sites)
+7
Pingala RV Resort
Oak Park, IL (20 miles away)
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Volo, IL (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(635 sites)
+9
Grass Lake Marina and RV Park
Antioch, IL (24 miles away)
(200 sites)
Turner Lake South - Chain O Lakes State Park
Spring Grove, IL (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(36 sites)
+4
Fox River Recreation
Antioch, IL (27 miles away)
(28 sites)
Kenosha County Fair Association
Wilmot, WI (29 miles away)
Happy Acres Kampground
Bristol, WI (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(224 sites)
+8
Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Wisconsin (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(217 sites)
+3
Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday
Union, IL (38 miles away)
$$$$$
(141 sites)
+9
Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort
Marengo, IL (39 miles away)
$$$$$
(295 sites)
+9
Big Foot Beach State Park
Lake Geneva, WI (41 miles away)
$$$$$
(100 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Showers Tables Grills Pet friendly Dump station Firewood Playground Toilets Laundry Pool
Campgrounds near Highwood, Illinois
Highwood sits on Chicago's North Shore in Lake County, roughly 30 miles north of downtown Chicago and about 20 miles south of the Wisconsin state line. RV travelers use the town as a base for Lake Michigan's shoreline to the east and the lakes and state parks that stretch northwest toward the Chain O' Lakes region.
The closest state-park camping is at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, a 4,160-acre park stretching along more than six miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Northwest of Highwood, Chain O' Lakes State Park borders Grass, Marie, and Nippersink lakes and contains the 44-acre Turner Lake within its boundaries, with more than 230 campsites across several loops including Turner Lake South - Chain O Lakes State Park.
Private options fill in the gaps. Pingala RV Resort, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo, and Grass Lake Marina and RV Park round out the choices for full-hookup and lakefront stays within an easy drive of Highwood.
Things to do near Highwood
Water is the main draw. The Chain O' Lakes system offers nearly 6,500 acres of connected water and 488 miles of shoreline for boating, paddling, and fishing for bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, muskie, northern pike, and catfish. Boat rentals are available at the Chain O' Lakes State Park concession near the main boat launch.
Lake Michigan swimming, sunbathing, and beach hiking are the anchor activities at Illinois Beach State Park, which also offers birding across marshes, dunes, and oak savanna habitats. The Zion Bike Trail connects the north and south units of the park.
Day trips from a Highwood base include the Volo Auto Museum, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, and Metra commuter access into downtown Chicago.
Camping spots and RV parks near Highwood, IL
Seasonal patterns for RV trips
- spring
March - May
59° / 39°F 90 mmState parks reopen April 1; cool and wet
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 101 mmPeak bookings; reserve weekends well in advance
- fall
September - November
63° / 43°F 80 mmCooler nights; Chain O' Lakes closes early November
- winter
December - February
34° / 21°F 55 mmCold and snowy; state park campgrounds closed
The camping calendar in this corner of Illinois is short and heavily front-loaded toward summer. The Illinois Beach State Park campground operates April 1 through November 15, and reservations are strongly recommended for summer weekends because the campground is one of the busiest in the state system. Chain O' Lakes State Park keeps summer hours from April 1 through the last weekend in October, then closes to all activity except hunting from early November into mid-December.
Private parks track a similar rhythm. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo runs overnight camping from May 1 through October 15, with seasonal sites available beginning April 15.
Winter shifts activity to ice fishing at Chain O' Lakes when conditions cooperate, but overnight RV camping options in the immediate area are limited during those months.
Top Hosts near Highwood, IL
Michael43 trips - Joined May 2022 - Superhost
All good
Linda L. - Sep 2024
It’s value for money. Owner is really helpful and good communication
Robinson V. - Sep 2024
Bogdan13 trips - Joined Nov 2023 - Superhost
Very very helpful to have a sizable fridge and freezer. Microwave a big plus. Solar panels and Shore Power allowed us to use comfy air-connditioning. Thanks.
Diane C. - Oct 2026
Bogdan is an incredible host. He patiently explained everything about the RV, was reachable and helpful when I needed some advice. Camper is well kept and is a labor of love. We really enjoyed the experience.
Anandeep P. - Jul 2026
How to book
Illinois state park campsites, including Illinois Beach and Chain O' Lakes, are reserved through the ExploreMoreIL system online or by phone at 866-716-6550. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance, and are only accepted for stays between May 1 and September 30. Outside that window, sites are available first-come, first-served, and weekends in July and August routinely fill.
Chain O' Lakes has Class A-Premium electric loops at Honeysuckle Hollow and Fox Den, plus Class B-Premium non-electric loops at Turner Lake South, Prairie View, and Mud Lake East. Maximum stay is 14 nights within any 30-day period.
Private parks such as Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, Pingala RV Resort, and Grass Lake Marina and RV Park take reservations directly by phone or through their websites. Weekend minimums are common in peak season.
What to expect on-site
Expect electric-only hookups at the Illinois state parks. Illinois Beach provides 241 Class A Premium sites with electricity, showers, sanitary facilities, and a dump station, but individual sites do not include water or sewer connections. Chain O' Lakes has 151 Class A-Premium electric sites plus 87 non-electric Class B-Premium sites; alcohol is prohibited in the campgrounds, and campers must bring their own firewood since collecting wood in the park is not allowed.
Full hookups are found at private resorts such as Fish Lake Beach, which also has a heated pool, hot tub, dog park, beach, boat rentals, and a camp store. Sites at Fish Lake can be tight for transient campers, so big rigs should confirm site dimensions when booking.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Highwood, IL
How much does an RV rental in Highwood, IL typically cost?
RV rental in Highwood, IL is more affordable than most Chicago-area travelers expect. On RVezy, travel trailers in the North Shore area generally start around $90 to $150 per night, Class C motorhomes run roughly $180 to $275, and larger Class A coaches range from $250 to $400. Booking midweek shaves a noticeable amount off your total, and the shoulder months of late April, May, September, and October bring the best deals before peak summer demand hits along Lake Michigan. For a cheap RV rental Highwood, IL families love, filter by travel trailers with delivery included so you skip towing entirely. Pro tip: Highwood sits minutes from Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, so you can test-drive the camping life close to home before a longer trip.
visitlakecounty.org/campgroundsWhat license do I need to rent an RV in Highwood, IL?
Good news: a regular Illinois driver's license is all you need to rent an RV in Highwood, IL. The Illinois Secretary of State does not require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or special RV endorsement for personal motorhomes or trailers used recreationally, so your standard Class D license covers Class B campervans, Class C motorhomes, and most travel trailers on RVezy. You'll need to be 25 or older to book, and RVezy verifies your ID right through the platform during checkout. Visiting from outside the U.S.? Grab an International Driving Permit from your home country auto club before you fly into O'Hare or Midway, and you're set to hit the road.
ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/classification.htmlIs protection included when I rent an RV in Highwood?
Yes, every RV rental in Highwood booked through RVezy includes a renter protection plan plus 24/7 roadside assistance, so you can roll out of the North Shore with real peace of mind. During checkout you'll choose from different protection tiers that cover physical damage to the vehicle while it's in your care, with higher tiers reducing your financial responsibility if something happens. From a parking-lot scrape in downtown Highwood to a fender bender on the Edens Expressway, you're backed by the platform, not left to negotiate with the host. Pro tip: match your protection level to your itinerary. For a longer Illinois RV trip up to the Wisconsin Dells, the higher tier is small money for major reassurance.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/34008759079835-RVezy-renter-protection-plans-in-detailWhat if I need to cancel my Highwood RV trip?
Booking is genuinely low-risk. RVezy sets the cancellation policy platform-wide, so you don't have to dig through individual listings to understand your options. The policy includes a grace period right after booking during which you can cancel for a full refund, giving you time to confirm plans and travel partners. Beyond that window, the refund amount depends on how far in advance you cancel relative to your trip start date. If a host cancels on you, RVezy helps rebook you or issues a refund. Pro tip: book earlier than you think you should. Summer weekends near Highwood and Highland Park sell out fast, and the grace period protects you if plans shift.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037736674-Understanding-the-cancellation-policy-for-guestsCan I bring my dog on a pet-friendly RV rental Highwood, IL?
Absolutely, your dog is welcome on the road. Plenty of hosts offer pet-friendly RV rental Highwood, IL travelers can book in a couple of clicks. Just toggle the Pet-Friendly filter on RVezy and you'll see motorhomes and trailers where pups are part of the deal. Highwood itself is famously dog-loving, and you're a short drive from off-leash areas at Lake Forest's Dog Park at Old School Forest Preserve and the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve dog area along the bluffs. Most Lake County campgrounds, including Illinois Beach State Park up in Zion, allow leashed pets in RV loops. Pro tip: message the host before booking to confirm any pet fee and bring vaccination records for campground check-in.
dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.illinoisbeach.htmlDo hosts offer RV delivery in Highwood?
Yes, RV delivery Highwood renters love is one of the most popular options on RVezy, especially for first-time renters who don't want to drive a big rig through North Shore traffic. Many local hosts will deliver the motorhome or travel trailer right to your campsite at Illinois Beach State Park, Chain O'Lakes State Park, or even your driveway in Highwood, Highland Park, or Lake Forest, then handle the full setup and walkthrough. Just use the Delivery filter when you search. Pro tip: delivery is a game-changer for travel trailers because you skip towing entirely, no hitch or sway bar know-how required. Confirm the delivery fee and radius with your host through the message thread before you book so there are no surprises.
dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.illinoisbeach.htmlHow far can I drive from Highwood on an RV road trip?
You can cover serious ground on an RV road trip from Highwood. Popular routes include the Wisconsin Dells (about 3 hours north on I-94), Starved Rock State Park (roughly 2 hours southwest), Lake Geneva, WI (just over an hour up Highway 41), Indiana Dunes National Park (around 90 minutes around the bottom of Lake Michigan), and Door County, WI (about 4.5 hours for the full peninsula loop). Some RVezy hosts offer RV rental with unlimited mileage, while others include a daily mileage allowance with a small per-mile fee beyond that. Pro tip: compare both pricing structures on the listing page. For trips under 300 miles total, a capped-mileage rental is often the better deal.
nps.gov/indu/index.htmWhere are the best campgrounds near Highwood, IL?
You've got some excellent options within easy reach. The best campgrounds near Highwood include Illinois Beach State Park in Zion (about 25 minutes north, with 240+ electric sites right along Lake Michigan), Chain O'Lakes State Park in Spring Grove (around 50 minutes northwest, with full-service Class A loops and access to seven connected lakes), Chicago Northwest KOA in Union (roughly an hour west, full hookups and family amenities), and Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville (about 75 minutes, quiet and shaded). For RV camping Highwood travelers want close to home, Illinois Beach is the obvious pick. Pro tip: Illinois Beach books out fast for summer weekends, so reserve as early as the state system opens up.
dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.illinoisbeach.htmlWhen is the best time of year for an RV trip from Highwood?
Late May through early October is prime time for a Highwood RV trip, with summer highs typically in the upper 70s to mid-80s and Lake Michigan breezes keeping things comfortable along the shore. June and September are the sweet spot: warm days, cooler nights in the 50s, fewer mosquitoes, and easier campground reservations than peak July. Fall color along the Des Plaines River Trail and through the Lake County forest preserves peaks in mid-October. Winters are genuinely cold (January highs in the low 30s, lows in the teens), so most renters target the warm season. Pro tip: book a September trip for the best mix of weather, availability, and pricing on motorhome rental Highwood listings.
weather.gov/lot/I'm first time renting an RV. Will I actually know what to do?
Yes, and you're in great company because most RVezy guests in the Chicago area are first-timers. Every host provides a hands-on orientation at pickup (or at delivery), walking you through the generator, slide-outs, water system, propane, leveling, and dump procedure before you drive off. You can also message the host with questions before you even book, and RVezy customer support is available before, during, and after your trip. For first time renting an RV near Highwood, choose a Class C or a delivered travel trailer to keep driving simple. Pro tip: plan a short shakedown trip to Illinois Beach State Park for your first night so you can dial in the systems just 25 minutes from home.
dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.illinoisbeach.htmlWhat happens if something goes wrong on the road?
You're covered, day or night. Every RVezy booking from Highwood comes with 24/7 roadside assistance included with the renter protection plan, so a flat tire on I-94, a dead battery at a Starved Rock trailhead, or a lockout in a Lake Geneva parking lot is one phone call away from a fix. For mechanical questions or how-to moments (how do I empty the gray tank, why won't the awning retract), your host is typically a text away and happy to walk you through it. RVezy support is also available throughout your trip. Pro tip: save the roadside number and your host's contact info to your phone before you leave the Highwood pickup so help is one tap away.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/34008759079835-RVezy-renter-protection-plans-in-detailCan I take my Highwood RV rental across state lines or into Canada?
Yes, interstate travel is absolutely allowed and very popular from Highwood. You're right on the Wisconsin border, so quick trips to Lake Geneva, Milwaukee, Madison, and Door County are common, and Indiana Dunes, Michigan's lakeshore, and Iowa's Quad Cities are all easy reaches. Cross-border travel into Canada is allowed on many RVezy rentals, but you'll need to confirm with your host before booking since coverage and host preferences vary. Travel into Mexico is not permitted on any RVezy rental because the insurance and protection package don't extend there. Pro tip: if you're eyeing a longer route like a North Shore-to-Mackinac Island loop, message the host upfront so mileage and border specifics are agreed on in writing.
cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-goWhat kind of fuel mileage and gas budget should I plan for?
Plan realistically and you'll avoid sticker shock. Class C motorhomes around Highwood average roughly 8 to 12 miles per gallon on regular unleaded, Class A coaches run 6 to 10 mpg, and Class B campervans can hit 18 to 22 mpg. A travel trailer towed behind your own SUV typically drops your tow vehicle to around 10 to 14 mpg. Illinois gas prices in the Chicago metro tend to run a bit higher than the national average because of state and local fuel taxes, so budget accordingly. Pro tip: fill up in Wisconsin or in Lake County north of the Cook County line where prices are usually noticeably lower than inside Chicago, and use apps like GasBuddy to find the best stops along your route.
www2.illinois.gov/rev/research/taxinformation/excise/Pages/MotorFuelTax.aspxHow far ahead should I book a campground near Highwood?
Reserve as early as you can, especially for summer. Illinois state park campgrounds (Illinois Beach, Chain O'Lakes, Starved Rock) use the Reserve America-powered ExploreMoreIL system and open reservations up to six months in advance, and prime Lake Michigan sites at Illinois Beach State Park can be gone within hours of release for Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day weekends. Private parks like Chicago Northwest KOA and Lake County forest preserve campgrounds also fill fast. Pro tip: lock in your campground first, then book your RV rental Illinois travelers love on RVezy around those dates. Midweek arrivals (Sunday through Wednesday) often have wide availability even in peak summer.
camp.exploremoreil.com/What are the local driving conditions like around Highwood?
Driving conditions are very manageable, especially if you stick to the suburbs and head north. Highwood sits along the Sheridan Road corridor between Highland Park and Lake Forest, with easy access to I-94/Edens Expressway and US-41. North Shore streets are tree-lined with some low-hanging branches and a few railroad underpasses (watch height clearances around the Metra Union Pacific North Line), so taller Class A rigs are better off staying on the expressways. Rush hour on I-94 toward Chicago can be slow from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Pro tip: head north or west out of town on a Saturday morning. Traffic is light, and you'll be at Wisconsin's state line in under 30 minutes.
idot.illinois.gov/travel-information/road-conditions.htmlWhat amenities can I expect at campgrounds around Highwood?
Lake County and northern Illinois campgrounds are well set up for RVs. Illinois Beach State Park offers 240+ sites with 30-amp electric, hot showers, flush toilets, a dump station, and potable water fill, all within walking distance of the Lake Michigan beach. Chain O'Lakes State Park has Class A sites with electric plus a dump station and showerhouses. Private parks like Chicago Northwest KOA offer full hookups (water, electric, sewer) and Wi-Fi. For where to park an RV in Highwood overnight before a trip, plan to use a campground rather than street parking, which isn't allowed for RVs. Pro tip: top off fresh water before leaving the campground because not every site has individual water hookups.
dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.chainolakes.htmlWhat's inside a typical RV rental in Highwood?
You'll be surprised how complete these rigs are. A typical motorhome rental Highwood guests book sleeps 4 to 8 people, with a queen bed, convertible dinette, and often a bunk or cabover sleeper. Expect a full kitchen (fridge, freezer, stove, microwave, sink), a wet or dry bathroom with shower and toilet, roof air conditioning, furnace heat, and seatbelted seating for travel. Many rentals include a TV, Bluetooth stereo, and onboard generator for off-grid power. Wi-Fi is hit or miss, so plan to hotspot from your phone. Pro tip: filter by your group size on RVezy (sleeps 4, 6, or 8) and look for listings that include camp chairs, a coffee maker, and outdoor mats in the included gear to save a packing trip.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Highwood%2C%20IllinoisWhat add-ons and pickup options should I know about?
RVezy hosts in Highwood offer plenty of useful extras to customize your trip. Common add-ons include linen and kitchen kits, camp chairs and tables, generators, bike racks, propane fire pits, and Starlink-style Wi-Fi packages, each with a clearly listed fee on the listing page. Pickup is typically at the host's address in Highwood or nearby North Shore towns like Highland Park, Lake Forest, or Lake Bluff, with delivery available for many listings. Mileage policies vary: some hosts include 100 to 150 free miles per day, others offer RV rental with unlimited mileage. Pro tip: build your add-on list before checkout so the total reflects your real trip cost, and ask about a late-return grace window if you're driving back from far away.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Highwood%2C%20IllinoisHow does payment and the security deposit work on RVezy?
Payment is straightforward and fully handled through RVezy, so you're never wiring money to a stranger. You pay by credit card on the platform when you book, and the refundable security deposit is authorized (not charged) on your card shortly before pickup. Deposit amounts vary by RV class and value and are clearly shown on the listing before you confirm. As long as you return the RV on time, clean, with the agreed fuel and tank levels, and damage-free, the hold is released after your trip. Pro tip: take date-stamped photos and a quick walk-around video at both pickup and drop-off in Highwood. It's the easiest way to keep your full deposit and start your next family RV trip Highwood adventure on a great note.
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