One Of The Best Campgrounds In Illinois Is Open For Adventure Year-Round
By Linze Rice|Published January 10, 2024
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
As a lifelong Illinoisan, I know outdoor fun doesn’t end with the summer. We experience the textbook definition of each of the four seasons here and can appreciate the unique qualities of each. We go from swimsuits to snowsuits in the blink of an eye. But one thing that never wavers throughout the year is our love for nature. That’s why Camp Bullfrog Lake, which offers year-round camping in Willow Springs, IL, is considered one of the best campgrounds in the state. From swimming to sledding, these grounds have it all.
Camp Bullfrog Lake, 9600 Wolf Road, is a beloved campground in Willow Springs that offers year-round camping for tents, RVs, and cabins. It's about a 30-40-minute drive southeast from downtown Chicago and is part of the larger Palos Trail System, which includes over 42 miles of unpaved trails great for cycling, hiking, horse riding, and cross-country skiing.
The star of the campground is the lake itself, which offers 16 acres of fun on the water. Rent kayaks, go fishing and ice fishing, or simply admire breathtaking views from the shoreline or piers.
Campers seeking the most rugged experience can take advantage of the park's five lakeside sites which can accommodate up to six campers each. The sites contain a mulched tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring and are available for between $23-47 per night, depending on the time of year and if you're a resident of Cook County or not.
If tent campers want electricity, they can also opt for one of the larger 26 RV sites, which come with between 20-50 amp electric systems for between $29-62 a night.
If you're like me, a private cabin is the perfect way to go. Camp Bullfrog Lake has eight small cabins, each with a capacity for eight campers. The cabins contain bunk beds, a porch, and a ceiling fan — though they're not heated. These run for between $44-95 per night and require a $100 deposit.
If your group is bigger, you can also choose from one of the three large cabins, which can fit up to 10 people. These offer heating and air conditioning, as well as a private accessible bathroom with a shower, two sinks, and a toilet, bunk beds, and a separate room with a single bed for between $104-143 a night.
Regardless of where you stay, or when, you'll be able to soak in starry skies and stunning sunrises over the lake. In the summer, the campground is green and lush — perfect for setting out on the trails, boating, and fishing.
In the fall, the grounds turn a fiery red, orange, and yellow as the season changes. Enjoy bird watching and cozy campfires, plus cool weather hikes with your four-legged friend.
Once winter rolls around, the snowfall transforms the area into a gorgeous frozen landscape, perfect for sledding, cross-country skiing, photography, and ice fishing.
