Camping in Northern Illinois

[Kelly]

Does anybody have any public campground recommendations for this area in late June?  

We're meeting up with some people who are heading to Chicago after we camp and would like to stay within 4 to 6 hours of the city.

Any help would be greatly appreciated ....

[4Galvs]

Check out these two:

Apple River Canyon State Park
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R1/APPLE.HTM

Mississippi Palisades State Park
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R1/PALISADE.HTM

[homecrew]

Have you looked at chain o'lakes state park? It's north of Chicago in Spring Grove just south of the Wisconsin border. I haven't been there for quite some years but it is heavily wooded. Where you need to go in Chicago will depend on how far away you are. The park is about 60-90 minutes away depending on traffic.
 
Or take a look at the listing of the state parks with camping here.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/Programs/Camping/sites_with_camping.htm

[Campaholics]

White Pines Forest SP in Oregon IL, about two hours west of Chicago.  A unique feature of the park is the creek flows across the road.  Also some nice hikes.

Southwest of Chicago is Starved Rock SP, including hiking up to the top of the rock where legend has it an indian tribe starved when surrounded by another tribe.

The best connections to Chicago would be Rock Cut SP on the east side of Rockford, next to I90.

These and the ones mentioned previously are all great parks.

Bob