Anyone know of any good camping spots within a 4-5 hour drive from Chicago?

[dimpler]

I want to pitch a tent this fall...

Seriously though, anyone know of anything?

[moosewayne]

Starved Rock. Maybe Galena?

[Trout]

Take your Pick.
http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R1/region1.htm

Starved Rock is OK, but a meager shell of what it once was.
Anything along the Mississippi Trail is the way to go.
http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R1/PALISADE.HTM

[guitarworship83]

I went here once about 8 years ago... its was really nice.

http://www.turkeyrunstatepark.com/index.htm

[mosesblues]

Devil's Lake State Park, near Baraboo Wisc. Great scenery, hiking, lake activity, etc...

[RGB]

An hour north of Green Bay will put you in Nicolet National Forest. Starts around Mountain, WI in Langlade County on hwy 32. Hundreds of nice little lakes with rustic sites on them...no showers, water, trash cans, etc., although many have a "toilet", which is just a wooden box with a toilet seat parked over a hole in the ground in the forest.

We were just up there a couple of weeks ago and are going again next weekend...it's therapy, man...we float around in the canoe, drown a few worms and listen to the sounds of silence.

If you're looking for more civilized camping it's up there too. Door County would also be a decent place for more civilized, tourist type camping. More to do up there too, but if you just want to get away and stare at fire for a few days, pm me and I'll point out a couple of secret spots...I'll have to have you swear not to share with your IL brethren though! :D

[I-IV-V]

Being from southern Indiana originally (lived in Chicago for 10 years), I used to go to this place all the time and loved it, but it's kind of small.

http://www.backpackcamp.com/GardenOfTheGods.html

Looks like it's might be 6 hours for you, southern IL.

If you're wanting to do hiking, some climbing, relaxing and basic nature things you might like it, but not a whole lot of exciting touristy things to do.

There are some things to see. The rock formations are awesome, but it isn't really a huge park or anything. Very cool place, though. I think there's lots of places to fish, too.

Edit: Wisconsin is probably the way to go. You can probably save a lot of drive time.

[rob2001]

Long Lake and Mauthe Lake here in the heart of the northern Kettle Moraines.

Long lake has a boat launch and motorized boats are allowed. No motors on Mauthe Lake but there are canoe rentals available.

Both have sort of cramped sites but it's not a big deal in the slower season.

Mauthe has a very nice beach/picnic area with a pretty large beach and piers for fishing. The campsites are up on a ridge and there is some pretty nice scenery. Both have nice bathrooms and showers.

Both are part of the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forrest and there are other points of interest in the area like The Ice age Center and Parnell tower. The Kettle Moraine area has some fantastic landscapes and land formations. There are several camping supply stores in the area for items you may have forgotten....like BEER!

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/kmn/

[Floyd Eye]

Any Mo. Dept. of Conservation recreation area.

[tele_phil]

Head up into Wisconsin. There are lots of great state parks along Lake Michigan. High Cliff State Park on the eastern side of Lake Winnebago is pretty nice too.

[baxen]

An hour north of Green Bay will put you in Nicolet National Forest. Starts around Mountain, WI in Langlade County on hwy 32. Hundreds of nice little lakes with rustic sites on them...no showers, water, trash cans, etc., although many have a "toilet", which is just a wooden box with a toilet seat parked over a hole in the ground in the forest.

We were just up there a couple of weeks ago and are going again next weekend...it's therapy, man...we float around in the canoe, drown a few worms and listen to the sounds of silence.

If you're looking for more civilized camping it's up there too. Door County would also be a decent place for more civilized, tourist type camping. More to do up there too, but if you just want to get away and stare at fire for a few days, pm me and I'll point out a couple of secret spots...I'll have to have you swear not to share with your IL brethren though! :D
One of my favorite areas. There are some spots you can hike a half mile or so in if you want to get away from the "car campers".

[RGB]

Head up into Wisconsin. There are lots of great state parks along Lake Michigan. High Cliff State Park on the eastern side of Lake Winnebago is pretty nice too.

I live just a few miles from High Cliff...don't know why I didn't think of that. Real nice park with nice "city slicker" type camping...beautiful views up on the bluff. Don't think I'd swim in Winnebago, though...although many do.

[tele_phil]

I live just a few miles from High Cliff...don't know why I didn't think of that. Real nice park with nice "city slicker" type camping...beautiful views up on the bluff. Don't think I'd swim in Winnebago, though...although many do.

My grandparents used to live in Appleton. I've hit High Cliff as a quick stop over camping spot since then on cross country road trips. There's some fairly good trail running and hiking there. It's just a nice park with some really nice views.