Camps in Downers Grove, IL

Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, and the whole surrounding area, including backpacking in North and/or South Manitou Islands; Indiana Turkey State Run state Park; Iowa Caves Something State Park; Wisconsin's Door County and backpacking in Washington island.

Point Beach in Wisconsin is a nice one. Going there in a few weekends.

There are a number of good campgrounds near Crivitz, WI which is about an hour north of Green Bay. The area is beautiful with lots of rivers and lakes, including the Peshtigo River.

I live here also and most state parks available in Illinois is average. Iowa parks are half the price and similar. Don’t beat me… I have only visited a couple. Wisconsin parks are more expensive (...) but the only Wisconsin park I have seen and didn't like was Bong and that was 15 years ago. Back to 3-5 hours… Kentucky mammoth caves is 5 to 6 hours away and on my list to go back. Great for biking and hiking. We like to have a visit to local culture in the middle of a trip so I would recommend 4 days; {door county, wi} {Mississippi palisades and go to galena} {sleeping bear dunes and visit traverse city} If you only want the woods: {Lake Shelbyville,Il} {kettle moraine north} {there are a half dozen CG’s near Prairie du Chien, WI that are great. Pikes peak, IA / Wyalusing, WI}

I'd personally recommend [North or South Manitou Island](http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/the-manitou-islands.htm), of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Not sure if you're the backpacking types but being islands and all you'd have to take a boat and thus might want to pack a little light. However, both islands have campgrounds almost right off the docks. Ultralight/backpacking gear definitely not necessary. For what it's worth, the boat leaves from Leland Michigan, a shade more than 5 hours from Chicago. Camping is restricted to the three campgrounds on S. Manitou, while N. Manitou is more for the wilderness backpacking crowd. However, being so, the lone Village campground (maybe a third of a mile from the dock) is almost always deserted, or nearly so. Makes for a very secluded island camping adventure. If you might be interested, you can check out [Manitou Island Transit](http://manitoutransit.com/) for scheduling and prices.

Check out Kohler-Andrae just south of Sheboygan: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/kohlerandrae/?prompt=0 It's a 2-hour drive from downtown Chicago. The dunes are great, and if you pick the right sight you will have good privacy. I imagine late August will see a steep dropoff in traffic as well. We enjoyed site 68 last time we went.