Kane County Campgrounds Open For Season On May 1

KANE COUNTY, IL — Campgrounds in Kane County will be opening soon for the summer season.

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s campgrounds open for the year on May 1, with campsites available to book through Oct. 19. Check-in time for all campsites is at 3 p.m. and check-out is at 12 p.m.

The forest preserve runs campsites at Paul Wolff Campground, which is located in the Burning Forest Preserve in Elgin, and at Big Rock Campground, which is located within the Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock.

You can book sites at other campground online here.

Lauren Swanson, public information officer for the forest preserve district, said reservations opened on April 1 and the forest preserve district is nearing capacity for the opening weekend at Paul Wolff.

"Weekends are typically busier than weekdays. Paul Wolff Campground reaches full capacity most peak weekends, Big Rock Campground will occasionally reach full capacity on holiday weekends," she said.

Last year, there were 17,578 sites reserved at Kane County campsites.

"We have experienced a steady growth in popularity at both locations. Paul Wolff is more popular, but both have shown similar, consistent growth percentages over the last 10 years," Swanson said.

Paul Wolff Campground, located at 38W235 Big Timber Road in Elgin, has 104 total camp sites, including 89 improved sites that have 50/30/20-amp electrical service, water access, parking pads and fire rings. There are ten primitive sites for tents-only camping and that do not have electricity, and there are also five equestrian camp sites.

The surrounding Burnidge Forest Preserve contains more than 700 acres of rolling hills and woodlands along with nine miles of trails, including a 2.25-mile multi-purpose trail suitable for hiking, biking or equestrian use.

There is also a picnic shelter, fishing ponds and a climbing rock.

Big Rock Campground, located at 46W499 Granart Road in Big Rock, has 109 total camp sites, including 96 improved campsites with 50/30/20-amp electrical service, water access, parking pads and fire rings. There are nine primitive, tent-only sites, which do not have electricity available, and there are four equestrian sites.

The surrounding Big Rock Forest Preserve is a 1,100-acre preserve containing several sandy hills that overlook the valley filled with woodlands and crystal clear streams. Fishing is permitted at the campground pond, or Siegler Lake, and kayaking is also permitted on Siegler Lake.

There are more than nine miles of hiking trails suitable for hiking, biking or equestrian use, and two picnic shelters for campers to utilize.

Daily fees fore improved camp sites at the campgrounds are $26 for Kane County residents and $41 for non-residents. Primitive/non-electric camp sites is $18 per day for Kane County residents and $24 for non-residents.

Equestrian camp sites are $21 per day for Kane County residents and $31 for nonresidents.

To book an equestrian site, you can call the campground hotline at (630) 444-1200. International travelers, please call (630) 444-1200 to reserve your campsite. For more information, visit www.kaneforest.com, call our campground hotline at 630-444-1200, and find us on social by searching @forestpreserve.