Burnidge Forest Preserve/Paul Wolff Campground

This is strictly from a day visit point of view for walking/​hiking and not for the camping. Nice forest preserve with a combo of well-​maintained paths (paved & gravel) and also a variety of more rugged equestrian trails (that you can certainly hike on as well). We rather enjoyed the equestrian trails for the many hills and paths delving further in to the woods and prairie. They have a decent picnic area with one covered shelter that has a fireplace and grill and several picnic tables both under the shelter and not. There are also a few benches here and there near the water. And bonus — there is a small restroom facility.

Now that I’ve been a camper here and not just a tree-​hugger wandering through the forest, I figured it’s time for an update! I still love this place… but it doesn’t rank as high in my favorites anymore as I’ve fallen in love with other places.
Still, this is a really nice campground and is nearly packed on summer weekends.
PROS:
+ primitive campsites available as well as full hook-​ups and equestrian sites.
+ all RV campsites are cement/​blacktop and mostly level.
+ bathrooms available — both outhouses and flush toilets.
+ plenty of walking trails.
+ a little pond to go fishing.
+ close enough to shopping/​dining/​hospital/​etc.
+ relatively low daily rates ($ 25/​night RV sites. Kane County residents — $ 15/​night.)
+ firewood available for sale at $ 5 a bundle.
+ sites near the woods, near the fields, and a couple pull-​throughs!
+ two dump sites available ($ 15 to dump if you’re not staying at the campground)
+ pretty much the closest RV campsite to Chicago.
CONS:
— no showers.
— no extra amenities (pool, games, etc.).
— several of the parking sites are not level.
— employees are hit or miss. one woman was particularly rude to me.
— too close to civilization.
— first-​come, first serve. no reservations.
— maximum stay of 7 days. 14 days within 21 days.
My husband and I have been staying at Paul Wolff and Big Rock (another Kane County campground) for a month and a half. Because of the rules regarding maximum length of stay, we’ve simply been staying back and forth at both sites for two weeks at a time. It’s acceptable (and sort of encouraged by employees). So, if you’re a full-​timer that wants to stay in the Chicago area for the summer, this arrangement works out nicely if you don’t mind moving every two weeks.
Happy trails, my friends!

My absolute favorite place to run. Miles of groomed trails, from forest, paved, and crushed limestone. Great for horse back riding, mountain biking, hiking, running, and picnics. Bring your camper, horse, fishing gear, bike, snow shoes, cross country skis, dog, hiking boots, and friends, you’ll have a good time. Clean, plenty of parking, and right on the edge of the city of Elgin.

Very nice campground with a heavy emphasis on RV camping — no showers for folks willing to camp in the primitive spots for $ 15. In late August, I had to choose between open field and just inside the woods — and opted for woods to avoid mosquitos and for a bit more privacy. For about an hour after sunset, there were teenagers running screaming through the woods but after that it was pretty quiet. It’s generally a nice, quiet park. There are toilets and a spigot for a little bird bath for the sweaty camping motorcyclist — a pretty and nice place to spend a night.