Chicago Northwest KOA

The Great Outdoors

Just a short drive from the RV park is the Brunner Family Forest Preserve in Algonquin, Illinois. A great destination for families, the large trails make for easy walks along the preserved wetlands, woodlands, and prairie habitats found within the park. The riverfront also offers native birds a home and migratory birds a haven during their journey, so visitors often see bald eagles, several different wren species, and even migratory butterflies. At the end of your trek through the park, you can visit the on-site store, which specializes in local farm goods.Those looking to do a more intense exploration will enjoy a visit to Spring Lake Forest Preserve in Barrington. The trails here are a little more rugged, which helps create a true sense of adventure for hikers. The park is fairly underdeveloped, so you’ll want to pay close attention to where you’re going. However, due to its wild nature, you will be able to get a true sense of the wilderness of northern Illinois and the Midwest. Visitors to Spring Lake Forest Preserve often enjoy searching for Spring Lake, setting up a fishing line, and relaxing to the sounds of nature all around them.If you really want to enjoy lakeside living, you can make the day trip to Evanston and check out Lake Michigan. One of the Great Lakes, here you can plan to do a little fishing, go out for a boat ride, or just take a walk along the shore. The expansive Lake Michigan is sure to make you feel as though you are at the edge of the world. You can relax on one of the many beaches or end the day at a lakeside restaurant.

Explore the City

When you're looking for a way to entertain the kids beyond the borders of the Chicago Northwest KOA camping spread, just south of the RV park is a Wild West-themed amusement park. You can pan for gold, watch a show, and ride the park rides. With so much to see and do in this immersive park, you may actually feel as though you’ve been transported back to the Old West.Those with an interest in railroad or transportation history can visit the Illinois Railway Museum, the largest railroad museum in the country. You’ll be able to see antique rail cars, learn about the history and impact of the railroad in America and the Midwest, and even ride on a historic train. The museum also hosts a variety of events, especially in the summer, that are worth learning about.Maybe you'll want to see more wildlife after you've explored the various forests of Northern Illinois. If so, you can spend part of the day at Randall Oaks Zoo. Showcasing both local and exotic wildlife, you’ll be able to see porcupines, foxes, camels, emus, and enjoy the farm animal petting zoo and pony rides.During your RV camping excursion, you may need to restock and refuel to keep your adventure going. Luckily enough, there are plenty of gas stations and grocery stores just east of the KOA.While you're here, there are plenty of Eastern European delicacies that you can try, though the Chicago area is historically a meatpacking town. To get a true sense of that history, treat yourself to a Chicago-style hot dog, piled high with peppers, pickles, and tomatoes.