Camping with an Urban Twist

Every summer, more than 600 guests spend the night under the stars on Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Lawn. Campers choose the perfect spot for their tents, roast s’mores, and visit the animals after hours. It all makes for a memorable night for both beginner and expert campers.

But the zoo isn’t the only place to enjoy urban camping, and there are still plenty of locations near Chicago offering last-minute camping opportunities before the weather begins to turn. The city and surrounding areas are full of spots to pitch your tent and unwind without having to spend a whole day in the car. Check out a few local favorites and upcoming camping events:

• Forest Preserves of Cook County: There are numerous camping spots in the Chicagoland forest preserves. You can camp on your own at any time, or join Forest Preserve staff at one of their family campouts or camping workshops. You can even rent tents, flashlights, portable chairs, binoculars, and more from the Forest Preserves.
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• Chicago Park District: The Park District offers plenty of family camping dates. Learn camping skills, take a nature walk, and enjoy a campfire at a variety of Chicago’s parks. Registration opens two months prior to the program date and spots fill quickly.
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• Indiana Dunes National Park: Accessible via the South Shore Line, the Midwest’s newest National Park is close by. The Indiana Dunes offer sand, shore, and camping.
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• Starved Rock State Park: Starved Rock shows off Illinois’s rocky side and is only 90 minutes from the city. Plus, the lodge offers cabin camping if you’re hoping to skip the tent.
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No matter where you lay your tent, spending time together outdoors is beneficial to both you and the environment. When people experience and benefit from nature, they are more likely to appreciate and care for it.

More About Lincoln Park Zoo’s Campout at the Zoo

Open to families with children ages 5–12, Campout at the Zoo aims to combine all the amazing parts of outdoor camping with engaging, educational activities throughout zoo buildings.

After an evening filled with animals and campfire songs, they fall asleep to the chatter of Chilean flamingos. In the morning, the white-cheeked gibbons hoot and holler to wake them bright and early. Guests enjoy breakfast outdoors and then conclude their adventure with an animal activity, such as a polar bear feed or termite fishing with the chimpanzees, before heading home to get some additional shut-eye.

Registration includes all evening activities, breakfast, morning activities, and parking. Tents can be rented for an additional cost, and an add-on dinner is also available. If spending the night isn’t your thing, the zoo offers an evening-only option. Join this version for evening activities and s’mores, and then head home at 10 p.m.

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