Camping near Chicago?

Under the L and most overpasses in downtown. Anywhere along lower Wacker.

 

Starved Rock

very cool, water falls (yes, in IL)

otherwise, head to Madison or north of there. Dells has some great exposed rocks, bald eagles, etc.

 

Rock Cut State Park, just north of Rockford has a large lake for fishing boats, kayak / canoe rental, lots of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Northern Illinois' largest state park. Tent, camper & 1 cabin for camping.

White Pines State Park, just west of Oregon, Illinois (straight out Rt. 64), only 700 acres, but lots of interesting trails, bluffs, fjords, rock railroad bridge, tall pine forest. Tent and cabin camping, CCC era lodge/restaurant. I used to camp here at least once per year for decades.

Starved Rock State Park - IIRC correctly, the camping site is dismal, but the trails, waterfalls, eagle watching, etc. more than make up for it. Plenty of hiking trails.

Mathhiesen State Park is practically next door to Staved Rock State Park, and has more trails, waterfalls, and a very deep gorge. Go to Rock Cut or Mathhiesen after heavy or extended rains to see the waterfalls with actual water in them - otherwise, it's often just a trickle.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park in Lena, Illinois. Very hilly (Very Hilly!) small park around a good sized lake. Camping, hiking, etc. Some of the roads are pretty steep - don't go if your clutch is worn out. Probably the prettiest park I've been to in the fall.

My current favorite camping spot is Sugar River Forest Preserve, 20 miles northwest of Rockford. Camp RIGHT ON THE bank of the Sugar River if you like, or tuck into the tall pine campgrounds. I bring my family, relatives and kayaks here, and we take multiple kayak trips down the quiet, curvy Sugar River, staged so our lunch stop is at camp.

Mississippi Palisades State Park, in Savanna, IL. overlooking the Mississippi. Plenty of camping, including (last time I checked) - remote/backpack-in camping. Lots of trails, lethal bluffs (watch your step!), eagle watching. Take a windy drive up to scenic Galena.

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R1/region1.htm

Of course, a lot of outdoorsy people say that the best place to camp in Illinois is Wisconsin. Kettle Morraine's Southern Unit has tent camping, and is on the Ice Age Trail. Some sections of this unit have dedicated mountain bike trails (best in Illinois!), as well as units for cross-country skiing.

West of Madison outside of Dodgeville is Gov. Doge State Park, a huge park with herds of deer, bluffs, caves, trails, tons of camping, a lake (swimming boating fishing). Side trip to the unique and bizarre House on the Rock museum/collection/place. I often go to Gov. Dodge State Park in February to tent camp - and usually our group is the only there. Between Dodgeville and Madison is Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mound. The cave is pretty large for the region, and the Blue Mound Park has some seriously difficult mountain bike trails. Hiking and camping too.

 

Lots of good suggestions here already.

My favorites are:

Starved Rock
White Pines
Indiana Dunes (Close to Downtown Chicago, can get there in an hr)
Turkey Run


Went through the same thing as you, really missing the outdoors, and went camping two months ago for the first time in 6 or so years. Had a blast.

Enjoy!

 

Shabonna Lake just south of Dekalb has camp grounds and some very nice underutilized walking trails.
Many state record Muskies out of this lake too.

 

Don't forget--if you want to combine camping and cars, you can throw down at Road America. Kind of a fun way to attend a weekend event.