Things-to-Do/Outdoor-Activities/Family-Camping

Family Camping

Note: Blackwell family camping reservations have been suspended until further notice. Those who have already reserved a campsite may receive emails or phone calls with further information. Please see our COVID-19 page for more updates.

The family campground at Blackwell in Warrenville has more than 60 wooded and semiwooded sites (PDF), including sites for tents, trailers and motor homes (link).

All sites have electricity but none have sewage or water hookups. Each site has a gravel parking pad, fire ring and picnic table and is close to portable toilets, running water, and trash and recycling containers. There's a shower house with flush toilets and a dump station for recreational vehicles with self-contained waste systems. Outside firewood is not allowed, but you can buy firewood for $7 a bundle with cash or credit card at the campground office.

To check family campground availability, call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248.

Dates, Permits & Fees

The family campground is open Friday and Saturday nights May – October. Because of continued restoration work along Spring Brook Creek, you may hear some related noise during part of your stay. Crews will be working Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

DuPage resident	$20 per site per night
Nonresident	$30 per site per night

Campsite Reservations

In Advance

You can make reservations up to a year in advance but must do so at least three business days in advance. Fees are nonrefundable regardless of why you cancel (even for weather) but you can change your reservation one time up to one week in advance through Visitor Services for an additional $5. Senior citizens are entitled to one free permit for one consecutive two-night stay each calendar year.

You can purchase permits online 24/7 or call or visit Visitor Services at 630-933-7248 or 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. For other options, download our family campground permit application (PDF).

Same-Day Reservations

If a site's available, you can reserve it at the campground office between 1 and 7 p.m. for use that night with cash or credit card. If you're camping and want to extend your stay and your site's available, just reserve it before noon on your original checkout date.

Campground Rules & Regulations

For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, you must follow these rules and regulations, which the Forest Preserve District may change at any time.

Your group's permit holder must be 21 or older and remain on-site for the duration of your stay.
You cannot have more than eight people, two tents and one vehicle at your site.
You must arrive at the campground between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the first reserved day and leave by noon on the last reserved day.
You cannot bring alcoholic beverages into the forest preserve or campground; they are strictly prohibited.
The forest preserve is open from one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset. Your group must remain in the campground when the forest preserve is closed. Guests are only allowed at your site when the forest preserve is open.
Do not trench around tents, attach clotheslines or lanterns to trees, or otherwise disrupt the natural environment.
Do not bring outside firewood or cut or collect live or dead wood. You can purchase firewood for $7 a bundle at the campground office.
Keep ground fires within designated fire rings. Extinguish fires and make sure they’re cold to the touch before you leave your site.
Keep your site clean and dispose of trash in the appropriate garbage or recycling containers. After you pack up, make sure your campsite looks as it did when you arrived.
If you’re using stereos or similar equipment, only do so between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and only at volumes that do not disturb other campers. Use gasoline or diesel engines or generators only during these times as well. Keep all noise to a minimum after 10 p.m.
If you bring a pets, stay with them at all times and do not tie them to any trees, plants, buildings or equipment. Always keep them leashed and quiet, and pick up any pet waste.

If you do not follow these rules and regulations or any Forest Preserve District ordinances or state statutes, the Forest Preserve District may fine you or revoke your permit without refunding your permit fee.