Thought I would write a bit about Paul Wolff Campground
where I spent the last week. This is for the benefit of anyone considering a trip
to northern Illinois.
The campground is owned and operated by Kane County and, not
being a state or federal park, a bit obscure. While it seems very popular
with the locals and some out-of-towners, I think it tends to be overlooked by
most visitors to the region.
There are 89 sites all with water and 50 amp electrical
service. Also 10 walk-in tent only sites but tents are welcome to stay on
most any site. The sites are divided into an older section and a newer section.
All have asphalt pads and most are fairly level.
The older section has mature trees and picnic tables / fire rings
set in the grassy area of the site. There is a set of railroad tracks just east
of the older section (where I was camped) but I didn’t find this disturbing at
all. Only 1 or 2 trains a day pass through and I was never awoken during the
night.
The newer section has slightly wider pads and the fire rings
are set in an area of crushed stone. The trees in the newer area are quite immature
and offer little, if any shade.
There are both vault toilets and flush toilets available,
but no shower or laundry facilities. The facilities are very well maintained and the park
workers friendly and helpful. Fire wood is available on site and there are 2 dump stations (free when staying in the park, otherwise $15).
No reservations are accepted but I arrived the Wednesday
before the 4th of July and had no problem finding a suitable site. When
I left the following Wednesday the place was quite empty. However it was about
2/3 full over the holiday weekend. You can take a site for 7 days at a time with a maximum stay of 14 days in any 21 day period. Non-residents pay $25 per night.
There are miles of hiking trails and a small fishing pond
but what really makes this campground is its location to many area attractions
and easy transportation into Chicago. It’s also very close to many restaurants
and shopping on Randall Road.
Here are just a few of the attractions that are less than an
hour away. The Metra will take you into downtown Chicago but the Big Timber
Station only operates on the weekdays. On weekends you would have to drive to
the Elgin Station
http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map.html
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/
http://www.mortonarb.org/
http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org/
http://www.cantigny.org/museums/mccormick/default.aspx
http://www.napersettlement.org/
http://volocars.com/#sthash.DSzjmIV1.dpbs
Here is a link to the campground:
http://kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=11
And a few photos. As you can see, the pond was our
favorite subject.
2 comments:
Gorgeous and so happy you are enjoying yourself! Love to you and Ronna
Dave having a great time in S.C., glad to see your enjoying your life. AGB
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