Big Rock Forest Preserve

I pitched a tent here, just me and my dog. We were the only ones using the primitive site. The place was well maintained, the facilities were clean. Everyone else had an RV, some with children, some with their dogs. Everyone was courteous and it was quiet in the evening. The trail took me to a nice lake. The deer were pretty skittish. Next time I’ll bring my bike. I’ll definitely be back.

Wow what a disappointment!!!
If you are looking for a place to get kicked out of, then stay here. We were there on a Saturday night and stayed until Sunday. We were never told that there was a «check out» time. I didn’t realize that camp grounds have rules like a hotel. Actually hotels are a lot nicer when it comes to a late checkout. Oh and did I mention they called the police to kick us out? I will NEVER stay here again and suggest that if you want to get a police to escort you out, then stay here.
We weren’t even doing anything. We are adults and were just finishing up our lunch and resting. So much for having a nice relaxing weekend. Thanks Big Rock.
I can only warn people. This place sucks and you will not be welcomed here.

It’s not often you get to try a brand new campground and this one is just over a year old. The sites are nicely spaced, large and level. There were only a few campers here so it’s not crowded but even of it were full I still think it would be comfortable.
The trail to the lake is nice and flat and going around the lake there are a couple good hills but the views at the top are worth it.
There are some nice bar/​restaurants in Big Rock and Hinckley and DeKalb is not far if you want more.
The staff was great and the bathrooms are among the cleanest I’ve ever seen. This place is on my list of places to return.

My husband and I stayed here for two weeks in our RV and we loved it!
The campground is new — added in August of 2013 in an open space off Granart Road. The RV pads are gravel, with a few blacktop ones that are handicapped accessible. They have eight pull-​throughs and two dump stations for RVs. A handful of primitive sites are available, some in the trees and some in the grass. You can also rent an RV site for tents to gain electric and water access. There is one shelter with several flush toilets (and sinks), a couple out-​house style bathrooms, and picnic shelters. No showers, no WiFi, no pool… its just a forest preserve.
The small number of campers did make for a few lonely moments but otherwise, the silence was sweet. The people we encountered were very friendly (we even had a funnel cake truck as a neighbor!) and the campground workers seemed happy to be there. We never had any negative experiences with them (unlike the other campground in Kane County).
I loved how we felt far away from Chicago but were still near a lot of places in Big Rock and Sugar Grove. Library, police, farmers market, restaurants, laundromat, gas stations, a fiber arts studio, grocery, an RV repair shop, and more are close by – so you’re not completely isolated.
The forest preserve itself is lovely too. The entrance to the preserve is off Jericho, but there is a 1.3 mile bike path from the campground that goes past the soybean fields and into the woods. The woods (and a looping path) surround a calm lake that is perfect for fishing and canoeing. We saw many locals taking advantage of the fishing and picnic areas. Oh, and there’s a few geocaches for those who love to find treasures.
Pack a tent, hitch up your trailer, or load your canoe and spend some time here becoming one with nature!

My husband, daughter, and I pitched a tent for ten consecutive nights at this hidden gem. We are used to camping in state campgrounds in Illinois, and were struck by the helpfulness and friendliness of the camp hosts. There are nine walk-​in tent sites, some better than others, and numerous sites with hookups for campers and RVs. The campground is young, and there are pros and cons to this. Everything is very clean and well-​managed. The downside to a new campground is that the trees are also young and small. This campground will only improve with age, especially if the county continues to hire mature adults who are sociable, efficient, and friendly to staff the grounds. A huge plus? They sell generous portions of good wood for a modest price. Our experience was completely positive and enjoyable. Kudos to Kane County Forest Preserve for knowing just what they’re doing.

Geocaching introduced me to this park as there are three currently residing on the back side of the preserve. It was tracking those down that allowed me to realize how nice this area was. There are two parking lots within the park, one near the front entrance and another further back. Trailheads can be found at both and they eventually interlink. From the front parking lot the trail leads you towards Big Rock Creek and the eastern portion of the park, which contains a metal suspension bridge crossing the creek and a hiking trail east of it.
A road leads to the back parking lot that puts you closer to Seigler Lake and the trail surrounding it. The path surrounding the lake is crushed limestone. The bluff found on the west side of the lake offers a small climb to the top which offers a great view and comes highly recommended. This is an unmarked path but easily found by the tread area’s leading to it on the north and south sides. There are several other non-​limestone trails to be found in various parts of the park as well, one of which leads to the camp ground located north of the park.
If you’re geocaching there’s a nice cache in the northeast part of the preserve which is forested. Welch Creek cuts through these woods as well, offering some scenic views.
Aside from hiking and fishing, BRFP is also good for horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching and cross country skiing in the winter.
Seigler Lake is 32 acres and stocked with fish annually. I don’t fish but many of the parks visitors come here for that reason.
This place is a hidden gem.
Cheers!