Glamping Near Chicago: Camp Aramoni

Glamping near Chicago? Yes please! Illinois first luxury campground is open for the season. Just 90 minutes from Chicago, Camp Aramoni is a new luxury glamping spot near Starved Rock State Park. Located in Tonica, Illinois, the 96 acre grounds features hiking trails, ponds and 11 safari style tents decked out with hotel-like amenities. We spent a weekend here in May, and our visit did not disappoint.

The Grounds

Featured in Travel & Leisure magazine, see why Camp Aramoni is not to be missed! Once we arrived, we checked in at The Barn. This is a communal eating area with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s also a space to hang out and has a great assortment of classic board games to play.
Next to The Barn, is an airstream which has been converted into a bar, called The Burlington. Enjoy drinks, relax and take in the views.

Accomodations

Eleven safari style tents are spaced out across the property. The tents are beautifully decorated with a full bathroom, heating and air, a mini fridge and a private firepit for nightly smores. Tents accommodate 2-6 guests depending on the size of your party. Some tents come equipped with bunk beds perfect for a family getaway.

Food

Breakfast and dinner are served in ‘The Barn’ and included in your stay at Camp Aramoni. Each morning we had a hearty and delicious buffet breakfast with LOADS of choices. Dinner selections are made prior to arrival. The first night I chose the cod and the second night I had the burger. Overall, dinner service needs some improvements. Both nights our food was cold by the time it was served. My suggestion would be to have a buffet dinner instead, which would allow everything to stay hot.

Service

From the moment we arrived, the service was top notch! They shuttled us by golf cart and our bags to our tents. We were given a phone number at check in to text for any requests…including drinks delivered to your room or lighting the firepit. The staff was at our fingertips and went above and beyond to accommodate us.

Thing To Do

There are so many things to do in the area. Here are a few suggestions:
Starved Rock State Park – As the most visited State Park in Illinois, Starved Rock is full of hiking trails and waterfalls. Read here to learn more about our trip.

Matthiessen State Park – Located a few miles from Starved Rock, Matthiessen is another great place to explore and hike.

August Hill Winery – We visited August Hill Winery on our visit. We went to the cave tasting tour at the vineyard location in Peru. Offered on weekends, it includes a tasting of six wines and chance to step into the caves where the wine is produced and stored. We enjoyed the experience and highly recommend it! August Hill Winery also has a tasting room in the town of Utica that’s open daily.

Shop local and visit neighboring towns of Utica, Ottawa and Lasalle.

If you are looking for glamping near Chicago, I highly recommend visiting Camp Aramoni. It’s a unique experience and a piece of luxury in nature.