Glamp in style at Camp Aramoni

Camp Aramoni opens on April 13, 2023, for its second season. This woman-owned and family-run luxury campground is located near Starved Rock State Park, only two hours from downtown Chicago. The camp sits on a former 19th-century brickyard.

Camp Aramoni features 11 safari-style tents with king-size beds, hardwood floors, mini-fridges, and private baths on 96 acres of lush forest and wildlife terrain along the Vermilion River. There's even air conditioning and heat (...now I know why they call it glamping).

Guests will enjoy gathering at The Barn. This chef-driven restaurant offers farm-to-fork dishes from Executive Chef Carson Barger (Tangled Roots, Social Kitchen). Chef has created a seasonal menu that features regional ingredients. There's even a restored 1971 Airstream RV called The Burlington, where guests can enjoy morning coffee and evening craft cocktails.

Camp Aramoni also features a guest chef series. First up for 2023 is award-winning live fire Chef John Manion (El Che, Babygold Barbecue). This year's series will feature all-star Chicago talent. Each chef will create a dish for the weekly menu and a one-night cooking demo and meet-and-greet. This year the cooking events will have a limited number of tickets open to the public.

There are all new hiking trails for 2023. Camp Aramoni's expanded trail will allow city dwellers to connect with nature without leaving the campground. Guests will enjoy walks on all-new manicured pathways alongside the river or on bikes through the woods. There's even local wildlife to spot, including eagles, deer, and hawks. Bring your camera to capture some Instagram moments.

Guests will also be able to order elevated picnic offerings. These outdoor meals add an extra touch of elegance. For a Little Mermaid moment, guests can picnic near the campground's private lake and finish off with a romantic canoe ride. I can almost hear the turtles singing.

On weekends, guests will be able to enjoy live music by the campfire featuring local artists on the weekend. I'm really ready to go glamping now. The last time I went camping, we stayed in the tent for the whole weekend while getting rained on and dodging tornadoes. Sign me up for this nature-filled luxury escape from the city.

For more information, please visit the Camp Aramoni website or call (815) 224-7333.