Camp Aramoni, Illinois’ first and premier boutique campground and event venue located just an hour outside Chicago near Starved Rock State Park is now officially accepting reservations for its “Grand Opening” season in 2022, which kicks off on May 1st, 2022.
Back during 2021’s “preview season,” which was shortened due to COVID-related delays, a limited number of guests had the chance to experience the woman-owned and family-operated property’s upscale accommodations and picturesque 96-acre setting for the first time.
Featuring high-end tents, gracious hospitality and amenities like chef-driven meals by Director of Hospitality Cleetus Friedman and gourmet s’mores, Camp Aramoni quickly filled its bookings in 2021. Now in 2022, the guest experience will become even more robust as owner Jennifer Bias and the team debut a lineup of captivating new programming and experiences including collaborative dinners featuring notable chefs, partnerships with local artisans and purveyors, and more.
The Campground
Spanning 96 acres of lush forest and wildlife terrain along the Vermilion River on the site of a former 19th-century brickyard, Camp Aramoni is Illinois’ first and premier boutique campground and event space. Situated just a stone’s throw from renowned Starved Rock State Park, the campground boasts charming accommodations and hotel-level hospitality within the serenity of nature.
Guests can retreat to one of 11 semi-permanent safari-style tents, each outfitted with upscale amenities including air conditioning and heat, hardwood floors, private en-suite restrooms, mini-fridges, and king-sized beds. With each tent accommodating two to six for overnight stays and a total occupancy of 56, Camp Aramoni is ideal for private couples’ getaways while expansive enough for corporate retreats and full wedding buyouts.
The Barn, the campground’s refined rustic gathering space, offers dining areas where meals are served daily, a space for food and wine tastings, and a general store stocked with sundries, snacks, and other grab-and-go items while The Burlington, a lovingly restored 1961 Airstream Ambassador RV converted into a mobile coffee and cocktail bar, sits just outside. The first of its kind in the Midwest, Camp Aramoni offers a robust food and beverage program led by Director of Hospitality Cleetus Friedman featuring seasonal, chef-driven menus available to enjoy en-suite or at The Barn.
The Event Space
Camp Aramoni’s event space, Bricks & Stones, was formerly the brickyard’s blacksmith shop during the 1800s and now serves as a stunning venue for weddings, corporate retreats, and other large functions.
Great care was taken by Camp Aramoni founders Tim and Jennifer Bias to preserve the rich history and industrial charm of the building, which showcases a grand fireplace, numerous brick kilns, plus modern amenities such as the elegant Bowers Suite, a multipurpose room named after the former superintendent of the brickyard.
Bricks & Stones can accommodate 75 seated guests indoors and 200 seated guests outdoors in their large open lawn featuring a covered pavilion, outdoor kitchen, and deck providing scenic views of the surrounding woodlands. Just outside the private camping area, trails for hiking wind through the pristine forest, and guests have the option to partake in outdoor activities including morning en-suite massages, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, food and beverage pairings, lawn games, and bicycle rides.
Therefore, if you don’t want to miss out on this amazing experience, better grab your 2022 reservation today!