W
William M.
Traveler
TravelerDunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Excellent and clean
Super great here, some bugs, people were quiet
Camping near Alsip, IL
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping options near Alsip, Illinois include several established campgrounds situated within Cook County Forest Preserves and surrounding areas. Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan are two notable locations offering a range of accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in the region are located within 30 minutes of Alsip, providing convenient access for Chicago-area residents seeking outdoor recreation without traveling far from the metropolitan area.
Most developed campgrounds in the Cook County system require reservations, especially during summer months when demand is highest. Sites typically provide electric hookups for RVs, though water hookups and dump stations are limited at some locations. The camping season generally runs from May through September, though some campgrounds like Camp Bullfrog Lake operate year-round. Facilities at most Cook County campgrounds include modern restrooms with showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. One camper noted, "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits."
Tent campers appreciate the waterfront sites available at Camp Bullfrog Lake, which offer views of the water but minimal shade. Several visitors mentioned that the campgrounds provide good access to hiking and mountain biking trails within the forest preserves. The trail system is particularly notable, with one visitor commenting that "the mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here." RV campers should note that sites at Camp Sullivan can accommodate units up to about 35 feet, though space may be tight. Proximity to Chicago makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations, offering an accessible outdoor experience for city dwellers while maintaining some natural character despite being near urban areas.
Best Campgrounds near Alsip (64)
1. Camp Bullfrog Lake
"Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."
"What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
from $20 - $138 / night
Check Availability2. Camp Sullivan
"Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."
"There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."
from $35 - $250 / night
Check Availability3. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
from $25 / night
Check Availability4. The Vaudeville
"There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"
5. Blackwell Family Campground
"Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."
"I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability6. Camp Shabbona Woods
from $30 - $80 / night
Check Availability7. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
"We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."
"This campground was very nice and clean and for a packed park was very quiet and we did not feel too close to the sites next to us. "
from $50 / night
Check Availability8. Martin’s Camping Ground
"If you like having access to a bathroom and shower its great and because no one really hd a tent here but us we had some privacy. It is next to a highway so be mindful of that."
9. Lakeshore Camp Resort
"We were there the week before peak season opened so none of the pools or splash pads were open, but they were very accommodating so that we could still play mini golf and ride around on the pedal cars."
"A lake with water rentals, floating water slide, playgrounds and sport courts, general store with the stardust’s “convenience mark-ups”,and water/ electric at all sites."
from $49 - $57 / night
Check Availability10. Martin Campground
"We just purchased our first Winnebago and needed a spot close to home for a quick trial run. We have three small boys and they were very excited to camp."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 20 min from Chicago, IL
- 40 min from Kankakee, IL
- 51 min from Michigan City, IN
- 1 hr 7 min from Kenosha, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Alsip, IL
151 Photos of 64 Alsip Campgrounds
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Andrew S.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Jeffrey L.
Camp Shabbona Woods
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Marc W.
Blackwell Family Campground
holly S.
Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park
Marc W.
Lakeshore Camp Resort
Tyler J.
Backyard Bonfire
Brian O.
McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff CottageS & RV
Recent Reviews near Alsip, IL
499 Reviews of 64 Alsip Campgrounds
- AAbdulrahman A.
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
- EEd B.Traveler
Lakeshore Camp Resort
looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage
Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
- Matthew C.Scout
Central Avenue Walk-in Sites — Indiana Dunes National Park
Beautiful but Needs Some Love
We stayed a Thursday and Friday night in July 2026 on site 1. We did need to head to the Welcome Center for a piece of paper to display on your dash so that we can park in the parking lot. There isn't a National Park entrance to access the site, you just park in a parking lot that a park ranger at the visitors center told us was owned and operated by the town and not the park service. There was an area of reserved parking for those camping at the walk-in sites.
There is a decent sandy hill that you need to go up to access the site, which really wasn't bad. The site itself was heavily wooded and secluded. It is fairly sandy, but there was a nice spot to set up the tent that was grassy. The mosquitos were aggressive, but a little Deep Woods Off and they left us along mostly. We got to the site and there was trash and cigarette butts scattered around that we had to clean up. I discovered the first night that a contributing factor to some of the trash is most likely a sizeable and bold raccoon that was not afraid of us, and both nights came wandering into our campsite looking for food while we were sitting there.
Additionally, the fire pit has probably not been cleaned out in years, since it was filled to the top with ash. With this being a wooded site, this could increase the risk of a fire getting out of the pit.
We were at site 1, so heading to the port-o-potty was fine and it was well kept. The beach was about 3-5 minutes walking. However, the bathrooms and outdoor shower were all "Closed for the Season". There were a couple port-o-pottys there, but they were not in as good of shape as the one near the campground. There was also a ton of trash in that bathroom building area, which was disappointing to see.
- RRichard C.Scout
Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground — Kankakee River State Park
Ok
JJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
Kathy B.
LegendIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Amateur hour
Nicely laid out campground with mature trees. Level sites. All with electric hookups. Was greeted by very kind person at the booth. You need to know that on Sundays check-in is until 5 PM as campers from the weekend have until 5 PM to vacate their sites. Of course you can check in early if they leave. The way the campground is laid out, there are no pass that lead to the bathrooms. Therefore, people are constantly cutting through your site to get to their restrooms.
- ssusan F.
RangerIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Beautiful location and great campground!
Nice sites, well spaced. Campground is well maintained with nice bathrooms and showers (we were there after a massive storm in early June and there had been some flooding in the bathrooms). From the campsite, walk through the forest and Dunes to the beautiful beach. Our dog was in heaven!
- CChris L.Traveler
Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Location and Camp Hosts
Clean facilities, great camp hosts, and can’t beat the location. Campsites have a fire pit and table. One of the few spots to stay in the area.
Bring bug spray
- WWendy T.Traveler
Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Dunewood Campground
Beautiful location, a mile from beach on Lake Michigan
Guide to Alsip
Cook County Forest Preserves offer seasonal camping opportunities within 30 miles of Alsip, Illinois, with most sites available from May through September. Winter temperatures in the region average 25°F, while summer months typically range from 65-85°F with moderate humidity. Campgrounds near Alsip serve as convenient outdoor retreats for Chicago metropolitan residents seeking accessible nature experiences without extensive travel.
What to do
Fishing access: Lake access at Camp Bullfrog Lake provides fishing opportunities throughout the camping season. "We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day. We had a blast riding our bikes," notes Tim K. about the surrounding recreation areas.
Trail riding: Mountain biking trails connect directly to camping areas at several forest preserves. "The mountain bike trails were awesome," reports Tim K. from Camp Bullfrog Lake, while another visitor mentioned, "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
Water recreation: Kayak rentals available at select locations for $15/hour including safety equipment. "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," shares Layla P. from Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Rock climbing: Indoor climbing wall available at Camp Sullivan, offering structured activity options during inclement weather. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall," explains Shane S., making this location suitable for varied weather conditions.
What campers like
Proximity to urban areas: Locations provide quick weekend getaways without long travel times. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," mentions Josh M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, while Scott M. notes that Camp Shabbona Woods "is set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping."
Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms with showers are standard at most Cook County campgrounds. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked," according to Layla P. at Camp Bullfrog Lake. Another camper at Blackwell Family Campground rates the facilities "4/5...not the best we've seen, but by far not the worst."
Site variety: Options range from wooded sites to waterfront locations. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake," reports Lawrence B. about Camp Bullfrog Lake. At Camp Sullivan, Shane S. notes that "the campsites are well kept as are the grounds."
What you should know
Limited shade: Many camping areas have young trees providing minimal coverage. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," reports Tim K. about Camp Bullfrog Lake. At Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, a camper notes "The middle sites are more exposed and much less private."
Noise factors: Traffic and train noise affects some campgrounds more than others. "The train is so loud that it's bound to wake you up numerous times in the middle of the night," warns one camper about sites near transportation corridors. Another notes, "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Alsip, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Alsip, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alsip, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What parks are near Alsip, IL?
What parks are near Alsip, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Alsip, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.
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