Paul Wolff Campground and Camp Reinberg accommodate pets with designated areas for dogs to exercise while maintaining leash requirements throughout the grounds. Both campgrounds provide electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site, with Paul Wolff offering additional water hookups for RVs. Camp Reinberg features cabin options for those seeking pet-friendly alternatives to tent camping, while Chicago Northwest KOA extends its pet-friendly policy to cabins, yurts, and glamping accommodations. Bathrooms and shower facilities vary between locations, with Camp Reinberg providing modern shower facilities while Paul Wolff offers only basic toilet facilities. The campgrounds maintain clean grounds with regular maintenance of facilities and dog waste disposal stations throughout.
Hiking trails surrounding these pet-friendly campgrounds provide ample opportunities for dog walking, though wildlife encounters require keeping pets leashed at all times. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort maintains a year-round operation with full hookups and allows pets throughout the property, though the water quality has been noted as high in iron content. Chain O' Lakes State Park campgrounds offer multiple pet-friendly loops with varying levels of amenities - Turner Lake South provides more private sites compared to the open layout at Honeysuckle Hollow. The park gates close at 10 PM with tire shredders preventing late entry, requiring campers with pets to plan evening walks accordingly. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, with several reviewers noting the family-friendly atmosphere despite the presence of numerous dogs.
$12 - $35 / night
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
"You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"
"Saw a few of their “puppy sites” that included a private gated area for dog owners. It poured all weekend but we still enjoyed the stay."
$45 - $60 / night
"Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."
"tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"
$20 - $35 / night
"Our site had the usual picnic table and a short walk to the restrooms and water. What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails."
"While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."
$43 - $73 / night
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
$45 - $70 / night
"The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. "
"Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front. Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "
$25 / night
"They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."
"Driving into rural northern IL felt like leaving the craziness behind. I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."
$20 - $30 / night
"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."
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
GuideWe love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.
ScoutWe’ve been staying at this resort for several months now, and wanted to share some feedback based on our experience.
The pool only opened mid-summer.
Water quality has been very bad. On one occasion, our pet had stomach issues after drinking tap water, which was concerning. The water is so unclean that our shower develops yellow stains within a day, and we’ve had to install a five-stage filtration system just to make it usable.
We’ve also noticed that rules aren’t enforced consistently, and it sometimes feels like certain guests are treated unfairly. For example, while we were told that personal kiddie pools aren’t allowed, we’ve counted at least six others set up around the park.
Package delivery is only permitted under special circumstances, and only if pre-approved by staff.
Had an incident where a staff member criticized my swimsuit at the pool, despite it being modest and similar to what others were wearing. I wore this swimsuit to many pools for many years. Additionally, the beach area is often closed even during posted open hours, and pool hours or updates aren’t clearly communicated—you have to inquire to get any information.
The storm shelter is typically locked, making it inaccessible in emergencies, which is a major concern.
We’ve also had to fix the swing set at the playground ourselves multiple times, as it’s been broken for a while. Many of the park’s facilities and amenities are showing their age and could benefit from updates and maintenance.
That said, there are aspects we’ve truly enjoyed, and they’re the main reasons we’ve continued our stay: the spacious layout of the RV park, a nice lake, beach, pool, gym, and a dog park.
LegendMy first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
RangerI was here for three months this time as i get to business completed. The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how. The grass is mowed every week. There is patroling at all hours for security. The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good. The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. The showers are cleaned and work great. The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.
TravelerFriendly staff who were quick to respond to any issues. Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot. Pet-friendly. Pleasant park with good pad. Near busy road and shipping plant. No wi-fi found except at hotel. Good phone connection. Garbage cans throughout park. Minutes from I & M Canal entrance on Houbolt and from JJC and I-80.
ScoutStaff was polite and helpful. They escort you to your spot. They hand out activity sheets for the weekend. Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly. They charge extra if you have visitors.
ScoutWe love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It’s always quiet and the view is beautiful. Bugs were awful this stay. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly.
RangerFor years, this was our go-to campground for weekend nearby adventures. Over the years, the price has increased and at $30 per site for non-residents, it's a bit steep for tent camping for me (so I left off a star rating). All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs. It's located in a beautiful wooded Dupage County Forest preserve. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained. While I didn't camp here this year, I took these photos the last weekend in October to give everyone a sense of how nice this campground could be for them. My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views. For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods. Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends. Heads-up that sites 21 & 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites.
ScoutI have camped in the tent section and also used the 30 amp service with our Class B van. Plenty of sites to choose from during the week but tends to get crowded on weekends. There are some sites out in the open and some that are totally private and secluded. It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days. Once you have a couple favorites you can then book in advance online.
It does get congested and noisy on the weekends and holidays but can be a very peaceful and relaxing campground during the non-busy days. There is obviously the lake, hiking and biking paths throughout the park, 2 camp stores, showers and plenty of restrooms scattered around the park.
Pet friendly.
Seasonal camping options near Algonquin provide easy weekend getaways within an hour's drive of the Chicago metro area. Most campgrounds in this region sit on relatively flat terrain around 800-850 feet above sea level, with proximity to waterways and forest preserves. Winters typically close many facilities, with camping season running May through October when temperatures average 45-85°F.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can access multiple lakes at Chain O' Lakes State Park, where "the lake was very nice... The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," according to Julia B. For beginners, basic equipment rentals are available at the main boat launch area. One reviewer noted, "This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood."
Hiking trails: Explore the diverse trail system at Thomas Woods Campground where "what we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails. They aren't the longest but we were able to vary the route up to keep it fresh for our dog to sniff out her adventure. Some of grass and others were dirt." The trails showcase seasonal wildflowers and wildlife viewing opportunities. Another camper mentioned, "Beautiful woods and prairie trails around here. Some really spectacular views to be had."
Kayaking routes: Navigate the smaller waterways at Chain O' Lakes for a less crowded experience. One reviewer recommends: "To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border. This will put you on the Fox river with developments to the north (including a bar & grill) or to the south which is all nature." Chain O' Lakes offers multiple access points with varying difficulty levels.
Private camping spots: Blackwell Family Campground receives praise for its secluded sites despite suburban location: "For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods." Site selection matters greatly here, as "While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level."
Year-round availability: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort maintains operations throughout winter months when most parks close.** A reviewer noted its practical location: "It was a great way point on our travels. Convenient - right off the highway. Late checkin and easy communication." The resort provides full hookups with "paved paths that we were able to walk the first night (not raining) and the beach looks like it will be fun to enjoy in the summer."
Off-season tranquility: Several campgrounds near Algonquin offer dramatically different experiences between peak and off-seasons. At Turner Lake South, one camper reported, "Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season. We canoe, and both times we stayed there it was October, so I can't tell you how crowded." Fall camping provides quieter experiences with changing foliage.
Gate hours: Park closures affect evening activities at Illinois Beach State Park, where "the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark." Plan accordingly if arriving late or needing supplies after hours.
Water quality concerns: Several campgrounds have issues with water systems. At Lehmans Lakeside, one reviewer mentioned "The camp water is high in Iron," while others noted limited water access at certain sites. At some campgrounds, drinking water must be transported from central spigots to individual sites.
Weekend availability challenges: Reserve well ahead for weekends, especially during summer. At Thomas Woods Campground, a reviewer observed, "While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends." Limited operating days further restrict options, as "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites."
Kids' activities: Chicago Northwest KOA offers structured programs for children.** As one camper noted, "There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends. People are nice to you. Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise." Another mentioned the "Wild West Town which is directly next door. There is a charge for daily entry but it was something different for the kids to enjoy."
Dog-friendly campgrounds near Algonquin: Pack waste bags and leashes for pet-accessible trails. At Thomas Woods, one camper mentioned "My 'leashed' dog loves this place, as do I." This reflects the widespread pet-friendly policies at most area campgrounds, though rules vary by park.
Raccoon precautions: Secure food early in the evening. One camper at Honeysuckle Hollow warned, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down."
Electric hookup locations: At Camp Reinberg, RV site layout requires planning for connections. One camper noted, "The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them." Check site maps for hookup locations before selecting your site.
Budget-friendly sites: Reduced rates for county residents at several dog-friendly campgrounds near Algonquin. At Blackwell Forest Preserve, a reviewer noted, "Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county." Similar policies exist at Cook County Forest Preserves with discounts for local residents.
Level site variations: Expect different ground conditions depending on campground selection. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, a visitor reported "Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice." Most RV sites in the region offer at least partial shade, though inner loop positions typically have less tree coverage than perimeter sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Algonquin, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Algonquin, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Algonquin, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 64 dog-friendly camping locations near Algonquin, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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