Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan offer cabin accommodations within 30 minutes of downtown Chicago. Located in the Cook County Forest Preserves, these sites provide direct access to urban forests with elevation changes of 50-100 feet, creating rolling terrain unusual for the Chicago area. Both locations feature cabins with modern amenities and are open year-round, allowing visitors to experience all four seasons of Midwest camping near Berwyn, Illinois.
What to do
Kayak fishing at Bullfrog Lake: The small lake is perfect for beginners, with kayak rentals available for $15 per hour including life vests. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," reports Layla P. from Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Hike the Three Dune Challenge: This popular trail at Indiana Dunes offers a moderate workout with spectacular views of Lake Michigan. "If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list," shares Jackie H. from Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Rock climbing activities: Camp Sullivan offers supervised indoor rock climbing for campers of all ages. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," notes Shane S., highlighting one of the unique recreation options at the forest preserve campgrounds.
What campers like
Free firewood: Each site at Camp Bullfrog Lake provides a complimentary bundle of oak firewood upon check-in. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," explains Josh M., though multiple campers mention the wood can sometimes be damp.
Beach access: The proximity to Lake Michigan beaches is a major draw for glamping close to Berwyn, Illinois. "The beach is well maintained, and had lifeguards during certain hours, which gave me a little bit of extra comfort in bringing my kids to the lake. It had really nice bathroom facilities, and changing room facilities there," describes Kaley A. from Indiana Dunes State Park.
City skyline views: On clear evenings, some locations offer views of the Chicago skyline across Lake Michigan. "On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake. The state park has many well maintained hiking trails and cross country skiing trails in the winter," says Anna G., highlighting one of the unique aspects of camping in this region.
What you should know
Train noise: Campgrounds near the city often experience train noise throughout the night. "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. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be fine," warns Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Secure campgrounds: Some locations like Michigan City Campground offer gated entry for added security. "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update," shares Beth B., appreciating the safety features at this family-friendly location.
Seasonal differences: Weather can significantly affect your glamping experience near Berwyn. Summer weekends are typically crowded, while weekday camping offers more solitude. "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021. The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," notes Tina from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities for kids. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods). Highly recommend," says Dane S. about Camp Sullivan.
Beach safety awareness: Lake Michigan can have dangerous rip currents. "Be careful in the lake, because rip current often take young visitors out too far and into dangerous waters," warns Anna G., emphasizing the importance of water safety when glamping close to Berwyn, Illinois with children.
Wildlife precautions: Take measures to protect food from local wildlife. "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," advises Meg from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Many campgrounds near Berwyn offer electric hookups but lack water and sewer connections. "No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors," explains Kaitlin M. from Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Premium site options: For those wanting full hookups, some campgrounds offer premium options. "We stayed in the premium sites which were 90ft pull thought with 50A service, water and sewer, and the best wifi I have seen at a campsite. The cement patio was large with a picnic table and an adjacent fire pit," shares Craig C. about Michigan City Campground.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on shade and privacy needs. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad. I believe this is a relatively newer campground. There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," advises Tim K., providing specific guidance for RV campers.
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