W
William M.
Traveler
TravelerDunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Excellent and clean
Super great here, some bugs, people were quiet
Camping near Burnham, IL
60 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping near Burnham, Illinois ranges from tent and cabin sites to campgrounds with electrical hookups for RVs, spread across Cook County Forest Preserves and neighboring areas. Camp Sullivan and Camp Shabbona Woods offer tent and cabin camping within 10-15 miles of Burnham, while Camp Bullfrog Lake offers additional water-oriented camping. Several campgrounds feature electrical hookups for RVs, though most have limited sites. The urban-adjacent nature of these campgrounds combines natural settings with proximity to Chicago and its suburbs.
Many Cook County Forest Preserve campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The campgrounds operate with varying seasonal schedules, with some offering year-round access while others close during winter months. "Camp sites are set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping," noted one visitor to Shabbona Woods, though they mentioned limited shade as "saplings are still growing." Urban sounds including traffic, trains, and emergency vehicles are commonly reported at these locations, which reflects their positioning within the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Cell phone coverage is generally strong throughout the region.
Campers seeking a more remote experience may need to travel farther from Burnham to reach Indiana Dunes National Park or Indiana Dunes State Park, approximately 20-25 miles east. According to visitor feedback, the cleanliness and maintenance of facilities varies considerably between locations. A review of Camp Sullivan mentioned "clean bathrooms" and "good hiking" options, while others noted issues with shower facilities and site sizes. Many campgrounds feature modern amenities including showers, flush toilets, and picnic tables. Most camping areas in the region have relatively small sites compared to more rural campgrounds, with several reviewers mentioning the compact nature of the camping areas. Despite their urban proximity, these campgrounds provide valuable access to natural spaces, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation for residents and visitors to the Burnham area.
Best Campgrounds near Burnham (60)
1. 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 Availability2. 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 Availability3. 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 Availability4. 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 Availability5. 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 Availability6. Camp Shabbona Woods
from $30 - $80 / night
Check Availability7. 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"
8. Sand Creek Campground
"We were disappointed the state park was full but found this campground close by. The tent sites were very private as we were the only ones there for the night. Plenty of space tucked among the trees."
"I tried an RV resort park first and my site was right next to train tracks and packed in next to the other sites. This spot was more spacious and fairly quiet with good showers."
from $30 - $90 / night
Check Availability9. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park
"You have access to the perks of the conference grounds I clouding access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
"Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. Michigan City Campground
"This is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. It is gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter."
"Staying here started off as a last minute thing as we’re driving through and made no arrangements for overnight lodging. With our rooftop tent, staying here was no problem!"
Drive Time
- 20 min from Chicago, IL
- 43 min from Kankakee, IL
- 44 min from Michigan City, IN
- 1 hr 11 min from South Bend, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Burnham, IL
127 Photos of 60 Burnham Campgrounds
Jeffrey L.
Camp Shabbona Woods
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Marc W.
Lakeshore Camp Resort
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
holly S.
Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park
Andrew S.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Jackie H.
Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Josephine B.
Lake O' The Woods Club
Rae M.
Sand Creek Campground
Bruce K.
Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Lisa M.
Michigan City Campground
Recent Reviews near Burnham, IL
459 Reviews of 60 Burnham Campgrounds
- 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.
ScoutCentral 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
Michael M.
GuideIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Great week
Just finished a week at this campground and overall had a great stay.
The campground is a short walk or bike ride to the public beach, and just east along the lake is the preserve area where we were able to take our dogs swimming, which was a huge plus.
The campground itself was nice. The East Loop felt a little older, with large mature trees providing shade over most sites, a centralized bathhouse, and a few pit toilets spread throughout. The West Loop had a similar feel.
There are also a few playgrounds throughout the campground, which our kids really enjoyed. They spent a lot of time bouncing back and forth between them and meeting new kids along the way, which ended up being one of their favorite parts of the trip.
The bathhouses were acceptable, though the campground was busy during our stay and it definitely showed.
We stayed in Site 8, which I wouldn’t personally recommend. There was very little usable space, and the fire pit felt like an afterthought—placed against overgrowth on sloping sand to the point that we couldn’t realistically set chairs around it.
One thing worth mentioning: we had some pretty severe weather come through during our stay, and the on-site tornado siren alerted everyone in the campground. Thankfully the storms missed us, but while the alarms were sounding, sheriff’s deputies were driving the loops and checking on campers, which was reassuring to see.
We’ll definitely be back—just not to Site 8.
Guide to Burnham
Alternative camping options near Burnham, Illinois include both urban-adjacent and lakeside sites within driving distance. Travelers can find tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals within a 15-30 mile radius. Most campgrounds in the area maintain online reservation systems with availability calendars, and many have seasonal operation schedules that vary throughout the year.
What to do
Lake swimming options: 5-25 miles east. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground offers beach access for cooling off during summer months. "The sunset on Lake Michigan from the dunes was awesome," notes one visitor who explored both the state and national parks. The location provides multiple water recreation options on hot days.
Hiking trails: Multiple difficulty levels. Dunewood Campground connects to several trail systems with varying terrain. "There are trails and sand dunes to climb, clean beach, really clean camp ground with newer clean bathrooms," according to a recent visitor. Most trails remain open year-round with different seasonal characteristics.
Boating and fishing: On-site rentals available. Several locations offer water access for anglers. "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," reports a camper who stayed at Camp Bullfrog Lake. Fishing licenses required for Illinois or Indiana waters depending on location.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Updated bathhouses. Camp Sullivan provides well-maintained shower buildings at most camping areas. "The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern," according to one visitor. Multiple reviewers note the attention to cleanliness in common areas.
Urban accessibility: Public transportation options. Some locations offer connectivity to city attractions. "There is easy access to public transportation," notes one visitor about urban camping options. This allows campers to explore Chicago without driving or dealing with parking challenges.
Family-friendly activities: Structured programming. Camp Bullfrog Lake offers multiple recreation options beyond basic camping. "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits. 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," explains a frequent visitor. Most structured activities occur during summer months.
What you should know
Site sizes vary significantly: Some campgrounds feature compact sites. "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded," reports one camper at Michigan City Campground. Research specific site dimensions before booking larger units.
Security features: Gate systems and staff patrols. Michigan City Campground implements controlled access for visitor safety. "Gated campground so not just anyone can come in, very clean and a nice pool," notes a reviewer. Most secured campgrounds have specific entrance procedures.
Ambient noise levels: Train and highway proximity. Multiple campgrounds experience transportation noise. "Could hear trains throughout the night. Great facility with showers, water fountains, and a camp sink," reports a Dunewood visitor. Noise levels vary by specific site location within each campground.
Shade availability: Limited at newer sites. Some camping areas feature young trees that don't provide significant coverage. "I am directly in the sun in my spot," notes one camper about their experience. Shaded sites typically book faster during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: Indoor alternatives. Sand Creek Campground provides multiple activity areas. "The owner was very nice and helpful at check-in. There were several open spots on that rainy Sunday, so we were allowed to pick any open spot," reports a visitor who appreciated the flexibility during inclement weather. Most family-oriented campgrounds maintain recreation options for rainy days.
Swimming options: Both pool and natural water. Several campgrounds maintain pools in addition to lake access. "We camped here for 2 nights while visiting Indiana Dunes National Park. We felt completely safe and would stay there again," notes a camper who used Sand Creek as a base camp for beach exploration. Swimming areas typically have seasonal operating hours.
Playgrounds and fields: Energy-burning spaces. Multiple campgrounds maintain play areas for younger visitors. "There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly," explains a visitor to Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park. Most play areas are centrally located within camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Limited full-service sites. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park offers complete utility connections. "We stayed on site 27, sites are full hookup, there's a nice bathhouse which has a key pad handle which made me feel safe while showering," notes a recent visitor. Reservation systems typically show hookup specifications for each site.
Pull-through availability: Premium site options. Some campgrounds offer easier access sites for larger rigs. "We stayed in a 90 ft premium pull through spot. Nice campground that is maintained," reports an RVer. These specialized sites typically carry higher nightly rates.
Dump station protocols: Location and timing. Multiple RV-friendly campgrounds maintain sanitation facilities. "Two dump stations made wait minimal," notes one visitor about their experience. Most dump stations include potable water access and operate during daylight hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Burnham, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Burnham, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Burnham, IL is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 128 reviews.
What parks are near Burnham, IL?
What parks are near Burnham, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Burnham, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.
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