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Camp Sullivan and Dunewood Campground welcome pets at their sites within driving distance of Calumet City, Illinois. Both campgrounds offer electric hookups with Camp Sullivan providing cabins as an additional pet-friendly accommodation option. Several campers note that while Camp Sullivan's sites are somewhat small, they provide good shade coverage for tent campers wanting to keep pets cool during summer months. The bathhouse facilities are generally clean with keyed access for safety, though availability of amenities like water hookups varies between locations. Most pet owners appreciate the nearby hiking trails directly accessible from the camping areas, allowing for convenient dog walks without needing to drive elsewhere. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.
Indiana Dunes State Park Campground provides another option for pet owners, featuring full-hookup sites with both 30 and 50-amp service. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the park, with several miles of pet-friendly trails available for exercise. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park maintains a quiet, well-kept camping area with a small private beach on the lake where some pets are permitted to join their owners. The campground's bathhouses use keypad locks, which campers with pets appreciate for added security when showering. Travelers should be aware that some locations have limited toilet paper availability in bathhouses, which can be inconvenient during longer stays with pets. Sites at most area campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when pet-friendly accommodations fill quickly.
"There is so much to do her, wineries and breweries nearby. The beaches are not too crowded. Pet friendly and lots to do for children. This is one of our favorite vacation spots."
"give you a great view of Lake Michigan. Bathroom rooms and shower were super clean. Dog friendly campsite and right next to the lake!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."
"Was rainy, but still enjoyed walking the beach. Staff extremely pleasant & helpful. Pavilion services was closed for construction. There is an area on the Beach where you can walk your dogs."
from $53 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
"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."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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 Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger."
"Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook."
TravelerSmall campground but very friendly. A plus was the full hookups. The sights are very close together. Management is not over bearing and very friendly. Dog friendly lots of dogs this weekend nice size dog park! You overall great weekend
TravelerWe stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.
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.
TravelerMany very nice permanent sites. We loved the dog park along with the many activities available. We come here at least once a year. Check out their information on their website.
If you want a quick local get away this is the place.
GuidePros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park
Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area
The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.
GuideWe used it as an over night stop right off of 94. It was perfect for that. It would also be perfect spot to stay longer if wanted to be in the area. Grounds were nice. Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook.
ScoutGreat stop for the night, It's new, gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids. Plenty of space and Convenient. We reserved and checked in online. The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit but it's Nov so no need to run dual ACs minor issue but still make sure your using your EPM devices.
LegendAs we were driving eastbound on I80 that day, we spotted the Love’s RV Hookup, which is a new concept that this oversized fueling depot / travel store has been working on for the past year or so. Having checked out one of their other locations in Bloomington earlier in the year, which I have to admit, I was fairly impressed by, we decided to stop in here to have a look. Located just due east on the outskirts of little known Morris, Illinois just off I80, this little roadside stand isn’t the largest Love’s I’ve ever seen, but it sure does pack a punch.
If you do find yourself hustling and bustling east or west along the I80 corridor and are in need of a pit stop or an overnight stay, then the good folks at the Love’s RV Hookup have you covered. While the other Love’s I have stopped by seem enormous by comparison, this spot felt more like a corner convenience store that also had a fairly large fueling bay (4 double-sided pumps) in the front, primarily for cars and SUVs.
As you pull in, there’s 4 spots earmarked to the right of the entrance for RV’s. As you pull further along in front of the Love’s fueling bay, on the other side, an additional 6 or so slots exist for other RVs to park. In all, there’s 10 back-in RV slots available and inside you’ll find that there’s 7 individual shower stalls (all of which were in pristine, brand-new shape when we stopped by) along with a laundry facility, which we were happily surprised by, as well as a designated RV dump service, propane refill station and all of the typical hook-ups (water, 30 / 50 amp electric and sewage) along with WiFi. Inside, there’s of course the Love’s retail market, which was just decent, an ATM, Hardee’s and Naf-Naf (think Subway, but instead, Middle Eastern food). There’s even a small dog park here. As I hinted at, quite a lot here for such a small location.
If you would like something more substantial to eat, just head back west on I80 to the next exit, where if you head north there’s an IHOP, Chili’s, Bellacino’s Pizza or you can head on back to the TA Travel Center where they actually have a proper sit-down 24 hour restaurant called R-Place. If instead of heading north, you drive south on the main drag (Road 47), there’s a Buffalo Wild Wings, Pizza Hut, Starbuck’s, Wendy’s, Culver’s, Dunkin' and Burger King. But if you want something a bit more memorable, I would recommend either Morris Diner & Pancake House or La Casa Michoacana. And if you don’t mind a slightly longer drive back towards Ottawa, there’s 2 amazing places I would recommend that you won’t soon forget: Hank’s and Lone Buffalo.
Should you want to actually enjoy a bit of the nature around these parts, you can continue to head south on N. Division Street / Road 47 where you’ll come to 2 parks: Goold and Chapin, where either would make for a great place to stretch your legs, walk the dog or grab a picnic. If you’d like something a bit more splendid, then head on over to William G. Stratton SP or Gebhard Woods SP where you will be able to hike the I&M Canal State Trail.
While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:
Convenience: 5
Safety & Security: 4
Quality: 5
Peace & Quiet: 4
Amenities: 3
Overall, I scored this location a 4.
Happy Overnighting!
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.
Camping options near Calumet City extend from the Indiana Dunes shoreline to the forest preserves of Cook County. The region sits at approximately 590 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate that brings hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F from June through August, making swimming in Lake Michigan a popular activity when staying at campgrounds within driving distance.
Climb sand dunes: Indiana Dunes National Park's Dunewood Campground offers access to challenging dune hikes. "The sites are decently private with good tent pads. Shower house was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus," notes Katherine T., who appreciated the practical amenities after hiking.
Fish in local lakes: Emerald Trails Campground provides fishing access on their property. "Very relaxing, and very quiet. Great shade from tall trees, and a large pond to fish or paddle boat," writes Maurice, highlighting the peaceful environment for anglers.
Explore mountain biking trails: The trail systems near Camp Bullfrog Lake are excellent for cyclists. "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," explains Josh M., who enjoys midweek camping trips to break up the work week.
Bathroom security: Keypad locks on facilities provide peace of mind at Michigan City Campground. "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean," notes Beth B., who appreciated these features during her stay in the group tent camping area.
Nearby beach access: The proximity to Lake Michigan draws many campers. "We stayed here for my first trip to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore area. It was clearly recently renovated and very nice," writes Michael L. about Sand Creek Campground, appreciating its convenient location just 10 minutes from the interstate.
Wooded sites for shade: Many campers value tree coverage during hot summer months. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean," notes Lawrence B. about his experience at Camp Bullfrog Lake, highlighting the balance between amenities and natural setting.
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create noise disturbances. "Definitely heard railroad and road noise but that's the trade off for being close to town with good cell service," mentions Katherine T. about Dunewood Campground, acknowledging the compromise between convenience and tranquility.
Varied site sizes: Some campgrounds offer limited space. "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded," cautions Lisa S. about Camp Sullivan, suggesting this location might be better for smaller setups.
Gate closures: Security measures can affect late arrivals or early departures. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning!" reports one camper, highlighting potential issues for those with early morning plans.
Playground options: Blackwell Family Campground provides recreational amenities beyond just camping. "There is a nice shower facility. The grounds include a lake for boating, hiking trails, and bike paths. There is also an archery range, and some ranger programs," shares Jen E., who found it ideal when traveling with a baby.
Indoor alternatives: Many campgrounds offer structures for rainy days. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites," reports Dane S. about Camp Sullivan, which maintains an activities barn with climbing walls.
Swimming options: Several locations have pools or beach access. "Great experience, loved the pool!" mentions Jennifer T. about Michigan City Campground, providing an option for kids to cool off during summer heat.
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between locations. "We stayed in a 90 ft premium pull through spot. Nice campground that is maintained. There is a pool, fishing pond, and playground for kids," notes Erin B. about Michigan City Campground's accommodation for larger rigs.
Water access points: Not all sites provide direct water hookups. "No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors," reports Kaitlin M. about her experience at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Dump station timing: Indiana Dunes State Park Campground provides sanitary services but may have waits during peak checkout times. "Two dump stations made wait minimal," notes one camper, providing useful information for planning departure schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Calumet City, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Calumet City, IL is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 127 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Calumet City, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 47 dog-friendly camping locations near Calumet City, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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