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Camp Sullivan and Camp Bullfrog Lake permit pets at their established campsites near Chicago Heights, offering a range of accommodations including tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and pet-friendly cabins. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with showers and toilets, though campers have noted occasional maintenance issues at Camp Sullivan's bathhouses. These Cook County Forest Preserve campgrounds feature hiking trails accessible directly from the campsites where leashed dogs can join their owners. Camp Sullivan's bathrooms are modern with relatively new facilities, though toilet paper supplies can be inconsistent during busy periods.
Indiana Dunes State Park Campground and Dunewood Campground in Indiana Dunes National Park provide additional pet-friendly options within driving distance, offering varied terrain for dog walking with access to Lake Michigan shorelines. Most campgrounds in the region enforce standard leash requirements and limit pets to designated areas. The sites at Camp Sullivan tend to be small with limited privacy between neighbors, making it better suited for overnight stays rather than extended camping trips with pets. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park offers a quieter alternative with full hookup sites, keypad-secured bathhouses, and access to a private beach on Cedar Lake where dogs can cool off during summer months. Several campgrounds in the area close seasonally, with Emerald Trails Campground operating only from April 15 to October 15.
"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"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"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"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 $43 / 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"The park is dog friendly. The campground is clean and quiet. There is no bath house, only port-a-potty's throughout the campground."
"Yes, it’s an hour from the city, but I’d take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel. There’s an outhouse and plenty of places to plug in the RV, and cars/tents are welcome too."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."
"There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers."
"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."
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.
Pet-friendly camping options near Chicago Heights, Illinois offer a mix of lakeside and wooded sites within an hour's drive. The area sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level in a region characterized by relatively flat terrain punctuated by small lakes and forest preserves. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February, while summer camping season typically runs May through October with daytime highs reaching 80-90°F.
Fishing opportunities: At Potowatomi Campground, campers can access the Kankakee River for fishing, though swimming isn't permitted. "The river was nice to visit and we were able to take the kids to some knee deep water to play (swimming is NOT allowed in the river)," notes Linda N.
Water recreation: Dunewood Campground provides access to Lake Michigan beaches. "It was not a long car ride at all to Lake Michigan," explains Katrin M. The campground's proximity to the shoreline makes it ideal for day trips to swim and relax.
Mountain biking: The Cook County Forest Preserves offer extensive trail systems. "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," writes Josh M. about Bullfrog Lake, adding that locals often take "midweek camping trips to break up the work week."
Climbing challenges: The Indiana Dunes area features unique terrain for hiking enthusiasts. "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," recommends Jackie H., noting the satisfaction of completing this popular activity.
Secluded sites: Many campers appreciate finding quieter spots within busy campgrounds. "The sites are straightforward and vary quite a bit: some are huge with open green space and others I feel like just for a car and a tent," says Linda N. about Kankakee River State Park, adding that sites 16 and 17 on Osage loop were "amazing for tents with open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms stand out to reviewers. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, Lawrence B. notes, "Bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM."
Natural sounds: Morning wildlife creates memorable experiences for campers. "Amazing chirping of the birds in the morning," writes Gina A. about her stay at Camp Bullfrog Lake, describing it as a "beautiful piece[ful] with nature."
Lake access: Private beach areas provide swimming options during hot summer days. "You have access to the perks of the conference grounds including access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets," reports holly S. about her experience at Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park.
Train noise: Multiple campgrounds near Chicago Heights experience railroad noise. "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," cautions Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Site privacy varies: Campsites often lack substantial buffers between neighbors. At Dunewood Campground, Veronica S. notes, "The campsite was large and beautiful," though many sites throughout the region have limited separation between campers.
Weather considerations: Summer heat can make shade crucial. "We were in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade," reports Layla P. about Bullfrog Lake, suggesting strategic site selection for summer camping.
Reservation needs: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "The sites at Camp Bullfrog Lake are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet," notes Lawrence B., indicating that despite proximity issues, the atmosphere remains peaceful.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Kankakee River State Park, Linda N. mentions, "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had," suggesting morning or evening use during summer.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences for children. Linda N. continues, "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!"
Family-friendly loops: Some campground sections better accommodate groups with children. Dane S. says about Camp Sullivan, "We love this place with three kids under 7! We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites."
Water activities: Kayaking options keep kids engaged. At Bullfrog Lake, Layla P. notes, "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around."
Hookup limitations: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. Beth B. points out at Martin's Camping Ground, "No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors."
Site leveling: Uneven grounds can create setup challenges. "Sites are small with limited privacy between neighbors," according to multiple reviewers, with Tim K. noting at Camp Bullfrog Lake, "Sites #4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad."
Shower facilities: Bathroom quality differs dramatically across campgrounds. At Martin's, Beth reports, "Bathhouse super clean and modern, but no hot water...lukewarm at best. Shower is not comfortable...nozzle is from ceiling and temperature not warm enough to stay warm."
Full-hookup options: RVers seeking complete connections have limited choices. Holly S. recommends Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park saying, "Sites are full hookup, there's a nice bathhouse which has a key pad handle which made me feel safe while showering."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chicago Heights, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chicago Heights, IL is Camp Sullivan with a 3.1-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chicago Heights, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 dog-friendly camping locations near Chicago Heights, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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