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Camp Bullfrog Lake's pet-friendly sites include both tent pads at lakeside locations and RV spots with electric hookups, while Camp Sullivan offers dog-friendly cabin options in addition to tent and RV camping. Both campgrounds provide clean bathroom facilities with showers and allow pets throughout their grounds. Leashed pets must be kept under control at all times, and owners should bring waste bags as dedicated pet waste stations are limited. The tent sites at Camp Bullfrog Lake offer minimal shade with direct lake access for cooling off hot pets during summer months. Camp Sullivan features wooded areas providing natural shade for dog walking, though RV sites are notably small with limited privacy between neighboring campsites.
Miles of hiking and mountain biking trails accessible directly from Camp Bullfrog Lake provide excellent dog exercise opportunities through the surrounding Cook County Forest Preserve. Trail systems connect multiple camping areas including Camp Sullivan, creating extensive pet walking networks through woodland terrain. Both campgrounds remain open year-round with seasonal considerations for pet comfort—summer heat requires extra water and shade planning while winter camping necessitates appropriate pet warmth solutions. Nearby pet supply stores in surrounding suburbs offer emergency provisions, though campers should bring all necessary pet food, medications, and comfort items. Morning wildlife activity requires careful pet monitoring, particularly at lakeside sites where waterfowl frequently visit. Reviews consistently note the well-maintained grounds make these locations suitable for novice pet campers despite their proximity to urban areas.
"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"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."
from $20 - $30 / 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"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."
"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 just purchased our first Winnebago and needed a spot close to home for a quick trial run. We have three small boys and they were very excited to camp."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Nice safe location. Flat, pretty large spots..picnic tables."
"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"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
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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 Chicago Ridge offer surprising proximity to nature despite the urban setting, with sites typically ranging from 30-45 minutes from downtown. Most campgrounds maintain year-round access with electric hookups, though water availability often becomes restricted during winter months. Trail networks connecting multiple preserved natural areas provide alternatives to the lake-focused activities mentioned elsewhere.
Hiking trail networks: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides extensive trail access for day hiking. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience... 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," notes Josh M. who appreciates midweek camping opportunities.
Climbing challenges: Indiana Dunes State Park features the popular 3 Dune Challenge. "Great job marketing and managing the 3 Dunes Challenge. Loved the shirts and the vinyl stickers (available for purchase at the Visitor's Center)," reports one visitor who appreciated the clean facilities and COVID safety protocols.
Water recreation: Silver Lake at Blackwell Family Campground offers multiple water activities during summer months. "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," according to Marisa A.
Clean shower facilities: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Chicago Ridge feature recently updated bathroom facilities. "The bathhouse is right next to the campground. There are some clean outhouses placed around the campground," notes Rich M. about Camp Reinberg, adding it's "only open on the weekends" with holiday weekends allowing three-night stays.
Proximity to urban areas: Camp Reinberg offers a convenient nature escape without long travel times. "10min away from my home, this is an ideal getaway place for Chi-town people. Camp sites are all flattened and mulched but not too spacious," writes Yang L., who appreciated the staff assistance with wagons since vehicles cannot pull up to the sites.
Lake Michigan access: Dunewood Campground provides beach proximity without premium pricing. "Loved the proximity of this campground to Lake Michigan! The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful," shares Katie O., noting some biting horseflies at the beach but not at the campground itself.
Weekend reservation competition: Reserve early for weekend camping, especially during summer. "We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room between sites. Since the weather was cooler, it was pretty sparse with other campers," reports Chris M. about Indiana Dunes State Park, where weekend availability becomes limited during peak season.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience train or traffic noise throughout the night. "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," Jeffrey S. writes about Indiana Dunes, though other campers note train noise can be disruptive.
Seasonal water access: Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort restricts water access during colder months. "No water before 4/15," notes David N. about early spring camping at this location, which otherwise offers "average and relatively inexpensive" accommodations for travelers.
Educational programming: Blackwell Family Campground offers structured activities for children throughout summer. "Our Scouts were able to walk down to access the lake and fish. Additionally, there's an open space for sports/games and some great climbing trees within the group area," John R. shares about scout experiences at the group camping area.
Cabin alternatives: Camp Sullivan provides cabin options for families testing camping with young children. "Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled... There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," according to Shane S.
Budget-friendly amenities: Many forest preserve campgrounds include firewood with site fees. "They have discounted rates for Dupage county residents and have electric at all sites and great prices for firewood," reports Marc W. about Blackwell Forest Preserve, noting modern bathrooms and easy kayak access to the lake.
Limited hookup considerations: Most campgrounds offer electric but restricted water options. "Not a whole lot, as is with most IN state parks there is no water hookup so you need to fill your tank up but it was set up really nice," Jeffrey S. mentions about Indiana Dunes State Park, where electric sites accommodate larger rigs despite limited amenities.
Level site availability: RV sites throughout the region provide varying degrees of level terrain. "Sites are level and clean and they have modern bathrooms," Marc W. notes about Blackwell, while at Hollywood Casino, TK n E appreciates the "friendly staff who were quick to respond to any issues... Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel)... Pet-friendly. Pleasant park with good pad."
Campground access timing: Security gates at many campgrounds close overnight. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning!" reports Lisa S. about Camp Sullivan, suggesting travelers plan arrivals accordingly or communicate special timing needs with staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chicago Ridge, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chicago Ridge, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chicago Ridge, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dog-friendly camping locations near Chicago Ridge, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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