1 campground with availability this weekend
Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan offer top-rated glamping campsites just outside Chicago in the Cook County Forest Preserves. Both locations house comfortable cabin accommodations that go beyond basic camping, providing modern amenities while maintaining a connection to nature. The cabins include bunk beds, heating systems, and easy access to clean shower facilities, creating a perfect basecamp for outdoor adventures. "We stayed here for two nights recently. The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here," notes one visitor. These glamping sites are situated on scenic properties with lake views, hiking opportunities, and proximity to Chicago, making them ideal for weekend getaways or extended vacations without traveling far from the city.
The extensive trail systems surrounding these glamping destinations create abundant recreational possibilities for visitors. Miles of mountain biking single track and hiking paths connect directly to the campsites, allowing guests to explore the surrounding forest preserves without driving. A visitor highlighted, "What's great about this location is the access to miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite." Water activities include fishing and kayaking at Camp Bullfrog Lake, while seasonal programming adds additional entertainment options. The campsites provide fire rings with complimentary firewood bundles, making evening relaxation around a campfire part of the glamping experience. Reservations are required, with sites booking quickly during summer and fall weekends due to their popularity among Chicago residents seeking nearby nature escapes.
"Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits."
"The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc)."
from $20 - $138 / night
"As stated, there is electric hookup but no water at the site. However, staff was more than happy to meet us at the bathrooms to allow us to fill our tanks before we set up camp."
"Wooded electric paved sites with fairly new bathhouse facilities. Pretty clean. Only one indoor water faucet working but this may be a COVID casualty."
from $35 - $250 / night
"Campsites had decent privacy and even on a Friday night, quiet hours were respected. "
"It has clean restrooms, dump and water, but no electricity. Mosquitoes and gnats were very bad and it was very humid, so nights were challenging."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
"We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers."
"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."
from $50 / night
"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."
"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."
from $49 - $57 / night
"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!"
"It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family."
"Plus they have a quiet time at night.So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"The staff is very friendly the grounds are beautiful and well maintained We kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice."
from $43 - $73 / night
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"Non-electric sites in the loop on the small fishing pond were relatively quiet, well shaded, with decent screening between sites."
ScoutIt was nice camping here. There is an asphalted road leading right to the campsites. The hot, adjustable showers are perfect. The sites are made of gravel paved with sand, which makes them perfectly flat. I liked that.
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
TravelerStaying through the week just on the outside of Labor Day Weekend. This place was perfect for us to come over and get away from it and enjoy the changing weather. Electric only sites, and the staff were friendly. Always enjoy coming here for good hiking and beach time.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
LegendWe had an overnight stay here during some pretty nasty weather. Site 7 was perfect as it has a very wide concrete landing pad that kept us from trudging around our site in mud. Flooded roads resulted in a road race being diverted through the park. We were able to cheer them on while having dinner at our campfire. There’s a paved walkway around the circumference of the campground which allows you to take a nice stroll. Trails to the lake are easily accessible. The bathrooms and showers were clean, although a bit dated. We had a pleasant evening.
GuideWow! What a State Park inside the National Park! Spacious, beautiful, and a big surprise on Lake Michigan South East. Indiana. Towering trees, San dunes, marshland, and fifteen miles of beach shore parklands. If you haven’t been, go! This is a year round play land. Camping is surrounded by forest, electric only, bathrooms/showers ((vault and flush), and clean for state park standards. Bring your, bikes, kayaks, beach attire, and hiking boots for spring, summer, and fall. Bring snowshoes and cross country skis in winter.
TravelerSuper accessible and affordable National Park camping! Easy access to all the Dunes, and varying level of amenities for different rigs. I just spent one night here but I wish I spent longer. Only downside is you need to pack extra bug spray for the summer mosquitoes!!
GuideThis campground has lots of spaces, but fills up quickly so plan ahead. It has clean restrooms, dump and water, but no electricity. Mosquitoes and gnats were very bad and it was very humid, so nights were challenging. Had to leave windows shut and quiet hours, so no generator. Reasonably priced and campground hosts to their jobs very seriously.
TravelerSuper great here, some bugs, people were quiet
The Chicago area offers camping opportunities within a short drive of Cicero, with tent sites, RV spots, and cabins nestled in forest preserves and lakefront areas. Most campgrounds in this region are at elevations below 800 feet, providing flat terrain for easy setup. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F, while spring and fall bring cooler weather ideal for camping without summer crowds.
Mountain biking trails: Access miles of single-track trails directly from Camp Bullfrog Lake campground. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here," notes Tim K. The trail system connects throughout the forest preserves, allowing for various difficulty levels.
Lake Michigan beaches: Visit Indiana Dunes State Park Campground for swimming and shoreline exploration, just 45 minutes from Cicero. "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," reports Anna G.
Kayaking options: Rent kayaks at Camp Bullfrog Lake for $15 per hour, life vests included. "The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," mentions Layla P. The calm waters are ideal for beginners and recreational paddlers.
Clean facilities: Camp Sullivan receives praise for its updated amenities. "The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern. The campsites are well kept as are the grounds," according to Shane S. This makes for a more comfortable experience when glamping near Cicero, Illinois.
Family activities: Michigan City Campground offers structured recreation for kids. "Great place for families... pool, playground, clubhouse, store. Very close quarters camping. Friendly," notes Amritasri F. The gated entrance provides added security for families with young children.
Seasonal atmosphere: Weekend camping transforms during fall months when temperatures cool and leaves change colors. "We were camping here right in the middle of fall. The leaves were changing and our site was near the lake. Awesome family friendly spot," shares Ken about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Cicero experience railroad noise throughout the night. "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.
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons actively search for food after dark at Honeysuckle Hollow. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched... everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down," warns Meg.
Site variations: Campsite quality varies widely even within the same campground. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade. The middle sites are more exposed and much less private," advises Greg S.
Beach access priorities: Choose campgrounds with lifeguard-staffed beaches when camping with children. "The beach was well maintained, and had lifeguards during certain hours, which gave me a little bit of extra comfort in bringing my kids to the lake," says Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas for easier supervision. At 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," shares Dane S.
Tick prevention: When glamping with small children near Chicago, prepare for ticks. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks," recommends Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Hookup considerations: Most campgrounds offer electric-only sites, requiring arrival with full water tanks. "It is electric only but that didn't really bother us—we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves," explains Greg S. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Site selection strategy: At Chicago Northwest KOA, "It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy," notes Michelle J., highlighting the thoughtful layout despite tight spacing.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times at single dump stations. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," advises Tina about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Cicero, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cicero, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Cicero, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Cicero, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
