Camp Bullfrog Lake's pet-friendly sites surround a fishing lake in Willow Springs, 15 miles from Alsip. Dogs must remain leashed at all sites including the tent camping area along the water's edge. Both tent and RV campers have access to clean bathroom facilities with showers, and each site includes a fire pit with a free bundle of oak firewood. Cabin accommodations also permit pets with additional restrictions. Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest offers similar pet policies with electric hookups for RV campers, though tent sites have little shade and privacy between spots. Neither campground provides dedicated dog park areas, but extensive hiking trails connect directly to both campgrounds, providing ample opportunity for dog walking. The shower facilities at Camp Sullivan received mixed reviews regarding cleanliness and maintenance.
Miles of forest preserve trails accessible from both Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan provide excellent options for dog walking through wooded terrain. Leash requirements remain strictly enforced throughout the trail systems. Water access at Bullfrog Lake allows fishing but swimming is not permitted for humans or dogs. Seasonal considerations impact both campgrounds, with Camp Bullfrog Lake maintaining year-round operations while some facilities may close during winter months. The proximity to Chicago makes these locations popular weekend destinations, especially for urban residents seeking quick nature escapes with their pets. Sites fill quickly during summer weekends, particularly at Bullfrog Lake where the lack of shade on tent sites can create uncomfortable conditions for pets during hot days. Both campgrounds require advance reservations through the Cook County Forest Preserves website.
$20 - $138 / night
"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."
$35 - $250 / night
"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."
$25 / night
"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!"
$20 - $30 / night
"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."
$43 / night
"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."
"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."
$49 - $57 / night
"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."
$25 - $45 / night
"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."
$20 - $35 / night
"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."
"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."
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 Alsip, Illinois feature both state and county-managed facilities within a 35-mile radius of the Chicago suburb. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level in the Lake Michigan watershed, creating a mix of prairie and woodland terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons often see temperature swings of 30+ degrees within a 24-hour period.
Mountain biking at Palos trails: Access miles of single-track directly from Camp Bullfrog Lake where "some of the areas best mountain bike single track is right here." The trail system connects throughout the Cook County Forest Preserves, offering options for beginners and intermediate riders. "We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day. We had a blast riding our bikes," noted one visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Silver Lake at Blackwell Family Campground offers bank fishing with regular catches for beginners. "The fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release," reports a camper. No fishing license required for those under 16, and the lake is regularly stocked with bass and bluegill.
Dune hiking challenges: The 3-Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park takes hikers up three steep sand dunes, with the tallest rising 192 feet above lake level. "The cool soft sand feels fantastic, definitely best hiked barefoot," according to one reviewer. Trail maps available at the nature center mark the challenge route with distance markers.
Lake Michigan sunset views: From the beach at Indiana Dunes State Park, visitors can see Chicago's skyline across the water on clear days. "On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake," notes one camper. The main beach has lifeguards on duty during summer weekends from 11am-6pm.
Clean, updated facilities: The bathhouses at Dunewood Campground received consistent praise for maintenance. "The restroom area was clean and had soap and dryers," mentioned one visitor. Another noted the campground has a "camp sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus" - an amenity not common at all nearby campgrounds.
Convenient urban escape: For Chicago residents seeking quick nature access, the proximity of Blackwell Family Campground makes it popular. "Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home," shared one camper. Sites open Friday at 1pm and must be vacated by Sunday at noon except on holiday weekends.
Noise factors: Train lines and highways impact several campgrounds near Alsip. At Dunewood Campground, "Could hear Trains throughout the night" was a common observation. Meanwhile, at Martin's Camping Ground, "You can throw a stone and hit a semi driving by to I-80. There's a lot of traffic given the proximity to Chicago."
Limited weekend availability: Many facilities only operate on weekends or have short seasons. One camper at Blackwell noted "Only down side of the park is that it is only open on the weekends. On holiday weekends you are able to stay for three nights." Reservations typically open 90 days in advance and fill quickly.
Site selection matters: Campsite quality varies significantly within the same campground. At Kankakee River State Park, "Two were very small (14&15), and little grass for tent setup, fine for RV or trailer campers... 16&17 were amazing for tents!! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade."
Wildlife programs: The nature center at Camp Bullfrog Lake offers hands-on reptile encounters that captivate children. One visitor to a similar program at Kankakee River State Park reported "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!"
Playground accessibility: When temperatures rise, consider shade availability at play areas. One family at Kankakee River State Park noted "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had." Most dog friendly campgrounds near Alsip have at least basic playground equipment.
Tent site selection: For families with multiple tents, specific sites offer better configurations. At Kankakee River State Park, "16&17 Osage loop also open to 9&10 on Hickory loop. With a lot of space between so no site setup is on top of each other," allowing larger family groups to spread out while maintaining proximity.
Electric-only hookups: Most campgrounds near Alsip offer electric but lack full hookups. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "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." Water fill stations are typically available near campground entrances.
Limited big rig accessibility: While several campgrounds advertise big rig friendly sites, the reality varies. At Camp Sullivan one RVer reported, "Very difficult to contact staff to book reservation. When we got there they told us they double booked us and requested we move after we got set up... When you are checking in with trailer make sure you don't turn left to the office. It will be hard to turn around."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Alsip, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Alsip, 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 Alsip, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dog-friendly camping locations near Alsip, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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