Camp Reinberg's pet-friendly campground accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins within the Deer Grove Forest Preserve near Glencoe, Illinois. Pets are welcome throughout the grounds, with clean facilities and helpful staff ensuring a comfortable stay for both campers and their animals. The campground features spacious sites with fire pits, picnic tables, and well-maintained shower buildings. Camp hosts provide free firewood and additional bundles can be purchased for $5. The staff maintains exceptionally clean restrooms and showers that receive regular attention. Sites are mulched and while not extremely spacious, provide adequate room for camping setups.
Dogs have access to miles of interconnected trails directly from the campground, offering varied terrain through forested sections, open fields, and lily pad-covered ponds. Both paved and dirt paths accommodate different hiking preferences, with many dog-friendly off-shoots into the woods. Leashed pets can explore the entire Deer Grove preserve with its glacial-formed landscape providing gentle elevation changes unusual for the Chicago suburbs. The campground's proximity to Palatine means convenient access to pet supplies and veterinary services when needed. Illinois Beach State Park also permits dogs in designated beach areas, though campers note the pebbly shoreline can be uncomfortable for sensitive paws. The park's multiple camping loops accommodate various pet needs with large sites that provide ample space for dogs to rest beside campers.
$25 / night
"They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."
"Driving into rural northern IL felt like leaving the craziness behind. I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."
$45 - $60 / night
"Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."
"tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"
$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."
$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 - $73 / night
"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."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
$12 - $35 / night
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
"*** 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"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
GuideWe love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.
LegendMy first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
RangerI was here for three months this time as i get to business completed. The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how. The grass is mowed every week. There is patroling at all hours for security. The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good. The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. The showers are cleaned and work great. The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.
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.
ScoutStaff was polite and helpful. They escort you to your spot. They hand out activity sheets for the weekend. Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly. They charge extra if you have visitors.
ScoutWe love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It’s always quiet and the view is beautiful. Bugs were awful this stay. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly.
RangerFor years, this was our go-to campground for weekend nearby adventures. Over the years, the price has increased and at $30 per site for non-residents, it's a bit steep for tent camping for me (so I left off a star rating). All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs. It's located in a beautiful wooded Dupage County Forest preserve. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained. While I didn't camp here this year, I took these photos the last weekend in October to give everyone a sense of how nice this campground could be for them. My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views. For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods. 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. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends. Heads-up that sites 21 & 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites.
ScoutI reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
RangerNice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn’t very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric. this was the first time all season that the bugs Annoyed us. the beach is about 10 feet of sand off a busy road and is not pet friendly. nice spot to stay if you want to avoid paying lake Geneva prices for a room.
Just outside of Chicago, camping options in the Glencoe area provide forest preserve retreats within easy access to city amenities. The terrain features glacially-formed landscape with gentle hills, wetlands, and small lakes scattered throughout the region. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer months typically range between 70-85°F with moderate humidity.
Kayaking and canoeing on Chain O'Lakes: At Fox Den Campground, access seven connected lakes through small tributaries. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," shares Aida K., who notes rangers "delivered firewood to our site daily."
Archery practice: Chain O'Lakes State Park offers a free archery range near the camping areas. Christian V. mentions the park has "free archery range" alongside "canoe rentals" and notes the "water is crystal clear," making it ideal for both water and land activities.
Mountain biking on forest preserve trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to extensive trail networks. Josh M. explains, "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," adding they enjoy taking "midweek camping trips to break up the work week."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Camp Reinberg receives consistent praise for its upkeep. Leo V. notes, "Very friendly staff w well organized and well maintained campground. Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5." The cleanliness extends to bathrooms, with multiple reviewers highlighting this feature.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers excellent bird and animal spotting chances. At Turner Lake South, Cora M. shares, "I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," adding they "enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery."
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds in the area experience lower midweek usage. According to Art S., at Fox Den "each site is tucked away with trees" creating a more secluded feel, while at Bullfrog Lake, Tim K. notes "The lack of shade trees and the high cost per night took away the fifth star."
Seasonal insect considerations: Ticks and mosquitoes can be prevalent, especially in early summer. At Honeysuckle Hollow, one camper warns, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... they literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Weekend crowds vs. weekday tranquility: Many campgrounds see significant weekend usage but empty considerably mid-week. Tina notes, "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week."
Alcohol restrictions: Most forest preserve campgrounds prohibit alcohol. At Turner Lake, a reviewer explains the campground remained relatively quiet "especially since no alcohol is allowed," suggesting this policy contributes to the family-friendly atmosphere.
Playgrounds and kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Blackwell Family Campground, Jen E. shares, "We live in the area and went here when our child was a baby, as we didn't want to be far from home. The grounds include a lake for boating, hiking trails, and bike paths."
Budget-friendly options: Turner Lake South offers economical sites. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," reports Addison G.
Wildlife precautions for little ones: Prepare for wildlife encounters, especially raccoons. At Honeysuckle Hollow, a parent advises, "The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched... eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars."
Electric hookup variations: Sites vary in electrical service quality and location. At Honeysuckle Hollow, a camper notes, "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad," recommending "sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance."
Water fill options: Not all campgrounds offer direct water hookups. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, Kaitlin M. reports, "No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal," though they still found it to be a "Really nice campground" with "Very quiet" conditions and "Super friendly staff."
Site selection for privacy: Research specific sites for more seclusion. At Blackwell Forest Preserve, John W. advises, "Site 20 is turf and nicely secluded. Most of the sites are partial shade," noting fees are "kinda steep, 20 res/30 non-res" but the location offers good options for "urban camping."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Glencoe, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Glencoe, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Glencoe, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 dog-friendly camping locations near Glencoe, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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