Camp Sullivan and Blackwell Family Campground both offer camping for RVs and tents within 30 minutes of Elmwood Park. The region features several low-elevation natural areas nestled among Chicago's western suburbs, with seasonal considerations playing a major role in camping experience. Summer temperatures average 82°F while spring and fall bring cooler camping conditions with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Trail exploration: 10+ miles of scenic paths at Camp Bullfrog Lake connect directly to extensive trail systems. "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 mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," notes Josh M.
Kayaking: Rentals available for $15/hour with life vests included at Camp Bullfrog Lake. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to Layla P., who visited in August.
Climbing: Indoor rock wall available at Camp Sullivan. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall," notes Shane S., while another camper mentions that despite some facility issues, "they have a nice Rockwall."
Beach access: Lake Michigan swimming at Dunewood Campground with closest beach being Kimmel Beach. "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.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms at multiple locations receive positive reviews. At Camp Reinberg, campers find "seriously the cleanest [restrooms] I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!" according to Susan L. Another camper notes "shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly."
Proximity to Chicago: Easy access for urban residents. Big Rock Campground is "a nice location if you're seeing family and friends in the area. And it's within walking distance to stores and restaurants," notes one reviewer. Another mentions it's "only 10min away from my home, this is a ideal getaway place for Chi-town people."
Free firewood: Included with stay at several locations. Camp Bullfrog Lake provides "a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," while another camper mentions "Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5" at Camp Reinberg.
Dog-friendly hiking options: Multiple trail networks allow leashed pets. The hiking trails at Paul Wolff Campground are particularly popular with dog owners. "The trail system is great for walking the dogs," notes one camper, while another states they "saw lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs."
What you should know
Limited shade at newer facilities: Some campgrounds have young trees that don't provide adequate coverage. At Big Rock Campground, "the trees will be terrific in about 20 years," according to Jeff G., while another camper notes it's "a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade."
Train noise affects sleep quality: Some campgrounds experience disruption from nearby rail lines. At Indiana Dunes State Park, one camper reports "it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be just fine but us tent camping there was nothing to block the sound."
Gate closures limit late access: Some parks secure entrances overnight. Camp Sullivan "lock[s] the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning," according to Lisa S., who adds "I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting. What if there was an emergency?"
Water hookups may require planning: At some locations, water access points aren't conveniently positioned. Big Rock Campground has water spigots "throughout, although not really at each space. I saw where some campers hooked about 150' of hose to spigots behind the loops to run to their campers," according to Jeff G.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with playground access: Some campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities. At Blackwell Family Campground, "we went here when our child was a baby, as we didn't want to be far from home. The campsites are surprisingly nice... There is a nice shower facility. The grounds include a lake for boating, hiking trails, and bike paths."
Set speed expectations: Campground traffic rules vary by location. Blackwell enforces a "5 mph speed limit throughout the property," creating a safer environment for families with children and pets.
Consider cabin options: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Elmwood Park offer cabins as alternatives to tent camping. At Blackwell Family Campground, one camper notes "We liked our end of the park that was close to walking path to dunes and beach," while at Camp Bullfrog Lake, cabins "feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold."
Select shaded sites when possible: Family camping comfort depends on sun protection. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," while "Our camp site was #2. For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest."
Tips from RVers
Plan for waste disposal: Dump stations are available but with varying waiting times. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "Two dump stations made wait minimal," according to Jeffrey S., while water hookup logistics require planning at some locations.
Prepare for size limitations: Some dog-friendly campgrounds have restrictions on RV size. Camp Reinberg has "5 RV sites, 2 of which are paved. The other 3 are gravel pads. They all have electric and the camp hosts will pull the hose over to the site in order to do a water fill up."
Verify water hookup distance: Extension hoses may be necessary at some locations. At Big Rock Campground, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" warns Amanda K., highlighting a common issue at several campgrounds in the region.
Check reservation requirements: Walk-up versus reservable sites vary by location. Big Rock Campground is "Walkup only - no reservations taken. $35 a night is a bit steep," according to one RVer, while other campgrounds require advance booking, especially for dog-friendly sites during peak seasons.
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