W
William M.
Traveler
TravelerDunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Excellent and clean
Super great here, some bugs, people were quiet
Camping near Evergreen Park, IL
66 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds surrounding Evergreen Park, Illinois provide a mix of developed camping options within the Cook County Forest Preserve system. Camp Sullivan and Camp Bullfrog Lake offer tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations within 15-20 miles of the Evergreen Park area. These campgrounds provide accessible outdoor getaways for city residents looking for convenient camping opportunities close to Chicago. Several forest preserve campgrounds feature full-service amenities including electric hookups, water access, showers, and modern bathroom facilities. While natural settings exist within these mixed-use campgrounds, they maintain proximity to Chicago's urban environment, serving as accessible getaways for city residents seeking outdoor experiences without traveling far from metropolitan areas.
Reservations are typically required for all camping areas in the region, with many sites bookable through the Forest Preserves of Cook County reservation system. The camping season runs year-round at some locations, though most experience peak usage from May through September. Electric-only RV sites are common, with some campgrounds lacking water hookups at individual sites and dump stations sometimes located off-property. Sites are generally modest in size, with limited space for larger RVs or extensive camping setups. Shaded areas vary significantly by campground and site location. A camper noted that "the sites are small but easy enough to get into. There is a decent amount of privacy between sites. Staff is friendly and welcoming."
Trail access represents a significant attraction at many camping areas near Evergreen Park. The extensive network of trails within Cook County Forest Preserves connects directly to several campgrounds, allowing for hiking, mountain biking, and nature observation without leaving the property. Bathroom and shower facilities receive mixed reviews for cleanliness and maintenance, with some campgrounds providing more consistent upkeep than others. While these camping areas don't offer remote wilderness experiences, they provide valuable outdoor recreation opportunities close to Chicago. As one visitor remarked, "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. There are lots of trees and it is somewhat woodsy." Family-friendly amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and in some locations, activity centers with climbing walls or other recreational facilities.
Best Campgrounds near Evergreen Park (66)
1. Camp Bullfrog Lake
"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 Availability2. Camp Sullivan
"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 Availability3. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
from $25 / night
Check Availability4. The Vaudeville
"There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"
5. Blackwell Family Campground
"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 Availability6. Camp Shabbona Woods
from $30 - $80 / night
Check Availability7. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
"We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."
"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. "
from $50 / night
Check Availability8. Lakeshore Camp Resort
"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 Availability9. Martin’s Camping Ground
"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."
10. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 17 min from Chicago, IL
- 50 min from Kankakee, IL
- 1 hr from Michigan City, IN
- 1 hr 13 min from Kenosha, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Evergreen Park, IL
161 Photos of 66 Evergreen Park Campgrounds
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Andrew S.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Jeffrey L.
Camp Shabbona Woods
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Marc W.
Blackwell Family Campground
Marc W.
Lakeshore Camp Resort
holly S.
Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park
Tyler J.
Backyard Bonfire
Kirk B.
Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
Brian O.
McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove
Recent Reviews near Evergreen Park, IL
565 Reviews of 66 Evergreen Park Campgrounds
- AAbdulrahman A.
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
- EEd B.Traveler
Lakeshore Camp Resort
looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage
Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
- Matthew C.Scout
Central Avenue Walk-in Sites — Indiana Dunes National Park
Beautiful but Needs Some Love
We stayed a Thursday and Friday night in July 2026 on site 1. We did need to head to the Welcome Center for a piece of paper to display on your dash so that we can park in the parking lot. There isn't a National Park entrance to access the site, you just park in a parking lot that a park ranger at the visitors center told us was owned and operated by the town and not the park service. There was an area of reserved parking for those camping at the walk-in sites.
There is a decent sandy hill that you need to go up to access the site, which really wasn't bad. The site itself was heavily wooded and secluded. It is fairly sandy, but there was a nice spot to set up the tent that was grassy. The mosquitos were aggressive, but a little Deep Woods Off and they left us along mostly. We got to the site and there was trash and cigarette butts scattered around that we had to clean up. I discovered the first night that a contributing factor to some of the trash is most likely a sizeable and bold raccoon that was not afraid of us, and both nights came wandering into our campsite looking for food while we were sitting there.
Additionally, the fire pit has probably not been cleaned out in years, since it was filled to the top with ash. With this being a wooded site, this could increase the risk of a fire getting out of the pit.
We were at site 1, so heading to the port-o-potty was fine and it was well kept. The beach was about 3-5 minutes walking. However, the bathrooms and outdoor shower were all "Closed for the Season". There were a couple port-o-pottys there, but they were not in as good of shape as the one near the campground. There was also a ton of trash in that bathroom building area, which was disappointing to see.
- RRichard C.Scout
Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground — Kankakee River State Park
Ok
JJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
Kathy B.
LegendIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Amateur hour
Nicely laid out campground with mature trees. Level sites. All with electric hookups. Was greeted by very kind person at the booth. You need to know that on Sundays check-in is until 5 PM as campers from the weekend have until 5 PM to vacate their sites. Of course you can check in early if they leave. The way the campground is laid out, there are no pass that lead to the bathrooms. Therefore, people are constantly cutting through your site to get to their restrooms.
- ssusan F.
RangerIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Beautiful location and great campground!
Nice sites, well spaced. Campground is well maintained with nice bathrooms and showers (we were there after a massive storm in early June and there had been some flooding in the bathrooms). From the campsite, walk through the forest and Dunes to the beautiful beach. Our dog was in heaven!
- CChris L.Traveler
Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Location and Camp Hosts
Clean facilities, great camp hosts, and can’t beat the location. Campsites have a fire pit and table. One of the few spots to stay in the area.
Bring bug spray
- WWendy T.Traveler
Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Dunewood Campground
Beautiful location, a mile from beach on Lake Michigan
Guide to Evergreen Park
Camping opportunities surrounding Evergreen Park, Illinois concentrate within the Cook County Forest Preserve system and neighboring parks within driving distance. Sites range from basic tent platforms to developed RV areas with limited hookups. Most camping locations require advanced reservations through county or state park reservation systems, with sites filling quickly during summer months. Proximity to transportation corridors means many campgrounds experience ambient highway or rail noise throughout the night.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest trails: At Camp Bullfrog Lake, extensive trail access provides opportunities for cyclists. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails," notes Tim K. The trail system connects directly to the campground.
Kayaking small lakes: Several campgrounds offer water activities on modest-sized lakes. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to Layla P. Some campers bring their own watercraft to avoid rental fees.
Hiking the dunes: Indiana Dunes State Park Campground offers distinctive terrain. "The 3 dune challenge is not really a challenge if you are moderately healthy but it is fun and scenic! The cool soft sand feels fantastic, definitely best hiked barefoot," writes Greg S. Several marked trails provide varying difficulty levels for day hikes.
What campers like
Urban accessibility: Being able to camp without extensive travel appeals to many Chicago-area residents. For those staying at The Vaudeville, "There is easy access to public transportation" according to kristin. This allows for camping trips without leaving the general metropolitan area.
Clean facilities: Washroom quality varies significantly between locations. At Dunewood Campground, "The restroom area was clean and had soap and dryers," notes Veronica S. Not all campgrounds maintain equal standards, with some receiving complaints about maintenance.
Seasonal variations: Fall camping offers distinct experiences in the region. One camper at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground notes, "We arrived on a fall night, after the sun had set and we were thrilled to wake up to such an amazing display of Northern Indiana fall foliage. Campsites, facilities and trails were all super well maintained."
What you should know
Limited water access: Water hookups and access vary widely between campgrounds. At Camp Sullivan, one camper noted "No water or dumping hook up. Electric only." Many sites require campers to arrive with filled water tanks or use communal water sources.
Night noise factors: Proximity to urban areas brings sound challenges. "The train is so loud that it's bound to wake you up numerous times in the middle of the night. There are so many flood lights that it is never dark," reports Julia S. about Lakeshore Camp Resort. Highway noise affects numerous camping areas.
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds feature compact sites. At Martin's Camping Ground, one reviewer observed that "spaces are small, muddy, and un level" while another noted sites are "very close together." This proves challenging for larger setups or those seeking privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Evergreen Park, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Evergreen Park, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Evergreen Park, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What parks are near Evergreen Park, IL?
What parks are near Evergreen Park, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Evergreen Park, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.
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