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Camp Bullfrog Lake's lakeside tent sites and cabin accommodations welcome pets throughout the year in Cook County Forest Preserve. Camp Sullivan and Camp Reinberg also offer pet-friendly options with electric hookups for RVs and tent campers near Evergreen Park. All three campgrounds maintain clean facilities with modern bathrooms and showers, though Camp Sullivan reviews note occasional maintenance issues with bathroom cleanliness. Leashed pets are permitted in all accommodation types except inside the cabins at Camp Sullivan, where dogs must remain outside. Most sites provide picnic tables, fire pits with complimentary firewood, and access to drinking water. The campgrounds enforce standard pet policies requiring owners to clean up after their animals and keep them under control at all times. Tent sites around Bullfrog Lake offer scenic water views but provide little shade or privacy between camping spots.
Miles of interconnected hiking and mountain biking trails accessible directly from the campgrounds provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs and their owners. The Palos trail system near Camp Bullfrog Lake features extensive mountain biking paths popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers report seeing abundant wildlife including herons, songbirds, deer, raccoons, and hawks while exploring the surrounding forest preserves. All campgrounds are situated within easy driving distance of Chicago, making them convenient weekend getaways for city residents with pets. Despite their proximity to urban areas, the wooded settings create a natural atmosphere where campers can hear coyotes howling across the woods at night. The lack of shade at some sites can be challenging during hot summer months, so visitors camping with dogs should plan accordingly with portable shade structures and extra water.
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
"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."
from $25 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $45 / night
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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 Evergreen Park, Illinois provide accessible outdoor recreation within an hour's drive of Chicago. The area consists primarily of forested preserves with moderate elevation changes from glacial formations. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F with humidity levels often exceeding 70%, creating muggy conditions in July and August. Winter camping is available at select campgrounds where temperatures typically range from 20-35°F.
Biking through forest preserves: Blackwell Family Campground connects to an extensive network of paved and unpaved trails. "We took our kayaks to the lake during the summer and Illinois just did away with reg stickers this year," notes Marc W. from Blackwell Family Campground.
Climbing the Three Dunes Challenge: At Indiana Dunes State Park, tackle the moderate hiking trail that traverses the three tallest dunes. "If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list," shares Jackie H. who visited the park.
Paddling on site: Several campgrounds offer affordable boat rentals directly on property. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," explains Layla P. from Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Geocaching adventures: Cook County forest preserves maintain several geocaching courses suitable for beginners. "Check out the office for fun seasonal events like group hikes and geocaching contests," recommends a visitor to Camp Reinberg.
Modern bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds feature recently renovated facilities with reliable hot water. "The bathhouse was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus," notes Katherine T. who stayed at Dunewood Campground.
Free firewood allowance: Several Cook County campgrounds provide complimentary firewood with site rental. "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," mentions Josh M. who camped at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Urban accessibility: Proximity to Chicago makes these sites convenient for quick weekend trips. "Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway," writes Autumn D. about Blackwell Family Campground.
Winter camping options: Select sites remain open year-round for cold-weather enthusiasts. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," shares a camper who enjoys Bullfrog Lake's four-season availability.
Train noise considerations: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create periodic noise disturbances. "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long," warns Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Limited water hookups: Many sites offer electric-only connections with communal water sources. "The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them," explains a visitor to Camp Reinberg.
Weekend availability challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "The campground was full, but not overcrowded. Very friendly neighbors and camp staff," notes Jackie H. who recommends booking well in advance.
Insect preparations: Mosquito activity increases significantly in summer months, particularly near water features. "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening," shares Katrin M. about her experience at Dunewood.
Accessible nature programs: Several Cook County preserves offer ranger-led activities specifically for children. "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. from Camp Sullivan.
Playground proximity: Select sites positioned near play structures provide convenient supervision. "Our site was right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private," notes Greg S. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Cabin options for beginners: First-time campers might prefer heated cabins available at several locations. "There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," notes a visitor to Camp Sullivan.
Educational opportunities: Many preserves feature interactive nature centers with kid-friendly exhibits. "The nature center is right next to the campground," mentions Jackie H., highlighting convenient access for families.
Leveling considerations: RV pads vary considerably in quality across the region. "Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest. Sites #4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," advises Tim K. who visited Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Limited full-hookup options: Most sites offer electric only, requiring strategic water management. "No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet," explains Kaitlin M. about her experience at Bullfrog Lake.
Size restrictions: Larger rigs face limitations at certain campgrounds. "We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape," notes a camper at Camp Sullivan.
Dump station availability: Several campgrounds maintain clean dump facilities for departure day. "Two dump stations made wait minimal," reports Jeffrey S. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Evergreen Park, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Evergreen Park, 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 Evergreen Park, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dog-friendly camping locations near Evergreen Park, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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