Blackwell Family Campground's pet-friendly sites feature electric hookups and well-maintained grounds throughout the forest preserve in Warrenville, 10 miles southwest of Carol Stream. Camp Bullfrog Lake and Paul Wolff Campground also welcome pets with designated areas for dogs to exercise. Most sites require pets to be leashed at all times, with maximum leash lengths of 10 feet enforced by roving park rangers who monitor the grounds for safety. Tent campers and RV users appreciate the level sites with wood chip pads for tent placement and concrete areas for vehicles. Campground facilities include clean bathrooms, showers, potable water stations, and sanitary dump services. Fire rings with cooking grates make meal preparation convenient, while self-serve firewood is available on-site. The gates at Blackwell close one hour after sunset and reopen at sunrise, restricting late-night arrivals or departures.
Hiking trails throughout these forest preserves accommodate leashed dogs with multiple nature paths offering opportunities to view wildlife. Silver Lake at Blackwell provides fishing opportunities with clear water and accessible shorelines for campers with pets. Rangers occasionally organize evening activities for children, including games and educational programs about local wildlife. Road noise filters in from nearby highways at some sites, particularly those closest to Winfield Road, though sites on the north loop offer more seclusion and quiet. For safety considerations, pets should be closely monitored during warm summer months as the campgrounds contain various wildlife including deer, raccoons, and numerous insects. When selecting a site, numbers 21 and 22 at Blackwell may experience more road noise, while site 27 offers more privacy with deeper woods surrounding the area, creating a more secluded atmosphere for campers with dogs.
$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."
$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."
$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."
$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!"
$18 - $35 / night
"Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"
"Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."
$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."
$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."
"You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"
"Saw a few of their “puppy sites” that included a private gated area for dog owners. It poured all weekend but we still enjoyed the stay."
$25 / night
"If you find yourself out in these parts near Shabbona in north central Illinois it is because of either one of two reasons - you are incredibly lost and stumbled across this hidden natural preserve gem"
"All within easy walking distance to the lake. Camp store and two boat rental spots allow for flexiblity on busier weekends."
"Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort. Nice walking path around the two ponds. The ponds are very low due to drought this summer."
"Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out."
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Forest preserve campgrounds near Carol Stream offer several pet-friendly options within 30 miles of the western suburb. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 700-850 feet above sea level, creating gentle rolling landscapes ideal for year-round camping. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons experience 45-65°F temperatures with occasional rainfall.
Kayaking on Bullfrog Lake: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides kayak rentals for $15 per hour including life vests. "The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," reports Layla P., who also noted that "the kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests."
Hiking at multiple difficulty levels: Paul Wolff Campground offers miles of trails with varied terrain. "There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them," notes Art S. The trails include "paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails" according to hikers.
Rock climbing indoors: Camp Sullivan features an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall," mentions Shane S., while another camper notes that despite shower issues, "they have a nice Rockwall."
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake connects directly to extensive mountain biking trails. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here," writes Tim K. Another camper adds, "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
Fishing in clear waters: Multiple forest preserve locations offer fishing opportunities. At Shabbona Lake, one camper notes it "has produced a lot of trophy fish, if that's your thing," while another calls it "a terrific fishing lake" with "fantastic" fishing conditions.
Cleanliness of facilities: Camp Reinberg receives consistent praise for maintenance. "This gem of a campground is run by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the care they have for it shows," writes Susan L., who adds the restrooms were "seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!"
Proximity to Chicago: Dog friendly campgrounds near Carol Stream offer quick access from urban areas. At Blackwell Family Campground, a camper notes, "Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway." Camp Bullfrog Lake is described as "So close and so fun" and "about a 30 minute rude from our place in the western burbs."
Variety of camping accommodations: Many campgrounds offer multiple lodging options. At Camp Sullivan, one reviewer mentions "There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups." Reinberg has "pavilions, air conditioned/heated dining hall, shower building, restrooms and cabins, along with tent sites and 5 RV sites."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest preserves contain diverse wildlife. A Burnidge Forest camper reports seeing "lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels."
Site privacy varies significantly: While some sites provide seclusion, many are open. At Big Rock Campground, a reviewer notes "Even their 9 hike-in primitive sites hugging the treeline lack privacy. Yes, all the sites are very flat. It's a nice field if that's what you look for in a campground."
Reservation systems differ by location: Some campgrounds require advance planning while others don't take reservations. Big Rock operates on a first-come basis: "Walkup only - no reservations taken. $35 a night is a bit steep."
Seasonal restrictions apply: Operating schedules vary by location. Paul Wolff Campground operates from May 1 to October 31, while Camp Bullfrog Lake and some others remain open year-round. Campground gates typically close after sunset.
Price variations for residents vs. non-residents: County forest preserves offer significant discounts for local residents. A Paul Wolff camper notes: "It's pricey if you are from out of the county," while another mentions "Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county."
Choose sites with recreational options: Illinois Beach State Park offers beach access. "Easy access to the beach, great sites and was very quiet," reports one camper. Another notes the "beautiful views and amazing sunrises" but warns about flies and mosquitos.
Consider pet exercise areas: Multiple pet-friendly campgrounds accommodate dogs with designated areas. "Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs," says one Burnidge Forest camper, while another notes "The trail system is great for walking the dogs."
Look for organized activities: Several campgrounds host ranger-led programs. At Camp Reinberg, "Check out the office for fun seasonal events like group hikes and geocaching contests," and Camp Sullivan sometimes features "a fire-spitting show at the pavilion!"
Reserve group sites for scouts: Scout troops can use designated areas at several locations. At Blackwell, "Each group site has a nice cooking area and open space for tents. We had a group of about 20 kids plus moms and dads, so we grabbed three sites in the same area."
Water hookup locations may require extra equipment: At Sycamore RV Resort, "Water and electrical at every site," but at Big Rock, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" At Camp Sullivan, "No water or dumping hook up. Electric only."
Expect limited privacy between sites: Most RV areas feature open layouts. Tim K. notes at Camp Bullfrog Lake, "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." Another camper describes the situation as having "very little shade" with "no shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small."
Gate restrictions impact late arrivals: Many forest preserves close gates after sunset. One reviewer mentions, "If you are staying here to see Chicago the gates close for the park an hour after sunset," limiting late-night access.
Dump station availability varies: While some campgrounds offer full hookups, others provide only partial services. At Paul Wolff, "the dump station has two spaces and the lines move right along. There is a place to take on water as you enter the campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Carol Stream, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Carol Stream, IL is Blackwell Family Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Carol Stream, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 62 dog-friendly camping locations near Carol Stream, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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