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Chicago Northwest KOA welcomes pets at their campground located in Union, Illinois, approximately 20 miles from Hampshire. The property features full hookups, tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options, all of which accommodate pets. Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin maintains a strict leash policy throughout their grounds, with both tent and RV sites available for pet owners. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort in Marengo provides a fenced dog park area that reviewers describe as clean and secure. The roads at several pet-friendly campgrounds contain potholes, requiring careful navigation when walking dogs, especially at night. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize disturbances from barking dogs, particularly in the early mornings.
Nearby hiking trails at Burnidge Forest Preserve offer extensive pet exercise opportunities adjacent to Paul Wolff Campground. Dogs must remain leashed on all trails, with owners required to clean up after their pets. Thomas Woods Campground in Marengo provides primitive tent sites in both wooded and prairie settings for campers with dogs seeking a more natural experience. Multiple campgrounds enforce a 5 MPH speed limit throughout their properties to ensure pet safety. Overnight train noise affects some campgrounds, with reviewers noting up to three trains passing between 10 pm and 6 am at certain locations. Most facilities provide water stations near pet areas, though high iron content in the water at some campgrounds may affect pets with sensitive digestion.
"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."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Our site had the usual picnic table and a short walk to the restrooms and water. What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails."
"While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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. "
"Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front. Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "
from $45 - $70 / night
Check Availability"There’s something so comforting about pulling into Sycamore RV Resort and seeing the sunlight dance across those two spring-fed lakes, giving you that immediate exhale that only a calm Midwestern campground"
"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."
"It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days. "
"For us it's close to home, shopping and an RV dealership so it's pefect to "shake out" the camper and we can easily get anything we forgot or get stuff to repair anything that's not working."
from $12 - $50 / 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"For families looking for a convenient home base near Rockford with lots of room to spread out, EZ access to town for supplies and a campground that really does feel safe and relaxed, Pine Country is an"
"It is close to home and we start and finish the camping season here."
"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!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Lots of people leaving bad reviews for silly little things. let me say first off this place is HUGE. plenty of room for the kids and the dogs and just a short walk from the kish. good fishing and friendly"
"After a long drive, the boys made a beeline for the playground and the pedal carts, and later that night we all sat under the string lights eating ice cream sandwiches from the camp store while fireflies"
from $49 - $99 / night
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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.
Campgrounds near Hampshire, Illinois offer accessible outdoor recreation within 20-30 miles of town. Located in the northern Illinois prairie region at approximately 900 feet elevation, this area experiences warm summers with average highs of 85°F and cold winters dropping to 15°F. Most campgrounds remain open from May through October, with several sites offering both primitive tent areas and full-hookup accommodations.
Fishing opportunities: Rock Cut State Park offers 3,000 acres of woods surrounding Pierce Lake. "State park offers some good hiking and all season activities. Camp ground was quiet and clean," notes Tyler S. about the park's amenities.
Paddling options: At Sycamore RV Resort, campers enjoy two lakes with swimming and boating access. "There are two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack. Well run and maintained," says Deb M., highlighting water recreation options.
Archery range: Blackwell Family Campground provides a free archery range alongside other activities. A visitor explains, "There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families."
Nature observation: The forest preserves offer bird watching opportunities year-round. At Thomas Woods Campground, the terrain supports diverse wildlife viewing. "The wildflowers caught our eye and we enjoyed pausing to appreciate their beauty," writes Art S.
Private wooded sites: Thomas Woods Campground features secluded camping spots with easy trail access. "Larger site for an RV but I used a tent only. I enjoyed the fact the site was further off the main road which allowed for more privacy," shares Matt K.
Affordable firewood: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Hampshire offer reasonably priced firewood delivered to your site. "Firewood is cheap on-site and delivered to your site on demand," notes Matt K. about Thomas Woods Campground's service.
Clean facilities: Camp Reinberg receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)" reports Susan L., highlighting the attention to cleanliness.
Trail variety: Dog owners appreciate the diverse hiking options. A Thomas Woods reviewer mentioned, "They aren't the longest but we were able to vary the route up to keep it fresh for our dog to sniff out her adventure. Some of grass and others were dirt."
Weather considerations: Summer thunderstorms can affect camping plans, particularly from June through August. During peak summer, temperatures regularly reach the mid-80s with high humidity.
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience train disruptions. At Northwoods RV Resort, site selection is important: "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."
Water quality issues: Some Hampshire area campgrounds have specific water concerns. "The park water is high in Iron," warns a reviewer about Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort, which may affect sensitive pets and equipment.
Site spacing: Campground layouts vary significantly. While some offer spacious sites, others place campers in closer proximity. "Because of being right on top of other campers. Also, almost everything is gravel," notes Mike F. about one nearby campground.
Look for recreation options: Chicago Northwest KOA offers dedicated children's activities. "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground," explains Dan B.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping or wanting more comfort, cabins provide an alternative to tents. "We would rent one of the cabins for late season campouts. Clean facilities but the nice part is the scenic hiking for being close to town," shares Mike D.
Check playground locations: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Hampshire include play structures. "There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees... There are multiple ada sites and two 'walk-in/ie roll-in' site in the tent-only area," notes a Paul Wolff Campground visitor, emphasizing the accessibility features.
Prepare for bugs: The Illinois prairie region has significant insect activity, particularly in summer months. "The site is nice and grassy but there are a ton of bugs; mostly gnats," warns Danielle D. about Northwoods RV Resort.
Reserve pull-through sites early: The most accessible spots book quickly during peak season. "Our site had the usual picnic table and a short walk to the restrooms and water. What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails," notes an RV camper at Thomas Woods.
Choose sites with proper shade: Summer heat requires good tree coverage for comfort. "Tree sites are around the outside with few on the inside sites. All the sites have paved pads," advises a Paul Wolff Campground visitor.
Water fill considerations: Some campgrounds have unique water access systems. "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. But they do it with a good attitude," explains a reviewer about Camp Reinberg's approach to water delivery.
Speed limit awareness: Pet owners should note that many dog-friendly campgrounds enforce strict driving rules. "The roads are full of pot holes and the owner and maintenance guy are complete jerks. Very very overpriced for what it is!" cautions one reviewer about road conditions at a local campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hampshire, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hampshire, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hampshire, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near Hampshire, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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