W
William M.
Traveler
TravelerDunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Excellent and clean
Super great here, some bugs, people were quiet
Camping near Hickory Hills, IL
73 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping options within 30 miles of Hickory Hills, Illinois range from forest preserve sites to lakeside campgrounds, with several Cook County facilities providing convenient access for Chicago-area residents. Camp Bullfrog Lake in nearby Willow Springs offers year-round camping with full hookups for RVs, tent sites, and cabins, while Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest provides similar amenities with both drive-in and walk-in access. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Blackwell Family Campground in Warrenville operates seasonally from May through September with boat access and electric hookups. Indiana Dunes National Park and State Park campgrounds lie about 45 minutes east, offering a completely different landscape with lakefront access and diverse ecosystems.
Most campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends when Chicago residents seek outdoor escapes. The flat terrain throughout the area makes for easy camping setups, though shade can be limited at some locations. As one camper noted about Blackwell Family Campground, "We have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home. Sites are level and clean and they have modern bathrooms." Summer heat and humidity can be significant factors when planning trips, particularly at exposed sites. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few facilities like Camp Bullfrog Lake remaining open year-round, though with reduced services.
Trail access represents a significant draw for many campers in the region, with several campgrounds positioned along bike paths and hiking trails. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail connects multiple camping areas, allowing cyclists to plan multi-day trips. According to one reviewer, "The path is gorgeous, dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lily pad covered ponds." Site privacy varies considerably across facilities, with some campgrounds featuring closely spaced sites. Road and train noise can affect the camping experience at certain locations, particularly at Indiana Dunes where reviewers mention "highway noise breaks the immersion." Water recreation opportunities exist at several locations, with Blackwell visitors noting, "We take our kayaks to the lake during the summer," making water access a valued amenity during hot Illinois summers.
Best Campgrounds near Hickory Hills (73)
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. 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 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. 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 Availability6. 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."
7. Camp Shabbona Woods
from $30 - $80 / night
Check Availability8. 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 Availability9. Martin Campground
"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
Check Availability10. Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort
"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."
"Nice safe location. Flat, pretty large spots..picnic tables."
Drive Time
- 13 min from Chicago, IL
- 45 min from Kankakee, IL
- 56 min from Michigan City, IN
- 1 hr 2 min from Kenosha, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Hickory Hills, IL
170 Photos of 73 Hickory Hills Campgrounds
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Camp Bullfrog Lake
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Camp Sullivan
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The Vaudeville
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Camp Shabbona Woods
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Martin’s Camping Ground
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Blackwell Family Campground
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Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort
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Fox Bluff CottageS & RV
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Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park
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McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove
Recent Reviews near Hickory Hills, IL
613 Reviews of 73 Hickory Hills 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
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
- 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
Guide to Hickory Hills
Camping sites near Hickory Hills, Illinois offer access to a mix of forested areas and prairie landscapes typical of northeastern Illinois, with an average elevation of 610 feet. Summer temperatures average 83°F while winter drops to 17°F, requiring appropriate seasonal preparation. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April to October, with limited winter camping opportunities.
What to do
Kayaking on lakes: Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs provides kayak rentals at $15 per hour with life vests included. "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," notes one visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Mountain biking on trails: The Palos trail system offers extensive mountain biking opportunities for riders of all skill levels. "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," according to a rider who stayed at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Hiking challenge: The 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park offers a moderately difficult hiking experience. "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 one camper who completed the hike.
What campers like
Proximity to Chicago: Many campgrounds serve as convenient getaways for city residents. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," mentions one camper about Blackwell Family Campground.
Clean facilities: Washroom cleanliness varies between locations but receives positive comments at several campgrounds. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked," notes a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake, while another says about Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, "Clean campsite, clean showers & bathrooms!"
Lake Michigan beach access: Campers appreciate the lakefront options available within driving distance. "Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM," shares a visitor about the amenities at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad noise throughout the night. At Dunewood Campground, "Could hear Trains throughout the night. Great facility with showers, water fountains, and a camp sink. Great shading from trees and very green!"
Limited shade: Many newer campgrounds lack mature trees. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," reports a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Camping restrictions: Some locations limit tent camping. At Martin's Camping Ground, "If you like having access to a bathroom and shower its great and because no one really had a tent here but us we had some privacy. But only down side beside that they have a three day limit for campers with tents. Very disappointed with that And its three days a month."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Family-oriented sites typically offer play areas near camping loops. "Our site was right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private," mentions a visitor to Indiana Dunes State Park.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with organized programs. "The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch of photos for me of me kayaking," reports a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Family cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, Camp Sullivan offers cabin accommodations. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods). Highly recommend," states a family that regularly visits with young children.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: While electric is common, full hookups are rare. At Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park, "We love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It's always quiet and the view is beautiful."
Seasonal water restrictions: Some campgrounds turn off water during colder months. At Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, a visitor notes, "No water before 4/15," indicating seasonal water limitations.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary significantly in privacy and size. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean," reports a camper about their experience at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Hickory Hills, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Hickory Hills, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hickory Hills, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What parks are near Hickory Hills, IL?
What parks are near Hickory Hills, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Hickory Hills, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.
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