Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan both feature dedicated dog parks where pets can exercise off-leash while their owners enjoy the surrounding forest preserve. These pet-friendly campgrounds in the Hickory Hills area accommodate tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin stays with their four-legged companions. Leashed pets are welcome throughout most areas of these campgrounds, with designated pet waste stations positioned along trails and near campsites. Camp Reinberg, located north of Hickory Hills in Palatine, offers cabin accommodations that accept pets alongside traditional camping options. The strict 5 mph speed limit at several area campgrounds creates a safer environment for pets and children alike.
Blackwell Family Campground's proximity to hiking trails provides excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the campground maintaining pet-friendly policies from May through September. Many campers appreciate the fenced dog areas at Michigan City Campground, which features gated access and keycard entry for added security when camping with pets. The campground's premium sites include cement patios adjacent to fire pits where pets can relax with their owners. During summer months, pet owners should be mindful of high temperatures on paved surfaces and provide adequate shade and water. Several campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, with most requiring pets to be leashed except in designated off-leash areas.
$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."
$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."
$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."
$25 / night
"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!"
"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."
$43 / night
"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."
$25 - $45 / night
"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."
"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."
$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."
$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!"
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!
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.
Camping options in Hickory Hills, Illinois are nestled within Cook County's forest preserve system at elevations averaging 650-700 feet. Located about 20 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, these campgrounds provide accessible nature getaways with varying levels of shade coverage and terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with higher humidity levels and occasional thunderstorms.
Hiking through forest preserves: The trail system at Blackwell Family Campground connects campers to miles of hiking opportunities. "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them," notes Art S.
Fishing on nearby lakes: Several campgrounds offer fishing access within walking distance. At Blackwell Family Campground, visitors appreciate the water quality: "The trails are nice and the water is crystal clear. Nice place for a winter hike. Canoe rentals and free archery range," reports Christian V.
Kayaking and water activities: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides water recreation options right from the campground. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," shares Layla P. in her review.
Proximity to Chicago: Many campers value these locations for quick getaways from urban life. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," says Josh M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, highlighting how accessible these camping areas are for city dwellers.
Clean facilities: Camp Reinberg receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!" remarks Susan L. The camp also provides "easy access to hiking and bike trails directly in the park and they go for miles and miles."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest preserves support diverse wildlife viewing. At Paul Wolff Campground, one reviewer observed "lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels."
Varying noise levels: Train noise affects some campgrounds in the region. At Dunewood Campground, campers note: "Could hear trains throughout the night. Great facility with showers, water fountains, and a camp sink. Great shading from trees and very green!"
Reservation systems: County-operated campgrounds sometimes have specific booking procedures. "The FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY online camping reservation site is tricky but after several tries I figured it out," explains Kathryn about her stay at Camp Sullivan.
Limited camping seasons: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Paul Wolff Campground runs from May through October, while Blackwell Family Campground operates "May 3 to September 29," according to their official season listing.
Playground access: Camp Sullivan offers amenities 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. Highly recommend," shares Dane S., who camps there with three children under 7.
Educational activities: Some campgrounds offer structured learning opportunities. "Check out the office for fun seasonal events like group hikes and geocaching contests," suggests Kelsey G. about their experience at Camp Reinberg.
Kid-friendly hiking options: Look for shorter trails with varied terrain. At Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, families can participate in "the three dune challenge... it wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list," shares Jackie H.
Electric-only hookups: Many campgrounds provide electric but lack full hookups. "Only offered electric service. Beach access is close by," notes Jon S. about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Site selection considerations: Choose sites carefully for shade and space. At Paul Wolff Campground, "Odd numbered sites had better shade than evens. The RV sites looked closely spaced but nice enough," advises Cari B.
Pet-friendly camping near Hickory Hills: Several campgrounds welcome pets with specific amenities. While the established description mentions dog parks at Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan, Camp Reinberg also accommodates pets. "The trail system is great for walking the dogs," notes David W., providing another option for pet-friendly camping near Chicago's southwestern suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hickory Hills, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hickory Hills, 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 Hickory Hills, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 58 dog-friendly camping locations near Hickory Hills, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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