38 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camp Reinberg accommodates pets throughout its tent sites, RV spaces and cabins with clean, well-maintained grounds. Located in Palatine, this Cook County Forest Preserve campground provides access to extensive hiking and biking trails through Deer Grove Forest Preserve where dogs can explore alongside their owners. The campground features electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and clean restroom facilities with showers. Staff members are consistently described as helpful and friendly, assisting campers with everything from water hookups to local trail recommendations. The campground maintains a secure atmosphere with a gate that closes at 10pm and reopens in the morning, providing peace of mind for campers traveling with valuable pets and equipment.
Illinois Beach State Park in Zion offers another pet-friendly option with varied camping environments ranging from wooded, private sites to more open areas near Lake Michigan. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the park but can enjoy the extensive shoreline trails and beach areas with their owners. The park provides electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though bathhouse cleanliness varies based on timing and season. Nearby trails connect to an extensive network through Zion with opportunities for longer excursions. Several reviewers note the beach access as particularly enjoyable for dogs who like water, though the park doesn't provide specific dog-washing stations for after-swim cleanup. Both campgrounds maintain standard pet policies including leash requirements, waste cleanup expectations, and quiet hours to manage barking.
"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 Availability"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"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability"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"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
"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"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"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
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.
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!
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.
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.
ScoutI reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
RangerNice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn’t very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric. this was the first time all season that the bugs Annoyed us. the beach is about 10 feet of sand off a busy road and is not pet friendly. nice spot to stay if you want to avoid paying lake Geneva prices for a room.
TravelerLots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc. The preserve bumps up next to neighborhoods and major roads depending how far in you get, but the main trails are easy to follow.
Camping options near Highland Park, Illinois offer diverse experiences within the forest preserves and state parks of northeastern Illinois. Situated just 30 miles from Chicago, these campgrounds feature hardwood forests, prairie landscapes, and access to several natural lakes. Highland Park's location in Lake County places campers within a convenient drive of both natural areas and suburban amenities while maintaining dog-friendly policies at most established sites.
Kayaking and canoeing: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, water recreation dominates the experience with connected waterways. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," says Cora M. about Turner Lake South.
Mountain biking: The trail systems around Camp Bullfrog Lake offer excellent riding for cyclists. "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. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day," notes Tim K.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes provide fishing access within a short drive. "This particular campground was just about as far away into the park as you could go without going to the youth/group camp. There is a boat launch with rentals and a bunch of hiking trails closer to the entrance," reports Art S. about Fox Den Campground.
Lake access: Fox Lake Beach Camping Resort offers water recreation close to camp. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," writes Chloe N., noting the lakefront tent sites where "you can fish right from your site!"
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms at Blackwell Family Campground. "The grounds include a lake for boating, hiking trails, and bike paths. There is also an archery range, and some ranger programs. Very nice," states Jen E. The campground features "modern bathrooms" according to Marc W., who also notes that "sites are level and clean."
Proximity to Chicago: Campers value having natural settings so close to urban areas. "Awesome place to stay when you live in the city and wanna get away," says Deanna B. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, while Josh M. adds, "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week."
Limited shade at some sites: Several campgrounds have open areas with minimal tree cover. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," Tim K. mentions about Camp Bullfrog Lake. Similarly at Paul Wolff Campground, "Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes."
Tick and mosquito concerns: Wildlife can be abundant during summer months. At Honeysuckle Hollow, one camper warns, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... they literally fall out of the trees into people!" The campground also has "raccoons at night [that] are no joke" according to Meg's review.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly in summer, especially on weekends. "While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends," reports Marisa A. about Turner Lake South.
Look for pet-friendly campgrounds with play areas: Camp Reinberg welcomes families with children and pets. "The rentable cabins are as well. The trails through the grounds are varied and long—you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking," notes Kristy G., who appreciates the "fantastic facilities and trails."
Consider cabin options: Several locations offer cabins as alternatives to tent camping. "We stayed in one of the cabins for late season campouts. Clean facilities but the nice part is the scenic hiking for being close to town," says Mike D. about Paul Wolff Campground, noting it's "great for Scout skills and badges."
Select sites away from main roads: At Turner Lake South, reviewers recommend careful site selection. "Avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best," advises Meg, who also mentions the family-friendly playground areas available.
Water hookup limitations: Some campgrounds have unusual water access arrangements. At Camp Reinberg, "There are no water spigots at the RV sites. 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 one reviewer from The School for Y.
Electric site information: Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, but specifications vary. "There is electrical at every site. Very easy in and out, for any sized rig," notes MalibuDave42 L. about Paul Wolff Campground, while another reviewer points out that Fox Den "is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post."
Security considerations: Pet-friendly camping near Highland Park includes security features at some locations. Susan L. notes that Camp Reinberg has "a gate that is closed at 10pm every night and opened again in the morning," providing additional security for campers with pets and equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Highland Park, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Highland Park, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Highland Park, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 38 dog-friendly camping locations near Highland Park, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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