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Camp Bullfrog Lake's pet-friendly tent sites surround a fishing lake with miles of hiking trails accessible directly from the campground. The Cook County Forest Preserve campground provides electric hookups for RVs and also offers cabins that accommodate dogs. Camp Sullivan features newly built pet-friendly facilities with modern bathrooms and well-kept grounds, though RV sites are limited to smaller rigs under 35 feet. Both campgrounds supply free firewood with each site and maintain clean bathhouse facilities. Emerald Trails Campground accepts pets at their RV and tent sites from April through mid-October, offering full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections. Bathrooms in some facilities can occasionally lack maintenance during weekdays with toilet paper restocked primarily on weekends.
Dogs must remain leashed throughout these forest preserve campgrounds with access to numerous wooded trails where wildlife sightings include deer, raccoons, and various bird species. Indiana Dunes State Park, located about 30 miles east of Homewood, permits pets in designated camping areas but not on the main swimming beaches, making it suitable for RV camping with dogs seeking lake access. The extensive trail systems at Palos Forest Preserve near Camp Bullfrog Lake provide excellent pet exercise opportunities with varied terrain. Weather considerations include hot summer months where shaded sites become valuable for keeping pets comfortable. Many campsites lack privacy barriers between them, so dogs that bark at passersby may disturb neighbors. Most local campgrounds maintain quiet hours beginning at 10pm, which applies to pet noise as well.
"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"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 Availability"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!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"We were there the week before peak season opened so none of the pools or splash pads were open, but they were very accommodating so that we could still play mini golf and ride around on the pedal cars."
"A lake with water rentals, floating water slide, playgrounds and sport courts, general store with the stardust’s “convenience mark-ups”,and water/ electric at all sites."
from $49 - $57 / night
Check Availability"The park is dog friendly. The campground is clean and quiet. There is no bath house, only port-a-potty's throughout the campground."
"Yes, it’s an hour from the city, but I’d take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel. There’s an outhouse and plenty of places to plug in the RV, and cars/tents are welcome too."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
"There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
"You have access to the perks of the conference grounds I clouding access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."
"There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers."
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!
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.
Campgrounds near Homewood, Illinois offer diverse overnight options at various price points, with most providing electric hookups and shaded sites to counter summer heat. The region features sandy dunes, lakeside access, and wooded areas within driving distance of Chicago's urban core. Camping season typically runs April through October, though some facilities remain open year-round with varying levels of maintenance during weekday periods.
Biking opportunities: Miles of connected trails provide extensive cycling options near camping areas. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, mountain biking stands out as a major attraction. One visitor notes, "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." The trail systems connect to other routes, offering "miles of bike trail options."
Kayaking on small lakes: Several campgrounds offer affordable boat rentals with safety equipment included. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," as one camper reports. Though limited in size, these bodies of water provide accessible paddling experiences for beginners.
Dunes exploration: The unique terrain of Indiana Dunes State Park offers distinctive hiking not found in most Midwestern locations. The park features the popular "3 dune challenge" which one visitor describes as "not really a challenge if you are moderately healthy but it is fun and scenic! The cool soft sand feels fantastic, definitely best hiked barefoot."
Modern bathroom facilities: Newer facilities with regular cleaning schedules enhance comfort at several locations. At Camp Sullivan, "The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern." Another camper notes that "Bathhouses are newer and kept fairly clean" though maintenance can vary throughout the week.
Lake Michigan access: The region's proximity to Lake Michigan provides unique swimming and sunset viewing opportunities. At Indiana Dunes State Park, visitors appreciate that "the lake and dunes are spectacular and live up to the hype." Another camper mentions, "Beautiful Lake Michigan sunsets" as a highlight, noting "On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake."
Wildlife viewing: Forest preserves around Homewood support diverse bird and animal populations. The Dunewood Campground area provides habitat for numerous species. As one camper describes it as "Foresty and beautiful," with "very green" surroundings that support wildlife. Trails throughout the wooded areas provide good opportunities for animal sightings.
Train noise: Railroad proximity affects several campgrounds with nighttime disturbances. A camper at Indiana Dunes State Park reports, "It's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be just fine but us tent camping there was nothing to block the sound."
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts offer different levels of seclusion between sites. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet." Another camper observed, "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."
Mosquito activity: Evening insect activity can be intense in wooded and lakeside areas. A visitor to Dunewood Campground warned, "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening." Bug protection becomes essential for comfortable outdoor time after dusk.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for younger visitors. At Potowatomi Campground, families appreciate that "There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance" of the play areas, making it convenient for children. However, one camper notes, "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days."
Nature center activities: Educational programs provide entertainment for children at select locations. At Potowatomi Campground, "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!" These activities offer weather-independent options during hot or rainy periods.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Homewood: Most area facilities welcome pets with standard leash requirements. Camp Sullivan has "good hikes and good campsites" that are suitable for dogs, though one visitor observed that "important to note dogs are not allowed inside the cabins." Pet owners should verify specific rules at each location.
Limited big rig access: Some campgrounds restrict larger recreational vehicles. At Emerald Trails Campground, RVers find "great shade from tall trees, and a large pond to fish or paddle boat," but the wooded setting limits maneuverability for larger units. Site dimensions vary considerably between campgrounds.
Hookup availability: Utility connections differ significantly across facilities. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "It is electric only but that didn't really bother us- we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves." Many campgrounds offer electric hookups but lack water or sewer connections at individual sites.
Reservation requirements: Advance booking becomes essential during peak periods from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Weekends fill quickly at dog friendly campgrounds near Homewood, especially at Camp Bullfrog Lake where one visitor noted, "I paid $122.00 for two nights" during peak season. Most campgrounds allow online reservations several months in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Homewood, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Homewood, 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 Homewood, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dog-friendly camping locations near Homewood, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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