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Camp Bullfrog Lake offers lakeside tent sites and clean cabin accommodations for campers with pets. Eight tent sites positioned along the water provide direct lake access with picnic tables and fire rings included. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campground with owners responsible for waste cleanup. The primitive tent area features dedicated tent pads near flush toilets and showers, though water spigots are positioned some distance from campsites. The surrounding forest preserve contains miles of pet-friendly hiking and mountain biking trails accessible directly from campsites. Camp Sullivan and Paul Wolff Campground also welcome pets with similar leash requirements and waste disposal policies. Sites at Bullfrog Lake include a complimentary bundle of firewood upon arrival.
The extensive trail system surrounding Bullfrog Lake provides excellent pet exercise opportunities with interconnected routes of varying difficulties. Dogs must remain leashed on all trails to protect wildlife and other visitors. The campground's proximity to Chicago (approximately 30 minutes from western suburbs) makes it convenient for weekend getaways with pets. Bathroom facilities include gender-separated flush toilets and spacious shower stalls with hooks for hanging items while pets remain outside. During summer months, limited shade requires preparation for pet comfort, with pop-up shelters recommended during hot weather. The campground gate closes at 10pm, requiring campers to plan accordingly when traveling with pets. Multiple hiking options range from easy lakeside paths to more challenging forest routes, creating diverse experiences for pets and owners.
"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"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"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"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."
"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"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"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 Availability"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."
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.
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.
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.
Cabin camping near Justice, Illinois offers opportunities for outdoor getaways within 30 miles of Chicago's urban center. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during camping season. Many of the forest preserves in this region were established in the early 1900s as part of Chicago's regional preservation efforts.
Kayaking on calm waters: At Camp Bullfrog Lake, rental kayaks are available for $15 per hour including life vests. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," notes Layla P.
Hiking varied terrain: The trails at Blackwell Family Campground range from flat prairie paths to gently rolling hills with diverse wildlife viewing. "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to belive that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated are just outside elgin, il," shares Tricia E.
Rock climbing activities: For families seeking structured outdoor activities beyond hiking, Camp Sullivan offers climbing options. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," reports Shane S.
Quick access for urban escapes: Most pet-friendly campgrounds in this area are designed for convenient weekend getaways. "Awesome place to stay when you live in the city and wanna get away," says Deanna B. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Clean, modern facilities: Recent upgrades at many area campgrounds have improved bathroom comfort. "Bathhouses are newer and kept fairly clean. I don't think they're checked everyday though because the ladies stalls were out of toilet paper our second morning," notes Lisa S. at Camp Sullivan.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Despite the urban proximity, many campers report surprising wildlife encounters. "We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," says Hatie P., describing the diverse wildlife at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Limited shade at some campsites: Many newer campgrounds lack mature trees for shade. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," mentions Tim K. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Campground gate hours: Several campgrounds restrict nighttime access. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting," warns Lisa S. at Camp Sullivan.
Varying firewood quality: Firewood availability differs between campgrounds, with quality inconsistencies. "Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue," reports Layla P. at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Cabin options for easier stays: For families new to camping or visiting with young children, several campgrounds offer cabin alternatives. "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)," reports Dane S. about Camp Sullivan.
Pet restrictions in cabins: While many campgrounds welcome pets, cabin accommodations may have different rules. "However, important to note dogs are not allowed inside the cabins," cautions Megan R. about Camp Sullivan policies.
Playground proximity considerations: When booking sites with children, check proximity to playground facilities. "Our site was right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private," notes Greg S. at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Limited hookup options: Many forest preserve campgrounds offer only partial hookups. "No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors," explains Kaitlin M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Reservation flexibility: RV campers report helpful staff at several locations when reservation changes are needed. "I made a reservation for the wrong campground and meant to book this one and the staff helped me switch my reservation and make a new one. Really great!" shares Kaitlin M.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary considerably in size and proximity to neighbors. "We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape, but as far as campgrounds go it was about 3x the price for less than half the space," observes Lisa S. at Camp Sullivan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Justice, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Justice, 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 Justice, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 56 dog-friendly camping locations near Justice, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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