Camp Reinberg's pet-friendly tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin accommodations provide varied options for camping with dogs near Lake Forest. Located in Deer Grove Forest Preserve, the campground features clean facilities, fire pits, and electric hookups for all sites. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the campground and surrounding trails. The preserve offers extensive hiking and biking paths where pets can explore alongside their owners. Illinois Beach State Park also welcomes pets with spacious campsites that include fire rings and picnic tables. Both campgrounds maintain strict pet waste cleanup policies to preserve the natural environment. Sites at these locations fill quickly during summer weekends due to their proximity to Chicago.
Deer Grove Forest Preserve trails surrounding Camp Reinberg provide miles of pet-friendly paths through forests, open fields, and past lily pad-covered ponds. The trails vary in difficulty with both paved and dirt options accessible directly from the campground. Pet owners appreciate the 24-hour staff availability and clean bathroom facilities. Illinois Beach State Park offers shoreline access where leashed dogs can explore the rocky beach area. Both campgrounds require pets to be supervised at all times and provide waste disposal stations. Local veterinary services can be found within a 15-minute drive of either location. The extensive trail systems make these dog-friendly campgrounds near Lake Forest particularly popular with active dog owners seeking outdoor recreation options while remaining close to urban amenities.
$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!"
$43 - $73 / night
"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."
"*** 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!"
"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."
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"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!"
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"It was me, my wife, our 8 month old daughter, and our dog."
$12 - $35 / night
"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."
"I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"
"Pros: great hiking trails, nice lake to kayak on, family friendly beach and picnic areas Cons: Not great fishing, no dog friendly swim area, the beach/fishing pier/boat launch are all pretty far from"
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.
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.
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!
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 areas near Lake Forest sit within the northeastern Illinois prairie system, where glacial moraines create subtle elevation changes amid wetland ecosystems. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and high humidity. Weekend sites throughout the region typically fill 2-3 weeks in advance during peak summer months.
Kayaking through connected waterways: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, visitors access seven interconnected lakes via tributaries. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," shares Aida K., who adds that "Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily."
Horseback riding: The trail systems offer equestrian options for riders of all experience levels. "There is horse riding here as well. The views are breathtaking," notes Christian V. from Mud Lake East camping area. Rentals are available seasonally, and some campers bring their own horses to designated equestrian-friendly areas.
Biking on varied terrain: Multiple campgrounds feature paved and unpaved cycling routes. Dakota from Prairie View camping area explains their experience: "We did a 5 mile hike through the park. It was absolutely beautiful. Lots of hills, forested areas, open prairies, and multiple water locations including next to the Fox River."
Clean facilities despite heavy use: Camp Reinberg maintains particularly high standards. "The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," writes Laura Z., while another camper notes it has "seriously the cleanest [restrooms] I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The wetland ecosystem supports diverse animal populations. At Fox Den Campground, Art S. reports: "We did not pass anyone when we went hiking on it. We did have to work our way through a few downed trees. The trail looks like it would be pretty muddy if it rains so choose your timing."
Convenience to Chicago: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers an accessible getaway. "We stayed for 4 nights in June in a pull thru FHU. The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years. 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," shares Jenifer K.
Alcohol restrictions: Most state parks enforce strict alcohol policies. Kelly G. warns about Mud Lake East: "No alcohol, they will issue a ticket." Private campgrounds typically allow alcohol, but state facilities have consistent enforcement.
Insect preparation is essential: Ticks and mosquitoes pose significant challenges, particularly in summer months. Meg from Turner Lake South cautions: "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!"
Early gate closures: Many facilities lock entrance gates at night. Grace H. notes: "The park gates close early as well - we returned one evening at 10:30pm and couldn't get back in with a vehicle. Had to go back in on foot. Good to plan ahead!"
Reserve lakefront sites early: The most desirable water-adjacent spots book quickly. Chloe N. recommends certain areas at Fish Lake Beach: "I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site! The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side."
Wildlife management strategies: Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area requires special precautions. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night," advises Meg.
Playground proximity: Sites near recreational facilities benefit families with young children. Meg also recommended: "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 as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep."
Limited hookup access: Water connections aren't always available at RV sites. The School for Y. noted 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."
Specific site recommendations: Paul Wolff Campground offers varied experiences. Marisa A. advises: "The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes."
Dump station congestion: Plan for potential wait times when entering or leaving. Tina from Honeysuckle Hollow shares: "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lake Forest, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 37 dog-friendly camping locations near Lake Forest, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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