P
Peter N.
Scout
ScoutSunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Nice sites. Lots of road noise.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Lake in the Hills, IL
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin permits pets throughout its full hookup RV sites, tent camping areas, and primitive walk-in locations. The campground features 10 tent-only sites located away from the RV section, offering more privacy for tent campers with dogs. Sites are well-maintained with fire pits and picnic tables, and pets must remain leashed at all times while on campground property. The staff conducts regular patrols throughout the grounds, creating a secure environment for campers with pets. Many campers report seeing abundant wildlife including deer, rabbits, and birds while hiking the pet-friendly trails with their dogs.
Chicago Northwest KOA in Union provides pet-friendly accommodations including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and even cabin options where dogs are welcome. The campground enforces quiet hours, beneficial for preventing excessive barking disturbances. Multiple hiking trails wind through the surrounding forest preserve, offering excellent dog walking opportunities with access to several lakes where dogs can cool off during summer months. The campground is located near veterinary services in nearby communities, providing peace of mind for pet owners during extended stays. Trails are well-maintained and offer a mix of paved, gravel, and grass surfaces, allowing pet owners to choose the most comfortable walking experience for their dogs.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Lake in the Hills (74)
1. Paul Wolff Campground
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $35 / night
2. Chicago Northwest KOA
"It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family."
"You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"
3. Thomas Woods Campground
"Our site had the usual picnic table and a short walk to the restrooms and water. What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails."
"While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $35 / night
4. Camp Reinberg
"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!"
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $60 / night
5. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort
"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. "
"Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front. Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $70 / night
6. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $43 - $73 / night
7. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore"
"*** 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"
8. Staghorn Campground - Rock Cut State Park
"It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days. "
"For us it's close to home, shopping and an RV dealership so it's pefect to "shake out" the camper and we can easily get anything we forgot or get stuff to repair anything that's not working."
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $50 / night
9. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
10. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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!"
Drive Time
- 39 min from Rockford, IL
- 55 min from Chicago, IL
- 1 hr 4 min from Kenosha, WI
- 1 hr 15 min from Racine, WI
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Lake in the Hills, IL
64 Photos of 74 Lake in the Hills Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Paul Wolff Campground
Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort
Thomas Woods Campground
Camp ReinbergL
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Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
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Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Lake in the Hills, IL
679 Reviews of 74 Lake in the Hills Campgrounds
- JJenny B.
TravelerHononegah Forest Preserve
All sites are separated not on top of each other. We’ve been here quite a few times during cooler months and have been very happy with our experience.
Stuart K.
LegendPrairie View Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Nice Shaded Camping Alcove With Plenty of P&Q
Prairie View CG is the very first camping oasis you will come across after entering Rock Cut SP from its northernmost entrance, with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east. Once you enter the park, you will follow the long winding nicely paved two-lane circuit until you begin seeing the signs highlighting where to go for the various campgrounds. Once you access this road, you’ll come across a small building with a ranger where you will check in, after which, you will pass by a designated dump station before coming around a small bend where you will take your first left.
The sites begin with #500 and as you circumnavigate the simple circular loop, you will pass by about 2 dozen or so slots that are nice flat paved slots perfect sized for just about any RV or 5th Wheel. There is a single his / her restroom along with trash area at the beginning of the loop just past sites #503 and #504. To access the shower, you will need to go back to the main road and hike it down the road with your towel and toiletries, which I have to admit, is the biggest bummer about this particular campground. If having close access to shower facilities is important to you, then you may want to contemplate staying at other campgrounds here at Rock Cut SP like Staghorn and White Oak, which offer closer proximity.
One of the greatest assets here at Rock Cut SP is the very massive Pierce Lake, which is great for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming. To launch your watercraft, you’ll head south to Hickory Hills campground where on the eastern side of this area you’ll be able to find the boat launch. In the Prairie View campground, in addition to restroom and waste disposal, you’ll also have access to running water spigots at each site along with running electric. The small community amphitheather is located centrally just past the campstore and before reaching the Hickory Hills campground. There is an excellent camp store in the middle of Rock Cut SP that offers up ice, firewood, ice cream, snacks, games, limited groceries and a number of other sundries you might need while camping. Additionally, there are 5 shelters that have electricity, with water and restrooms nearby and each shelter available through a reservation system. Two of the shelters (Red Oak and Puri Crest) also have children’s playgrounds nearby.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best sites here at Prairie View CG are those that are located furthest from the main road, for attaining the maximum camping bliss trifecta of less traffic, little noise and more privacy. As such, look at sites #512, #514, #516 and #518, which are all located on the exterior of the circle, thus providing the greatest amount of intimate nature experience; (2) Once you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your cooler, fret not, and just head out of the park where you will find a handful of dining options: Tom& Jerry’s, Fresh Start Café, Waffle Shop, Golden Chopsticks Buffet, Sunrise Family Restaurant, Beef-A-Roo (in fact, there’s like 4 of these that the park is surrounded by), but one of my absolute favorites is Green Fire, which is a really nice farm-to-table joint; (3) Got bird watching on your mind? Well, you’re in luck, because here at Rock Cut SP you can spot an amazing array of winged adventurers including bald eagles, American robins, northern cardinals, barn owls, mourning doves, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, Canadian geese, red-bellied woodpeckers, brown thrashers and many others; (4) Tired of nature and just want to get some really cool culture in you? Then head just due south of Rock Cut SP to explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House, which is simply amazing; and (5) If you come bearing watercraft like canoe or kayak, while Lake Pierce is wonderful and great for fishing, if you want something a bit more challenging, then head due west to the Rock River, where you can drop in from a number of launch sites, however I strongly recommend Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve.
Happy Camping!
Joel K.
GuideHammel Woods
One night campout in October
I've lived within 2 miles of this campground for 7 years, and I've driven past it literally hundreds of times, but it wasn't until a friend of mine found himself unemployed and said "let's go camping" that we actually camped here. They have 6 primitive sites, and you have to walk in from the parking lot. It is NOT drive in. The sites are all decent, have fire rings, and big solid picnic tables, and each site has it's own garbage can. The camping sites are immediately adjacent to the dog park off Black Road. I will say, between Black Rd, I 55, and Rt. 59, the road noise is noticeable. The office staff and park ranger who closed the gate were all friendly and helpful.
- GGladys L.Traveler
Plum Grove Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park in Rockford , Illinois
We got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
- BBeth O.Scout
Blackwell Family Campground
Great Stay
Blackwell has clean bathrooms, offers hiking trails, boating (kayak rentals) or bring your own, fishing, archery, cycling. The gate locks at 7pm but you just call the night guard and he will let you in. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Would definitely stay again. Be aware Winfield Road has a lot of traffic so sites further away from that road are best. Heard coyotes about 3 am both mornings. Rangers were exceptional.
- Stuart K.Legend
Rolling Oaks Campground
Old-School Camping with a Whole Lot of Personality
Rolling Oaks is one of those wonderfully old-school Midwestern campgrounds that feels less like an RV resort and more like a little summer community that has been evolving for generations out here in the rich corn patches of central IL. Family-run since 1969, the sprawling, shady property sits along the Fox River with its very own lake and a decidedly RV-centric personality, where curb appeal is just as important (if not more) than the actual mobile confines people are living in. A substantial portion of the campground is occupied by long-term and seasonal residents, complete with patios, sheds and occasionally elaborate outdoor entertaining spaces, which gives Rolling Oaks an unusual neighborhood feel rather than the transient atmosphere of most CGs.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHS and LOWS along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Water is the star here, with a swimming lake, pool and direct access to the Fox River making this particularly appealing if you bring kayaks, canoes or tubes; (2) Plenty of shade and a mixture of full-hookup, partial-hookup and pull-through RV sites plus tent camping accommodate just about every style of camper; (3) Playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoes and a game room give kids plenty to do without leaving the property; (4) Summer weekends have an almost throwback campground-community atmosphere with dancing, cart rides, farmers’ markets, spaghetti dinners, corn boils and pig roasts; and (5) Being only a few miles from the village of Sandwich makes supplies easy while putting you in prime position for the enormously popular Sandwich Fair (if you manage to time your stay here to coincide with this annual attraction).
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The large population of seasonal and long-term campers means portions of Rolling Oaks can feel more like a permanent RV neighborhood than a campground; (2) All that community activity means summer weekends aren't exactly designed for campers seeking solitude and P&Q; and (3) The CGs sprawling layout means the experience can vary considerably depending upon where you land with front sections feel busier and more transient, while areas farther back become increasingly more residential.
Insider’s Tip: For the best balance of scenery, shade and quiet, head toward the far side of the lake, away from the busiest weekend activity. And if you're thinking of bringing a kayak or canoe, definitely bring it as direct Fox River access is one of Rolling Oaks' biggest advantages.
Happy Camping!
Sherry K.ScoutPearl Lake
Late night party central
The park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
kelsea D.TravelerPrairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
A lot to do.
There’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
Guide to Lake in the Hills
McHenry County offers pet-friendly camping options within easy access to Lake in the Hills, with most campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area features glacial topography with rolling terrain and small lakes, creating natural barriers between campsites at many locations. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during camping season, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August.
What to Do
Hiking with dogs: Thomas Woods Campground features "beautiful wooded and quiet" trails where campers report "lots of hiking trails, a pond for fishing, private camp sites." One visitor mentions enjoying the trails with their pet: "My 'leashed' dog loves this place, as do I."
Water recreation: At Turner Lake South in Chain O' Lakes State Park, visitors can "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."
Fishing spots: Illinois Beach State Park provides "easy access to the beach" with "beautiful views and amazing sunrises." Visitors appreciate that "sites aren't very secluded" but enjoy the "easy access to the beach" for fishing and recreation with their dogs.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: At Thomas Woods Campground, many note the well-designed layout, with one camper describing how "most of the tent spots are spaced out enough to provide privacy and quiet. Firewood is cheap on-site and delivered to your site on demand."
Dog walking paths: Rock Cut State Park provides "lots of trails" and "gentle hills and beautiful color." A camper notes "the highlight of our experience is the hiking. There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails."
Well-maintained facilities: Camp Reinberg impresses visitors with its "clean and quiet campground" and "super clean" restrooms. One camper reported the facilities are "seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!"
What You Should Know
Insect preparation: Pack plenty of tick and mosquito repellent. At Chain O' Lakes, one visitor 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!"
Wildlife encounters: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort has active nighttime wildlife. Raccoons are particularly bold at several campgrounds after dark: "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Alcohol policies: Several county and state parks prohibit alcohol. At Paul Wolff Campground, some campers note "I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule," while at Illinois Beach State Park, strict enforcement means rangers regularly patrol camping areas.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Turner Lake South campground offers numerous activities: "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas."
Educational opportunities: Rock Cut State Park provides excellent wildlife viewing for children. One scout leader mentions: "Clean facilities but the nice part is the scenic hiking for being close to town. Gentle hills and beautiful color. Always see turkey and other small game so great for Scout skills and badges."
Weather considerations: Summer thunderstorms occur frequently. A visitor at Chicago Northwest KOA appreciated that "the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Rock Cut State Park, careful site selection is important: "Beware of the Plum Grove loops - most sites there looked small and close together, and many were not very level." Other campers recommend White Oak loop where "most sites here were secluded and level."
Water access: At Camp Reinberg, RVers should note: "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."
Power options: Verify electricity specifications before booking. At Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort, "Water pressure was steady. Power was consistent. Bathroom/shower/laundry rooms were all very clean and well maintained. Having a sewer hook up on site was a welcome change to our typical state park sites we frequent."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Lake in the Hills, IL?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lake in the Hills, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lake in the Hills, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 21 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
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What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lake in the Hills, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 74 dog-friendly camping locations near Lake in the Hills, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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