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Camp Sullivan offers pet-friendly sites with electric hookups for both tent and RV camping in the Cook County Forest Preserves. Located in Oak Forest, Illinois, the campground features shaded sites with picnic tables where pets can remain leashed with their owners. Campers note relatively small, closely situated campsites but appreciate the wooded setting that creates a natural atmosphere despite being near urban areas. The Dyrt provides user ratings for locations near Lansing, Illinois. Pet owners should be aware that while dogs are welcome at the campsites, they are not permitted inside the rental cabins. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground and Dunewood Campground in the Indiana Dunes National Park also accommodate pets with varied hookup options and natural settings approximately 20-25 miles from Lansing.
Hiking trails directly accessible from Camp Sullivan provide exercise opportunities for dogs, with miles of walking paths through the forest preserve system. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park offers a more spacious alternative with full hookups and access to a private beach area on Cedar Lake where pets can enjoy shoreline walks. The bathhouse facilities feature keypad access for added security when showering. Emerald Trails Campground in Crete provides a peaceful setting with tall shade trees and a large pond. Campers with pets should prepare for variable bathroom maintenance at some locations, as several reviews mention inconsistent cleanliness and supply restocking. Michigan City Campground features pet-friendly cabins along with traditional camping options and operates year-round for those needing accommodations during off-season months.
"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"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"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"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"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"We were disappointed the state park was full but found this campground close by. The tent sites were very private as we were the only ones there for the night. Plenty of space tucked among the trees."
"I tried an RV resort park first and my site was right next to train tracks and packed in next to the other sites. This spot was more spacious and fairly quiet with good showers."
from $30 - $90 / 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
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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.
Camping near Lansing, Illinois offers options for outdoor enthusiasts within an hour's drive of Chicago. The region sits at the intersection of the Calumet River watershed and Lake Michigan ecosystems, creating diverse habitats for wildlife. Winter camping is available at select locations with temperatures averaging 20-30°F December through February, while summer highs typically reach 80-85°F.
Beach access at Indiana Dunes National Park: The Dunewood Campground provides proximity to Lake Michigan beaches with Kimmel Beach being closest. "The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful. There are some biting horseflies at the beach, but not at the campground," notes Katie O. The park includes sand dunes for climbing and swimming opportunities.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can try their luck at Emerald Trails Campground where a large pond supports recreational fishing. Maurice describes it as "Very relaxing, and very quiet. Great shade from tall trees, and a large pond to Fisher paddle boat." Paddle boat rentals allow visitors to access different fishing spots.
Lake recreation: Beyond swimming, many campgrounds offer water activities. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," reports Layla P. about her experience at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Spacious sites at Cedar Lake: The Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park receives praise for its layout and amenities. Holly S. noted, "Sites are full hookup up, there's a nice bathhouse which has a key pad handle which made me feel safe while showering... You have access to the perks of the conference grounds including access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
Wooded surroundings: Many campers appreciate the natural settings despite proximity to urban areas. "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. The campsites are well kept as are the grounds," says Shane S. about the wooded setting.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities stand out to many visitors. "The bathhouse facilities were clean and well stocked," reports Layla P. Similarly, at Sand Creek Campground, "Bathrooms seemed newer and were very clean," according to Danielle C.
Train noise affects sleep: Several campgrounds in the region experience railroad noise. "Could hear Trains throughout the night," mentions Truly W. about Dunewood. Stefanie Z. notes about Sand Creek Campground: "The noise is quite jarring for a campground that seems like it would be pretty quiet - constant train traffic, airplane noise, and if it's windy and you're near the trees that really adds to it."
Seasonal considerations: Katrin M. advises, "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening." Bring appropriate insect repellent during summer months. Katie O. adds, "Loved the proximity of this campground to Lake Michigan... We stayed in site #3, which had some good hammock trees."
Variable site privacy: Site layouts and privacy differ significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are decently private with good tent pads," notes Katherine T. about Dunewood Campground. However, at other locations sites can be closely spaced with limited screening between neighbors.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a playground as well," notes Holly S. about Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park. For families with small children, sites near playground facilities reduce walking distance.
Swimming options for children: Michigan City Campground provides family-friendly water recreation. "The campground was very clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. It was a short drive to Lake Michigan," reports Michael D. Beth B. adds, "Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update."
Activity centers: Some locations provide organized recreation. "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," explains Shane S. about the family amenities.
Electric-only sites: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups without water connections at the site. Lawrence B. advises: "Really enjoyed this campground. Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM."
RV size limitations: Consider vehicle length when booking. "I gave it a 2 star just for the free hot shower," mentions Bruce K. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, suggesting RVers should research amenities carefully before booking. Some campgrounds have limited options for larger rigs.
Premium site advantages: RV campers seeking more space should consider premium options. "We stayed in a 90 ft premium pull through spot. Nice campground that is maintained. There is a pool, fishing pond, and playground for kids," reports Erin B. about her stay at Michigan City Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lansing, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lansing, IL is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 128 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lansing, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 47 dog-friendly camping locations near Lansing, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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