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Illinois Beach State Park permits pets throughout its camping areas alongside Lake Michigan, approximately 20 miles northeast of Libertyville. The campground features electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities for campers with dogs. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in nearby Volo allows pets at tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping accommodations, with most campers noting the grounds are well-maintained and secure for pets. Camp Reinberg in Palatine provides pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots and cabin options with clean facilities and access to hiking trails. Several campgrounds in the Chain O' Lakes State Park system, including Honeysuckle Hollow, Fox Den, Turner Lake South, and Prairie View, welcome pets at various accommodation types.
Miles of hiking and biking trails throughout these campgrounds provide exercise opportunities for dogs on leash. Camp Reinberg's trail system connects directly to Deer Grove Forest Preserve paths, allowing extended walks through wooded areas and open fields. Illinois Beach State Park offers shoreline access where dogs can explore the beach areas when properly leashed. Reviews indicate most campground bathrooms and shower facilities remain clean even during busy periods, making extended stays with pets more comfortable. Campground staff at several locations provide assistance with site selection for pet owners, and many campgrounds maintain quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances. The mosquito population can be significant during summer months at Fish Lake Beach, so pet owners should bring appropriate repellents for themselves and pet-safe alternatives for their animals.
"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"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."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability"*** 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!"
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"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."
"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."
"This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."
"There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"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"
"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."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability
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.
LegendPrairie 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. No online reservations were allowed and their phone systems were down but we only found a few sites that were available. We were only able to camp for the night. I would recommend looking into this a bit more before driving out.
Our campsite was encased in foliage which gave us some privacy. I could see through the brush to neighbors but it was enough to give my dog a sense of peace without disturbances. The sites are near enough together - we heard many children playing from all around us - but still gave us a sense of being out in the woods. Even with the amount of people we still only encountered a few as people walked past our site.
A pit toilet was a short walk one way and flushing toilets were at the entrance. Water was dispersed at select locations but we brought our own for the weekend. Garbage and recycling bins are also available.
We drove back out into the state park and parked to hit the hiking trails. The ones we found are wide - maybe 8 feet - and covered in crushed gravel. Portions were paved. There are a series of connecting trails giving a wide variety of options. There are even horse rentals and a trail designated as horse friendly. We took a look at the boating docks and found paddleboats and row boats for rent. Most people were putting their own boats into the lakes. If we hadn't gone to the docks, the water was seen only in passing.
This was an enjoyable stay along the Wisconsin/Illinois border and is well worth checking out.
Camping near Libertyville offers diverse experiences across northern Illinois, with sites ranging from lakefront locations to forested preserves. The region typically experiences humid continental climate with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August. Winter camping is limited as most facilities close by late October when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
Fishing opportunities: Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park provides access to multiple connected lakes and tributaries. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill... Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily," notes Aida K. The campground connects to boat launches with rental options for those without personal watercraft.
Horseback riding: Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park offers equestrian trails and riding facilities. "There are horse rentals and a trail designated as horse friendly," according to a visitor. The park maintains several miles of designated horse trails separate from hiking paths, making it suitable for riders of various experience levels.
Archery practice: The recreation areas around several campgrounds feature archery ranges with both stationary and 3D targets. "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing," reports Meg K. from Turner Lake South. Equipment rental may be available seasonally at select locations.
Privacy between sites: Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park offers sites with more seclusion than many other campgrounds. "The campsites are mostly wide open to the road but separated enough to feel private... While pretty busy it still felt private and quiet aside from nearby sites playing music most of the day and early night," mentions Matt K. These non-electric sites are more affordable at $12/night.
Facilities cleanliness: Camp Reinberg receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Lovely campground north west of Chicago. The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," notes Laura Z. Another camper mentions, "Supreme suburban camping! This gem of a campground is run by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the care they have for it shows... restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)."
Budget-friendly options: Sites without hookups provide affordable camping alternatives. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," explains a camper at Turner Lake South. Several campgrounds offer primitive sites at significantly lower rates than those with electrical service.
Gate closure times: Many parks strictly enforce nighttime access rules. "The park gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in... unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark," warns Brian O. at Turner Lake South. Plan evening activities accordingly, especially if you intend to leave the park.
Wildlife encounters: Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park and surrounding areas have active wildlife populations. "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!" cautions one camper. Another notes, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Seasonal water levels: Flooding can affect campgrounds in spring and after heavy rains. "We visited this fall and were happy. I always forget that the sites in the 340's are awesome. There was some flooding but it didn't effect our trip," reports Ashley J. at Illinois Beach State Park. Check with park offices about site conditions if visiting after rainstorms.
Beginner-friendly camping: Paul Wolff Campground offers accessible sites for new campers. "Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe," mentions one reviewer. The campground features both primitive walk-in sites and drive-up sites with amenities.
Water activities: Several parks have designated swimming areas and boat rentals. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," shares Chloe N. from Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort. Most swimming areas are supervised only during peak summer months.
Playground access: Many campgrounds maintain multiple play areas for children. "There is also a park for the kids in several areas," notes a camper at Turner Lake South. Some locations feature nature-based play equipment rather than traditional playground structures, encouraging exploration and environmental awareness.
Hookup considerations: Electric service varies between campgrounds, with some offering 50-amp connections. "We stayed in the Fox Den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition. Our site was very shaded and quiet at night," reports Michelle M. Some campgrounds have shared electric boxes between sites, requiring longer cords than standard.
Campsite selection: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers various pet-friendly camping options for RVs. "Very big campground with mostly seasonals. Atmosphere is the perfect balance of fun and relaxing. Site size varies," mentions Glenn T. For maximum privacy, corner sites typically provide more buffer from neighboring campers.
Dump station accessibility: Most campgrounds with RV accommodations provide dump stations, but they can become congested during peak departure times. "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," warns Tina at Honeysuckle Hollow, suggesting midweek or early morning departures to avoid lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Libertyville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Libertyville, 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 Libertyville, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 dog-friendly camping locations near Libertyville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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