Chain O'Lakes State Park maintains several pet-friendly campgrounds near Lindenhurst, with Fox Den Campground and Turner Lake South both offering sites for tent camping, RVs, and cabins where dogs are welcome. All pets must be leashed and supervised throughout the park grounds, with designated pet waste stations available at campground entrances. Sites are well-spaced with trees providing natural boundaries between camping spots, making it easier to maintain privacy when camping with pets. The campground's extensive trail system provides excellent walking routes for dogs, with multiple hiking paths that wind through wooded areas and along lakeshores. Fox Den sites are more secluded than other camping areas in the park, with each spot tucked away among trees giving pets more space to relax without being disturbed by passing campers.
Grass Lake Marina and RV Park offers a large, mowed grassy field where dogs can run, play and swim, with bald eagle nests providing interesting viewing opportunities during walks. The network of lakes throughout Chain O'Lakes provides water access points where pets can cool off during summer months. All Illinois State Parks, including Chain O'Lakes, strictly enforce their no-alcohol policy, even at individual campsites, which helps maintain a peaceful environment for families camping with pets. Most campgrounds in the area provide access to clean bathhouses and toilets, though pet owners should bring their own waste bags and portable water bowls as amenities specifically for pets are limited. Happy Acres Kampground and Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort also welcome pets at their facilities, offering additional options for those traveling with dogs in the Lindenhurst area.
$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."
"*** 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!"
"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!"
"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."
"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"
"Plenty of space & foliage between sites and a nice network of trails surrounding the campground. Close to some small towns and the interstate as well, but not close enough to hear traffic."
"the property is HUGE and most things are about a 10 to 15 min walk from the campsites. lots of hiking, boating, swimming fishing and more! a great place for anyone!"
"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."
$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."
$12 / night
"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."
"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."
"we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"
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.
GuideAbsolutely beautiful, reasonable prices, electric available. Tons of restrooms, showers, laundry, and wonderful camp hosts. Huge beach area, dog park, fishing as well. Shop to buy items you may need and absolutely wonderful place. Open all year round
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!
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.
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.
TravelerWe liked this site because it was on the "quiet loop." No radios or pets allowed. I'm not sure about children! :) The sites are fairly close together and the trees are sparse, but it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend over the 4th of July 2017.
You can walk over to an area that has hiking trails right out of the campsite. State park mountain biking trails are also close by, but you would need to drive to them. The showers were clean and when we used them, available. There is a playground right next to them as well.
The campsite itself had a good log-stopper so you wouldn't drive too far into the woods, great fire ring, and picnic table. We had nice flat areas for our tents.
I am not so sure I would have enjoyed myself if I'd been in another loop. The quiet was perfect!
GuideCampsites are kept up and quite clean. Some have a beautiful view of lake. Some water fountains did not work, however sinks were always working. So many little trails all throughout the campsite. Family friendly (parks, beach, 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.
Camping sites around Lindenhurst, Illinois cluster primarily in the Chain O'Lakes region, an interconnected system of 15 lakes covering 7,100 acres of water surface. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons can see overnight temperatures drop into the 40s. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 700-800 feet above sea level, creating relatively flat terrain that's accessible for various camping setups.
Kayaking and canoeing: At Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park, paddlers can explore Lake Michigan's shoreline. "Easy access to the beach, great sites and was very quiet," notes Chrissy E., who visited the park's waterfront areas.
Horse riding trails: Chain O'Lakes provides dedicated paths for equestrians. "There is horse riding here as well. The views are breathtaking," reports Christian V. about Mud Lake East, where trail riders can observe diverse wildlife.
Boat rentals: Multiple lakes offer rental options for water recreation. "The concessions (or camp store) was large and well stocked. Plenty of firewood and was inside a garage so it was all dry and ready to use. We didn't use any of the water sport rentals because of our baby, but we're very happy to see there was a ton to do," explains Dakota about their experience at Prairie View.
Fishing options: Lakes throughout the region support diverse fishing opportunities. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," shares Julia B. about her experience at Turner Lake South.
Secluded campsites: Fox Den Campground offers more private sites than other areas. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers (our site was protected on 3 sides by some fairly dens foliage and trees)," reports Ian C.
Budget-friendly options: Primitive sites provide affordable camping. "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 Addison G. about Turner Lake South.
Varied terrain: The mix of prairies and woodlands creates diverse camping environments. "Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East most private... The campsites are a little bigger in Turner Lake South, I feel, but both have campsites circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent," explains Marisa A., highlighting the natural screening between sites.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-serviced amenities. "The shower/bathrooms are always clean and have hot water. The only downfall that I can see is that they are not consistent with cleaning the outhouses," notes Meg K., describing her experience at one of the Chain O'Lakes campgrounds.
Seasonal pests: Insects can be problematic in warmer months. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!" warns Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Park closure times: Gates lock at night in state parks. "The 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," advises Brian O. regarding Chain O'Lakes State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for nocturnal visitors. "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 and all surfaces wiped down," cautions a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," observes Tina about weekend crowding patterns.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer multiple play areas for children. "There is a park for the kids in several areas. Not far from town in case you need to go to the store and there is also a bait/shop store on premises," reports Meg K., describing family amenities at Turner Lake.
Contained play spaces: For young children, bring equipment to create safe zones. "With a baby crawling that needed to be set free... our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick," recommends a parent who visited the area with a young child.
Family-friendly activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers organized recreational options. "This is not private or rustic camping but still very fun and relaxing," notes Chloe N., who adds, "The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Site selection strategies: Choose locations based on proximity to amenities. "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. Closer to the center of this row is best," advises a family camper about site selection.
Electric hookup accessibility: Sunrise Campground at Richard Bong Recreation Area offers better power connections than some other sites. "RV sites electric are at sunrise, not sunset, with the exception of the handicapped site," notes Stefanie B. about this dog-friendly campground near Lindenhurst.
Dump station logistics: Plan for potential waits at service facilities. "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," reports Tina about her week-long stay.
Site spacing considerations: Choose RV sites based on privacy needs. "The state park is larger than expected with decent amenities (boat rentals, concessions, relatively clean pit toilets) and areas designated for trailer camping and tent camping," explains Claire S. about the designated camping areas.
Weekday advantages: Visit mid-week for less crowding. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," shares an RVer who stayed for a full week, noting the significant difference in campground atmosphere between weekend and weekday stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lindenhurst, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lindenhurst, 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 Lindenhurst, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 56 dog-friendly camping locations near Lindenhurst, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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