Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park
Closed Off Tent Camping
Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view.
67 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Blackwell Family Campground's pet-friendly sites provide electric hookups for tent and RV campers in a wooded setting within the Dupage County Forest Preserve. Campers can bring their dogs to this established campground in Warrenville, just minutes from Lisle, with designated chip bark tent sites that remain level and well-maintained throughout the camping season. The grounds feel rural despite their suburban location, with sites spaced to provide some privacy, particularly along the South Loop road which offers the best views of Silver Lake. Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan also welcome pets, offering more accommodation options including cabins and glamping facilities with full hookups. Sites at Blackwell can feel close together, but several good ones provide more seclusion, with site #27 on the north loop road making campers feel alone in the woods.
Hiking trails throughout these forest preserves accommodate leashed dogs, with Blackwell featuring plenty of options including a challenging hill climb and outstanding fishing opportunities along the lake and ponds. The I&M Canal Trail provides an excellent option for dog walkers, with its crushed gravel surface offering a beautiful ride or walk through Channahon State Park. Dogs must remain leashed in most areas, with the 5mph speed limit at campgrounds like Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort helping ensure pet safety. Camp Reinberg features a secure, clean dog park where pets can exercise off-leash. During summer months, bugs can be particularly troublesome for pets, especially at Illinois Beach State Park where the water pressure in shower facilities helps wash away the day's adventures. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, with strict enforcement of pet waste cleanup policies.
"Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."
"I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."
from $20 - $30 / 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"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"Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"
"Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."
from $18 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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"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"If you like having access to a bathroom and shower its great and because no one really hd a tent here but us we had some privacy. It is next to a highway so be mindful of that."
"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."
"Nice safe location. Flat, pretty large spots..picnic tables."
"There's a gorgeous Creek, a lovely small lake and I really enjoy the walking trails."
"The location requires a 2 night stay minimum."
from $65 - $95 / night
Check Availability"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
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Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view.
We’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.
As 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!
I 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.
My 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!
Friendly 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.
We 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.
For 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.
This campground is right in town. It is a bit away from businesses. However if you arrive by car you drive through the quaint town.
Arriving by bicycle is even better. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes right by camp. You can stop for a rest or stay the night. It's a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride.
This campground is surrounded by trees. When we showed up, a classic car gathering was going on. They even set a campfire to use throughout the morning. There are vault toilets and a picnic area too. It should also be noted that you need to walk in to the campsites (parking is really close by).
The maintenance buildings are right next to campsites. Today they were mowing so workers were moving in camp but also out along the trail and park.
This is a nice, shady place to stop along the I & M Canal Trail.
Campgrounds within an hour's drive of Lisle, Illinois offer suburban wilderness experiences across Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The region's relatively flat terrain features elevations around 700 feet above sea level with occasional glacial moraines creating gentle hills. Summer camping conditions typically include humid 80°F days with moderate rainfall, while spring and fall bring temperature swings that can catch unprepared campers off guard.
Hiking varied terrain: Camp Bullfrog Lake connects to miles of mountain biking and hiking trails. "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," notes Josh M. The trails feature multiple surfaces from "paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails."
Archery practice: Blackwell Family Campground offers free archery facilities for campers. "Canoe rentals and free archery range," mentions Christian V. in his review. The campground has "plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding."
Fishing opportunities: Lakes and ponds throughout the area provide accessible fishing. At Big Rock Campground, campers can enjoy a "nice field" setting with nearby "grasslands, ponds, hiking trails." The campground is just "an hour drive from Chicago" making it convenient for quick fishing trips.
Proximity to Chicago: Many campgrounds serve as convenient getaways for city dwellers. Camp Sullivan is described as "probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago" by Bill M., who notes it's "about 5 years in existence" with "clean facilities with a few trails."
Clean facilities: Camp Reinberg earns praise for its well-maintained grounds and amenities. Susan L. notes "restrooms (seriously the cleanest I've ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)" and adds that "the campground provides easy access to hiking and bike trails directly in the park and they go for miles and miles."
Level camping sites: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Lisle feature engineered pads to keep tents and RVs dry. According to John W., Blackwell Family Campground sites have "a chip pad for tents and concrete for the vehicle" with "partial shade" at most sites, though "site 20 is turf and nicely secluded."
Weekend-only operations: Some forest preserve campgrounds have limited availability. Rich M. notes that at Blackwell Family Campground, the "only down side of the park is that it is only open on the weekends. On holiday weekends you are able to stay for three nights."
Limited showers: Not all campgrounds provide shower facilities. At Paul Wolff Campground, David W. mentions "The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers."
Water hookup challenges: Water access can be problematic at certain sites. Amanda K. warns about Big Rock Campground: "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" Similar issues exist at Camp Reinberg where "the staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site."
Scout-friendly group sites: Many dog-friendly camping areas near Lisle offer dedicated group spaces. John R. describes Blackwell's group area: "Each group site has a nice cooking area and open space for tents. We had a group of about 20 kids plus moms and dads, so we grabbed three sites in the same area."
Kid-friendly trails: Jen E. explains that Blackwell Family Campground is "a little gem in DuPage County. We live in the area and went here when our child was a baby, as we didn't want to be far from home. The campsites are surprisingly nice."
Evening quiet: Illinois Beach State Park provides peaceful settings despite popularity. One camper notes, "It's always quiet and the view is beautiful," though adds a caution that "bugs were awful this stay" - something to prepare for with children.
Electric hookups: Most campsites in the area provide electrical connections. At Big Rock Campground, Amanda K. notes they offer "Water + 50amp hookups" with "sites seem to be mostly level," making it convenient for RVs of various sizes.
Site spacing considerations: Hollywood Casino RV Resort in Joliet offers "flat, pretty large spots" with "picnic tables" according to eugenia W., who found it "so quiet we slept hard" despite its proximity to developed areas.
Security features: Camp Reinberg gives RVers peace of mind with controlled access. Susan L. mentions "there is a gate that is closed at 10pm every night and opened again in the morning" and adds she "felt secure staying here as well as leaving my RV in this campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lisle, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lisle, IL is Blackwell Family Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lisle, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 67 dog-friendly camping locations near Lisle, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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