Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Lombard, IL

Blackwell Family Campground's electric sites welcome pets with level spaces for camping in a wooded forest preserve setting. The campground features a mix of crushed limestone pads and wood chip tent areas, with many sites offering partial shade and privacy. Paul Wolff Campground, Camp Sullivan, and Camp Bullfrog Lake also accommodate pets throughout their facilities. Campers note the campground is surprisingly secluded despite being just 30 miles outside Chicago, with sites spaced well apart for privacy compared to many other campgrounds. Each site includes a fire ring with cooking grate, picnic table, and access to drinking water. The gates close one hour after sunset and reopen at sunrise, which prevents late-night entry or exit with pets.

Trails throughout Blackwell Forest Preserve connect to the main campground, allowing dog owners to access Silver Lake for fishing and recreation without leaving the grounds. The forest preserve includes multiple hiking paths, bike trails, an archery range, boat rentals, and several ponds where campers report outstanding fishing opportunities. Dogs must remain leashed while exploring the park's amenities. Nearby Old Tavern Park and Beau Bien Park provide additional pet exercise areas within a short drive. Rangers occasionally offer evening entertainment for children, including bubble-blowing activities that pets may enjoy watching. Traffic noise from nearby Winfield Road is audible at some campsites, particularly those on the downhill side of the campground, though the wooded setting helps buffer some of the suburban sounds.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Lombard, Illinois (61)

    1. Blackwell Family Campground

    22 Reviews
    Warrenville, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 933-7248

    $20 - $30 / night

    "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."

    2. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "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."

    3. Camp Reinberg

    12 Reviews
    Palatine, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9750

    $45 - $60 / night

    "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!"

    4. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "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."

    5. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0041

    $35 - $250 / night

    "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."

    6. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 232-5980

    $18 - $35 / night

    "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."

    7. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    67 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $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."

    8. Martin’s Camping Ground

    6 Reviews
    New Lenox, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 726-3173

    "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."

    9. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4206

    "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!"

    "Saw a few of their “puppy sites” that included a private gated area for dog owners. It poured all weekend but we still enjoyed the stay."

    10. Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Rockdale, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 744-9400

    "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."

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Showing results 1-10 of 61 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Lombard, IL

476 Reviews of 61 Lombard Campgrounds


  • Iryna R.
    Oct. 6, 2024

    Leisure Lake Resort

    Ugh..

    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.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2024

    Love's RV Hookup-Morris IL 859

    Easy & Convenient Roadside Pit Stop

    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!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2024

    Northwoods RV Resort

    New Campground Scent Emanates From this Freshly Minted RV Outpost

    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!

  • ron R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    My second stay here

    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.

  • T
    Oct. 4, 2020

    Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort

    Great First Experience

    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.

  • Kaitlin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    Relaxing but no water hook up

    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.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Blackwell Family Campground

    Weekend Camping with lots of activities

    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.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Channahon State Park Campground

    Perfect for cyclists along the canal trail

    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.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I 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.


Guide to Lombard

Blackwell Family Campground operates seasonally from May through September, with many sites requiring advance reservations. Located 30 miles west of Chicago at an elevation of 770 feet, this forest preserve campground offers a mix of wooded and open sites in DuPage County. Suburban noises are present in some areas while other sections maintain a surprisingly secluded atmosphere despite the proximity to urban areas.

What to do

Mountain biking on surrounding trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides excellent access to mountain biking trails directly from the campsite. "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. from Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Fishing in multiple ponds: Big Rock Campground offers fishing opportunities throughout the preserve. "The trails are nice and the water is crystal clear. Nice place for a winter hike. Canoe rentals and free archery range," according to Christian V. from Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Kayaking on Silver Lake: Rental options are available at several locations for water recreation. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," shares Layla P. about her experience at Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Archery practice: Several preserves maintain free archery ranges for campers. "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options," explains Art S. about Paul Wolff Campground.

What campers like

Convenient locations near Chicago: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Lombard offer quick access to Chicago while maintaining natural surroundings. "Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway," writes Autumn D. about Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain modern restrooms and shower facilities. "Bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM," reports Lawrence B. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The preserves around Lombard support diverse wildlife. "We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk," shares Hatie P. about her experience at Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Firewood availability: Many campgrounds provide firewood with your stay. "Each camp site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," notes Josh M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "When you are staying here to see Chicago the gates close for the park an hour after sunset," explains Rich M. about Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Limited shower facilities: Not all campgrounds offer showers. "The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers," reports David W. about Paul Wolff Campground.

Traffic noise varies by site: Campgrounds near major roads may experience traffic noise. "We kept looking for the hot dog vendor, paddle swans and a bowling pin juggling mime. The lake is a pond but the illegal fireworks were great," Bruce K. humorously notes about Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Seasonal water availability: Some campgrounds restrict water service during colder months. "No water hook-up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors," explains Kaitlin M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer organized activities for children. "For nature that's close to civilization, Deer Grove Forest Preserve is the best. While the camp sites are small, the amenities are super clean and the rentable cabins are as well," shares Kristy G. about Camp Reinberg.

Cabin options for beginners: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfort with outdoor access. "There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," explains Shane S. about Camp Sullivan.

Accessible sites: Several campgrounds offer ADA-compliant sites and facilities. "I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9," advises Marisa A. about Paul Wolff Campground.

Early morning wildlife: Dawn offers special wildlife viewing opportunities. "Amazing chirping of the birds in the morning. Just beautiful piece full with nature," reports Gina A. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Tips from RVers

Electric hookup locations: Electric sites vary in quality and shade coverage. "Sites are level and clean and they have modern bathrooms. We take our kayaks to the lake during the summer and Illinois just did away with reg stickers this year," notes Marc W. about Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Water hookup extensions: Some campgrounds position water connections away from sites. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions! Rig: 2020 Micro Minnie 1700BH + Ford F-250," advises Amanda K. about Big Rock Campground.

Early gate closures: Forest preserve campgrounds often close gates at sunset. "The gates close for the park an hour after sunset," reminds Rich M. about Blackwell Forest Preserve, which affects late arrivals and departures.

RV pad types: Surface materials vary between campgrounds. "Sites #4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad. This is a relatively newer campground. There is NO shade during the day," warns Tim K. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lombard, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lombard, 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 Lombard, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 61 dog-friendly camping locations near Lombard, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.