Thomas Woods Campground in Marengo offers secluded tent camping sites with platforms that fit smaller tents perfectly, along with RV sites that accommodate pets. The campground features multiple hiking trails where leashed dogs can explore wooded paths and prairie landscapes. Several sites are set back from the main road, providing privacy for campers with pets. The campground is open weekends from early May through late October, with electric hookups available at select sites. Campers report the campground is generally quiet after 10 pm, making it suitable for pets that need undisturbed rest. Water is available from hand pumps throughout the property, and the clean pit toilets are conveniently located near most camping areas.
Nearby Chicago Northwest KOA allows pets with designated pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots, and cabins. The campground enforces quiet hours that benefit both pets and owners, and provides well-maintained grounds where dogs can be walked. Multiple hiking options exist in the surrounding conservation areas, with varying difficulty levels appropriate for different dog sizes and abilities. McHenry County parks maintain strict leash policies for visitor and wildlife protection. Campers should be prepared for mosquitoes during summer months, with appropriate protection for both humans and pets. Sites like Marengo Ridge feature both wooded shade areas and open prairie, giving pets varied terrain to explore. The proximity to local towns provides access to pet supplies if needed, with Marengo and Union both within a short drive.
$12 - $50 / night
"It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days. "
"For us it's close to home, shopping and an RV dealership so it's pefect to "shake out" the camper and we can easily get anything we forgot or get stuff to repair anything that's not working."
$20 - $35 / night
"We came across this one day during a day hike in the Marengo Ridge Forest preserve in McHenry county. It's about 90 mins NW of Chicago."
"Our site had the usual picnic table and a short walk to the restrooms and water. What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails."
"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."
$45 - $70 / night
"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. "
"Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front. Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "
$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."
"It is close to home and we start and finish the camping season here."
"We did not end up signing up as we prefer to visit many more locations than they had listed."
$65 - $85 / night
"Things started to slowly open up around the 4th of July. Now, it’s our favorite place to go! The most impressive aspect in our opinion are the people."
$49 - $99 / night
"Lots of people leaving bad reviews for silly little things. let me say first off this place is HUGE. plenty of room for the kids and the dogs and just a short walk from the kish. good fishing and friendly"
"Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort. Nice walking path around the two ponds. The ponds are very low due to drought this summer."
"Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out."
"You have to walk up to the sites. There's a wagon and a dolly to take your things. There isn't much in terms of hiking trails."
"There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy. This is a very primative campground with 1 set of Vault toilets."
GuideFriendly staff and a nicely stocked store. Has a pool, petting zoo, kayaks, rocky beach, dog park, and a land pillow! The sites are spaced out well and there are more secluded sites so you have the feeling of privacy or big group sites for a big party.
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.
TravelerJust became KOA met local campers that love this park! Good sites, trash pickup at side! They even have a snack bar and deliver to your campsite! No enclosed dog park but plenty of area to walk your dog!
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.
GuideThomas Woods campground has some great sites, particularly the tent sites. Many of them are set off a short distance from the parking area. I stayed at site 30 which was less than a tenth mile from the parking spot. There are no trash cans at the site, the dumpsite is near the entrance. Most of the roads are one way so after dropping the trash off you must drive all through the campground to get back to your site. The site itself had plenty of room and privacy. The woods are dense and block all views of the neighboring sites. Unfortunately, I think some people think if they can’t see you, you can’t hear them. Every site has a raised pad for a tent. This was very nice. I did track in some of the small gravel into the tent, though. It looks like kitty litter. Not a big deal. It was nice sleeping flat and not sliding off my sleep pad.
Near Marengo Ridge is a bike trail called H.U.M. Trail. It is only 3.5 miles long. From what I understand is they lost funding for the project. The path is paved and offers a scenic forested view. The hiking trails of Marengo Ridge are the true stars of the area. I walked for almost two hours and still didn’t see them all. Some of the trails have wide paths of grass while others are single-track dirt.
As other reviewers have written, the mosquitoes are insane. Bring plenty of bug spray!
My website: https://www.lost13.com/camping/2020/7/13/marengo-ridge
My video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4TzLzf\_PY&t=1s
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.
Camping options around Marengo, Illinois range from secluded woodland sites to full-service RV resorts. The area sits at approximately 850 feet above sea level in McHenry County's rolling prairies and woodlands, with typical summer high temperatures averaging 82-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Mosquitoes are particularly active in the wooded campsites during July and August when rainfall often creates ideal breeding conditions.
Fishing at multiple ponds: The Sycamore RV Resort has two lakes for catch-and-release fishing just 30 miles from Marengo. "One of my families favorite campgrounds. Great fishing and nice beach for swimming," writes Ryan B., who appreciated the variety of water activities.
Hiking through diverse terrain: The Paul Wolff Campground offers miles of hiking trails about 20 miles south of Marengo. "The highlight of our experience is the hiking. There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails," reports Art S., who explored the varied landscape.
Swimming options for hot days: Multiple water features are available at Paradise Camping Resorts, where "the pool is very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival. They also have a very pretty river to fish," according to Danielle D., though she notes the obstacle course advertised wasn't available.
Privacy between sites: At Thomas Woods Campground, campers appreciate the site layout. "This was a well laid out campground, with some sites right on the roads and some buried back in the woods away from everyone (we chose the latter and felt like we had the place to ourselves)," reports Hallie B., highlighting the secluded options.
Weekend-only operation: The limited opening schedule of Thomas Woods creates a unique camping experience. "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites. Camp hosts are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers. Hand pumps for water and well-kept pit toilets. Hiking galore!" writes Marisa A.
Affordable firewood delivery: Thomas Woods offers convenient on-site firewood service. "The camp host delivered my fire wood right to my site (which was extra helpful because no car)," says Emily H., who appreciated this service while camping without a vehicle, adding that online reservations are now available.
Site selection considerations: Some campgrounds have significant variations between sites. At Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort, "you can tell they're trying to remodel some of the sites. There is lots of grass so all the rain this weekend and we weren't muddy was awesome! Big park with tons of spots. The pull throughs were really long," according to Rose F.
Water quality issues: Some campsites in the area have mineral-heavy water. "The park water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as they do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit," notes Ron R. about Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort.
Weather impact on facilities: Seasonal changes affect amenities at many campgrounds. One camper at Sycamore RV Resort notes: "The ponds are very low due to drought this summer. Doesn't look that inviting for canoes," indicating water levels fluctuate significantly.
Kid-friendly activities: Chicago Northwest KOA in nearby Union offers structured entertainment for children. "Did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night... Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground," shares Dan B.
Playgrounds and recreation: Family-oriented facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The playground was ok. The kids liked it but it's dated," notes Doug about Holiday Acres Camping Resort, suggesting parents should research current amenity conditions.
Beach access for children: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas that appeal to families. "Very nice grounds that are quiet... 10 minute drive to town. 20 minutes from Dekalb," writes Phillip T. about Sycamore RV Resort, which features a beach area popular with families.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require preparation for comfortable parking. "We were site 37 and enjoyed our stay. There are vault toilets but the large number of big RVs meant they were not used often leaving them almost like our private restrooms. Each site has water and electric. Trees are around the outside with few on the inside sites. All the sites have paved pads," advises Art S. about Paul Wolff Campground.
Power considerations: Electrical reliability varies significantly between campgrounds. At Rock Cut State Park, "We have a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday. We called the Rangers and asked them to look at our site breaker since it kept tripping. They came, told us the park was old and not updated," reports Rebecca C., who ultimately needed to use a 50-amp adapter after moving sites.
Parking assistance: Some campgrounds provide exceptional arrival support. At Sycamore RV Resort, "When we arrive, the host will bring you to your site and just listen to his directions and he will get you into your site perfectly. I asked if I could bring him on my future trips. I've never parked so easily," reports Marc W.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Marengo, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Marengo, IL is Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground with a 4-star rating from 79 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Marengo, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 88 dog-friendly camping locations near Marengo, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
