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Camp Sullivan offers full pet accommodation in both tent camping and RV sites with electric hookups. Pets are allowed throughout this Cook County Forest Preserve campground, though dogs are prohibited inside the rental cabins according to visitor reports. The campground features modern bathroom facilities, hiking trails, and an activities barn with a climbing wall. Sites are relatively small and close together, with limited privacy between neighbors. For RV campers with pets, Enchanted Shores RV Park & Campground provides full hookup sites that welcome dogs, though the park layout places RVs back-to-back with doors facing neighboring campers. The bathrooms at Camp Sullivan receive mixed reviews for cleanliness, with maintenance appearing to occur primarily on weekends.
Dog owners find several trails directly accessible from Camp Sullivan for walking pets, though these paths run alongside roadways where traffic noise is noticeable. The bathhouse facilities include indoor water access, though sometimes only one faucet functions properly. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to be leashed at all times. Martin's Camping Ground allows tents with pets but imposes a three-day monthly limit for tent campers. Highway noise affects several pet-friendly options in the region, particularly at Martin's where I-80 traffic creates consistent background sound. Camp Sullivan's location offers proximity to Chicago attractions while maintaining green spaces where pets can exercise, though the campground lacks water hookups and has no dump station for RVs.
"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"There is so much to do her, wineries and breweries nearby. The beaches are not too crowded. Pet friendly and lots to do for children. This is one of our favorite vacation spots."
"give you a great view of Lake Michigan. Bathroom rooms and shower were super clean. Dog friendly campsite and right next to the lake!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"The park is dog friendly. The campground is clean and quiet. There is no bath house, only port-a-potty's throughout the campground."
"Yes, it’s an hour from the city, but I’d take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel. There’s an outhouse and plenty of places to plug in the RV, and cars/tents are welcome too."
from $20 - $35 / 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."
"Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."
"There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers."
"We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."
"Was rainy, but still enjoyed walking the beach. Staff extremely pleasant & helpful. Pavilion services was closed for construction. There is an area on the Beach where you can walk your dogs."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"We just purchased our first Winnebago and needed a spot close to home for a quick trial run. We have three small boys and they were very excited to camp."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
TravelerSmall campground but very friendly. A plus was the full hookups. The sights are very close together. Management is not over bearing and very friendly. Dog friendly lots of dogs this weekend nice size dog park! You overall great weekend
TravelerWe stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.
ScoutWe’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.
TravelerMany very nice permanent sites. We loved the dog park along with the many activities available. We come here at least once a year. Check out their information on their website.
If you want a quick local get away this is the place.
GuidePros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park
Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area
The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.
GuideWe used it as an over night stop right off of 94. It was perfect for that. It would also be perfect spot to stay longer if wanted to be in the area. Grounds were nice. Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook.
ScoutGreat stop for the night, It's new, gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids. Plenty of space and Convenient. We reserved and checked in online. The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit but it's Nov so no need to run dual ACs minor issue but still make sure your using your EPM devices.
LegendAs 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!
TravelerFriendly 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.
Campgrounds surrounding Matteson, Illinois range from lakeside retreats to urban-accessible green spaces within a 30-mile radius. Most options sit at elevations between 600-700 feet above sea level in the relatively flat terrain of northeastern Illinois. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with humidity levels that can make tent camping challenging without proper ventilation during July and August.
Hiking trails: Access from Camp Bullfrog Lake includes connections to miles of mountain biking and walking paths. According to Josh M., "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." The trails accommodate various skill levels with both paved and natural surface options.
Paddling: Rent kayaks at Bullfrog Lake for $15 per hour including life vests. While the lake isn't large, it provides a calm paddling experience for beginners. Layla P. notes, "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around."
Indoor climbing: Visit the activities barn at Camp Sullivan which features a climbing wall for campers. Shane S. explains, "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups."
Dune climbing: Take the 3 Dunes Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park, located about 35 miles east of Matteson. Jackie H. shares, "If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list." The trail climbs over three large sand dunes with significant elevation gain.
Proximity to Chicago: Camp within 30 minutes of downtown while enjoying natural surroundings. Bill M. found that Camp Sullivan offers this balance: "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails. Camp Sullivan is used a lot by scouting groups."
Modern facilities: Find recently renovated bathhouses at several campgrounds in the area. Lawrence B. appreciated the amenities at Camp Bullfrog Lake, noting, "Bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM."
Lake Michigan beach access: Enjoy swimming and sunsets at Indiana Dunes State Park. Jon S. recommends, "Beach access is close by. Lots of geocaching and challenging hikes, including the three dune challenge. Bath house was always clean and grounds were well-kept."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Watch for birds and animals on trails throughout the Cook County Forest Preserves. At Dunewood Campground, Hatie P. reports, "The hiking here is AWESOME with a bajillion different routes right from the campground. 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."
Train noise affects multiple campgrounds in the region, particularly those near rail lines. At Indiana Dunes State Park, Kaley A. warns, "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and you can deal with that, you'll be just fine."
Pet friendly camping near Matteson, Illinois has restrictions on cabin access at most locations. Megan R. points out about Camp Sullivan, "Important to note dogs are not allowed inside the cabins. Overall it was an okay spot to test our dog's temperament, but the closeness, expensive fire wood, and lack of extensive hiking trails means we probably will not return."
Tent camping at Martin's has time limits for stays. Katelyn G. shares, "If you like having access to a bathroom and shower it's great and because no one really had a tent here but us we had some privacy. But only down side beside that they have a three day limit for campers with tents. Very disappointed with that And it's three days a month."
Firewood quality varies between campgrounds with some providing better burning wood than others. Lawrence B. experienced issues at Bullfrog Lake: "Firewood was still wet and hard to burn." Similarly, Layla P. noted, "Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue."
Spacious sites: Choose Osage loop sites 16 & 17 at Potowatomi Campground for family tent camping. According to Shannon H., these sites are "amazing for tents!! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade. Grass for tents." These sites offer room for kids to play without disturbing neighbors.
Seasonal water play: Check lake conditions before promising swimming to children. Linda N. advises about Kankakee River State Park: "The river was nice to visit and we were able to take the kids to some knee deep water to play (swimming is NOT allowed in the river). Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had."
Wildlife education: Visit the nature center with children for hands-on learning. Linda N. shares, "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!"
Camping with pets: Find accommodating options for family dogs around Matteson. Holly S. found Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park welcoming: "We stayed on site 27, sites are full hookup up, there's a nice bathhouse which has a key pad handle which made me feel safe while showering. Theres a playground as well... There was a nice big field for the dog to run."
Site selection: Request shade at Camp Sullivan to avoid full sun exposure during summer. G M. mentions, "I am directly in the sun in my spot. There is trash in it as well. I barely have T-Mobile service (not the camp's fault but thought I'd share)."
Water supply planning: Fill tanks before arriving at Dunewood Campground as water access can be limited. Kaitlin M. from Camp Bullfrog Lake advises, "Really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors."
Compact sites: Prepare for tight spaces at some area campgrounds. According to Tim K. at Bullfrog Lake, "For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest. Sites #4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad."
Highway noise: Consider sound levels when selecting pet friendly camping near Matteson. Georgeann D. comments about Enchanted Shores: "This is a small, bare-bones operation, but it's safe and friendly; a great stop-over for passing through Chicagoland or Joliet. Level sites, full hook-ups. Not far from Chicagoland Speedway. Located right on US45-US52. Lots of truck traffic stopping at the intersection makes lots of noise at night."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Matteson, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Matteson, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Matteson, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 53 dog-friendly camping locations near Matteson, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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