W
William M.
Traveler
TravelerDunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Excellent and clean
Super great here, some bugs, people were quiet
Camping near Oak Lawn, IL
66 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Oak Lawn, Illinois primarily consist of developed facilities within the Cook County Forest Preserve system. Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan represent the closest established camping options, both located within 15 miles of Oak Lawn. These mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and even glamping options. The camping landscape extends further to Indiana Dunes National Park's Dunewood Campground and Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, approximately 35 miles east, offering additional natural settings for overnight stays.
Reservations are essential at most developed campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer weekends when Chicago residents seek outdoor escapes. According to one visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake, "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," highlighting the popularity of these areas among locals. The camping season generally runs year-round at some facilities, though many campgrounds like Blackwell Family Campground operate seasonally from May through September. Electric hookups are common at RV sites throughout the region, but water availability varies by location, with some campgrounds offering full hookups while others provide shared water sources. Cell service remains generally reliable throughout the area due to proximity to urban centers.
Campers consistently mention the surprising natural experience despite the urban proximity. The forest preserve campgrounds provide unexpected seclusion with hiking trails directly accessible from campsites. "Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life," noted one camper about Bullfrog Lake. Many campgrounds feature waterfront locations, with sites at Camp Bullfrog Lake positioned around a small lake offering fishing opportunities. Facilities typically include clean bathhouses with showers, though reviews indicate maintenance quality varies between locations. For visitors seeking cabin accommodations, several campgrounds offer these structures in various sizes, from small camping cabins to larger bunkhouses suitable for groups. The lack of shade at some campgrounds has been mentioned in reviews as a consideration during summer visits.
Best Campgrounds near Oak Lawn (66)
1. Camp Bullfrog Lake
"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 Availability2. Camp Sullivan
"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 Availability3. Blackwell Family Campground
"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 Availability4. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
from $25 / night
Check Availability5. The Vaudeville
"There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"
6. Camp Shabbona Woods
from $30 - $80 / night
Check Availability7. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
"We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."
"This campground was very nice and clean and for a packed park was very quiet and we did not feel too close to the sites next to us. "
from $50 / night
Check Availability8. Martin’s Camping Ground
"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. Lakeshore Camp Resort
"We were there the week before peak season opened so none of the pools or splash pads were open, but they were very accommodating so that we could still play mini golf and ride around on the pedal cars."
"A lake with water rentals, floating water slide, playgrounds and sport courts, general store with the stardust’s “convenience mark-ups”,and water/ electric at all sites."
from $49 - $57 / night
Check Availability10. Martin Campground
"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 Availability
Drive Time
- 17 min from Chicago, IL
- 43 min from Kankakee, IL
- 54 min from Michigan City, IN
- 1 hr 4 min from Kenosha, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Oak Lawn, IL
151 Photos of 66 Oak Lawn Campgrounds
Megan R.
Camp Sullivan
Andrew S.
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Katherine T.
The Vaudeville
Jeffrey L.
Camp Shabbona Woods
Katelyn G.
Martin’s Camping Ground
Marc W.
Blackwell Family Campground
holly S.
Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park
Tyler J.
Backyard Bonfire
Marc W.
Lakeshore Camp Resort
Brian O.
McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove
Lyn B.
Fox Bluff Vacation Cottage & RV Resort
Recent Reviews near Oak Lawn, IL
500 Reviews of 66 Oak Lawn Campgrounds
- AAbdulrahman A.
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
- EEd B.Traveler
Lakeshore Camp Resort
looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage
Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
- Matthew C.Scout
Central Avenue Walk-in Sites — Indiana Dunes National Park
Beautiful but Needs Some Love
We stayed a Thursday and Friday night in July 2026 on site 1. We did need to head to the Welcome Center for a piece of paper to display on your dash so that we can park in the parking lot. There isn't a National Park entrance to access the site, you just park in a parking lot that a park ranger at the visitors center told us was owned and operated by the town and not the park service. There was an area of reserved parking for those camping at the walk-in sites.
There is a decent sandy hill that you need to go up to access the site, which really wasn't bad. The site itself was heavily wooded and secluded. It is fairly sandy, but there was a nice spot to set up the tent that was grassy. The mosquitos were aggressive, but a little Deep Woods Off and they left us along mostly. We got to the site and there was trash and cigarette butts scattered around that we had to clean up. I discovered the first night that a contributing factor to some of the trash is most likely a sizeable and bold raccoon that was not afraid of us, and both nights came wandering into our campsite looking for food while we were sitting there.
Additionally, the fire pit has probably not been cleaned out in years, since it was filled to the top with ash. With this being a wooded site, this could increase the risk of a fire getting out of the pit.
We were at site 1, so heading to the port-o-potty was fine and it was well kept. The beach was about 3-5 minutes walking. However, the bathrooms and outdoor shower were all "Closed for the Season". There were a couple port-o-pottys there, but they were not in as good of shape as the one near the campground. There was also a ton of trash in that bathroom building area, which was disappointing to see.
- RRichard C.Scout
Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground — Kankakee River State Park
Ok
JJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
Kathy B.
LegendIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Amateur hour
Nicely laid out campground with mature trees. Level sites. All with electric hookups. Was greeted by very kind person at the booth. You need to know that on Sundays check-in is until 5 PM as campers from the weekend have until 5 PM to vacate their sites. Of course you can check in early if they leave. The way the campground is laid out, there are no pass that lead to the bathrooms. Therefore, people are constantly cutting through your site to get to their restrooms.
- ssusan F.
RangerIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Beautiful location and great campground!
Nice sites, well spaced. Campground is well maintained with nice bathrooms and showers (we were there after a massive storm in early June and there had been some flooding in the bathrooms). From the campsite, walk through the forest and Dunes to the beautiful beach. Our dog was in heaven!
- CChris L.Traveler
Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Location and Camp Hosts
Clean facilities, great camp hosts, and can’t beat the location. Campsites have a fire pit and table. One of the few spots to stay in the area.
Bring bug spray
- WWendy T.Traveler
Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
Dunewood Campground
Beautiful location, a mile from beach on Lake Michigan
Guide to Oak Lawn
Camping near Oak Lawn, IL, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds to explore.
What to do:
- Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds, like Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, have beautiful trails. One visitor mentioned, "Recommend e-bike as some hills. Campground is clean and feels safe."
- Beach Access: If you enjoy the water, Warren Dunes State Park Campground is close to Lake Michigan. A reviewer noted, "The beach is just down the drive. Mood is mellow and relaxing."
- Fishing and Boating: At Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, you can kayak and fish. One camper shared, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park said, "The bathrooms were old and wet, but the campground itself was very nice."
- Friendly Staff: Many campers mention helpful staff. A reviewer at Michigan City Campground stated, "The staff is great. Very helpful and will work with you on taking care of your camp site."
- Natural Beauty: Campgrounds like Dunewood Campground are praised for their scenic surroundings. One camper remarked, "The campground was thickly wooded and beautiful."
What you should know:
- Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in wooded areas. A camper at Dunewood Campground warned, "The mosquitoes here are insane!!! I came back with giant welts from the bites."
- Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or trains. A visitor at Warren Dunes State Park Campground mentioned, "You can hear road traffic and trains at all times, especially at night."
- Crowded Sites: Popular campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Michigan City Campground noted, "The sites are close together and the fire rings are small."
Tips for camping with families:
- Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds that offer family-friendly activities. At Blackwell Family Campground, a parent shared, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos."
- Safety and Supervision: Choose campgrounds with good supervision. A camper at Michigan City Campground said, "Very well kept safe supervision quiet clean facilities."
- Space for Kids to Play: Look for campgrounds with open areas. A visitor at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "The lake was beautiful and we hiked a few of the trails that go near/around it."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Warren Dunes State Park Campground noted, "The site we were at was smaller and narrow."
- Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups. A camper at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park appreciated, "The campground itself was very nice with good size sites and lots of room."
- Plan for Amenities: Some campgrounds have limited amenities. A visitor at Illinois Beach State Park mentioned, "The bathrooms were old and wet."
Camping near Oak Lawn, IL, has something for everyone. Whether you’re in a tent or an RV, you’ll find plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Oak Lawn, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Oak Lawn, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Oak Lawn, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What parks are near Oak Lawn, IL?
What parks are near Oak Lawn, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Oak Lawn, IL that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park.
Keep Exploring