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Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan provide pet-friendly camping options within 30 minutes of Oak Lawn, Illinois. Both campgrounds welcome pets with standard leash requirements throughout the grounds, though dogs are not permitted inside the cabins at Camp Sullivan. The campgrounds feature a mix of accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabins. Camp Bullfrog Lake offers lakeside tent sites with fire pits, while Camp Sullivan provides more wooded sites with some shade coverage. Both locations maintain clean bathroom facilities with showers, though several Camp Sullivan reviews note inconsistent maintenance of restroom supplies during weekdays. Firewood is included with site rental at both campgrounds.
The extensive trail systems surrounding these campgrounds make them excellent bases for dog walking and hiking. Camp Bullfrog Lake connects to miles of mountain biking and hiking trails within the surrounding forest preserve, allowing ample exercise opportunities for both pets and owners. Camp Sullivan's trails offer more modest walking options but connect to the broader Cook County Forest Preserve system. Neither campground features dedicated dog parks or pet washing stations. The proximity to urban amenities means veterinary services are readily available if needed. Wildlife encounters are minimal, though some campers have reported finding frogs and small animals near the bathhouse facilities. The open layout of Bullfrog Lake's tent sites provides little privacy between campers but offers excellent views of the water.
"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"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"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"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 $43 / 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."
"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 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 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."
"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
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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.
Camping options near Oak Lawn, Illinois range from forest preserve campgrounds to lakeside retreats, all within 30-50 minutes of town. The terrain consists primarily of flat prairie land with some wooded areas and small lakes or ponds. Temperatures fluctuate seasonally with hot, humid summers reaching 85-95°F and cold winters dropping below freezing, making late spring through early fall the prime camping season.
Fishing at nearby lakes: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers good fishing opportunities with several locations around the water. "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," notes Josh M., highlighting activities beyond fishing.
Hiking the dune challenge: The Three Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park provides a moderate workout with rewarding views. "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," reports Jackie H. The trail involves climbing three large sand dunes, providing a unique hiking experience not far from Oak Lawn.
Mountain biking on forest preserve trails: The trail systems around Blackwell Forest Preserve offer varying difficulty levels for cyclists. "There is a nice nature trail to the beach. If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge," one visitor noted. The extensive single-track trails make this area popular with local mountain bikers looking for technical riding.
Clean bathroom facilities: Camp Reinberg receives high marks for its well-maintained facilities. "Lovely campground north west of Chicago. The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," writes Laura Z. The bathrooms are regularly serviced, even during busy weekends.
Free firewood with site rental: Several campsites include complimentary firewood bundles with camping fees. "Very friendly staff w well organized and well maintained campground. Free firewood and you can purchase more for just $5," notes Leo V. This saves campers from having to purchase or transport their own wood.
Proximity to Chicago for quick getaways: Campers appreciate the short drive from urban areas to natural settings. "10min away from my home, this is a ideal getaway place for Chi-town people," says Yang L. The convenient location means less travel time and more camping time for weekend trips.
Train noise affects sleep quality: Several campgrounds in the area experience railroad noise throughout the night. At Dunewood Campground, a camper noted: "Could hear Trains throughout the night. Great facility with showers, water fountains, and a camp sink. great shading from trees and very green!" Bringing earplugs is recommended.
Weekend crowding during summer months: Reservations are essential, especially during holiday weekends. "The campground was full, but not overcrowded. Very friendly neighbors and camp staff," reports Jackie H. Sites can book up 3-6 months in advance for prime summer weekends.
Limited privacy at some sites: Many campgrounds feature open layouts with minimal separation between sites. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake," Lawrence B. comments. Requesting specific site numbers when booking can help secure more private locations.
Look for campgrounds with activities: Camp Sullivan offers family-oriented programs and facilities. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods). Highly recommend," shares Dane S., who camps there regularly with three children under age 7.
Choose sites away from highways: Road noise can disrupt sleep for tired kids. "Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled," notes Shane S. Interior sites typically offer better sound buffering than perimeter locations.
Check for pet policies if bringing dogs: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Oak Lawn have specific rules about where pets can go. "Our trip to Camp Sullivan was mostly a test run to determine how our new dog handled camping... important to note dogs are not allowed inside the cabins," explains Megan R. Many campgrounds require leashes at all times and restrict pets from certain areas.
Limited full hookup options: Many campgrounds offer electric-only sites. At Blackwell Family Campground, "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. 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."
Arrival timing matters: "This is a state park which has an entrance fee and camping you can reserve. The area is beautiful," notes Anna G. Arriving mid-week typically means more site choices and less congestion at dump stations and water fill points.
Plan for seasonal water restrictions: Water systems are often shut down in colder months. "Not a bad spot. Average and relatively inexpensive," comments David N. about Hollywood Casino RV Park, adding "No water before 4/15," indicating seasonal restrictions RVers should plan around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Oak Lawn, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Oak Lawn, 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 Oak Lawn, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dog-friendly camping locations near Oak Lawn, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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