Looking to go glamping near Olympia Fields and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? The Dyrt can help find the best glamping in and around Olympia Fields, IL. These scenic and easy to access Illinois glamping locations are perfect for any adventurer.
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 15,000 acres (6070 ha) will continually enchant you. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles (80 km) of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.
There is no one-size-fits-all trip to the dunes. Each season offers new and different ways to enjoy Indiana Dunes National Park. Spring splashes the river banks of the Heron Rookery with an abundance of colorful wildflowers in this birder's paradise. Lake Michigan summer sunsets paint the skies with vibrant rays that offer a picture-perfect picnic setting. In the fall, Maple trees burst with warm red and golden hues crafting a spectacular backdrop for a hike by the Chellberg Farm and winter brings a scenic canvas of virgin white snow begging for a cross-country skiing adventure in the Glenwood Dunes. As the seasons change, so do the recreational opportunities, park facility operating hours and closures and safety concerns. Here is a list of some of the activities that occur in the National Park: Beach-going & Swimming, Biking, Bird Watching, Camping, Fishing & Boating, Hiking, Geocaching, Historical Sites, Horseback Riding, Interpretive Programs, Picnic, Winter Activities and Guided Tours. Check the Calendar page on our website for our list of Ranger-led programs.
Indiana Dunes National Park is a treasure of diverse natural resources located within an urban setting. The national park features communities that have both scientific and historic significance to the field of ecology. In addition, four National Natural Landmarks (including Pinhook Bog and Cowles Bog ) and one National Historical Landmark (the Bailly Homestead ) are located within its boundaries. The park is comprised of over 15,000 acres (6070 ha) of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers, and forests. It contains 15 miles (24 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline spanning the distance from Gary to Michigan City. Lake Michigan is part of the largest complex of freshwater lakes in the world. The national park's beaches are the park's most significant recreational resource. For more information on our natural features visit the Nature and Science page on the park website.
Located close to the campground is Lake View Beach on Lake Michigan which is located 1.5 miles north of the campground. Several other national park beaches are within easy driving distance. Do NOT park in the Town of Beverly Shores' beach parking lot, which is located just to the east of the Lake View lot. You will get ticketed. The town is very strict. A gas station / convenience store is located mile north of the campground at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Broadway Avenue. The Beverly Shores South Shore Railroad station with passenger service to Chicago and South Bend is located on Broadway Avenue, mile north of the campground. Indiana Dunes Tourism and LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau have lists of other activities in the area.
$25 / night
Camp just steps from the water in the heart of the vast, hilly Palos Preserves. Camp Bullfrog Lake offers year-round camping, group activities and water-based recreation such as canoe rentals and fishing. Just around the corner from Maple Lake’s boathouse and the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, it’s also a perfect launching pad for hiking, mountain biking and birdwatching adventures on Palos’ 50-plus miles of trails.
$20 - $138 / night
Camping options: Dunbar Group Site and General Camping
Dunbar Group: The Dunbar Group Site holds up to 30 people and is located less than 500 feet from the beach. The site overlooks the Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Parking and restrooms are located in the Dunbar Beach parking lot, 400 feet from the site.
Indiana Dunes consists of 2,182 acres of primitive, beautiful, historic, and unique Hoosier landscape. It lies at the north end of State Road 49 in Porter County and includes more than three miles of beautiful beach along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. In the early 1900s scientists, recreationists, and nature enthusiasts, recognizing the value and potential of the Indiana dunes area, fought to have the region preserved. As a result, in 1925, the state park was established.
Large sand dunes, located beyond the entire shoreline, have taken thousands of years to form, and tower nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan. A wide range of habitats and plant species are found in the park, with vegetation stabilizing some of the sand. These habitats provide homes for many types of plants and animals. The lake also provides a habitat for many aquatic species, as well as a constantly changing fishery.
$12 - $44 / night
$35 - $250 / night
Lakeshore Camp Resort Portage, IN is a 940 site Membership park. We have 115 full hookup campsites and 12 cabins available for rent to the general public. We offer you and your family a fun filled camping experience with access to our many amenities that include: 22 Acre lake, 4 pools, beaches, fishing, boat rental, mini golf, daily recreational activities, weekend entertainment, and much more! We are conveniently located 10 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Park, and approximately 45 miles from downtown Chicago, IL. Area attractions include; Deep River water park, Chicago train system, casinos, bike trails, zoos, and museums. Whether you are enjoying activities in or out of the park there is much to do.
$49 - $57 / night
Perched on 68 beautiful acres in Fair Oaks, Indiana, Oak Lake RV Resort is the perfect family escape. We offer seasonal sites, cabins, and yurts for your family to enjoy. Relax on our sandy beach overlooking the scenic lake or join in the fun activities and fantastic amenities throughout the resort. It is only 90 minutes from the bustling city of Chicago, but far away from it all.
Along with being only 90 minutes from Chicago, there are a lot of great adventures to be found near Fair Oaks, Indiana. Start with a visit to Fair Oaks Farm with their Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure or visit Crown Point Family Fun Center. Spend the day at Deep River Waterpark. Head over to Valparaiso to the fun zone at Zao Island with mini golf, go karts, batting cages, an alligator exhibit, arcade and cafe or take a trip to Indiana Beach.
$55 - $160 / night
This is a membership park, but does offer spots to Good Sam members if there is availability.
Clothing optional resort.
$35 - $200 / night
Traveler
December 2020, we toured this KOA Holiday in Kankakee, Illinois for a long-term stay.
We noticed a few trailers with a lot of junk piled all around their units. When we inquired about them, were were told that those people were being evicted and would be soon gone. Great, since our site was directly across the street from those.
Well, no one left, the junk remained.
There were other sites that had wooden cages, tables and other structures built on them. Clearly a violation of KOA written violations.
Anyway, we weren't buying the place, but an awful eyesore.
We couldn't find another site for a long way around. Without another good option, we checked in for an extended stay.
We became friends with a few of our neighbors. We began comparing our utility charges and found that we were all being charged different rates for electric and internet. When we asked for actual "electric bills" we were told there wasn't individual bills, charges were taken by the owners reading your meter, strange. "Some" of us were paying for internet. Our neighbors had the ability to move to another job site,, so they packed up and left.
Things aren't adding up.
We had nice site on the interior of a cul-de-sac, with a nice large open grassy space right behind us. It is one of the quietest and largest sites in an area, where most of us were staying long-term. After a few months, it became apparent that the owners had their favorite renters. The ones who had wooden structures, piles of junk and that were allowed to park their vehicles in areas that were designated "keep off the grass". Yep, that nice grassy area right behind our RV was where they parked their 2 vehicles, not utilizing their own parking spaces in front of their trailer. When we complained, we were told that we were welcome to park our second vehicle there also. However, when we parked our second vehicle in the same area, we were asked to leave.
As far as regular short-term camping, it's ok. It's older place with huge rotting trees, mostly dirt or gravel sites. The washers and dryers were nice in spring of 2021. The owners do a good job of "acting" nice and welcoming.
I would not recommend an extended monthly stay at this KOA HOLIDAY in Kankakee, Illinois.
Guide
Camp Sullivan offers a charming and well-maintained space for campers of all kinds, from tent enthusiasts to RV travelers like us. All the RV sites here are back in, and while they are tight, they are certainly manageable. We brought our 36-foot RV, the Badger, and although it barely fit, we were able to position it close enough to the power box by choosing not to extend the slide. This turned out to be a smart decision, considering the timbers that line the gravel surface of the site. These timbers add a bit of a challenge when maneuvering a larger rig, and in our case, (note to staff) removing the timber closest to the road would have made things much easier.
Each RV site is equipped with 15, 30, and 50-amp electrical connections, though it’s worth noting that there’s no water or sewer available at individual sites. As a result, water conservation becomes essential. The bathrooms here, however, are clean and well-kept, which is always appreciated, especially after a few days without on-site water. There is also a stainless steel sink for use in front of the RV area's bathroom where you can do dishes.
Security at Camp Sullivan feels solid, and while there is some noise, it wasn’t disruptive. We stayed over a weekend, and though there was a lively group in the group campsite Saturday night, they respectfully wrapped up their activities by quiet hours, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep.
The roads throughout the campground are in good condition, and the trees aren’t a concern for your RV clearance. In addition to RV sites, Camp Sullivan offers a range of accommodations for all kinds of campers. There are small rental cabins, large bunkhouses for group camping, and plenty of tent sites spread across the grounds. We didn’t have the chance to check out the"Barn" yet, but it’s a major feature here, housing a climbing wall and concessions.
We also noticed staff busy cleaning the bunkhouse areas and taking care of trash removal, even on a quiet Sunday. Everyone we encountered was friendly and added to the overall positive vibe of the place. Camp Sullivan is an excellent spot for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, (up to six days allowed) with plenty of amenities and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a place where we feel comfortable and cared for, with just the right balance of adventure and relaxation.
TravelerWe decided to spend the weekend here because I had a client meeting at sunrise the first morning of our stay in downtown Chicago. It saved me making a 3 hour drive the morning of. When we got here, we realize the electric sites on the right side of the bathhouse were in full sun, but the staff member graciously allowed us to switch sites to a more shaded area. I will say I was at the main office for 20 minutes or more before my fiancé could track down a staff member to check us in. Their phones do not forward to a cell or anything so calling the office was pointless.
The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape, but as far as campgrounds go it was about 3x the price for less than half the space.
The bathhouses are newer and kept fairly clean. I don’t think they’re checked everyday though because the ladies stalls were out of toilet paper our second morning. The water pressure in the showers was so-so, but there was no hot water.
There is a dish washing station on the outside of the bathhouse, but don’t get excited because it isn’t turned on - rendering it useless.
The safety issues have me seriously concerned.
1.) The handicap shower drain is clogged, making the floor extremely slippery from soap scum of previous showers. Gross! The stall also doesn’t lock so it swings right open. I had to use my hair tie to keep it closed. The lock on the main door to the bathhouse doesn’t lock, so if you want to shower at night it’s a little sketchy.
2.) They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting. What if there was an emergency? An ambulance would have had to rush the gate.
Overall, I wouldn’t waste the money on this campground.
ScoutWe 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.
ScoutI had my doubts about this place based on several bad reviews, but it is Memorial Day weekend and we didn't have many options so here we are. We're in an RV spot. These spots are not big rig friendly. We are 35' and barely fit. I believe ours is one of the bigger sites, so beware. As stated, there is electric hookup but no water at the site. However, staff was more than happy to meet us at the bathrooms to allow us to fill our tanks before we set up camp. There is no dump station and we're told the nearest one is about 20 minutes away. That's really the only downfall. The sites are small but easy enough to get into. There is a decent amount of privacy between sites. There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming. I spent the day exploring the miles of walking/road biking trails today, which can be directly accessed from the camp. Plenty of stores/restaurants in the area but the camp and trails make you feel like you're out in nature. All in all, it's a decent place with a good location. If it had a dump station I'd rate it higher.
ScoutWooded electric paved sites with fairly new bathhouse facilities. Pretty clean. Only one indoor water faucet working but this may be a COVID casualty. The FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY online camping reservation site is tricky but after several tries I figured it out. We stayed in April at Camp Reinberg and in June at Camp Sullivan, both for a few nights. There was confusion at Camp Sullivan; we arrived and someone was in our reserved site,,, but we were lenient and agreed to move in the next day. Our purpose for camping was visiting our adult children who live in Chicago but both have roommates. Camp Reinberg is a tad closer to downtown and north suburban shopping but has only 4 electric sites, 2 disabled accessible. Camp Sullivan has twice as many sites and more availability.
TravelerTried to reserve a spot for my rv,and it took me three tries and got hung up on,and no reservation.
GuideThis park is not great. Others have mentioned small, un-level sites. We did not have this issue in Spot 8 but I can see other spots have that issue (and there are only 10 RV spots)
It was the only option for us to visit Chicago for the weekend. Still, it’s an hour away from downtown. They do NOT have water available or a dump station despite advertising that they do. “Water” was a garden hose that an employee pulled out from the cleaning closet when we asked where the water was. The hose had holes in it, and barely trickled. So we had to fill up plastic jugs from the shower.
All garbage cans were full when we arrived. Showers and bathrooms were deplorable - had obviously not been cleaned in days. No toilet paper available for two days. They did finally clean and restock on Saturday - I guess they only do maintenance on the weekend. Hose went back into the supply closet then for all the good it did.
Employee questioned us for arriving at 1pm when check-in for the RV spots is 3pm. We had already parked in our spot since no one was there. He said that was fine. Check out is 12, no more than half the park was ever full, and no one is cleaning the sites (our fire pit was full of trash), so it makes no sense to wait until 3 to park.
I don’t remember what the nightly rate is because they never sent me any confirmation email when I booked months ago. But I can guarantee it’s too high. As it was our only option near Chicago for an RV, we made the best of it. Only reason it doesn’t get 1-star is because, as others have mentioned, there is a lot of greenery to enjoy as well as solitude.
ScoutNice Staff, Good hiking. They are working with their space so the sites aren’t that big but lots of shade on the tent side. Clean bathrooms You will hear cars as it is near roadways but you will also hear lots of natural sounds.
GuideVery difficult to contact staff to book reservation. When we got there they told us they double booked us and requested we move after we got set up. We declined as there were other spots open and we were staying for under 24 hours. Concessions were scarce. No water or dumping hook up. Electric only. Would only stay here again in a pinch. The only upside is that it is very close to Chicago. The entrance was hard to find. It was near the intersection of Oak and 147th I believe. There’s a restaurant across from it. When you are checking in with trailer make sure you don’t turn left to the office. It will be hard to turn around. I recommend stopping when you get to the fork in the road as the RV sites are to the right. Wish I liked this place more.
RangerThank goodness Michael answered phone
Happy to help.us out
No pull through Electric only Small clean park
Decided to just park in parking lot and leave tow on
Leaving early in the morning
GuideThe following review was done by my thirteen year old daughter. I agree with the shower problems and add that it was our final cold showers in disgusting conditions that lead us to write the review.
“If I could give negative stars❌ then trust me I would. Normally I consider myself a good sport and can sit through a lot of things✌🏼 but not the showers here😡, they look like they haven’t been cleaned or cared for in months🤮 and often have no toilet paper in the bathroom stalls. When I took a shower I found a small frog🐸 in it and I wish I was joking about that. There were dead mosquitoes on the walls💀, dead moths on the floors, piles of hair on the floors🤢, and dirt in every crack. But they have a nice Rockwall🧗🏽♂️.”
Other than the shower issues, the campsite🏕 was fine. It was easy to level, they give you free firewood with your stay, the staff is kind😇 at checkin and during rock wall activities. The location🗺 is the main draw, as we wanted to be close enough to visit Chicago and suburbs.🙂
ScoutOur trip to Camp Sullivan was mostly a test run to determine how our new dog handled camping. The campsites are pretty crowded, you can easily see and hear your neighbors the entire time you're there. The bathroom facilities were clean with an average level of amenities. We tent camped, but could see the cabin grounds which looked nice. However, 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.
GuideLocated 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. The campsites are well kept as are the grounds. There are trails to walk. 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.
GuideIt’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. There are lots of trees and it is somewhat woodsy. The best thing to me is Jack Gibbons’s, a restaurant directly across the street.
Scout
Excellent campground …with lake and fairly new installations. Clean ..spots are not to close. Pricy. One negative point the gate close at 10pm.
ScoutThe campsite overall is beautiful and the land is well kept. The reason for the review is due to the bathrooms being horrible. Hot water for showers did not work and floors were nasty, need to be remodeled. There is no water near any of the sites. 2 of the 3 hosts I dealt with were very rude. The one on the late night shift was very nice and knowledgeable. The other guys who helped me on arrival act as if they didn't want to be there. The site overall is amazing. Just wouldn't ever camp here again due to the high price and the bathrooms being Terrible.
TravelerOne of the few places close to Chicago on a lake. It was quiet and expensive. The staff was very friendly. The showers were hot.
TravelerWe stayed here for one night, its close to our house. The lake is really pretty and you can see it from the rv/tent spots. Has a walking trail around the lake. Includes restrooms and showers that are easily accessible.
ScoutBeautiful campgrounds with a lot to do like hiking, biking and kayaking. The restroom and showrooms are very clean as well.
TravelerWe stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.
There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.
There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.
Overall it was pretty quiet.
The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.
ScoutThis is a wonderful campground with everything accessible for a few days respite. Clean showers, space to walk, gorgeous lake - quiet just outside of the city!
The staff were delightful! - except when I phoned. I was told the campground was fully booked. Many hours and a phone glitch later, we found ourselves booked and pleased!
ScoutWe really like this place and was about a 30 minute rude from our place in the western burbs. Some of the areas best mountain bike single track is right here. There is fishing kayaking and hiking trails too. Friendly staff and clean bathrooms. It did get a little noisy at night but that sometimes happens.
GuideGood if you want to be close to the city but otherwise it’s not very worth it. The spots are small and it’s very crowded.
GuideI visited Palos early this week (mid-April) for a very very chilly three days. The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc). There are small and medium cabins, some heated with their own bathrooms, that feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold. The central bathrooms are clean, heated and offer showers. The water is not yet potable so bring your own or check with the park team to ensure it's drinkable when you go. 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. I will definitely be back!
TravelerEasy reservations and check-in. We used the primitive spots and were a short walk from the bathrooms. Lots of hiking and mountain biking trails in the area.
TravelerMy family loves coming here! The scenery is beautiful, you can fish, hike, or just relax. You're in the Chicago suburbs so it's easy to get to a store or restaurant if you need. It's close to home for us, so it's perfect for a quick camping trip. Only drawback is that it's a little pricey, but the facilities are updated and clean, and you get a free firewood bundle when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Olympia Fields, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Olympia Fields, IL is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 121 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Olympia Fields, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 glamping camping locations near Olympia Fields, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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