Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park
Closed Off Tent Camping
Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view.
58 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camp Bullfrog Lake's tent sites and cabins welcome pets throughout the grounds with easy access to miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Located in Willow Springs, this Cook County campground features lakeside tent camping, RV hookups with 30-amp service, and cabin options that accommodate dogs. Pets must be leashed in all camping areas and common spaces. The campground provides clean facilities including showers and restrooms, with a central water station for filling containers. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and a complimentary bundle of oak firewood upon arrival. The primitive tent area requires a short walk-in from parking, while RV sites offer electric, water, and sewer hookups. Sites near the water can be quite windy with little shade, as trees within the campground are still small and provide minimal coverage during hot days.
Extensive trail networks surrounding Camp Bullfrog Lake create excellent opportunities for dog walking, with multiple connecting paths forming various route options directly accessible from campsites. The adjacent forest preserves contain miles of well-maintained trails where dogs can explore while leashed. Fishing is permitted in the lake with proper licensing, though swimming is not allowed for pets or people. The campground gate closes at 10pm, requiring early arrival for check-in. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with spring camping sometimes experiencing very chilly temperatures, particularly at waterfront sites where wind exposure is greatest. Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest provides an alternative pet-friendly option nearby, also offering cabin accommodations and similar amenities. Mountain biking enthusiasts frequently visit the area specifically for the high-quality single-track trails, making this an excellent destination for active campers with dogs who enjoy outdoor recreation.
"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"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."
"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 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."
"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"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"Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"
from $37 / night
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Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view.
Small 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
We’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.
Many 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.
Great 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.
As 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!
Friendly 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.
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 (so I left off a star rating). 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. It's located in a beautiful wooded Dupage County Forest preserve. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained. While I didn't camp here this year, I took these photos the last weekend in October to give everyone a sense of how nice this campground could be for them. My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views. For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods. Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends. Heads-up that sites 21 & 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites.
it’s so nice to have a great beachfront in the Midwest. 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.
Camp Bullfrog Lake offers diverse cabin camping options near Palos Park, Illinois, with sites accommodating 4 to 10 people depending on cabin size. The cabins range from basic units with bunk beds to more spacious options with private bathrooms and heating. Seasonal variations significantly impact the camping experience here, with temperatures dropping considerably during spring nights, especially at waterfront sites exposed to wind from Lake Michigan.
Mountain biking trails: The extensive single-track network surrounding Camp Bullfrog Lake attracts dedicated riders from throughout the region. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day," notes Tim K.
Lakeside kayaking: Rentals available for $15 per hour including safety equipment. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," reports Layla P. at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Bird watching excursions: Morning hours at Blackwell Family Campground offer excellent opportunities for spotting local birds. "Just beautiful piece full with nature," writes Gina A., specifically mentioning the "Amazing chirping of the birds in the morning" that creates a peaceful backdrop to early risers.
Close proximity to Chicago: Located just 30 minutes from downtown, Camp Sullivan provides urban campers quick access to nature without long travel times. "Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled," reports Shane S.
Firewood included: Camp Bullfrog Lake's complimentary firewood is appreciated by visitors. "We've camped here a few times and it is always a great experience. Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," writes Josh M., though some campers note quality issues: "Firewood was still wet and hard to burn," according to Lawrence B.
Clean facilities: The maintenance standards at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground earn consistent praise. "All pads seemed nice and level. Only offered electric service. 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," reports Jon S.
Shade limitations: Many sites throughout the area lack sufficient tree cover during summer. At Dunewood Campground a camper noted: "Sites are decently private with good tent pads. Shower house was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus." But shade is limited at many sites in the region.
Train noise disruption: Indiana Dunes campers frequently mention nighttime train disturbances. "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 can deal with that, you'll be just fine but us tent camping there was nothing to block the sound," warns Kaley A.
Limited water hookups: Not all campgrounds in the area offer full water hookups at individual sites. Blackwell Family Campground features electric hookups only, requiring campers to fill tanks before setting up. "County park district runs it and the fees are kinda steep, 20 res/30 non-res," mentions John W.
Playground locations: When booking at Camp Sullivan, sites near play areas allow easier supervision. "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 regularly visits with three children under age 7.
Off-peak timing: Weekday visits significantly reduce crowding at popular beach areas. "Indiana Dunes State park campground is one of our favorites. The beach, the trails, bike trails. There is everything to do here, it does not disappoint. Well the weekend traffic can be a bummer," notes Kirk B.
Weather preparation: Spring camping requires extra warm bedding and shelter from wind. "I 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," reports a camper at Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, which provides clean facilities with both indoor and outdoor recreation options.
Leveling challenges: Many local sites require additional blocks or levelers. "Really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors," mentions Kaitlin M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Weekend-only operations: Blackwell Family Campground operates primarily on weekends with extended availability on holidays. "Stay here several times each year. Only down side of the park is that it is only open on the weekends. On holiday weekends you are able to stay for three nights," explains Rich M.
Tank preparation: Full hookups aren't standard at most forest preserve campgrounds. "We paid $122.00 for two nights," notes Tim K., adding that sites typically offer electric service only, so arriving with full water tanks and empty waste tanks is essential for longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Palos Park, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Palos Park, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 58 dog-friendly camping locations near Palos Park, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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