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Best Cabin Camping near Park Forest, IL

158 Reviews

Several Cook County Forest Preserve campgrounds offer furnished cabin rentals within 30 minutes of Park Forest, Illinois. Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs features small and medium cabins with bunk beds, some equipped with heating systems and private bathrooms. Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest provides family cabins with heat and larger bunkhouses for groups. Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland includes basic cabin accommodations with access to central shower facilities. "Had a great time in a large cabin with my wife, son, great buddy, his wife, and son. Perfect for family camping. The bathroom was wonderful with a lot of room around the toilet and a great open shower," notes one Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor.

Rustic cabins and more modern cabin rentals are available depending on location and season. Most Cook County cabins operate year-round, while private campgrounds like Kankakee South KOA in Chebanse typically open from April through October. Pet policies vary by location, with many sites allowing pets in designated cabins for additional fees. Accessibility features exist at select locations, with Camp Bullfrog Lake receiving praise for wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. One visitor to Camp Reinberg noted, "We stayed in one of the large cabins - game changer in the winter!" Advance reservations are essential, particularly during summer months when cabin occupancy reaches capacity.

Most cabins include beds with mattresses but require visitors to bring their own linens, pillows, and towels. Kitchen facilities vary widely, from basic fire pits with grills to cabins with small refrigerators and microwaves. Potowatomi Campground at Kankakee River State Park offers cabins with outdoor fire pits featuring built-in grills. On-site camp stores at locations like Camp Reinberg provide basic supplies, though selection is limited. Grocery stores are available within 5-15 minutes of most cabin locations. Visitors should confirm specific amenities when booking, as cabin features and supplies differ significantly between locations, particularly regarding cooking equipment, electrical outlets, and heating systems.

Map showing campgrounds near Park Forest, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Cabin Sites Near Park Forest, Illinois (17)

    1. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0041

    $35 - $250 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    2. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "We 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."

    "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)."

    3. Camp Shabbona Woods

    2 Reviews
    Calumet City, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0018

    $30 - $80 / night

    4. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Lowell, IN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 374-5941

    "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."

    "Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."

    5. Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    14 Reviews
    Bourbonnais, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 933-1383

    "The campsites are very spread out and you will have a very private quiet campsite. This site is near a small cemetery that has tombstones that are hundreds of years old."

    "The campground manager was very friendly and helpful and our site was clean with a nice fire pit with built-in grill and very clean. Lots of shower stalls in the shower house."

    6. Lakeshore Camp Resort

    16 Reviews
    Portage, IN
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 762-7757

    $49 - $57 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    7. Kankakee South KOA

    9 Reviews
    Kankakee, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 939-4603

    "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."

    "Playground was nice and geared toward smaller kids. Staff was friendly and very nice. Firewood, ice, etc. could be ordered via text and delivered. Trash pick up daily."

    8. Sand Creek Campground

    15 Reviews
    Chesterton, IN
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 926-7482

    $30 - $90 / night

    "Privately-owned and just a short distance from Indiana Dunes. The owner was very nice and helpful at check-in."

    "It was actually my first time ever staying at a private campground, so I don't have much to compare it to."

    9. Oak Lake RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    De Motte, IN
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 306-8223

    $55 - $160 / night

    "Oak Lake RV Resort handled it all with ease & gave us the BEST camping trip ever!"

    "Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp."

    10. Michigan City Campground

    22 Reviews
    Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 872-7600

    "This is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. It is gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter."

    "We 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."

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Recent Cabin Photos near Park Forest, IL

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Cabin Reviews near Park Forest, IL

158 Reviews of 17 Park Forest Campgrounds

  • C
    Jun. 3, 2021

    Michigan City Campground

    Great campground, will return

    This is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. It is gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter. We stayed  in the premium sites which were 90ft pull thought with 50A service, water and sewer, and the best wifi I have seen at a campsite. The cement patio was large with a picnic table and an adjacent fire pit. There is swimming pool and a game room, and a small store with the essentials, and propane.

    You are close to Indiana Dunes and the downtown area of Michigan city. Good food, shops are close by. 

    By the way there are a number of cabins/mini homes to rent.

  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Nice but very little shade

    We 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.

  • Jerry L.
    Sep. 8, 2021

    Sun Aura

    Great for Newbies or Noobs

    From the start you feel welcomed. My site was small compared to other campsites. It was still big enough for our tent and a table and pit. We had to park in a nearby parking space because our site was surrounded by other sites and common area. There is no electric in "tent city" either, but it is near the roundhouse and showers. There is an outdoor shower as well. That was awesome. The events were great forLabor Day weekend. This was our first time at and adult only resort or clothing optional. The people were friendly and helpful to others. This convinced us that this is how we will camp from now on.

  • Hatie P.
    Apr. 19, 2018

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Lovely cabins, facilities and hiking!

    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. 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!

  • Katrin M.
    Oct. 2, 2022

    Sand Creek Campground

    Campground near the dunes

    We camped here for 3 nights to visit the Dunes National Park.

    The campground is privately owned and was almost at the end of the season. There is a check in station at the entrance.

    When we arrived we were the only tent campers, so we could pick our spot. Non of the tent sites have electricity or water. Only a few have a picnic table and /or a fire pit. It was basically just a long lawn with numbers on. Some of the sites are in the woods for more privacy.

    The RV sites have electricity and water access. Some campers are stored there over the winter months.

    The bathhouse was a little out dated but clean during our stay.

    You are surrounded by farmland, so we were greeted every morning by donkey braying. It didn't bother us. There are also noises of cars and the train coming through.

    The owners are very nice and laid back.

    The drive to the national park or state park is about 15 min. The dunes are very impressive and beautiful. If you need something, there are stores, gas stations or restaurants within 10 driving minutes.

    I think we would camp her again. No idea how it is during peak season but even with other tent campers around on the last 2 days, it was pretty quiet.

  • Derek N.
    Jun. 22, 2022

    Michigan City Campground

    Not my favorite, but not horrible

    Pros - 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.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Sand Creek Campground

    Would stay again!

    Privately-owned and just a short distance from Indiana Dunes. The owner was very nice and helpful at check-in. There were several open spots on that rainy Sunday, so we were allowed to pick any open spot. Some spots were out in the open, others along the tree line, and a few in the woods. All sites had a picnic table, fire ring, and seemed fairly level.

  • Marc W.
    Jun. 15, 2019

    Kankakee South KOA

    Fun little campground

    Had a great time this weekend camping with my wife and two boys. We camp in an Hybrid trailer and really appreciated the price point with full hookups. Sites were decent size and had fire pits at each location. They had plastic picnic tables which where light to move and easy to clean. Decently quiet camp site with a pool for the kids to cool off made for an enjoyable weekend. Close to Kankakee and some of the other towns in the area for things to do. I would definitely come again to kayak on the Kankakee river. Unfortunately the water levels where too high for this trip as warnings had been issued

  • Michael L.
    Jun. 25, 2018

    Sand Creek Campground

    Conveniently located, ammenities

    I stayed here for my first trip to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore area in early June '18. It was clearly recently renovated and very nice. It was actually my first time ever staying at a private campground, so I don't have much to compare it to. But it had 2 sets of bathrooms, a pool, a basketball hoop (I don't recall if it was a court, but I think it was just one) and a prayer room. I didn't look for laundry, because I didn't need it, but the map indicates they do have it.

    The main office sold firewood and ice. Otherwise, just a few lantern batteries and such. Not a "store" by any means. But it's like a 5 minute drive to grocery and gas. Great location, in fact. Less than 10 minutes from the interstate.

    Light-sleepers will have difficulty anywhere in the region because of train traffic, but it was respectably secluded. Vampires beware: there's a 8-10 foot cross at the entrance. But didn't notice any garlic strewn about.

    Would stay again.

    (No pictures because I found this site right after I returned. Map from website because the site is glitchy and you might not find it otherwise.)

Guide to Park Forest

Cabin camping options around Park Forest, Illinois primarily cluster in Cook County forest preserves and neighboring private camping facilities. Located in the glacial plains of northeastern Illinois, the area features a moderately humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winter camping cabins typically require reservations 3-6 months in advance due to limited availability.

What to do

Hiking trails at Bullfrog Lake: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to extensive mountain biking and hiking trails. "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," notes one visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake.

Water activities: Several locations offer kayak rentals and fishing opportunities. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," shares a Bullfrog Lake camper.

Rock climbing: For families looking for structured activities, Camp Sullivan offers unique indoor recreation. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall," mentions one visitor, while another notes, "they have a nice Rockwall."

What campers like

Natural surroundings: Despite proximity to urban areas, some sites provide woodland privacy. At Potowatomi Campground, "Spacious sites with lush jungle-like greenery grown in between, which provides perfect privacy. Easy access to water pump."

Off-season camping: Winter cabin options exist at select locations. "We stayed in 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," says a visitor to Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park, which operates from April through October.

Transportation convenience: Locations like Camp Sullivan offer access to Chicago without driving. "It's probably the closest camping to downtown Chicago. About 5 years in existence. Clean facilities with a few trails," explains a camper. Another adds, "The only upside is that it is very close to Chicago."

What you should know

Limited amenities: Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations. "The camp store is large and stocked pretty well," notes a camper at Lakeshore Camp Resort.

Noise considerations: Urban proximity means some noise intrusion. One Bullfrog Lake visitor explains, "It's just outside of Chicago and it feels like it. It's like camping in a city park. I kept looking for the hot dog vendor, paddle swans and a bowling pin juggling mime."

Reservation challenges: Booking systems can be confusing. "The FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY online camping reservation site is tricky but after several tries I figured it out," shares a Camp Sullivan visitor. Another notes, "Very difficult to contact staff to book reservation."

Tips for camping with families

Child-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds cater specifically to families with younger children. "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)," says a Camp Sullivan visitor about bringing three children under age 7.

Playgrounds and pools: Sand Creek Campground provides recreational options beyond hiking. "My boys did like that there was a very nice pool," one visitor mentions. Others note that many campgrounds include basketball courts and playground equipment.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The surrounding natural areas provide educational opportunities. "Just beautiful piece full with nature," shares a Bullfrog Lake visitor who particularly enjoyed "Amazing chirping of the birds in the morning."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Look for specific site numbers when booking camping cabins near Park Forest. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," notes a Camp Bullfrog Lake RVer. Another camper at Camp Sullivan advises, "When you are checking in with trailer make sure you don't turn left to the office. It will be hard to turn around."

Seasonal considerations: Utilities function differently throughout the year. "We paid $122.00 for two nights," mentions one Bullfrog Lake camper who rated the campground 4 out of 5 stars but noted "The lack of shade trees and the high cost per night took away the fifth star."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Park Forest, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Park Forest, IL is Camp Sullivan with a 3.1-star rating from 15 reviews.

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