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Camp Sullivan's modest-sized RV and tent camping sites welcome pets in a Cook County forest preserve setting, offering electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site. Dogs must be leashed throughout the campground, including on nearby walking trails that connect directly from the campground. Emerald Trails Campground and Enchanted Shores RV Park also accommodate pets with full hookup sites for RVs, though site sizes vary considerably. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park provides pet-friendly cabins in addition to tent and RV sites. Bathhouse facilities at most locations are generally clean and well-maintained, though Camp Sullivan's bathrooms occasionally suffer from maintenance issues. Most campgrounds in the area provide limited designated pet waste stations. The stinkest water reported by campers was at Enchanted Shores.
Several miles of pet-friendly trails weave through the forested areas surrounding Camp Sullivan, providing ample walking opportunities for dogs and their owners. Bullfrog Lake, located at a nearby campground, allows dogs to swim in designated areas but requires them to be leashed at all times while at the water. Most campgrounds enforce standard quiet hours which apply to barking dogs as well as human noise. Veterinary services can be found within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds in the area. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, approximately 30 miles from Park Forest, features extensive pet-friendly hiking trails and access to designated dog beach areas along Lake Michigan. Seasonal considerations include summer mosquito activity and occasional wildlife encounters that may excite dogs. A large field at Cedar Lake Ministries provides ample space for dogs to run and exercise.
"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"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"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"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"Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."
"There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers."
from $25 - $45 / 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"There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
"You have access to the perks of the conference grounds I clouding access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
from $45 - $55 / 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
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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 areas near Park Forest, Illinois offer camping options within 30-40 miles of this southern Chicago suburb. The region features a mix of forest preserves, state parks, and private campgrounds nestled between suburban areas and more rural settings. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional temperature fluctuations.
Hiking trails at Indiana Dunes: The trail system provides varied terrain from flat walks to challenging dune climbs. "The 3 dune challenge is not really a challenge if you are moderately healthy but it is fun and scenic! The cool soft sand feels fantastic, definitely best hiked barefoot," notes a visitor to Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Bring fishing gear to take advantage of stocked lakes at several campgrounds. At Lakeshore Camp Resort, one camper mentioned: "There's a beach to the lake, but there's some garbage on the shore. I would not swim in it, although we did fish in it and caught a bunch!"
Biking the preserves: Cook County forest preserves offer paved and unpaved trails. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake shared: "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and miles of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
Rock wall climbing: Some campgrounds feature unique activities for visitors. As one camper at Camp Sullivan noted: "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."
Access to Lake Michigan: The region's proximity to Lake Michigan provides beach opportunities. A camper at Dunewood Campground observed, "The campsite was large and beautiful. The restroom area was clean and had soap and dryers. Lots of nature, chill vibe. Great experience!"
Wildlife viewing: The forest preserves offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Kankakee River State Park, visitors appreciate the natural setting with "amazing chirping of the birds in the morning. Just beautiful piece full with nature."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. As one visitor to Potowatomi Campground commented, "Bathrooms inclu vault were cleanest I've seen. Bike path/hike path is long and wide and very nice."
Quieter weekday camping: Several campgrounds report significant differences between weekend and weekday camping experiences. One camper mentioned, "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week."
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create noise issues. At Indiana Dunes, one camper noted: "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 you can deal with that, you'll be just fine."
Site variations: Campsite quality and size vary dramatically across the region. At Camp Sullivan, a reviewer pointed out: "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."
Limited shade: Some campgrounds lack mature trees for shade. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, a camper observed: "I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade."
Water quality concerns: Water quality varies between campgrounds. Martin's Camping Ground received mixed reviews about their facilities: "Super clean and modern, but no hot water...lukewarm at best. Shower is not comfortable....nozzle is from ceiling and temperature not warm enough to stay warm while not directly under water."
Playground access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Park Forest feature play areas. At Lakeshore Camp Resort, a visitor mentioned: "The playground was nice for kids."
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled programming for children. A Potowatomi Campground visitor shared: "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!"
Cabin options for less-experienced campers: For families new to camping, cabins provide a comfortable alternative. A visitor to Camp Sullivan noted: "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."
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially in summer months. According to one camper at Dunewood: "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening. Overall, it was a nice campground with spacious sites."
Limited hookup options: Not all pet-friendly campgrounds offer full hookups. At Emerald Trails Campground, a visitor noted: "Very relaxing, and very quiet. Great shade from tall trees, and a large pond to fish or paddle boat. Been there twice and will be going back."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional preparation. A visitor to Martin's Camping Ground reported: "spaces are small, muddy, and un level. Highway is next to campground, but we could not hear it inside."
Dump station availability: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, an RVer observed: "Two dump stations made wait minimal."
Firewood quality concerns: Campground firewood can vary in quality. A camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake noted: "Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Park Forest, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Park Forest, IL is Camp Sullivan with a 3.1-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Park Forest, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 51 dog-friendly camping locations near Park Forest, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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