Campsites near Riverdale, Illinois offer different experiences across both urban-adjacent forest preserves and Indiana's lakeside areas. While Cook County Forest Preserves provide the closest camping options to Riverdale, several additional alternatives exist within a 40-mile radius. Cell service remains strong at most locations due to proximity to Chicago's metropolitan area, though noise levels can vary significantly between campgrounds.
What to do
Mountain biking at Palos trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to extensive mountain bike trails. "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," notes Josh M. The trail system is highly regarded by serious riders who bring "top of the line bikes in and out all day."
Kayaking on small lakes: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers kayak rentals at $15 per hour including life vests. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," explains Layla P. The small lake size makes it ideal for beginners or those wanting a leisurely paddle.
Climbing the dunes challenge: Indiana Dunes State Park Campground features the popular "3 Dune Challenge" hiking trail. "The cool soft sand feels fantastic, definitely best hiked barefoot," shares Greg S. The trail offers moderate difficulty with significant elevation changes uncommon in the Chicago region.
Rock climbing indoors: For rainy days, Camp Sullivan features an indoor climbing wall. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall," mentions Shane S. The facility provides a supervised climbing experience for both beginners and more experienced climbers when outdoor activities aren't possible.
What campers like
Urban escape proximity: Being close to Chicago while feeling removed from urban sprawl is highly valued. "Awesome place to stay when you live in the city and wanna get away," notes Deanna B. about Camp Bullfrog Lake. The quick access from urban areas makes these sites popular for weekend getaways.
Clean shower facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms at certain campgrounds. "The bathroom/shower facility at Martin's Camping Ground is super clean and modern," notes Beth B., though she adds that "water temperature is lukewarm at best." Blackwell Family Campground also receives positive feedback for its "modern bathrooms."
Free firewood at select locations: Some campgrounds include complimentary firewood with site rental. "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," explains Josh M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake. This amenity saves campers from needing to purchase or transport firewood.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Blackwell Family Campground offers abundant wildlife sightings along its 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," reports Hatie P. The preserve's varied habitats support diverse wildlife populations.
What you should know
Train noise affects sleep quality: Railway lines near several campgrounds create significant noise disturbances. "The trains going through and blasting their horns all night long" affected Kaley A.'s experience at Indiana Dunes State Park. Similar issues occur at Dunewood Campground where Truly W. notes "could hear trains throughout the night."
Gate closure policies vary: Several campgrounds implement strict entrance gate policies. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning!" explains Lisa S. about Camp Sullivan. This can complicate early departures or late arrivals without advance planning.
Limited shade at newer campgrounds: Several Cook County Forest Preserve campgrounds have young trees that don't yet provide adequate shade. Beth B. notes at Martin's Camping Ground that "spaces are small, muddy, and un-level" with minimal shade. Tim K. comments about Camp Bullfrog Lake: "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small."
Bathroom facility variations: Facilities range widely between campgrounds. At Camp Sullivan, one camper reported: "It's ridiculous there are two bathroom stalls and complete strangers have to pass a toilet paper roll between the stalls." Conversely, Robert C. praised Martin's Camping Ground for having "cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Camp Sullivan features playground facilities near campsites. "We love this place with three kids under 7! Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites," shares Dane S. The playground provides entertainment for children between hiking or other activities.
Weekend activity programming: Several campgrounds offer structured activities during peak season. "Lakeshore Camp Resort has always lots of activities on the weekends for kids and adults," notes Angie G. Activities typically run Friday through Sunday with more extensive programming on holiday weekends.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Multiple campgrounds offer accessible fishing opportunities suitable for children. "There is fishing, kayaking and hiking trails too," mentions a reviewer about Camp Bullfrog Lake. Blackwell Family Campground is known for "outstanding" fishing with "lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release."
Lake beach options: Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park provides access to a small private beach. "You have access to the perks of the conference grounds including access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets," reports Holly S. The controlled environment offers safer swimming than larger public beaches.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional equipment. Beth B. notes at Martin's Camping Ground that "spaces are small, muddy, and un-level." RVers frequently recommend bringing extra leveling blocks, especially at forest preserve campgrounds.
Limited hookup configurations: Hookup placement can be problematic at certain locations. "Sewer connection at our site was technically on neighbors...we had to use extension," notes Beth B. Bringing extra-length hoses and cables is advised for several campgrounds in the region.
RV size limitations: Dunewood Campground has restrictions that affect larger vehicles. While technically "big-rig friendly," Katherine T. notes that "the sites are decently private with good tent pads" but can be challenging for larger RVs to maneuver. Several sites cannot accommodate RVs exceeding 35 feet.
Electric-only options predominate: Many campgrounds offer only electric hookups without water or sewer. At Indiana Dunes State Park, Greg S. explains: "It is electric only but that didn't really bother us - we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves." Arrival with full fresh water tanks is recommended.
