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Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort provides full hookups for pets and their owners just minutes from Rockdale in Joliet. Pets are welcome at multiple campgrounds within a 15-mile radius, including Leisure Lake Resort and Martin's Camping Ground. Most area campgrounds offer dedicated pet exercise areas and enforce standard leash requirements when pets are outside RVs or tents. Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest features cabin accommodations that accept pets, while Martin Campground maintains pet-friendly policies across their tent and RV sites. Bathroom and shower facilities at Martin's Camping Ground received particular praise for cleanliness in reviews, though the proximity to highway noise can be disruptive for some pets sensitive to sound. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Rockdale, Illinois.
Dog-friendly trails provide exercise opportunities at nearby McKinley Woods and Kankakee River State Park, where pets must remain leashed at all times. The I&M Canal State Trail offers miles of pet-accessible hiking through Channahon State Park, though some areas require careful navigation with larger dogs. Weather considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, as summer temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels for dogs left at campsites. Several campgrounds enforce quiet hours that include pet noise restrictions. Many RV campers note the convenience of Love's RV Hookup in nearby Morris, which provides a small dog park for quick exercise during travel stops. Veterinary services are available in Joliet and Morris for emergency situations, and most area campgrounds provide waste stations to maintain cleanliness.
"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"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."
"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."
"Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"
from $37 / night
Check Availability"Our family had an incredible stay at Leisure Lake Resort RV Park over Easter week."
"The beach and lake were always well maintained, and we had often enjoyed live music at the pavilion. You can even play mini golf here! I would highly recommend for anyone that can invest."
"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"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"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"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 $15 - $30 / night
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TravelerVery friendly host at the gate! Just what my wife and I were looking for. Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!
ScoutAlthough we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view.
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
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.
GuideBeautiful spot for our single overnight. Staff were great; friendly and helpful. Park was well kept, with lots of green around RV and tent sites. Nice pool, dog park, store, and even a stream system that wanders through the park (no swimming in the stream). Also close to Starved Rock State Park for some neat scenery and hiking. The only downside side is that some of the RV sites are a little close together - didn’t impact our stay though. Two thumbs up! :)
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.
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.
TravelerStayed here in early June during a trip to Starved Rock, which is a quick 10-15 minute drive. Camp hosts are very nice and the the grounds well maintained. I stayed on site 5 which is a full hookup but best for a small camper. I have a 14 foot travel trailer and it just fit with my SUV in front. The spots are very tight and you have very little room between you and your neighbor. With all the rain this year, many sites flooded during a storm while we camped and they had to be moved to other areas that were not actual sites so it was a bit crazy...hosts did a great job taking care of everyone effected. Campground has a cute dog park and a beautiful stream that runs through it. I would stay here again!!
Rockdale, Illinois sits at approximately 560 feet elevation with terrain shaped by glacial deposits along the Des Plaines River valley. Located within Will County, the area experiences humid continental climate with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F and winter lows below freezing. Camping options near Rockdale include both private RV parks and public forest preserves, with most sites open from April through October.
Biking trails access: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides direct access to miles of mountain biking 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 includes a variety of difficulty levels suitable for beginners and experienced riders.
Kayaking opportunities: Blackwell Family Campground offers rental equipment for water activities on Silver Lake. "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," shares Layla P. from Camp Bullfrog Lake. McKinley Woods has water access points where "you can paddle from there to Morris IL, 15 miles, but be aware this is best done in spring or fall."
Wildlife observation: The forest preserves around Rockdale provide habitats for diverse wildlife. "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 a visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake. Early mornings offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities, especially along waterways.
Clean bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. At Martin's Camping Ground, campers find "cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen" according to Robert C., despite other limitations at the site. Similarly at Kankakee River State Park, "The shower house was good... the team came out to clean up promptly," notes Linda N.
Cabin accommodations: For those seeking pet-friendly alternatives to tent camping, cabin options exist. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "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." Leisure Lake Resort also offers cabin rentals that accommodate pets with advance notice.
Campsite privacy levels: Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. At Kankakee River State Park, "The campsites are very spread out and you will have a very private quiet campsite," while at Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, sites are described as "pretty large spots" with a "quiet, safe location." Sites at Martin's Camping Ground are notably "very close together" according to multiple reviews.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds. Martin's Camping Ground sits adjacent to Interstate 80 where "You can throw a stone and hit a semi driving by" and "traffic from I-80 is extremely loud with semi's all night long." Plan accordingly with white noise machines or earplugs if booking sites at noise-affected campgrounds.
Weather impacts: Summer heat affects camping comfort throughout the region. The lack of mature shade trees at some sites compounds this issue, as noted at Camp Bullfrog Lake: "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small." Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically between day and night in spring and fall.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially on weekends. "We paid $122.00 for two nights" at Camp Bullfrog Lake, while Martin's notes a strict "three day limit for campers with tents. Very disappointed with that. And it's three days a month." Booking policies vary significantly between public and private campgrounds.
Playground access: Camp Bullfrog Lake features play areas for children near camping loops. However, at Kankakee River State Park, "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had," according to Linda N. Consider timing playground visits for mornings or evenings during hot summer months.
Educational opportunities: The Kankakee River State Park nature center offers hands-on wildlife experiences. "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!" reports Linda N. Rangers often conduct weekend programs appropriate for various age groups.
Site selection for tents: When camping with children in tents, choose sites carefully. At Kankakee River State Park, sites vary significantly: "Two were very small (14&15), and little grass for tent setup... 16&17 were amazing for tents!! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade. Grass for tents." Research specific site characteristics before booking, especially with larger family groups.
Hookup availability: Full hookup options are limited near Rockdale. At Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort, expect "Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot." The campground also provides "free ice, free coffee, and juice, and donut in the morning" according to a recent visitor.
Site leveling challenges: Many area campgrounds have uneven sites. At Martin's Camping Ground, spaces are described as "small, muddy, and un level" while noting "Highway is next to campground, but we could not hear it inside." Bring additional leveling blocks, especially for larger rigs.
Extended stay restrictions: For RVers seeking longer stays, research duration limitations. At Martin's Camping Ground, tent campers face strict three-day limits, while Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort and Leisure Lake Resort have more flexible policies for RVs. Some campgrounds close entirely during winter months, with the exception of Hollywood Casino which remains open year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rockdale, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rockdale, IL is Camp Bullfrog Lake with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rockdale, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 68 dog-friendly camping locations near Rockdale, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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