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Several pet-friendly campgrounds surround Shorewood, Illinois, with Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort offering water hookups, electric service, and clean shower facilities for campers with pets. Martin Campground also accommodates pets with full hookup sites and shower access, though its proximity to I-80 creates noticeable highway noise that some dogs may find disturbing. Both locations provide picnic tables and trash receptacles, while maintaining relatively clean facilities. The campgrounds typically don't impose breed restrictions but expect pets to remain leashed when outside RVs or tents. Sites at Martin's are notably close together, limiting outdoor space for larger dogs to relax comfortably around campsites.
Leisure Lake Resort and Leisure Lake Membership Resort feature additional pet amenities including lakefront access where dogs can cool off during summer months. Dog owners should note that walking paths around these properties provide good exercise opportunities, though the water quality issues mentioned in reviews could affect pets that drink from outdoor sources. McKinley Woods offers more natural surroundings for pet camping with tent-only sites and access to the I&M Canal trail system, ideal for hiking with leashed dogs. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard pet policies requiring current vaccinations, proper waste disposal, and considerate noise management to avoid disturbing neighboring campers. Wildlife encounters are possible at more natural sites, requiring appropriate pet supervision during early morning and evening hours.
"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."
"Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"
from $37 / 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."
"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."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"
"Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply"
from $18 - $35 / night
Check Availability"It is a bit away from businesses. However if you arrive by car you drive through the quaint town. Arriving by bicycle is even better. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes right by camp."
"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
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!
RangerI was here for three months this time as i get to business completed. The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how. The grass is mowed every week. There is patroling at all hours for security. The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good. The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. The showers are cleaned and work great. The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.
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!!
Camping opportunities near Shorewood, Illinois extend across the Des Plaines and Illinois River corridors with sites ranging from primitive tent camping to full-hookup RV resorts. The area features elevation changes of 100-200 feet from the river valleys to surrounding terrain, creating diverse camping environments within a 30-mile radius. Local campgrounds typically remain open from April through October with several year-round options available for campers seeking winter accommodations.
Hiking trails with canal access: McKinley Woods offers direct access to the I&M Canal trail system where campers can explore miles of historic towpaths. One visitor shared, "The main draw to this place is the tow path. I high recommend bringing a bike to enjoy the trail. The trail is also part of the Grand Illinois Trail network."
Fishing opportunities: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides lake fishing with kayak rentals available. According to a camper, "The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around. The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests." The surrounding ponds also offer catch-and-release fishing spots.
Mountain biking: Local parks feature extensive single-track trails for mountain biking enthusiasts. One reviewer at Camp Bullfrog Lake noted, "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." Another mentioned, "Some of the areas best mountain bike single track is right here."
Modern bathroom facilities: Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort maintains well-kept shower facilities. One reviewer appreciated, "Clean campsite, clean showers & bathrooms!" Another guest mentioned the "free ice, free coffee, and juice, and donut in the morning" as welcome amenities.
Proximity to Chicago: Blackwell Family Campground provides camping options within commuting distance of Chicago. A camper explained, "Located only 30 miles outside the city, and conveniently only 10 mins from my house, this is the perfect little getaway." This accessibility makes it practical for weekend trips without extensive travel time.
Lakefront activities: Several campgrounds feature water recreation during summer months. A visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake shared, "Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM." These lakefront campgrounds provide cooling opportunities during hot Illinois summers.
Highway noise considerations: Many campgrounds near Shorewood experience noise from nearby highways. A guest at Martin's Camping Ground mentioned, "You can throw a stone and hit a semi driving by to I-80. There's a lot of traffic given the proximity to Chicago. If you're able to sleep with large trucks driving in the background, you'll be fine."
Water quality issues: Several campgrounds report concerning water quality for both drinking and showering. One camper noted, "Shower is not comfortable….nozzle is from ceiling and temperature not warm enough to stay warm while not directly under water." When camping with pets, consider bringing bottled water rather than using local supplies.
Site spacing limitations: Many RV parks feature closely spaced sites. According to a review, "Sites are very close. You can watch the traffic on the highway from your camper. No picnic table, no firing, bathroom and showers were clean." Plan accordingly if your pets require more outdoor space.
Scout-friendly group sites: Big Rock Campground offers large sites suitable for family groups. A visitor noted, "Nice clean place. Activities for the kids and adults." The campground features wide, open spaces where children can safely explore.
Budget-friendly options: Look for campgrounds with reasonable non-resident fees. One camper advised, "Even their 9 hike-in primitive sites hugging the treeline lack privacy. Yes, all the sites are very flat. It's a nice field if that's what you look for in a campground." Consider county residency requirements that may affect pricing.
Animal watching opportunities: Family-friendly campgrounds offer wildlife viewing options. A visitor to Blackwell Family Campground shared, "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." These nature viewing opportunities provide educational experiences for children.
Water hookup limitations: Channahon State Park Campground offers primitive camping without water hookups. A visitor advised, "This campground is surrounded by trees. When we showed up, a classic car gathering was going on. They even set a campfire to use throughout the morning. There are vault toilets and a picnic area too."
Seasonal availability: Most pet friendly camping near Shorewood varies by season. One camper at Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort warned, "Not a bad spot. Average and relatively inexpensive. No water before 4/15." Check specific opening dates when traveling early or late in the camping season.
Site leveling requirements: Many sites require minimal leveling. A camper at Martin's Camping Ground commented, "Sites are ok. Very close together. Traffic from I-80 is loud. Staff is very nice. Cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen." Prepare wheel blocks or leveling systems for uneven terrain at more rustic campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Shorewood, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Shorewood, 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 Shorewood, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 64 dog-friendly camping locations near Shorewood, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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