Cook County Forest Preserve offers glamping close to South Holland, Illinois across several managed campgrounds. Most sites are within a 30-minute drive from South Holland, with elevations ranging from 580-650 feet above sea level. The region features a mix of wooded areas and prairie landscapes that create distinct camping environments throughout the county's 70,000 acres of preserved land.
What to do
Lake activities at Bullfrog Lake: Visitors can rent kayaks directly from the campground for $15 per hour, which includes life vests. "The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," notes one camper who visited Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Mountain biking on local trails: The area offers extensive mountain biking trails accessible directly from campgrounds. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails," reports a visitor at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Beach activities at Indiana Dunes: Beaches provide summer recreation options with lifeguards on duty during specified hours. "The lake and dunes are spectacular and live up to the hype. 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," shares one visitor.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. "The shower/Bathroom situation is actually fairly nice for a campground! The water pressure was great, and the hot water was amazing," writes a camper who stayed at Michigan City Campground.
Varied accommodation options: Beyond standard camping, many locations offer cabins and glamping units. "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 smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," mentions a visitor at Camp Sullivan.
Security features: Some campgrounds provide added security measures. "Gated campground so not just anyone can come in, very clean and a nice pool," notes one camper about Michigan City Campground.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campground density differs widely across the region. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean. There's also a little store on site that was open until 10:00 PM," notes a camper from Dunewood Campground.
Train noise affects some locations: Railway lines near certain campgrounds create noise issues. "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 can deal with that, you'll be just fine but us tent camping there was nothing to block the sound."
Limited shade at some campgrounds: Several sites lack adequate tree coverage. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near playground amenities. "We stayed here for two nights. Our camp site was #2. 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," shares a visitor at Oak Lake RV Resort.
Family-friendly glamping options: Several locations offer cabin accommodations suitable for families seeking glamping near South Holland. "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."
Swimming options: Campgrounds with swimming facilities provide recreational outlets for children. "There is swimming pool and a game room, and a small store with the essentials, and propane."
Tips from RVers
Site selection is critical: RV campers should research specific site dimensions. "We were in a 37' motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit."
Hookup limitations: Water and electrical connections vary between campgrounds. "The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides."
Gate access considerations: Some campgrounds restrict after-hours entry and exit. "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting. What if there was an emergency? An ambulance would have had to rush the gate."
