Camp Bullfrog Lake provides year-round glamping near Thornton, Illinois with cabins and tent sites approximately 30 miles from downtown. Sites come with a free bundle of oak firewood and access to miles of mountain biking and hiking trails directly from camping areas. Campsites have limited privacy with minimal separation between sites, and the RV spots offer little shade protection during summer months. The bathhouses feature clean, heated facilities with showers, though water isn't always potable in early spring.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake connects to extensive single-track mountain bike trails throughout the surrounding Cook County Forest Preserves. A camper notes, "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."
Lake activities: Oak Lake RV Resort offers water activities about 25 miles from Thornton. The swimming pond includes an obstacle course for added entertainment. According to one visitor: "Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s'mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories."
Beach exploration: Visit Indiana Dunes State Park for a day trip approximately 45 minutes from Thornton. The park features massive dunes and swimming areas with lifeguard supervision during designated hours. A visitor comments: "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."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Nature enthusiasts appreciate the diverse wildlife viewing opportunities around Thornton area campgrounds. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, hikers regularly encounter various animals throughout the seasons. One camper describes: "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."
Modern bathroom facilities: Dunewood Campground at Indiana Dunes National Park offers clean restroom facilities about 40 minutes from Thornton. A visitor mentions: "Great facility with showers, water fountains, and a camp sink. Great shading from trees and very green!"
Chicago skyline views: On clear evenings at Indiana Dunes State Park, campers can see the Chicago skyline across Lake Michigan. As one visitor notes: "On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake. The state park has many well maintained hiking trails and cross country skiing trails in the winter."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Thornton experience significant railroad noise throughout the night. Indiana Dunes State Park campers report disrupted sleep from passing trains. One camper warns: "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."
Seasonal wood quality: Firewood availability and quality vary significantly by season. At Camp Sullivan, free firewood is provided with stays, but quality can be inconsistent. One camper noted: "The wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue."
Site privacy limitations: Most campgrounds near Thornton feature closely spaced sites with limited privacy. At Michigan City Campground, the layout is particularly compact. A camper observed: "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded."
Tips for camping with families
Security features: Some campgrounds offer enhanced security measures for family peace of mind. Michigan City Campground provides gated entry with key card access: "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update."
Playground proximity: Request sites near playground areas for convenience with younger children. At Oak Lake RV Resort, strategic site selection makes supervision easier. A visitor shared: "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."
Activity scheduling: Lakeshore Camp Resort offers organized weekend activities for various age groups about 30 miles from Thornton. A camper explains: "This is a busy campground during the summer weekends. Activities for the kids are all weekend and evenings are busy with golf carts parades."
Tips from RVers
Winter options: Seasonal RVers can find year-round accommodations at select campgrounds near Thornton. Michigan City Campground offers extended stay options with winter utilities. A camper notes: "Michigan City Campground is open year round. They also have many monthly sites available with winter water, as well as seasonal and overnight spots."
Site selection strategy: At Indiana Dunes State Park, RV site placement significantly impacts shade availability and privacy. An experienced RVer advises: "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade. The middle sites are more exposed and much less private."
Dust conditions: Campgrounds with gravel roads can create dust issues during dry periods. At Camp Sullivan, site selection away from main thoroughfares reduces dust exposure. A camper warns: "Every time a golf cart comes through a huge cloud of dust follows. I've never left a campground where my truck, and camper were caked with grey dirt."
