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Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan both welcome pets with designated pet areas and clear policies for campers traveling with dogs. These Forest Preserve District of Cook County campgrounds provide full hookup sites with water, electric, and sewer connections for RV campers with pets. Leashed dogs must be attended at all times throughout the campgrounds, with waste disposal stations available at regular intervals. The dog park at Michigan City Campground receives positive mentions from visitors who appreciate the secure, gated access and separate areas for different sized dogs. Campers note that Camp Sullivan's spacious sites accommodate pets comfortably, while Emerald Trails Campground maintains pet-friendly policies across their tent and RV sites.
Indiana Dunes National Park's Dunewood Campground offers pet-friendly camping with access to select trails where dogs are permitted. Pet owners should note that while dogs are welcome at the campground, they are prohibited on certain trails within the park system. Blackwell Family Campground provides electric hookups at all sites with ample space for pets to exercise along designated paths. The campground's proximity to water features gives dogs opportunities to cool off during summer months. Lakeshore Camp Resort and Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park both maintain pet-friendly policies with specific designated areas for dog walking. Visitors with pets should prepare for varying weather conditions, particularly during summer when pavement can become too hot for paws. Most campgrounds require proof of current vaccinations, and emergency veterinary services are available in nearby communities including Michigan City and Joliet.
"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"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"There is so much to do her, wineries and breweries nearby. The beaches are not too crowded. Pet friendly and lots to do for children. This is one of our favorite vacation spots."
"give you a great view of Lake Michigan. Bathroom rooms and shower were super clean. Dog friendly campsite and right next to the lake!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"We spent the afternoon on the lakeside and drove back to the site to set up for the evening."
"Was rainy, but still enjoyed walking the beach. Staff extremely pleasant & helpful. Pavilion services was closed for construction. There is an area on the Beach where you can walk your dogs."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"We were there the week before peak season opened so none of the pools or splash pads were open, but they were very accommodating so that we could still play mini golf and ride around on the pedal cars."
"A lake with water rentals, floating water slide, playgrounds and sport courts, general store with the stardust’s “convenience mark-ups”,and water/ electric at all sites."
from $49 - $57 / night
Check Availability"There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
"You have access to the perks of the conference grounds I clouding access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The park is dog friendly. The campground is clean and quiet. There is no bath house, only port-a-potty's throughout the campground."
"Yes, it’s an hour from the city, but I’d take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel. There’s an outhouse and plenty of places to plug in the RV, and cars/tents are welcome too."
from $20 - $35 / 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."
"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."
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
TravelerWe stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.
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.
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.
GuidePros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park
Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area
The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.
GuideWe used it as an over night stop right off of 94. It was perfect for that. It would also be perfect spot to stay longer if wanted to be in the area. Grounds were nice. Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook.
ScoutGreat stop for the night, It's new, gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids. Plenty of space and Convenient. We reserved and checked in online. The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit but it's Nov so no need to run dual ACs minor issue but still make sure your using your EPM devices.
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.
Campgrounds near Thornton, Illinois offer diverse experiences for all types of outdoor enthusiasts across varying landscapes. Located approximately 30 miles south of Chicago, these camping areas range from forested preserves to lakeside destinations, with elevations generally below 800 feet. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with summer temperatures often reaching the mid-80s while spring and fall bring more moderate temperatures suitable for camping with pets.
Water activities on site: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides kayak rentals for $15 per hour that include life vests. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," notes Layla P., who enjoyed paddling despite the modest size of the water body.
Rock climbing opportunities: Camp Sullivan features an activities barn with a climbing wall that draws families with children. "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall. There are smaller family cabins with heat available to rent as well as large bunkhouses for organized groups," reports Shane S., highlighting this unique recreation option not commonly found at campgrounds.
Archery practice: The nearby Blackwell Family Campground maintains a free archery range where campers can practice their skills. One visitor noted, "Canoe rentals and free archery range," among the amenities available at this forest preserve destination.
Challenging dune hikes: At Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the Three Dune Challenge hiking trail. "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," suggests Greg S., who enjoyed this distinctive terrain feature.
Dog exercise areas: Dog owners appreciate the designated exercise spaces at various dog friendly campgrounds near Thornton. "We have a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly," reports Christopher G. about his experience at Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park.
Clean shower facilities: Campers frequently mention the condition of bathroom facilities, with Blackwell Family Campground receiving positive notes. "The bathhouse is newer and kept fairly clean. I don't think they're checked everyday though because the ladies stalls were out of toilet paper our second morning," shares Lisa S., noting the maintenance routine could be more frequent.
Highway noise levels: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near the Thornton area are located near major highways, which impacts noise levels. "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," warns Iris A. about Martin's Camping Ground.
Seasonal water potability: Water systems may not operate year-round at some locations. "The water is not yet potable so bring your own or check with the park team to ensure it's drinkable when you go," advises Hatie P. from her early spring visit to Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Train noise disruptions: Several campgrounds experience regular train noise throughout the night. "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," cautions Kaley A. about her experience tent camping at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Best sites for privacy: At Dunewood Campground, families can find more secluded options among the wooded sites. "The sites are decently private with good tent pads. Shower house was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus," reports Katherine T., highlighting amenities particularly valuable for family camping.
Free firewood benefits: Some campgrounds include firewood with your stay, saving families additional expenses. "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits," mentions Josh M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, though other campers noted quality issues with the wood sometimes being wet or hard to burn.
Gate closure timing: Families should note that park gates may close earlier than expected. "If you are staying here to see Chicago the gates close for the park an hour after sunset," warns Rich M. about Blackwell Family Campground, an important consideration for families planning evening activities off-site.
Site layout considerations: RV campers should research site layouts before booking. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," shares Tim K. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, adding "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small."
Limited hookup availability: Not all campgrounds provide full hookups. "No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views," reports Kaitlin M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake, suggesting that RVers arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks.
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional setup time. "Spaces are small, muddy, and un level," notes Beth B. about Martin's Camping Ground, adding that "Sewer connection at our site was technically on neighbors…we had to use extension."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Thornton, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Thornton, 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 Thornton, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 dog-friendly camping locations near Thornton, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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