Glamping options near Tinley Park, Illinois extend beyond the immediate area to include several nearby destinations within a 30-60 minute drive. The region features a mix of forest preserves, lakeshores, and state parks where visitors can camp across northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. Winter camping is available at select locations with temperatures typically ranging from 20-35°F during December through February.
What to do
Mountain biking at Camp Sullivan: The terrain offers varied difficulty levels for bikers of all experience ranges. One visitor noted, "There are miles and miles of trails. We saw several vehicles carrying top of the line bikes in and out all day. We had a blast riding our bikes." Camp Sullivan provides direct access to these trails from the campground.
Swimming at Oak Lake RV Resort: Located about 45 minutes from Tinley Park, this campground features a swimming pond with inflatable obstacles. "Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s'mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories," shares one camper who extended their stay from a weekend to nearly two weeks.
Explore the dunes: The Indiana Dunes State Park, approximately 45 minutes from Tinley Park, offers unique hiking opportunities on sand dunes. "If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list," recommends one visitor who enjoyed the experience despite finding it physically demanding.
What campers like
Privacy levels at Indiana Dunes State Park: Campers appreciate the layout of certain sites. "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," advises one guest who gave the park a 5-star rating.
Water access at Dunewood Campground: Located in the Indiana Dunes National Park, campers value the proximity to Lake Michigan. "The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful. There are some biting horseflies at the beach, but not at the campground," notes a visitor who appreciated being able to easily reach the shoreline.
Affordability options: Dunewood Campground offers reasonable rates compared to other glamping options in the region. One visitor mentioned the straightforward pricing: "25$ a night no electric much but a park pass also for 25$." This makes it one of the more budget-friendly options for those willing to forgo electrical hookups.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: At Camp Bullfrog Lake, the RV sites have different characteristics. "For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest. Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," notes one camper who stayed at multiple sites over different visits.
Noise factors: Train noise impacts several campgrounds in the region. At Michigan City Campground, some reviewers mention train noise throughout the night, while others note highway noise at locations closer to interstates. Plan to bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Shade considerations: Many sites lack adequate tree cover during summer months. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," reports a Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor. Site selection becomes important for summer camping, particularly for tent campers without air conditioning.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities at Michigan City Campground: This gated campground offers several features families appreciate. "Great, secure, family friendly campground... Plenty of space to spread out and good firepits. Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean," shares a visitor who stayed in the group tent camping area.
Timing your visit: Weekday visits offer significantly more peace and privacy at most campgrounds. During peak summer season (June-August), weekend reservations often require booking 3-6 months in advance, particularly for holiday weekends.
Bathroom facilities: Cleanliness varies widely between locations. At Camp Sullivan, one family noted inconsistency: "The following review was done by my thirteen year old daughter... the showers here, they look like they haven't been cleaned or cared for in months and often have no toilet paper in the bathroom stalls."
Tips from RVers
Utility connections at Camp Sullivan: RVers should note the limited hookup options at some sites. "No water or dumping hook up. Electric only. Would only stay here again in a pinch. The only upside is that it is very close to Chicago," advises one RVer who faced challenges during their stay.
Site selection for larger rigs: Michigan City Campground offers premium pull-through spots for larger RVs. "We stayed in a 90 ft premium pull through spot. Nice campground that is maintained. There is a pool, fishing pond, and playground for kids," reports an RVer who found the accommodations suitable for their needs.
Winter preparation: For those planning cold weather camping, Indiana Dunes State Park maintains electric sites year-round but requires campers to take precautions against freezing water lines when temperatures drop below 32°F.
