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Chicago Northwest KOA accommodates campers with pets in their tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin rentals. The campground enforces a 5 mph speed limit throughout the property and features designated pet areas, including newly added puppy sites with private gated areas for dog owners. Most sites are fairly close together, though the pull-through spaces offer slightly more room for pets to move around. The campground maintains clean facilities with regular maintenance of grass areas where pets can exercise. Several reviews note strict quiet hours enforcement which helps control nighttime barking from visiting dogs.
Thomas Woods Campground provides pets-allowed camping within the McHenry County Conservation District, with electric hookups and drinking water available for both tent and RV campers. The conservation area offers natural surroundings with hiking trails accessible directly from the campground where leashed pets can explore. The roads and paths throughout the area are well-maintained, though some reviewers note the campground host patrols frequently on a utility vehicle. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort and Rock Cut State Park also welcome pets, with Lehmans featuring a secure, fenced dog run area and walking paths around their lake. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to be on-leash at all times and owners to clean up after their animals, with waste stations provided at designated areas.
"You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"
"Saw a few of their “puppy sites” that included a private gated area for dog owners. It poured all weekend but we still enjoyed the stay."
"The trails are both wooded and hilly, but there's also a large prairie nature walk.
The campground has many secluded walk-in tent sites and a variety of sites for other types of campers.""Our site had the usual picnic table and a short walk to the restrooms and water. What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days. "
"For us it's close to home, shopping and an RV dealership so it's pefect to "shake out" the camper and we can easily get anything we forgot or get stuff to repair anything that's not working."
from $12 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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. "
"Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front. Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "
from $45 - $70 / night
Check Availability"For families looking for a convenient home base near Rockford with lots of room to spread out, EZ access to town for supplies and a campground that really does feel safe and relaxed, Pine Country is an"
"It is close to home and we start and finish the camping season here."
"Lots of people leaving bad reviews for silly little things. let me say first off this place is HUGE. plenty of room for the kids and the dogs and just a short walk from the kish. good fishing and friendly"
"After a long drive, the boys made a beeline for the playground and the pedal carts, and later that night we all sat under the string lights eating ice cream sandwiches from the camp store while fireflies"
from $49 - $99 / night
Check Availability"Things started to slowly open up around the 4th of July. Now, it’s our favorite place to go! The most impressive aspect in our opinion are the people."
from $65 - $85 / night
Check Availability"There’s something so comforting about pulling into Sycamore RV Resort and seeing the sunlight dance across those two spring-fed lakes, giving you that immediate exhale that only a calm Midwestern campground"
"Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort. Nice walking path around the two ponds. The ponds are very low due to drought this summer."
"We love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in."
"Nice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn’t very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric. this was the first time"
GuideWe love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.
TravelerJust became KOA met local campers that love this park! Good sites, trash pickup at side! They even have a snack bar and deliver to your campsite! No enclosed dog park but plenty of area to walk your dog!
GuideAbsolutely beautiful, reasonable prices, electric available. Tons of restrooms, showers, laundry, and wonderful camp hosts. Huge beach area, dog park, fishing as well. Shop to buy items you may need and absolutely wonderful place. Open all year round
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.
LegendMy first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
ScoutStaff was polite and helpful. They escort you to your spot. They hand out activity sheets for the weekend. Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly. They charge extra if you have visitors.
ScoutWe love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It’s always quiet and the view is beautiful. Bugs were awful this stay. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly.
ScoutI have camped in the tent section and also used the 30 amp service with our Class B van. Plenty of sites to choose from during the week but tends to get crowded on weekends. There are some sites out in the open and some that are totally private and secluded. It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days. Once you have a couple favorites you can then book in advance online.
It does get congested and noisy on the weekends and holidays but can be a very peaceful and relaxing campground during the non-busy days. There is obviously the lake, hiking and biking paths throughout the park, 2 camp stores, showers and plenty of restrooms scattered around the park.
Pet friendly.
RangerFor years, this was our go-to campground for weekend nearby adventures. Over the years, the price has increased and at $30 per site for non-residents, it's a bit steep for tent camping for me (so I left off a star rating). All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs. It's located in a beautiful wooded Dupage County Forest preserve. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained. While I didn't camp here this year, I took these photos the last weekend in October to give everyone a sense of how nice this campground could be for them. My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views. For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods. Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends. Heads-up that sites 21 & 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites.
Campgrounds near Union, Illinois sit in the rolling prairie landscape of McHenry County, with elevations averaging 900 feet above sea level. The region features a mix of hardwood forests, restored prairies, and small river systems including the Kishwaukee River watershed. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with closures during the winter months due to the harsh Midwestern freeze-thaw cycles.
Fishing opportunities: Thomas Woods Campground provides access to fishing ponds within the Marengo Ridge Conservation Area. As one visitor noted, "Great hiking trails, a pond for fishing, private camp sites" with trails directly accessible from the camping area.
Hiking trails: Rock Cut State Park offers extensive hiking options within its 3,000-acre property. A camper explains, "There is boating and fishing as well as swimming in the lake. The campground staff is very helpful and do a good job at keeping it clean and well maintained even with the large number of visitors."
Swimming: Sycamore RV Resort provides lake swimming in a maintained beach area. According to a reviewer, "Nice lake for fishing and a beach area for the kids to go swimming... Bathrooms are immaculate and are locked with electronic key cards. Close to DeKalb."
Wildlife viewing: Woodland and prairie animals are common throughout the area. A visitor at Thomas Woods mentioned, "My 'leashed' dog loves this place, as do I" while exploring the "Beautiful IL woods and prairie" with opportunities to spot local birds and deer.
Private campsites: Thomas Woods Campground receives praise for its secluded sites. A camper shared, "I stayed in one of the tent camping sites with a little walk up (parking for a car available about 50 feet away). Nobody else was camping within sight of me, which was nice."
Clean facilities: Chicago Northwest KOA maintains well-kept grounds. A visitor mentioned, "This campground has really grown on me a lot. My family and i have seen the newer owners clean it up, remodel sites, add new equipment for children and added more activities too! It's really a fun time here OH and the bathrooms are really clean!"
Convenient location: Multiple campgrounds offer proximity to Chicago while still providing natural surroundings. One camper at Chicago Northwest KOA said, "Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities."
Lake activities: Multiple properties feature fishing ponds or lake access. A visitor to Sycamore RV Resort noted, "Great fishing and nice beach for swimming. Very nice shower/laundry house."
Limited showers: Some campgrounds lack shower facilities. At Paul Wolff Campground, a camper reported, "The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers."
Campsite spacing: Site proximity varies widely between campgrounds. A reviewer at Chicago Northwest KOA observed, "Very nice campground. It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy."
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds operate within limited timeframes. Thomas Woods Campground only offers "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites."
Staff presence: Campground monitoring varies between properties. At Thomas Woods, one camper noted, "The campground host needs to lighten up and shes out on the gator every 30 minutes, that gets annoying."
Kid-friendly activities: Chicago Northwest KOA offers structured programming for children. A visitor shared, "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Playground options: Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort provides play areas for children. The resort features "a secure, fenced dog run area and walking paths around their lake," making it one of the most dog friendly campgrounds near Union.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours strictly. A KOA camper mentioned, "There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends. People are nice to you. Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."
Site selection for families: At Thomas Woods, "We did our first (family of 5) camping trip at Thomas Woods. We were at site 4 which is electric hookup and it was a huge area! The kids had so much space to run around and explore. They loved the well pump."
Setup assistance: Staff helpfulness varies between dog friendly campgrounds near Union. At Sycamore RV Resort, "When we arrive, the host will bring you to your site and just listen to his directions and he will get you into your site perfectly. I asked if I could bring him on my future trips. I've never parked so easily."
Site types: Northwoods RV Resort provides full-service sites. A reviewer mentioned, "The sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all. The people are very nice. Everyone waves to everyone."
Utility reliability: Check about electrical service before booking. At Rock Cut State Park, one camper reported issues: "We have a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday."
Pet accommodations: For those with dogs, Lehmans Lakeside features dedicated pet areas. A visitor mentioned, "Lots of dogs so be prepared for early morning barking," reflecting the pet-friendly nature of many campgrounds in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Union, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Union, IL is Chicago Northwest KOA with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Union, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 82 dog-friendly camping locations near Union, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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