Camp Reinberg's pet-friendly tent and cabin sites offer essential amenities for visitors with dogs, including picnic tables, reservable sites, and clean bathroom facilities. The campground's trails provide excellent walking opportunities for leashed pets throughout the surrounding Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Electric hookups are available at most sites, with both RV and tent camping accommodations accepting pets. The staff maintains exceptionally clean bathroom facilities and provides firewood for campers. Sites are mulched and level, though not particularly spacious, and campers can't park vehicles directly at tent sites but are provided wagons for gear transportation. Fire rings and picnic tables come standard at all sites, with free firewood available.
The surrounding forest preserve features extensive trail networks perfect for dog walking, with paved cycling paths and dirt hiking trails accessible directly from the campground. Varied terrain includes wooded areas, open fields, and ponds with lily pads, providing diverse environments for pet exercise. The campground enforces standard leash policies to ensure safety for all visitors. Located in Palatine, approximately 10 minutes from Vernon Hills, the campground offers convenient access to pet supplies and veterinary services in nearby suburban areas. Pets must remain leashed on trails, and owners should bring waste bags as amenities are basic but functional. The campground's location provides a balance of natural surroundings with proximity to urban conveniences, making it ideal for weekend getaways with pets while maintaining quick access to Chicago.
$25 / night
"They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."
"Driving into rural northern IL felt like leaving the craziness behind. I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."
$45 - $60 / night
"Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."
"tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"
$43 - $73 / night
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
$12 - $35 / night
"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."
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"It was me, my wife, our 8 month old daughter, and our dog."
$12 / night
"This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."
"There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
ScoutI reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
RangerNice 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 all season that the bugs Annoyed us. the beach is about 10 feet of sand off a busy road and is not pet friendly. nice spot to stay if you want to avoid paying lake Geneva prices for a room.
TravelerLots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc. The preserve bumps up next to neighborhoods and major roads depending how far in you get, but the main trails are easy to follow.
Camp Reinberg offers cabins and tent sites near Chicago with free firewood and exceptionally clean facilities. Sites are mulched and level with fire rings and picnic tables standard at all sites. The campground connects directly to Deer Grove Forest Preserve's extensive trail system with paved cycling paths and dirt hiking trails showcasing varied terrain from woods to open fields. Located in Palatine just minutes from Vernon Hills, the campground provides pet-friendly accommodations with standard leash policies in effect throughout the trails and camping areas.
Hiking through forest preserves: Paul Wolff Campground features miles of interconnected trails with varied terrain. "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout, and there's even a little up-and-down thanks to ice age glaciers," notes Kristy G.
Kayaking and canoeing: The Chain O'Lakes area offers extensive water recreation across multiple connected lakes. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," shares Aida K. about Fox Den Campground. Water enthusiasts can explore various waterways including the Fox River.
Wildlife viewing: Turner Lake South provides excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," reports Cora M.
Clean facilities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort maintains excellent bathroom facilities and campground cleanliness. "I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water. Clean bathrooms and shower," writes Leo V.
Affordability: Non-electric sites at many local campgrounds offer budget-friendly options. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," notes Addison G. about Turner Lake South camping area.
Accessibility to Chicago: The proximity to urban areas makes these campgrounds convenient for weekend trips. "This gem of a campground is run by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the care they have for it shows! The campground is centrally located to the major roads (Quentin/NW Hwy) and about 10 minutes from the Palatine Metra train station," explains Susan L.
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings increased activity and insects to the area. "We stayed for 4 nights in June in a pull thru FHU. The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years," reports Jenifer K. about Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East," advises Marisa A.
Wildlife awareness: Honeysuckle Hollow campers should prepare for local wildlife encounters. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Also - the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns Meg.
Choose kid-friendly campgrounds: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers numerous family activities. "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water," notes Leo V., while Christin D. adds it's "Beautiful Quiet and friendly. Great for kids lots of activities and space to play But very quiet and relaxing by nighttime."
Bring outdoor gear: Pack necessary equipment for children exploring the outdoors. "There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground," shares Jori W. about Mud Lake East.
Consider noise levels: Weekdays typically offer quieter camping experiences. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," notes Tina about Honeysuckle Hollow camping area.
Water access considerations: Camp Reinberg requires special arrangements for water hookups. "This was a sweet camping spot. Only 4 sites (only site 3 is shady!) tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The staff were very helpful, and are on site 24 hours a day. This was necessary as there are no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site," explains The School for Y.
Site selection for privacy: RV sites vary significantly in terms of privacy and shade. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers," advises Ian C.
After-hours access limitations: Be aware of gate closing times. "There is a gate that is closed at 10pm every night and opened again in the morning," notes Susan L., while Grace H. adds, "A note that the park gates close early as well - we returned one evening at 10:30pm and couldn't get back in with a vehicle. Had to go back in on foot."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Vernon Hills, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Vernon Hills, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Vernon Hills, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 40 dog-friendly camping locations near Vernon Hills, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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