43 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camp Reinberg's pet-friendly tent and RV sites provide a convenient escape for dog owners seeking outdoor adventure close to Winnetka. This Cook County Forest Preserve campground maintains clean facilities with shower buildings that are "seriously the cleanest ever seen" according to regular campers. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the campground and surrounding Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Illinois Beach State Park also welcomes pets with designated pet-friendly camping areas and access to Lake Michigan's shoreline. Both locations offer electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables at most sites, with Camp Reinberg providing the additional option of pet-friendly cabin rentals for those preferring more shelter.
The extensive trail system at Camp Reinberg connects directly to miles of pet-friendly hiking paths through Deer Grove Forest Preserve, featuring varied terrain with paved and unpaved options suitable for dog walking. Staff at the campground store can recommend the best pet-friendly routes based on weather conditions and your dog's fitness level. During summer months, the mosquitoes and ticks at Illinois Beach State Park can be problematic for pets, requiring appropriate preventative treatments before arrival. Most camping areas enforce quiet hours after 10 PM, when excessive barking may result in warnings from campground hosts. Several campers note the easy accessibility of nearby veterinary clinics in Palatine and Zion should emergency pet care be required during your stay.
"They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."
"You can choose wooded, quite private sites, to busier ones near the lake."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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"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"Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."
"I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."
from $20 - $30 / 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"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."
from $43 - $73 / 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"*** 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!"
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Guideit’s so nice to have a great beachfront in the Midwest. 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.
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.
The forest preserves near Winnetka, Illinois offer diverse camping options within 30 miles of the city. This northern suburb sits adjacent to several natural areas with camping facilities that range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV pads. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels, making spring and fall popular camping seasons.
Kayak on small lakes: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides kayak rentals with life vests included for $15/hour. "The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," notes a visitor to Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Hike wooded trails: Deer Grove Forest Preserve contains varied terrain suitable for different hiking abilities. "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails," explains a camper at Paul Wolff Campground.
Climb sand dunes: Indiana Dunes State Park features unique hiking challenges. "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," shares a visitor to the park.
Mountain biking: Access extensive trail systems directly from campgrounds. "Some of the areas best mountain bike single track is right here. There is fishing kayaking and hiking trails too," explains a camper at Bullfrog Lake.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain modern restrooms and shower buildings. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked," mentions a camper at Bullfrog Lake. Another visitor to Camp Reinberg notes, "The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly."
Proximity to Chicago: Many sites provide natural settings without long drives. "About a 30 minute ride from our place in the western burbs," explains a Bullfrog Lake camper. This accessibility makes weekend trips practical for city dwellers.
Lake Michigan access: Indiana Dunes State Park offers beach camping with unique views. "On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake," shares one visitor. The combination of dunes and shoreline creates distinctive camping opportunities.
Wildlife viewing: Natural areas support diverse animal populations. Visitors to Burnidge Forest Preserve report seeing "lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels."
Seasonal insects: Bug populations intensify during summer months. At Chain O' Lakes State Park, campers warn, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... they literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad noise. At Indiana Dunes, "trains going through and blasting their horns all night long" disrupted sleep for tent campers. Consider site location or bringing earplugs if you're sensitive to noise.
Limited water hookups: Some campgrounds require additional planning for water. At Bullfrog Lake, "no water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal," notes one RVer. Camp Reinberg visitors mention staff assistance: "The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site."
Varied pricing structures: County residents often receive significant discounts. "Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county," notes a Paul Wolff camper.
Playgrounds and activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort caters specifically to families. "Very Friendly Staff... Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water," reports one visitor.
Geocaching opportunities: Some parks organize family-friendly treasure hunts. "Check out the office for fun seasonal events like group hikes and geocaching contests," suggests a Camp Reinberg visitor.
Plan for raccoons: Wildlife encounters require preparation. Chain O' Lakes campers advise, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched... everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down."
Beach safety awareness: Lake Michigan requires supervision. At Indiana Dunes, "be careful in the lake, because rip current often take young visitors out too far and into dangerous waters," warns one visitor. The beach has lifeguards during designated hours.
Level sites available: Most campgrounds provide well-maintained pads. "All pads seemed nice and level," reports a visitor to Dunewood Campground, while noting they "only offered electric service."
Early arrival recommended: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "We kept looking for the hot dog vendor, paddle swans and a bowling pin juggling mime," jokes a Bullfrog Lake visitor about weekend crowds.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential waits at single-station facilities. A Paul Wolff visitor notes, "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping."
Winter camping limitations: Most campgrounds operate seasonally. Blackwell Forest Preserve operates "only open on the weekends. On holiday weekends you are able to stay for three nights," limiting winter options for RV campers seeking year-round facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Winnetka, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Winnetka, 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 Winnetka, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 43 dog-friendly camping locations near Winnetka, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
