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Aligator1's avatar
Aligator1
Explorer
Aug 17, 2014

Camping in Chicago

We will be visiting our son in Chicago in September. We are looking for the closest place to park our 25 foot trailer. It looks like the closest RV parks are about 50 miles out. Any suggestions or help is appreciated. Thanks, Kathy
  • Dreamer88 wrote:
    Don't know the reasoning, but it's been that way for years!

    No Trucks, No Pick up's!! Ask me how I know! (*)

    If you happen to have a Ford Rancharo, or Chevy El Cameno can't drive them either!

    (*)In addition to the restrictions on LSD, trucks can not drive on other streets. Can't remember if it's Avenues, or Boulevards.

    Have a family member that lives on Brookfield. Same restrictions. Have a one ton box truck, class D commercial plate, and I have to be very careful when I drive over there.AL


    Me Too! And I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Just never owned a truck until the day I bought a one ton pick up truck and tried to go downtown with it.

    I didn't see no stinkin signs that said I couldn't. Well the cop said, 'here's your sign a nice fat pink ticket. Gotta love Chicago.

    For those not familiar with Chicago you CAN drive trucks on the interstates going THRU Chicago, kinda a given.

    Then I bought a van and tried parking it in a parking lot next to the hospital.......well it's 20 bucks to park for the day....EXCEPT if you own a van.....then it's $100 bucks a day!:E
  • Don't know the reasoning, but it's been that way for years!

    No Trucks, No Pick up's!! Ask me how I know! (*)

    If you happen to have a Ford Rancharo, or Chevy El Cameno can't drive them either!

    (*)In addition to the restrictions on LSD, trucks can not drive on other streets. Can't remember if it's Avenues, or Boulevards.

    Have a family member that lives on Brookfield. Same restrictions. Have a one ton box truck, class D commercial plate, and I have to be very careful when I drive over there.

    AL
  • BEWARE that you can NOT drive a truck downtown Chicago or on Lake Shore Drive. There are many streets downtown if not all that do not allow pick up trucks.

    Seriously?? That's a new to me.
    What is the reasoning behind that?
  • Aligator1 wrote:
    We will be visiting our son in Chicago in September. We are looking for the closest place to park our 25 foot trailer. It looks like the closest RV parks are about 50 miles out. Any suggestions or help is appreciated. Thanks, Kathy


    Camping in Chicago?
    Surely you jest! :B

    Illinois Beach State Park is the ONLY close one.Just on the outskirts of Chicago in zion is the closest CG. It's a Short ride to downtown Chicago on 294 to Kennedy. Or take the train in at the station that is close by.
    http://www.stateparks.com/illinois_beach.html

    If you have a truck as a tow vehicle for your trailer?
    BEWARE that you can NOT drive a truck downtown Chicago or on Lake Shore Drive. There are many streets downtown if not all that do not allow pick up trucks.
  • There's not a lot, I can't lie.

    Indiana dunes SP would get my nod. It's a small haul to the city from there though.

    I also know of a place called Martin campground. A haul to the city, but it is close to the trains if you want to use those. But it is also VERY close to busy interstate.

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