Campground in/near Chicago?

[flintsters]

I am looking for a place for us to spend 2-3 days exploring Chicago with my young family during mid-August. We are looking for safety and convenience getting in and out of the city. At first I was thinking about Indiana Dunes, but when looking at their subway schedule it looks like it would be a 2 hour ride each way...not interested in that! Any suggestions?

[Gjac]

Matt_Colie wrote:
We used to use the Cabela's in Hammond as both a first night stop and our staging point for access to Chicago.

No Longer. In spite of the fact that both the Cabela's and the newer near by Walmart had no objection, the city police chased us out the last time and we have not been back to either again. It is a real shame too. Both were nice, clean and good stores. But, if we aren't stopping there, we just aren't stopping.

Matt

How long ago was that, I just called yesterday and they told me it was OK to over night there and they had RV spaces but there dump station was not open due to repairs.

[jeffcarp]

Camping has been added to several of the Cook County Forest Preserves. That's the closest conventional camping you'll get to Chicago.

Cook County Forest Preserves

[tbred]

AJR wrote:
Paul Wolfe campground is right outside of Elgin, IL. Water, electric & dump station. Also big rig friendly. I have stayed there many times when my son lived in that area.

Take the train from Elgin into the city.

Metra train station is about 5 minutes down the road (Big Timber station), then about an hour trip into the city. Paul Wolff is a very nice, clean and quiet suburban campground.

[GordonThree]

Chicago (North and near-North I presume?) isn't really a camping destination, JMHO

[Matt_Colie]

We used to use the Cabela's in Hammond as both a first night stop and our staging point for access to Chicago.

No Longer. In spite of the fact that both the Cabela's and the newer near by Walmart had no objection, the city police chased us out the last time and we have not been back to either again. It is a real shame too. Both were nice, clean and good stores. But, if we aren't stopping there, we just aren't stopping.

Matt

[AJR]

Paul Wolfe campground is right outside of Elgin, IL. Water, electric & dump station. Also big rig friendly. I have stayed there many times when my son lived in that area.

Take the train from Elgin into the city.

[THutch]

If you are military or retired, there is the Great Lakes Training Center, in North Chicago:

RV Park

Nice park, we stayed for my grandson's graduation from boot camp.

[bloomis2925]

We always do Indiana Dunes as well. Two kids 6 and 9. No issues and each kid has a book for the trip to and from if they are not looking out the window. Only warning is the rush hour trains do fill up and can be crowded, plan your trips around those trains if that bothers you. Best part was the train stops close to all the main areas, Science museum, Shedd Aquarium, Millenium Park. No parking and no traffic.

[jim_isham]

I agree with the other posters regarding Indiana Dunes.
However, be sure you have reservations.

[dewey02]

GREGORYJ wrote:
We have always liked Indiana Dunes State Park for camping and then take the South Shore train into downtown Chicago. The South Shore Line has a station station right at the edge of the park. Our trips in and back took usually about 1 hour 15 minutes each way which didn't seem too bad.

X2. The South Shore Line will put you right at the Millenium Station (near the Prudential Building) and downtown and the Loop, Navy Pier, Grant Park, the Art Museum, State Street, the Magnificent Mile, John Hancock and Sears (Willis) Towers are all within short walking distance. On the other hand, you can also get off at the Museum Campus and visit Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. (Soldier Field and McCormick Place are not far from there either). To visit the Museum of Science and Industry (a definite recommendation) just get off at the 57th street station.

Here is the link to the South Shore Lines stops and their time schedule. Link here

We have made this trip many times, as I used to work at Indiana Dunes and live in Beverly Shores, IN.

Dunes Park Train Station:



Indiana Dunes State Park Campground:

[flintsters]

I was hoping that there would be something closer, but it looks like pretty much no matter where it's at least an hour to get into the city.

[GREGORYJ]

We have always liked Indiana Dunes State Park for camping and then take the South Shore train into downtown Chicago. The South Shore Line has a station station right at the edge of the park. Our trips in and back took usually about 1 hour 15 minutes each way which didn't seem too bad.

[Mortimer_Brewst]

I recommend that you avoid driving to downtown Chicago. Red light cameras combined with short yellow lights, expensive parking garages, and "gotcha" street parking are some of the reasons for avoidance. The train system (Metra) and Chicago bus system (CTA) both use an app called Ventra for ticketing. Google Maps can help with routing.

[RAS43]

In Joliet there is Leisure Lake Membership Resort. It is open to Good Sam members. We stayed there a few years ago and it was okay. Sites are side by side but have enough room. It is very full all summer with members but we were able to get a site for 10 days without a reservation. It was an hour to downtown Chicago.