As some of the more affordable campgrounds within an hour of Chicago, a Cook County Forest Preserve Campground is very popular. Here’s what you need to know.
RV Camping at a Cook County Forest Preserve Campground:
There are five campgrounds in the Cook County Forest Preserve system, however, only three of them offer RV camping.
- Bullfrog Lake – WIllow Springs, IL
- Camp Reinberg – Palatine, IL
- Camp Sullivan – Oak Forest, IL
All three campgrounds offer either electric and water or just electric at the site. Most campgrounds are 30/50 amp sites, however a few only have 20 amp. Sites can accommodate rigs up to 38′, and no dump stations are available at Camp Sullivan or Camp Reinberg. However, Camp Bullfrog Lake does have a dump station and it is only 20 mins from Camp Sullivan. Campgrounds have bathhouses on site with shower and toilet facilities.
Cook County Forest Preserve Camping Rates (as of March 2025)
Rates (as of March 2025) range between $25 and $66 a night for non-county residents, depending on the season, if you consider that the KOA in Union, IL, is between $45 and $78 a night for full hookups, the price is a bit steep at peak season. Of course, Union, IL is 60 miles from downtown Chicago and in good traffic, a 90 min drive, so you’re paying for the slightly closer convenience to the city.
Rates are not the same across every Cook Country Forest Preserve campground, so check with the specific campground you are interested in for up-to-date prices.
Our Experience at Cook County Forest Preserve Campgrounds
Our family has stayed at all three campgrounds, and we liked them all. During our time there, Jason was commuting into Chicago, and while it wasn’t the quickest commute, it was still the closest option for us at the time. The campgrounds were well-maintained and offered hiking trails and a feeling of escape from the hustle and bustle of the cities around us. For residents of Chicago, of which we were one for 15 years, Cook County Forest Preserve Campgrounds offer a chance to reconnect with nature in an RV, a tent, or a cabin.
Final Thoughts
For those wanting to visit the area, it’s nice to have options like Cook Country Forest Preserve Campgrounds where you aren’t packed in right on top of your neighbor like most private campgrounds. Several transit options exist around the campgrounds as well to assist you with getting into Chicago without having to drive your car and pay for parking. Of course, the biggest con is the lack of dump stations at Camp Sullivan and Camp Reinberg. However, you can search nearby dump stations on apps like RV Life Pro.
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