Emerald Trails Campground offers full pet accommodation on its peaceful, tree-shaded sites from April through October. Located directly in Crete, this established campground welcomes pets at both tent and RV sites with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. Nearby, Enchanted Shores RV Park & Campground also accommodates pets with similar hookup options but adds seasonal camping from April to October. Both properties maintain standard pet policies requiring leashes and proper waste disposal. Campground reviews note the large open field at Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park (30 minutes from Crete) provides excellent dog exercise space along with access to nature trails and the lake itself. All three campgrounds feature picnic tables and fire rings at pet-friendly sites, though none advertise dedicated dog parks or specialized pet amenities. The water at Enchanted Shores has been noted as particularly poor quality, which may affect pets' drinking water needs.
The forest preserves surrounding Crete provide additional options for camping with dogs. Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest (25 minutes northwest) offers pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots, and even cabins, though dogs are not permitted inside cabin accommodations. Walking trails directly accessible from these campgrounds provide exercise opportunities for dogs, with multiple reviewers noting the quality hiking trails at both Camp Sullivan and Cedar Lake. Campers should be aware of wildlife encounters possible in these wooded areas. Summer temperatures in the region regularly exceed 85°F, requiring extra water for pets, while sites with good tree coverage provide necessary shade during hot afternoons. Most campgrounds in the region maintain strict quiet hours policies that include pet noise restrictions, and all require proof of current vaccinations at check-in.
$35 - $250 / night
"Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."
"There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."
$25 / night
"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!"
$20 - $138 / night
"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."
"There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
"You have access to the perks of the conference grounds I clouding access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
$20 - $35 / night
"The park is dog friendly. The campground is clean and quiet. There is no bath house, only port-a-potty's throughout the campground."
"Yes, it’s an hour from the city, but I’d take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel. There’s an outhouse and plenty of places to plug in the RV, and cars/tents are welcome too."
"Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."
"There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers."
$43 / night
"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."
$49 - $57 / night
"We were there the week before peak season opened so none of the pools or splash pads were open, but they were very accommodating so that we could still play mini golf and ride around on the pedal cars."
"A lake with water rentals, floating water slide, playgrounds and sport courts, general store with the stardust’s “convenience mark-ups”,and water/ electric at all sites."
$33 - $43 / night
"Lake Alexander RV Park is a quiet, spacious, family owned and operated campground located near Momence, Illinois, within a 1-hour drive of Chicago."
"She even put me next to a fellow biker. Nice quiet place and you can walk down to the Kankakee river."
TravelerSmall campground but very friendly. A plus was the full hookups. The sights are very close together. Management is not over bearing and very friendly. Dog friendly lots of dogs this weekend nice size dog park! You overall great weekend
TravelerWe stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.
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.
TravelerMany very nice permanent sites. We loved the dog park along with the many activities available. We come here at least once a year. Check out their information on their website.
If you want a quick local get away this is the place.
GuidePros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park
Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area
The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.
GuideWe used it as an over night stop right off of 94. It was perfect for that. It would also be perfect spot to stay longer if wanted to be in the area. Grounds were nice. Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook.
ScoutGreat stop for the night, It's new, gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids. Plenty of space and Convenient. We reserved and checked in online. The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit but it's Nov so no need to run dual ACs minor issue but still make sure your using your EPM devices.
LegendAs we were driving eastbound on I80 that day, we spotted the Love’s RV Hookup, which is a new concept that this oversized fueling depot / travel store has been working on for the past year or so. Having checked out one of their other locations in Bloomington earlier in the year, which I have to admit, I was fairly impressed by, we decided to stop in here to have a look. Located just due east on the outskirts of little known Morris, Illinois just off I80, this little roadside stand isn’t the largest Love’s I’ve ever seen, but it sure does pack a punch.
If you do find yourself hustling and bustling east or west along the I80 corridor and are in need of a pit stop or an overnight stay, then the good folks at the Love’s RV Hookup have you covered. While the other Love’s I have stopped by seem enormous by comparison, this spot felt more like a corner convenience store that also had a fairly large fueling bay (4 double-sided pumps) in the front, primarily for cars and SUVs.
As you pull in, there’s 4 spots earmarked to the right of the entrance for RV’s. As you pull further along in front of the Love’s fueling bay, on the other side, an additional 6 or so slots exist for other RVs to park. In all, there’s 10 back-in RV slots available and inside you’ll find that there’s 7 individual shower stalls (all of which were in pristine, brand-new shape when we stopped by) along with a laundry facility, which we were happily surprised by, as well as a designated RV dump service, propane refill station and all of the typical hook-ups (water, 30 / 50 amp electric and sewage) along with WiFi. Inside, there’s of course the Love’s retail market, which was just decent, an ATM, Hardee’s and Naf-Naf (think Subway, but instead, Middle Eastern food). There’s even a small dog park here. As I hinted at, quite a lot here for such a small location.
If you would like something more substantial to eat, just head back west on I80 to the next exit, where if you head north there’s an IHOP, Chili’s, Bellacino’s Pizza or you can head on back to the TA Travel Center where they actually have a proper sit-down 24 hour restaurant called R-Place. If instead of heading north, you drive south on the main drag (Road 47), there’s a Buffalo Wild Wings, Pizza Hut, Starbuck’s, Wendy’s, Culver’s, Dunkin' and Burger King. But if you want something a bit more memorable, I would recommend either Morris Diner & Pancake House or La Casa Michoacana. And if you don’t mind a slightly longer drive back towards Ottawa, there’s 2 amazing places I would recommend that you won’t soon forget: Hank’s and Lone Buffalo.
Should you want to actually enjoy a bit of the nature around these parts, you can continue to head south on N. Division Street / Road 47 where you’ll come to 2 parks: Goold and Chapin, where either would make for a great place to stretch your legs, walk the dog or grab a picnic. If you’d like something a bit more splendid, then head on over to William G. Stratton SP or Gebhard Woods SP where you will be able to hike the I&M Canal State Trail.
While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:
Convenience: 5
Safety & Security: 4
Quality: 5
Peace & Quiet: 4
Amenities: 3
Overall, I scored this location a 4.
Happy Overnighting!
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.
Several pet-friendly camping options surround Crete, Illinois, with campgrounds located within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level in the northeastern Illinois prairie region. Summer temperatures frequently reach the high 80s with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with temperatures ranging from 55-75°F, making these months more comfortable for pet owners and their animals.
Lake activities and water recreation: Lake Alexander RV Park offers fishing opportunities on its 120-acre property along the Kankakee River. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the river, which serves as a welcome respite during hot summer days. According to one camper: "There's a river that's a 5 min walk from the campground that we swam in and it kept us cool from the heat."
Hiking with dogs: Indiana Dunes State Park, located 45 minutes from Crete, features multiple hiking trails where pets are welcome on leash. The park's nature trails vary in difficulty, with the 3-Dune Challenge being particularly popular. As one visitor noted: "Lots of geocaching and challenging hikes, including the three dune challenge. Bath house was always clean and grounds were well-kept."
Mountain biking trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides excellent access to mountain biking trails for active campers and their pets. A reviewer highlighted: "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails."
Private beach access: Dunewood Campground at Indiana Dunes National Park offers pet-friendly camping with proximity to Lake Michigan beaches. A camper mentioned: "Loved the proximity of this campground to Lake Michigan! The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful."
Shaded campsites: Potowatomi Campground at Kankakee River State Park provides well-separated sites with good tree coverage, making it comfortable for pets and owners during hot weather. A reviewer commented: "The campsites are very spread out and you will have a very private quiet campsite. This site is near a small cemetery that has tombstones that are hundreds of years old."
Pet exercise areas: Emerald Trails Campground in Crete features open spaces where pets can run and exercise. According to one visitor: "Very relaxing, and very quiet. Great shade from tall trees, and a large pond to Fisher paddle boat. Been there twice and will be going back."
Train noise at some locations: Several campgrounds near Crete experience train noise that may disturb light sleepers and sensitive pets. A reviewer at Indiana Dunes State Park noted: "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be just fine."
Varying site sizes: Campgrounds offer different site dimensions, which matters when camping with pets. At Camp Sullivan, one camper observed: "The campsites are TINY. We were in a modest pop up and still felt crowded. I supposed this would be a great camping area for anyone living in the city needing an escape."
Wildlife encounters: Local preserves contain various wildlife that pets might interact with. Most campgrounds require pets to remain leashed at all times to prevent wildlife confrontations. Multiple campgrounds enforce leash policies strictly, with some limiting leash length to six feet maximum.
Playground accessibility: Camp Sullivan offers family-friendly amenities that can entertain children while accommodating pets. A family visitor shared: "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods). Highly recommend."
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds offer swimming options that can be enjoyed by families with children while pets rest at the campsite. At Dunewood Campground, a visitor noted: "The campsite was large and beautiful. The restroom area was clean and had soap and dryers. Lots of nature, chill vibe. Great experience!"
Nature programs: Some campgrounds provide educational activities for children. At Potowatomi Campground, a visitor remarked: "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!"
Full hookup options: Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park, 30 minutes from Crete, provides pet-friendly full hookup sites. A reviewer stated: "We stayed on site 27, sites are full hookup up, there's a nice bathhouse which has a key pad handle which made me feel safe while showering. You have access to the perks of the conference grounds including access to a small private beach on the lake."
Water quality concerns: Enchanted Shores RV Park & Campground has reported poor water quality that may affect pets. One camper warned: "This place is old and run-down to say the least, there's not a flat spot on any of the roads. The sites are dirt with something green in between. The stinkest water we've ever smelled, horrible!!!"
Dump station access: Many area campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, though availability and wait times vary especially during peak season. Most campgrounds with electric-only hookups provide central water fill stations and sanitary dump stations at entrance/exit points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Crete, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Crete, IL is Camp Sullivan with a 3.1-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Crete, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 49 dog-friendly camping locations near Crete, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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