Chicago Area Campgrounds

[wbdvt]

I am currently planning a trip which would involve a stop in the Chicago area to visit Chicago. I am looking for recommendations for CGs in the area that would be near mass transit into Chicago. I would prefer not to take the large TV into Chicago but utilize mass transit from outside the city.

I would appreciate any recommendations not only on CGs but also the mass transit.

Thank you in advance.

[Laredo Tugger]

We stayed at Leisure Lake Membership Resort outside of Joliet. A membership was not required to obtain a site. The place was nice, dirt sites and dirt roads if I remember correctly but overall a nice campground. The reviews mainly point out one rude individual who may answer the phone sometimes and who may have lift off if you remove a fish from the lake, but that was about the only negative remarks.
We drove about 25 mins. to the train station parking in Joliet and had a short walk from there. There are two different rail services that use the same tracks, Amtrak and Metrarail. The train went into downtown and had many stops but that just added to the experience. There was a direct route available for a higher price. Got on a "Quiet Car" on the trip back. Wasn't sure what that was until I noticed nobody talking to each other. Guess after a hard day at the office some folks want their solitude to bury their face in a phone or laptop. Was kind of weird.
Good luck.
RMc

[Frederick]

Have you checked out Leman Lakes good sam by Marengo just off I-90

[SummitPond]

Last spring we stayed at the Hollywood Casino; they have a campground (https://www.hollywoodcasinojoliet.com/hotel/rv-park) associated with the facility. The weather was miserable and we didn't explore much. We took their "limo" from the campground down to the casino and ate dinner; the gambling didn't interest us (although we did look around - the place was deserted). I can't comment on any mass transit connections; we weren't interested in heading to Chicago - we were just passing through.

[jim53066]

I have read about people staying overnight at the truck staging area in the McCormic Place parking lot. Very convenient to the downtown areas, a uber would be cost effective from there.NO HOOKUPS.



Truckers use it to overnight and get a head start into the downtown area before the congestion starts. I was under the impression that it is a completely fenced in area with guards at the entrance.


We moved from the south side of Chicago in 1980 and never looked back, to me it is not worth the hassle. What ever you do, do not be lulled into a false sense of security while walking around in the down town area, and do not do so after dark !!



Jim

[locomech]

I live near Chain O Lakes State park in northeastern Ill. I would suggest that you check it out as the campground is nice and mass transportation to Chicago is close by in Fox Lake.
The campground has a dump station but no sewer hookups like in most State Parks. The train ride to Chicago will take a little over an hour on the Metra train, and it will leave you off in the middle of the city. Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Mag Mile shopping and museums are all near by. I agree with jim5306 on visiting during the daylight hours especially if your not familiar with the city. Chicago is a beautiful place and a lot of fun but you have to watch your six at all times. Crystal Lake is another place nearby that you can catch the Metra train into the city. https://metrarail.com/ will show train schedules.

[wbdvt]

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate the time you took to respond and will heed your advice.