stevem4134
Chicago
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Joined: 04/27/2010
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Been lurking for awhile. I am wanting to start RVing. I want to rent a RV prior to buying. To get a good experience of RVing I would like to know if the group has any recommendations for a campground to visit near Chicago while I rent. I am looking to see if the wife and I will really like it enough to justify the purchase of an RV. We are leaning towards either a Class A or C.
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Check this site. Independent reviews from actual campers....no advertising.
RV Park Reviews
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Good question that has no satisfactory answer. Try searching this Forum in the RV Parks section for `Chicago' and you will see what I mean. One of the great cities in the world does NOT have a facility for campers!
You could go a few miles out of the city to Joliet and stay at the Empress Casino campground that has water and electric at each site and a dump station. The campground is basically a flat space with cement sites but one can walk to the casino for fun and food.
One of the prettiest parks in the area is the Kankakee State Park with the river right next door; sometimes too high in the Spring.
Kinda hard to suggest anything unless we know what you like to do during the day/night for fun.
Good idea to rent.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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For a short drive around the bottom of the Big Lake - try Warren Dunes State Campground in the SW corner of Michigan?
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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You know your wifes likes and dislikes but if you're trying to judge her interests you MIGHT need to limit yourself to RV parks to begin with so you'll have full hook ups. Many campgrounds are less equipped to provide full hook ups like water, sewer, cable TV etc.
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2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
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US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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I am not sure there are any campgrounds what I'd call "Near Chicago" but.. Well, there are,, None in Chicago though.
I can say that anywhere on Lake Michigan will be lovely.
Some of the things you may want to check out over time...
US-Army Core of Engineers..
State Parks
County and city parks.
All of these tend to be similar in that you usually get Electric at site, Water either at site or nearby, and a dump station (no sewer hookup at site)
IF you are old enough (or otherwise qualify) you can get an Interagency pass that is good for discounts at most Federal parks and "Attractions" (Alas it does not get you a discount at the IRS) for example last week,< I got half off thanks to wife's card. So a 22/night site (50 amp on the lake, water and electric only) became an 11/night site just like magic.
This card won't help at state or local parks though
Oh, and admission to selected national parks (Grand Canyon for example) Went from $$$ to $0.00 (Though had I chosen to prk the RV there.. No discount at the campground which is pirate er, privately operated)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Dave n Holly
Lansing IL
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Starved Rock State Park in Utica Illinois is a Great Place to Camp,
Hickory Hollow CG is also a Nice Place Near Starved Rock in Utica...
2009 Coachman Freedom Express 31
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bigjettech
Bartlett,Il
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Starved Rock Sp,Il
Rock Cut SP,Rockford,Il
Lake Le-Auqa-Na Sp,Il
Kickapoo SP outside Danville,Il great for canoes and kayaks
Gov Dodge Sp Wi
Elroy-Sparta bike trails in Wi,Tunnel trail campground
Devils Lake,Wi
anywhere on the Michigan side of Lake Michigan,it's a beautiful shoreline, we used to go to Warren Dunes but prefer Holland,Mi these days,Warren dunes was starting to attract a sticky fingered crowd in certain areas of the park.
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Vettejim
N.W. Indiana
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Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, Indiana. Go to RV Park Reviews and look it up, a hidden jewel.
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cruiserjs
Mesa AZ/ openroad
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A few years ago we stayed several days at Last Resort CG, near Hanna IN, just east of Valparaiso. Pretty nice place.
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