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01-08-2017, 02:17 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 17
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Chicago
I am considering a trip to Chicago from NJ in May. I'm interested in a campsite with full hookups near the city or at least close to Rail transportation. Anyone out there have suggestions. Thanks in advance.
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01-08-2017, 02:21 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,036
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01-08-2017, 03:26 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Where ever the boss says we're going.
Posts: 16,071
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Ain't none.. NORTHWEST KOA is probably the closest.
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01-08-2017, 03:44 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,926
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In the northern suburbs you will not be close to rail. At best 30 to 45 minutes away. Then an hour by rail. Unless someone built a place since I moved.
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01-08-2017, 03:58 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Posts: 16,071
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TaftCoach
In the northern suburbs you will not be close to rail. At best 30 to 45 minutes away. Then an hour by rail. Unless someone built a place since I moved.
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And Tinley Park CG is now an office complex.
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01-08-2017, 04:02 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Akron
Posts: 3,207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy
Ain't none.. NORTHWEST KOA is probably the closest.
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I stay at the Chicago Northwest KOA regularly when visiting my Illinois family, never had any problems while staying there. The water isn't the greatest, I always use my portable softener there.
The campground isn't particularly close to any METRA stations, the closest are Crystal Lake or Elgin (Big Timbers). The campground is just a few minutes from I-90 (Northwest Tollway) and at the tollway exit (U.S. 20) there are a couple of truck stops to take care of fueling needs.
If you end up traveling the Illinois Tollway I strongly suggest you have a pass such as an EZ-Pass or Illinois' I-Pass. You save on tolls compared to paying cash, but more importantly can use the Open Road Tolling lanes rather than have to stop and pay cash at the booths. The tollbooth lanes can have significant backups, a not-so-subtle push by Illinois to encourage travelers to have a pass!
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Akron, OH
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01-08-2017, 06:17 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Not sure what you're after, but...
There's an Amtrac stop in Burns Harbor, IN, about 50mi east of Union Station. The Camp-Land RV Park is about 4mi from the Burns Harbor Station.
There's Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park near Fremont, IN about the same train ride from Union Station, but a bit further to the rail stop in Burns Harbor.
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01-08-2017, 08:16 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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WELCOME TO JOF!!!
The members here are GREAT!!! There is a lot of GREAT information to be found here. I am sure that you will have information and pictures to share with us... so please do!!
There are some CG's about 30 Miles southwest of Chicago toward Joliet. You can Google campgrounds southwest of Chicago and should find them. The commuter train runs out that way. .
Don
My REGISTRY
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01-08-2017, 08:48 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mustang65
There are some CG's about 30 Miles southwest of Chicago toward Joliet.
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If it was me I'd use the KOA.
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01-08-2017, 09:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,926
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Illinois Beach State Park if you want to stay on Lake Michigan.
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01-08-2017, 09:40 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Valparaiso
Posts: 141
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Another possibility is staying at Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton, Indiana and taking the South Shore Train into Chicago each day. The South Shore has a train station in Chesterton and the Dunes Park is something to see. Just a thought...
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01-08-2017, 09:43 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,580
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Camping in Chicago metro...
Disclaimer up front, I wouldn't do it.
I'd probably stick with the KOA if I was.
I'm just redneck enough to say I wouldn't do it period, but liberal enough to not explain why. I'd stay out of town unless you have good reason(s) to camp in city limits, good ones. I won't digress other than that! Chicago freaks me out, and I used to live in Atlanta so I'm not a country bumpkin.. just be careful.
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01-09-2017, 06:32 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Akron
Posts: 3,207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bansai
Camping in Chicago metro...
Disclaimer up front, I wouldn't do it.
I'd probably stick with the KOA if I was.
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Don't worry about the KOA, it is far away from the city and located in what is predominantly farm country. There is a Wild West attraction right next door, fun for kids and adults alike. And the Northern Illinois Railway Museum (one of the biggest in the US) is 5 minutes away. The Tollway (I-90) is just a few minutes from the campground to get into Chicago when you need to.
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Rob R.
Akron, OH
2014 Seneca 37TS
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01-09-2017, 09:14 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Mission, TX
Posts: 175
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I was born and raised in Chicago. Grumpy is right. NW KOA is the closest (and perhaps safest}. From there, you can take a train. You'll need a vehicle to get to the station. We have done this same kind of thing in major cities such as Boston and New York. Might want to call NW KOA and discuss.
Stay away from SE side.
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01-09-2017, 06:24 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbbyr
I stay at the Chicago Northwest KOA regularly when visiting my Illinois family, never had any problems while staying there. The water isn't the greatest, I always use my portable softener there.
The campground isn't particularly close to any METRA stations, the closest are Crystal Lake or Elgin (Big Timbers). The campground is just a few minutes from I-90 (Northwest Tollway) and at the tollway exit (U.S. 20) there are a couple of truck stops to take care of fueling needs.
If you end up traveling the Illinois Tollway I strongly suggest you have a pass such as an EZ-Pass or Illinois' I-Pass. You save on tolls compared to paying cash, but more importantly can use the Open Road Tolling lanes rather than have to stop and pay cash at the booths. The tollbooth lanes can have significant backups, a not-so-subtle push by Illinois to encourage travelers to have a pass!
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Thanks, very useful
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01-09-2017, 06:28 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmanAZ
Not sure what you're after, but...
There's an Amtrac stop in Burns Harbor, IN, about 50mi east of Union Station. The Camp-Land RV Park is about 4mi from the Burns Harbor Station.
There's Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park near Fremont, IN about the same train ride from Union Station, but a bit further to the rail stop in Burns Harbor.
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Thanks , but I am trying not venture further than 30mins from downtown Chicago
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01-09-2017, 06:36 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mustang65
WELCOME TO JOF!!!
The members here are GREAT!!! There is a lot of GREAT information to be found here. I am sure that you will have information and pictures to share with us... so please do!!
There are some CG's about 30 Miles southwest of Chicago toward Joliet. You can Google campgrounds southwest of Chicago and should find them. The commuter train runs out that way. .
Don
My REGISTRY |
Thanks, I look forward to this all and learning from each other. I'm new to trailering and so far love it.
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01-09-2017, 06:39 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 17
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Plan go in May and does this matter
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01-09-2017, 06:41 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 17
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I will research it. Thanks
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01-09-2017, 06:45 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 17
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good points
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