Camp Sullivan: A Historic Getaway for RVers Near Chicago

If you're looking for a place to enjoy camping, hiking, history, and the outdoors without traveling far from Chicago, Camp Sullivan is worth putting on your RV travel list. Located in Palos Park, Illinois, this Cook County Forest Preserve campground offers campers a convenient escape into nature while remaining close to the Chicago metropolitan area.

The first time we drove the entirety of Route 66 we used Camp Sullivan as a home base. That was back in 2021 and we had our first Mini Lite, a Rockwood Mini Lite 1905 that we pulled with a Nissan Frontier. Whew! Things have certainly changed.

For RV travelers, Camp Sullivan is an especially interesting destination because it combines camping near Chicagowith miles of forest preserve trails, recreational opportunities, and a fascinating connection to Illinois history.

This was also the first place where we experienced a tornado warning. We initially thought the warning was incorrect but then, when both of our phones alerted us, we headed up to the bathroom which is a cinder block building. Now revisiting Camp Sullivan I had a bit of PTSD when we were filling water in the trailer with our Airgear Water Hose and, as I’m writing this, they’re testing the tornado sirens. Sheesh.

Where Is Camp Sullivan?

Camp Sullivan is located in the Palos Preserves, part of the extensive Cook County Forest Preserves system southwest of Chicago. Its location makes it an easy destination for campers who want to enjoy the outdoors without driving several hours from the city.

The surrounding Palos Preserves encompass thousands of acres of forests, prairies, wetlands, and waterways. That makes the area popular with hikers, cyclists, bird-watchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

For RVers traveling through the Chicago area, Camp Sullivan can provide a welcome change of pace from the city's busy streets and highways.

Our site nestled just beyond the trees in Camp Sullivan near Chicago

The History Behind Camp Sullivan

One of the things that makes Camp Sullivan different from an ordinary campground is its history.

The site is named for Sullivan Lake, and the surrounding area has long been associated with outdoor recreation in the Cook County Forest Preserves. Like many locations within the Forest Preserve District, the property reflects the region's long history of preserving natural spaces for public recreation.

The camp also has connections to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era, when young men across the United States worked on conservation projects during the Great Depression. The CCC played an important role in developing parks, trails, campgrounds, and other recreational facilities throughout the country.

That combination of natural scenery and conservation history gives Camp Sullivan an added dimension for travelers who enjoy learning about the places they visit.

Camping at Camp Sullivan

Camp Sullivan provides a convenient option for people looking for camping near Chicago. Instead of driving deep into rural Illinois, visitors can stay within the forest preserve system and still have access to a surprisingly large natural area.

For RV travelers, the campground can be particularly appealing as a base for exploring the surrounding Palos Preserves as well as embarking on your Route 66 adventure.

Before planning a trip, however, check the current campground rules, site availability, hookups, vehicle restrictions, and seasonal operating information. Campground amenities and policies can change, so it's always smart to verify the details before heading out.

Explore the Palos Preserves

The real attraction of Camp Sullivan may be everything surrounding the campground.

The Palos Preserves contain an extensive network of hiking and biking trails. Some trails wind through mature woodland while others provide views of lakes, wetlands, and open areas.

This makes Camp Sullivan more than simply a place to park an RV or pitch a tent. It can serve as a starting point for exploring one of the most extensive natural areas in the Chicago region.

Hiking

Hikers have numerous opportunities to explore the forest preserve trails. Depending on the route, you may encounter wooded areas, prairie, ponds, and wildlife.

It's a good idea to bring comfortable hiking shoes, water, and a trail map or navigation app.

Biking

The Palos Preserves are also well known among cyclists and mountain bikers. The terrain provides considerably more variety than you might expect from an outdoor destination so close to Chicago.

If you're bringing bicycles in your RV, Camp Sullivan can be a convenient base for exploring the surrounding trails.

Wildlife Watching

The forests and wetlands around Camp Sullivan provide habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife.

Bring binoculars and keep your eyes open while walking the trails. Early morning and evening can be particularly rewarding times for wildlife watching.

Our first Mini Lite in 2021 at Camp Sullivan

Camp Sullivan for RV Travelers

One of the biggest advantages of Camp Sullivan is its location. Chicago is famous for its skyscrapers, museums, restaurants, architecture, and busy streets. But just outside the city is a remarkable network of protected natural areas.

For RV travelers, that means you can combine a Chicago RV trip with an outdoor camping experience.

Camp Sullivan can work well as part of a larger itinerary that includes attractions throughout the Chicago area. Spend a day exploring downtown Chicago, then return to the quieter surroundings of the Palos Preserves.

It's a reminder that an RV trip doesn't have to be either "city" or "camping." You can easily enjoy both.

Things to Do Near Camp Sullivan

Camping at Camp Sullivan also puts you within reach of numerous attractions in the greater Chicago area.

Depending on your interests, you can combine your camping trip with visits to museums, historic sites, restaurants, shopping districts, and other Chicago-area attractions.

For RVers, another advantage is that you can establish a comfortable base at the campground rather than moving the RV every day.

That can make exploring the Chicago region considerably easier.

Using our Airgear water hoses to fill our trailers at Camp Sullivan

Tips for Visiting Camp Sullivan

Before heading to Camp Sullivan, consider these tips:

Check campground availability before traveling. Popular weekends can fill quickly.
Verify current campground rules and amenities. Services and regulations can change.
Bring bicycles if you enjoy cycling. The surrounding Palos Preserves offer extensive riding opportunities.
Wear good hiking shoes. Trails can vary in terrain and condition.
Bring insect repellent. You're camping in a natural area, so bugs are part of the experience.
Plan your Chicago sightseeing carefully. Traffic can make travel around the metropolitan area time-consuming. My suggestion is to take a form of public transportation into town and get one of those hop on/hop off buses or something Parking in Chicago as bad and even worse for larger vehicles like our present Ram 2500 with four wheel drive.
Respect the forest preserve. Stay on designated trails and follow posted regulations.
Leave no trace. Help keep the preserve beautiful for the next camper.

Why Camp Sullivan Belongs on Your RV Travel List

Camp Sullivan may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think about RV camping in Illinois. But that's part of its appeal.

It offers something that can be surprisingly difficult to find: a natural camping experience close to a major American city.

You can wake up surrounded by trees, spend the morning hiking or biking through the Palos Preserves, and still be close enough to explore Chicago.

For RVers looking for campgrounds near Chicago, outdoor recreation, Illinois history, Route 66 and a convenient base for exploring the region, Camp Sullivan is a destination worth considering.

Sometimes the best RV destinations aren't hundreds of miles away. Sometimes they're hiding just outside the big city.