Emerald Trails Campground
Emerald Trails Campground is the spot to consider if you have a mid-size or smaller RV. The campground offers 140 sites, but only a few have 50-amp service. Most have 30-amp electric. More than half of the sites are full hookups and a 45-foot maximum length means big rigs might find them a difficult fit. The park has a dump station for guest use. Visitors will enjoy the setting around Lake Jewel, feeding or observing water birds or taking a dip in the camp pond. Paddle boats are available. The grounds offer nature trails for hiking, biking trails, and the campground is equestrian-friendly. Challenge your partner to a game of basketball or golf. Crete is 38 miles south of Chicago and also home to Tuckaway Golf Club--a par-72 course with a chipping green and driving range.
Emerald Trails Campground
3132 East Goodenow Road
Crete, IL 60417
(800) 870-8357
emeraldtrailscampground.com
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort
Jellystone Park has an RV area where pull-through sites include full hookups and Wi-Fi access. Guests will find ice, propane and firewood for sale on site. The park is loaded with family friendly activities and games. A 22-acre lake is available, and you can rent boats and water bikes. On dry land, golf cart and bike rentals are offered. You can try your hand at gemstone and fossil mining or there are facilities for traditional games such as tennis, basketball and volleyball. There is always room at the pool because there are four at Jellystone--an adult pool and three family pools. And in case the weather is bad, there are arcade games and a movie theater to help occupy the kids. The park has a recreation program and most weekends hosts additional special activities. Portage is 37 miles from downtown Chicago.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort
5300 Old Porter Road
Portage, IN 46368
(219) 762-7757
(800) 558-2954
campjellystone-portage.com
Sand Creek Campground
Sand Creek Campground has 150 grassy, wooded sites, most with full hookups. The campground provides a dump station for the convenience of RV travelers. The on-site store sells ice and firewood. Head inside to the common room for arcade and table games or enjoy the lake air as you play on the outdoor ball courts, volleyball court or swim in the pool. Chesterton sits just 46 miles down the coast from downtown Chicago, along Lake Michigan and following Interstate 94. Chesterton is home to Indiana Dunes State Park, where visitors can swim on the beach in summer and cross-country ski the trails in winter. The Calumet Trail offers 9 miles of hiking through the park grounds.
Sand Creek Campground
1000 C.R. North 350 East
Chesterton, IN 46304-9315
(219) 926-7482
sandcreekcampground.com
Article Written By Alice Moon
Alice Moon is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She was chosen as a Smithsonian Institute intern, working for the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and has traveled throughout Asia. Moon holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from Ball State University.
