Campers Welcome: Forest Preserves Open to Camping in 2015

Five Cook County forest preserves will be spruced up and open for public camping by Memorial Day weekend, 2015.

The Cook County Forest Preserve District is set to begin construction on a $26 million camping plan that will create two new camping sites, and revamp three sites previously used only by groups such as Boy Scouts and organized church groups.

The five sites are: Camp Sullivan in Tinley Park, Camp Reinberg in Palatine, Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs, Shabonna Woods in South Holland and Camp Dan Beard in Northbrook.

“We are really targeting the people in the larger Chicago area. People who have either traveled to other places to camp, or won’t camp at all because it’s too far for them,” forest preserve Supt. Arnold Randall told the Sun-Times.

Camps Reinberg, Dan Beard and Sullivan will see renovations to existing buildings, and older buildings demolished.  Cabins and tent sites will be added.  Crews will add cabins and tent sites. 

Individual and smaller groups will be welcome to reserve tent and cabin space online, while larger groups may still need a permit, according to the Sun-Times.

The earliest construction will begin at camps Reinberg and Sullivan. 

Get the full story on Sun-Times Media.