We are planning a trip to the Chicago area in late July of this year, hoping to go to Six Flags park and maybe a day or two visiting Chicago.
We are coming from the north down from the Dells area and were looking for suggestions on campgrounds that would be close to these areas.
I've been looking at Illinois Beach State Park and the KOA north of Chicago. Any comments on which might be better for access to Chicago and Six Flags. I belive both have access to the train into Chicago just don't know which is closer?
Thanks
Wade
Illinois Beach State Park would be the closest to Six Flags. Next would probably be Chain O'Lakes State Park, then the KOA near Marengo. They all have access to Chicago via train nearby.
I'm thinking IL Beach will be closest of all to the train into Chicago. Definitely closest to Six Flags! Elec hookups or dry camping only. The CG does have showers and most/all sites have a fire ring.
The no-alcohol section of the CG is not only fairly quiet, but usually doesn't fill up. Otherwise, if you'll be there on a weekend, I advise reservations.
Thanks for the infomation.
Can I phone to make reservations at IBSP or do I have to mail in my request?
Is the train into Chicago easy to take? We are hoping to take in a Cubs game at Wrigley Field and some shopping, would the train from IBSP get us there? Is there a cut off time to head back to IBSP?
Thanks
sparky2331 wrote: Thanks for the infomation.
Can I phone to make reservations at IBSP or do I have to mail in my request?
Is the train into Chicago easy to take? We are hoping to take in a Cubs game at Wrigley Field and some shopping, would the train from IBSP get us there? Is there a cut off time to head back to IBSP?
Thanks
www.metrarail.com.
www.transitchicago.com
Wrigley field is off of a CTA line, not a Metra train line. You can take the Metra into the city, walk to the CTA line or take a CTA bus, and get to Wrigley that way. Or risk your life and take a taxi...
Chain o' Lakes is supposed to be very nice, tho a bit farther out. Close enough to Six Flags tho.
Gotta go into the city to see Millenium Park and "the bean". Just make sure you don't come during Taste of Chicago, the crowds are insane.
IBSP only accepts reservations by mail. Again, if you want to take a chance without res's, the no-alcohol section rarely fills. On the other hand, if you like a cold brew by the campfire, you may want those res's.
Thanks again for the info, we would like to stay closer to Six flags and IBSP is looking like the place to stay. Is there not any private campgrounds in this area?
Never been to Chicago before and the train sounds like an adventure. Is it fairly easy to get around downtown Chicago by train or maybe we're taking on to much for a day trip in?
Thanks
The Metra is very easy to negotiate. You get on the train and pay the conductor if there is no ticket booth at the station. The train will take you to the west end of the loop in downtown Chicago. You will find it easiest to and quickest to walk around the downtown area. there are buses and taxis as well. Wrigley Field is north of downtown. There are el trains and buses that will take you to the ball park. Parking is trickery around Wrigley. When I lived in Chicago I seldom drove to the ball park. Public transportation is very good.
If I were returning for a trip to Chicago I would use ISBP. It is a very nice park right on Lake Michigan. You will be very close to Six Flags. You will also be very close to the WI border and can take a day trip to Milwaukee.
John, Connie and Miles!
1998 Winnebago Adventurer
1999 Ford V10 chasis
2004 Jeep Liberty
You'll buy a one-way ticket on the train into the city; when you arrive, go to the Metra ticket window to buy your return ticket. (I was going to give you directions to the window, but realized you'll be arriving at Northwestern Station if you take the train from IBSP - I use a different Metra line, which arrives at Union Station.) Lots of cabs (expensive) and buses; I've never quite gotten the hang of the buses, but you can probably ask somebody which bus line to use to get where, and the drivers will be able to tell you, of course. If you enjoy walking and the weather's nice, you'll be able to get to the museum campus (Field natural history, Shedd aquarium, Adler planetarium) and Grant Park in maybe 1/2 hour or less on foot. If you're there in the summer, check into taking the water taxi between Navy Pier, Union Station and the museum complex. If you want to go to the Museum of Science & Industry, that's farther away - take a bus or cab.
No private CGs that close in; they're all pretty far out in the 'burbs or the country. IBSP has a dump station, and 30 amp elec hookups; there are some 50-amp sites but they're basically in an asphalt parking lot and will need to be pre-reserved for sure. Probably has some spots where you can fill your water tank (we fill up at home, so I don't know about those).
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