Camp Bullfrog Lake offers year-round camping, group activities and water-based recreation such as kayak rentals and fishing. Camp steps from the water in the heart of the vast, hilly Palos Preserves and fill your days with hiking, mountain biking and birdwatching adventures.
On this page:
- Location & Things to Do
- Camping Options
- Accessible Campsites & Amenities
- Trails
- Fishing at Bullfrog Lake
- Kayak Rentals & Accessible Canoe Landing
- Events
Location & Things to Do
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Entrance
Phone
312-636-9785Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Camping
- Accessible Campsites
- Showers
- Camp Store
- Sanitary Station
- Nature Play
- Accessible Indoor Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- Dogs
(on-leash only) - Cross-Country Skiing
- Picnic Grove
(with shelter) - Boat Rental
- Accessible Canoe Landing
- Fishing
- Ice Fishing
Hours
Year-round: 24 hours a day for registered campers (with campgrounds accessible from 7 am to 10 pm; quiet hours are observed from 11 pm to 7 am). Staff is available from 8 am to 4 pm.Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's DayClosures & Alerts
Nearby Locations
Explore these nearby locations during your stay:
- Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
- Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
- Swallow Cliff Stairs
- Palos Trail System
Camping Options
- Tent Campsite
- RV/Tent Campsite (with Electricity)
- Large Cabin
- Small Cabin
- Organized Group Campsite
- Full Campground Rental
Non-profits, individual veterans and veteran organizations qualify for a 50% discount for all cabin and bunkhouse reservations for use Sunday through Thursday night; and qualify for a reduced rate of 50% on stated tent or RV non-electric fees, anytime. Register in person or by calling 855-YES-CAMP (855-937-2267) to receive the reduced rate.
Tent Campsite
- Capacity: 6 people
- Availability: 5 sites
- Features:
- 10′ x 10′ mulched tent pad with timber edge
- Picnic table
- Fire ring with grate
- Accessibility: Tent campsites #6 and #7 feature accessible parking, path of travel to and around the campsite, raised fire pit and accessible picnic table. Campground features accessible bathroom/shower building with a roll-in shower with a bench as well as an accessible changing area with a bench.
Most tent campsites require campers to park in the main lot and walk a short distance.
| Reservation Date | Cook County Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| April – October (Thu. – Sat. Nights) |
$40/night | $50/night |
| April – October (Sun. – Wed. Nights) |
$35/night | $45/night |
| November – March (All Nights) |
$25/night | $35/night |
RV/Tent Campsite (with Electricity)
- Capacity: 6 people
- Availability: 26 sites
- 15 campsites with 30/50 amp electric systems
- 11 campsites with 20 amp electric system
- Features:
- 12′ x 24′, 12′ x 30′, 12′ x 35′ or 12′ x 40′ combined gravel parking space and gravel tent pad with timber edge.*
- Campsites #16, #18, #20, #22, #24, #26, #27, #28 and #30 feature a mulch tent pad.
- 30/50 amp electric system*
- Campsites #12, #14, #16, #18, #20, #22, #24, #26, #27, #28 and #30 have a 20 amp electric system.
- Picnic table
- Fire ring with grate
- 12′ x 24′, 12′ x 30′, 12′ x 35′ or 12′ x 40′ combined gravel parking space and gravel tent pad with timber edge.*
- Accessibility: RV/tent campsites #12 and #14 feature accessible parking, path of travel to and around the campsite, raised fire pit and accessible picnic table. Campground features accessible bathroom/shower building with a roll-in shower with a bench as well as an accessible changing area with a bench.
*Double-check the parking space length and electric system available at the RV/tent campsite when making your reservation.
RV/tent campsites do not have sanitation stations. Sanitation station located at the south end of Camp Bullfrog Lake.
| Reservation Date | Cook County Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| April – October (Thu – Sat Nights) | $56/night | $66/night |
| April – October (Sun – Wed Nights) | $40/night | $50/night |
| November – March (All Nights) | $30/night | $40/night |
Large Cabin
- Capacity: 10 people
- Availability: 3 cabins
- Layout: Large Cabin Floorplan (PDF)
- Refundable Deposit: $100
- Features:
- Heat and air-conditioning
- Bunk beds for eight people
- Single beds for two people in a separate room
- Ceiling fans
- Private, accessible restroom with toilet, shower and two sinks
- Porch
- Picnic table
- Fire ring with grate
- Accessibility: Large cabins #6 and #7 feature accessible parking, path of travel to cabin, roll-in shower with bench, accessible sink, raised fire pit and accessible picnic table.
| Reservation Date | Cook County Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| April – October (Thu – Sat Nights) | $135/night | $150/night |
| April – October (Sun – Wed Nights) | $110/night | $122/night |
| November – March (All Nights) | $110/night | $122/night |
Small Cabin
- Capacity: 8 people
- Availability: 8 cabins
- Layout: Small Cabin Floorplan (PDF)
- Refundable Deposit: $100
- Features:
- Bunk beds for eight people
- Ceiling fan
- Porch
- Picnic table
- Fire ring with grate
- Accessibility: Small cabins #8 and #9 feature accessible parking, path of travel to cabin, raised fire pit and accessible picnic table. Campground features accessible bathroom/shower building with a roll-in shower with a bench as well as an accessible changing area with a bench.
Small cabins are not heated or air-conditioned.
| Reservation Date | Cook County Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| April – October (Thu – Sat Nights) | $90/night | $100/night |
| April – October (Sun – Wed Nights) | $57/night | $67/night |
| November – March (All Nights) | $46/night | $56/night |
Organized Group Campsite
- Capacity: 30 people
- Availability: 1 site
- Features:
- Open field for tents and activities
- Picnic table
- Fire ring with grate
| Reservation Date | Cook County Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Year-round | $24/tent/night | $34/tent/night |
Organized Group Campsites must be booked in person or by phone at 855-YES-CAMP (855-937-2267).
Full Campground Rental
- Capacity: 340 people
- Availability: Sunday through Thursday year-round, limited dates are available for Friday and Saturday.
- Features: Exclusive use of all campsites, public buildings and activity areas.
- Refundable Deposit: $100-500
Applications are accepted starting October 16 for the following year. Reservations must be made at the campground at least 10 business days in advance.
| Reservation Date | Cook County Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Wednesday | $4,013/day | $4,555/day |
| Thursday – Saturday | $4,880/day | $5,422/day |
| Sunday | $3,254/day | $3,796/day |
Accessible Campsites & Amenities
Accessible campsites are designed for campers with disabilities. Please only book an accessible campsite if you need it or all other campsites are booked. Camp Bullfrog Lake features:
- Accessible tent campsites (campsites #6 & #7) with accessible parking, path of travel to and around the campsite, raised fire pit and accessible picnic table.
- Accessible RV/tent campsites (campsites #12 & #14) with accessible parking, path of travel to and around the campsite, raised fire pit and accessible picnic table.
- Accessible large cabins (cabins #6 & #7) with accessible parking, path of travel to cabin, roll-in shower with bench, accessible sink, raised fire pit and accessible picnic table.
- Accessible small cabins (cabins #8 & #9) with accessible parking, path of travel to cabin, raised fire pit and accessible picnic table.
- Kayak rentals with an accessible launch/landing. Private boats are not allowed on Bullfrog Lake.
- Accessible fishing pier with accessible parking, a paved surface pathway to the shoreline, and railings along the fishing pier.
- Accessible bathroom/shower building with a roll-in shower with a bench as well as an accessible changing area with a bench.
Trails
Palos Trail System
The extensive and varied Palos Trail System winds through rolling hills and deep ravines, providing beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes.
Location: Hickory Hills, Justice, Palos Hills & Willow Springs
Surface
UnpavedEstimated Total Length
42.1 milesHours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
Fishing at Bullfrog Lake
This 16-acre lake has a maximum depth of 9.9 feet. Two bump-outs are located on the eastern shoreline. Fishing within the campground (along the southwestern shoreline) is restricted to registered campers only.
There is an accessible fishing pier on the southwestern side of the lake with accessible parking, a paved surface pathway to the shoreline, and railings along the fishing pier.
Kayak Rentals & Accessible Landing
Registered campers can rent kayaks from the camp office to launch at the accessible landing. Private boats are not allowed on Bullfrog Lake.
- Single kayak: $10/hr
- Tandem kayak: $15/hr
Call 312-636-9785 for more information on availability.
Boat rentals are also available at the Maple Lake Boating Center, located just east of the camp across Wolf Rd.
Events
We offer weekend programs for campers at Camp Bullfrog Lake between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.
Each campground has a limited number of Camping Adventure Backpacks available for free check-out, which include binoculars, field guides, a compass, activity sheets and other aids to nature exploration.
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