Camp Bullfrog Lake
Quick Facts
Why Willow Springs & the Palos Forest Preserves
Willow Springs sits within the Palos Division of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, a genuinely vast network of woods, wetlands, and trails just outside Chicago. The Palos Trail System winds through rolling hills and deep ravines, connecting to spots like the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center and Saganashkee Slough, all within a short drive of downtown.
Camp Bullfrog Lake is a genuinely surprising find just outside Chicago — a real, private campground with fishing, kayaking, and hiking that feels much further from the city than the drive suggests.
What Makes It Special
- Location: Willow Springs, in the Palos Forest Preserves
- Setting: Feels remote despite being minutes from Chicago
- Site type: Campground: cabins, tent, and RV
- Amenities: Fishing pond, kayak rentals, hiking trails, minutes from downtown Chicago
- Recreation: Fishing, water activities, and hiking
Pro Tips for Booking
Rent a kayak on-site. It’s a genuine convenience given how close this is to the city.
Hike the Palos Trail System. It winds through rolling hills and ravines right in the surrounding forest preserve.
Visit the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. It’s a short drive and a genuinely nice add-on for families.
What to Do Around Here
- Fishing and kayaking on Bullfrog Lake
- Hiking the Palos Trail System through rolling hills and ravines
- The Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, nearby
- Easy access to downtown Chicago for a day trip
- Wildlife viewing throughout the Palos Forest Preserves
