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crabbey1 · 09-12-2013, 03:01 PM

I am taking a trip to Chicago in Oct and was deciding to drive the trailer or just fly. I am going there for an event called the Men's Health Urbanathlon. Anyway, I was wondering if there is anywhere near the city to be able to camp at? Anyone have any experience with this?

Cally · 09-12-2013, 03:43 PM

There is a nice County campground-Burnridge Forest Preserve/Paul Wolffe Campground in Elgin, IL. It is close to the farthest west end of the rail system so if you'd like you can get anywhere you'd like. They only take cash or checks, no cards. Link is kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=11

Sbb · 09-12-2013, 03:48 PM

I go every year, stay on venue on Knox Avenue. Perhaps u could call venue. One of our members got stay a few nights in the park on the lake front recently. Get creative, you might get closer to downtown.

crabbey1 · 09-12-2013, 04:14 PM

I am not familiar with venue. What is it?

Protagonist · 09-12-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbey1

I am not familiar with venue. What is it?

Lakefront, from Navy Pier to 31st Street Harbor.

Men's Health URBANATHLON® & Festival

Becky B. · 09-12-2013, 06:56 PM

You could go to the Indiana Dunes State Park & take the South Shore train into Chicago. The train station is right next to the park. It's probably a 30-40 minute ride into downtown. It's a really nice campground & you can enjoy the hiking & lake while you're there (it's not like a parking lot campground!) We go there several times a year & it's just about 40 minutes from our house!

Sbb · 09-12-2013, 08:06 PM

As a vender for Irish Festivals, I bet you anything your festival will have venders who travel and most use Rv's tuck in with them. Be prepared to have no hookups.

kmaggard · 09-12-2013, 08:55 PM

is venue/lakefront an area, beach or RV park? What do you mean stay on venue?

Sbb · 09-13-2013, 05:15 AM

I am a vender, someone who conducts sales at a particular type of events all over the US. In my case, I own an Irsh Shop and in the Summer I vend( sell my goods at Irish/Celtic Festivals)

In an effort to keep cost of travel down, and enjoy my off time, I travel around pulling my AS as my place to live and sleep each night. When I arrive in a city for an event, I am not alone but rather a part of a larger group made up of organizes, musicians, food venders and others selling goods from Ireland. Many of us have rv's we stay in an off corner without hookups set up our booth at the festival and live there for the weekend. It is safe and free.

Most all types of events has someone traveling along in an RV, it is my suggestion, that situation is checked out in Chicago, then ask to stay where the support staff stays.

I am in that situation right now in Saratoga, NY, waiting to set my booth up . Think traveling circus

Protagonist · 09-13-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sbb

Most all types of events has someone traveling along in an RV, it is my suggestion, that situation is checked out in Chicago, then ask to stay where the support staff stays.

Given the location; support staff is as likely to be in the Soldier Field parking lot as anywhere. The OP may want to contact the front office of Soldier Field and ask permission to dry camp there.

Becky B. · 09-13-2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Given the location; support staff is as likely to be in the Soldier Field parking lot as anywhere. The OP may want to contact the front office of Soldier Field and ask permission to dry camp there.

I would never camp in Soldier Field's parking lot! It's surrounded by expressways & unless I was packing a pistol, I wouldn't feel safe there alone at night. Just my thoughts.....& humble opinions

Sbb · 09-13-2013, 05:18 PM

I dry camp for my work in all ki ds of ve ues, pretty campgrounds, Ohio Turn and more. I am femAle, 60, and do not carry a gun. At the end of a weekend, i can have a huge amt of cash. That being said, i always make myself very aware of my situation. I split my money and always have a wad ready to hand over. I vow to live without fear or I will shut myself down. This is of course just my way of living. In 25 years I have always been fine. Venues have night security. One time in CT I fou d out the hard way their security was three very large guard dogs, worked for me!

Becky B. · 09-13-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sbb

I dry camp for my work in all ki ds of ve ues, pretty campgrounds, Ohio Turn and more. I am femAle, 60, and do not carry a gun. At the end of a weekend, i can have a huge amt of cash. That being said, i always make myself very aware of my situation. I split my money and always have a wad ready to hand over. I vow to live without fear or I will shut myself down. This is of course just my way of living. In 25 years I have always been fine. Venues have night security. One time in CT I fou d out the hard way their security was three very large guard dogs, worked for me!

If they have security.....no problem. If not.....not a safe place. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago & know the area well. I don't own a pistol, so that was tongue in cheek. But living in fear or being informed are two different things.

sinjin · 09-15-2013, 09:59 AM

If you are still trying to find a place near Chicago you might want to stay at Illinois Beach State Park, DNR ,near Zion, Il. We have stayed there several times. You should be able to take the metra down to the city.

Lothlorian · 09-15-2013, 11:05 AM

There is a private campground in Joliet Illinois. Martin's campground is about 10 minutes from the train station (metra) which will take you into Chicago. I have family in the area and we always we stay at Martin's campground. It is $35.00 a night but it sits on I85 and it is noisy. Honestly it works for us. It has a bathroom facilty ( not the nicest but functional) and WiFi. The owner is very nice and it is 1/2 mile from the chicago land Airstream dealer.

Brian