Great Lakes Naval Training Center

Somewhat of a challenge to find and because our emailed confirmation gave the address as "Bldg 13," we somehow missed that you have to check in at the main billeting office first (Navy Gateways Inn). The RV park is literally right on the shores of Lake Michigan and check-in is up on the bluff a few blocks from the old administration building with the big clock tower. The potable water to fill your RV tank is also hard to find. Look for a small blue sign on the bottom corner of the Beach House which is about half way between Bldg 13 and the RV park. The closest bath/shower (24 hrs) is there at the Beach House too but since these had only been opened a couple weeks prior, we could not get hot water there. Shower facility at Bldg 13 (the MWR office) was open until 1630. MWR store was closed (season? COVID?) and the little laundry had 2 of 3 pairs of machines working. Folks were nice. On morning of check-out, the RV dump station water did not work so we were unable to flush out our black tank as accustomed :-( and it too is down by MWR, not at the RV park. Still we loved looking at the lake view out our windshield.

Ok, I few updates: Check-in is at 2910 ZEIGMEIER ST, BLDG 13, this is the marina this is also where the dump station is, and non-potable water for tank clean-out is located. They can be reached at 847-688-5417, they will send you a confirmation email with the wrong phone number. We were going to arrive after they closed so we called and were given our site over the phone, not sure what would have happened had we not called, If you are there before they close (1630) come in the main gate which is Farragut until it T's you must turn right (oneway) on Sampson, make a left on Decatur Ave, then turn right onto Mahan rd, this will take you to the marina when you get to the bottom and the water bldg 13 is on the right. Ziegemeier is to the left and will take you past the boat storage and 20amp spots with water, then the beach house followed by the main park. Potable water can be found at the beach house at 2 spots, both are located on the right side of the building (viewing from the street) one is low to the ground on the building with a sign, and the other is 20 feet to the right of the building from a free-standing spigot (your hose). If you are coming in after-hours this is the best way to the campgrounds is: after the main gate take the first left turn lane onto Rodgers St, then take a right onto Bronson Ave, and take a left onto Sampson. Sampson will take you past the Student NEX (exchange) and gas station (easy fillup on the way out with plenty of room). Turn right onto Evans Ave at Paul Jones St turn left and an immediate right onto Ziegemeier camp is at the bottom of the hill on the left. All the roads are narrow and there are a lot of one-way, but minimal traffic, stay out of the housing areas they are one-way with cars parked on the side and are not Rv friendly, and do not get directions from the staff unless you want to visit the housing area. The RV camp is a great location, but if it rains half the sites are flooded ours had 4 inches of standing water, we found some boards and had to cross onto the grass, we had dogs it sucked, a better job grading would eliminate a lot of it. each site had a picnic table and fire ring, everywhere the grass was 6-8 inches tall, standing water in the ditch by the dog area (again grading). Men and women's bathrooms are open pits (no smell around the buildings but it was in the '70s), the beach house has a shower you can use, and so does Bldg 13. 13 also has a small store, laundry, and a rental area (I can't comment), Staff was friendly and regularly driving thru the area, you can't reserve a spot, stone and sand beaches at the RV park, a large sand beach at the beach house but no swimming. Staff said they were hoping the area would be paved by the end of the fiscal year, just hoping it's by someone who knows what they are doing.

One of the most friendly staff we have come across. The frontage road was under construction but even with having to travel thru the base to get to the dump I would of still went back. One of the most beautiful views you could ask for.

R.L. left this review using the Directory software: Not the easiest place to get into. There was quite a bit of road construction and with 2 roads with railroad tracks in the middle it took a while to find the way to the gate. It would be helpful if the gates were numbered so one would be sure they were at the right one. Also be sure if you're going out in the evening you can find your way back in. The 2 gates we were familiar with both closed early and we were lucky some friendly sailors directed us to the only one open. Again, if it hadn't been for the road construction it would probably be a lot easier. The campground is great, the view can't be beat. We weren't bothered by the lack of water or sewer. We enjoyed the atmosphere of the base, it's a beautiful place.

This campground is actually in two slightly separate locations. The main campground, with 30amp power (but no water or sewer), is the primary camping area with the most spots. The secondary campground is a little down the road, near a boat overflow parking lot. This smaller campground has 20amp and 110 power, and comes with water hookups (but no sewer), and picnic tables. Showers are available at the Beach House, also on the same road (between the main and secondary campground). There is also a very nice beach (Nunn Beach), with several nice spots to have a BBQ, under the shade of trees and with picnic tables. There is also a new playground there for the kiddos. Further down the road (Ziegemeir Street), just past the secondary campground, is the MWR Building, with some rentals available, as well as MWR options for the local area. The MWR also includes: fuel (gas and propane), washrooms, and laundry. Their office: (847) 688-5417 The price, and relative proximity to Chicago, this is a good stop. I wouldn't call the campground great, but it is decent enough.

We are currently staying at this campground while my husband and I receive medical treatment at the VA Hospital. Pros: The views are magnificent. The price is right especially for the Chicago area. We are currently paying $400 for a month. The Illinois Beach State Park just to the north is $25 nightly, and their 30 amp is not very good. The people at the Marina are very helpful when you register. There is a very clean laundry room at the Marina. This is also where you must water up and dump. Once your rig and car are registered, it is very easy to access the base with your ID. The Exchange and Commissary are off base, but very close and easy to get to. Cons: There is only 30 amp at the sites except for one handicap site which has 50 amp. However, if you watch your usage, 30 amps is fine. You do have to drive a little bit to the water/dump area, and it is a learning curve to get your rig exactly right for dumping and watering because a large concrete abutment is sheltering the dump area. We had to pull forward more so our bays would open. There are several rigs here who seem to be living fulltime; some seem to be used for storage since we have been here a week and never seen anyone at their site. Overall we would definitely stay here again. We have a 40 ft motorhome.

Beautiful view watching the sun come up over Lake Michigan. The frontage road to the Marina is open. The staff and amenities are fantastic. It was easy to dump. We would definitely stay again.

I appreciated the previous review. I had no idea that water was not available at the campsite. I arrived with a full tank of fresh water and empty holding tanks. Check-in was fine. The young lady at the Navy Lodge was courteous and familiar with RV check-in. Just follow the directions provided on this website for the main gate and then the map you can download here. I had no problems entering the base and finding the campground (there is always this bit of apprehension). Some of the sites were closed. Some of the sites could use a bit of maintenance. I was lucky and got a nice site and one that did not flood after the big storm we had. I have no complaints. We only did a two-night stopover on the way to Elkhart IN. It was enjoyable. I think $22.00 is an OK fee, but should be a little cheaper since no water and no sewer. Showers were available at the beach house and I was told that fresh water could be gotten at the beach house. I chose not to use either. I was stationed at NTC GLAKES with Marine Barracks in 1970. The building is still there and a recent plaque on a wall commemorating Marine Barracks that closed in 1977. BTW, "Marine Barracks" was the name of the duty station...a spit and polish sort of duty station. As previously mentioned, the base is a bit rough around the edges. I was quite surprised. Typically Marine Corps and Navy bases look pretty sharp. If I were in my previous motorhome (I downsized), I could easily stay there a week and enjoy it.

This campground has it's limitations, but if you know what they are before hand it is not too bad. There is no water, sewage, and they have poor phone reception. However the location, view, quietness, and availability of all on base facilities make this a very nice campground. Water to the campground has been promised for several years now, but still not available on site. The roads, grass and landscaping have all been well maintained. It is a small campground so reservations are a must. The view across Lake Michigan with sailboats and Chicago skyline on the horizon is something special.

Location is great, views to die for. Only electric but so what, deal with it the negative for me is that the water and sewer dump is a long way down the road. The out house's are great for what they are [no smell, clean] the workers at the marina are great.

<div>We spent the weekend at this campground as we attended the Recruit graduation. The directions on the homepage of military campgrounds out dated for as soon as you get through the main gate all you have to do is follow the signs to Bldg 62. Bldg 62 has reserved temp parking for your RV. The staff at the hotel was extremely helpful and gave us a base map showing all the places on base. Now for the reason for the low score on the amenities/facilities; the site only has electric. Make sure that your tanks are full of water for you have can fill your tanks up at the Nunn Beach bath house and dump your tanks at the Marina which is had to pull up to in order to dump. The rest rooms at the campground are primitive (a toilet over a hole-no flushing water and bring you own spray or hold you breathe). The showers are located down the street at Dunn Beach house and no privacy. A shower curtain for the shower but dressing was exposed. The female head had only one toilet working. This campground had a wonderful view of Lake Michigan for you are right on the water. If staying less than 3 days this campground is do able; any length of stay longer would recommend looking a different place to stay or stay in the hotel because of the inconvenience of no water or sewage hookups. TV reception was great for you can get channels from both Chicago and Milwaukee. </div>

It was difficult to find the right entrance to the installation, let alone right building on the installation. It seems to be the Navy way to keep folks confused. Once we got the site, we went down and found it to be a concreted pad with a 30 amp hook up. I knew in advance there was no water or sewage connections. The pad was und 3" of water and the grass in the surrounding area was saturated! The power was out. I contacted the desk and the clerk assured me that there would be someone out to check the power in 2 to 3 hours! I was real upset, Fortunately another camper saw me and recommend I check out the overflow are by the marina. I had a picnic table, 20 amp electric service and a water connection. The place to fill RVs is a water tap on the side of the beach house about a 1/4 mile away from teh main camp sites and the dump station is next to the marina about a 1/2 mile form the campsites. The water connection to clean and flush your tanks froze and broke over the winter and DPW hasn't fixed it yet. Our power failed at this site in the morning and the marina folks sent someone right over and reset everything. After that it was fine. Went to the Commissary and Main NEX which aren't on the installation (another confusion the Navy could fix). It was a nice place to ride bikes and take walks once things settled down. I did rain hard though (which wasn't the Navy's fault). I do like the locals saying that the installation is the Great Mistake!

New policy is The Navy Lodge at Great Lakes (847) 688-6675 now handles RV Reservations and the Marina handles the 2 overflow sites. We needed to stay here for 1 night on our trip out west. The Navy Lodge confirmed me for 1 site. We showed up and it was already given to some one else with no sites available so they directed us to the Marina who sold us 1 of the 2 overflow sites. Each had water and 20 amp regular house type outlets. We arrived at gate 5 as instructed and the DOD guard first tried to tell us we needed to go to Pass & Id first to get a pass but another Guard trumped him after a phone call to his boss & we were allowed to enter. Signs were posted that the water was not safe to swim in. I received around 7 TV Channels & Virgin MIFI 2200 worked well at this site. Gas prices on base were high almost identical with off base prices. At check in, ask the Navy Lodge for coupons for food delivery service to the rv site, pizza etc.