User reviews
27-28 July 2014
Overall rating
5.0
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
5.0
Value
5.0
Overall Experience
5.0
What a great GREAT experience on the Great Lakes. The RV Park is a rock throw from Lake Michigan and the views are phenomenal. The people at the marina are superb and we were able to take a chartered fishing trip right out of the marina. Yes, there is no sewer or water hookup and the bath house is not very convenient but everything else makes up for it. Chicago is real close and a day on the Navy Pier is a must. There is easy access to public transportation...will make a point of visiting again and will book more than a few days.
Aug 28th - Sep 2, 2013
Overall rating
3.3
Location
4.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
3.0
Overall Experience
3.0
This campground is surely a "diamond in the rough". We did have some problems locating the correct main gate, but we did get some really friendly and nice treatment from the security team. This campground is truly right on the edge of Lake Michigan and is a beautiful area with concrete pads and electric hook up. If this campground would add water hook ups, this campground would be top notch. Still I would go back again now that I somewhat know my way around. If you are coming thru that area, I would recommend it. Happy Camping.
11-14 June 2013
Overall rating
2.6
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
2.0
Value
2.0
Overall Experience
2.0
R.L. left this review using the Directory software: - Location next to Lake Michigan is great but $17 per night is a bit expensive for 30A site only. No water or sewer connections.
June 17-22, 2013
(Updated: June 21, 2013)
Overall rating
2.2
Location
3.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
2.0
Amenities/Facilities
2.0
Value
5.0
Overall Experience
1.0
I'll have more later, but the biggest update is to know that Gate 5 has been closed and will remain closed. Now, you must enter through the main gate. But, prior to that you must register at Pass and ID just north of the main gate. This can be a bit tricky for big rigs, but can be done. Once you have registered your vehicle(s), use the round-about to get in line for the main gate. The easiest way to get to the campground is drive to the marina, than go north on the road to the campground. (Ask for a map when you register). Find a spot to park your rig, then go to the billeting office to secure your site. All of this is very cumbersome and can make checking in a frustrating experience. Do not let anyone tell you to enter through Gate 5. If you try, you will end up near a low railroad bridge and probably will have to unhook your dingy to turn around. To get more information on this, try calling the billeting office. However, I found all the personnel on the staff to be completely unaware of the status of Gate 5 and generally unaware of the difficulty in setting up an RV for an extended stay. Good luck!!!
August 19-21, 2012
(Updated: September 12, 2012)
Overall rating
3.9
Location
4.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
4.0
Overall Experience
4.0
For Chicago it's a good location, about an hour drive to downtown. The biggest problem was getting onto the base. Went to the main gate which is required and easy to find but the civilian guards had no idea there was an RV facility there. They told me I had to go to MWR but since it was 1500hrs on Sunday they said it was closed and that I would need to return tomorrow. They wanted me to back up into the traffic circle and go away. With a 43 foot class A motor home pulling a toad I said no. I offered to pull forward where I would be out of the way and we would work it out. No go. By that time my wife had the lodging people on the phone but the guard refused to talk to them. By this time other police had arrived and they had to open the other side of the gate to allow base traffic in. Finally a police officer arrived in a patrol car and I was told to follow him. I did but since I had not talked to him I had no idea where he was taking me. I finally stopped the coach and got out and then I was able to talk to the officer. He said he was taking me to the RV park and I could unhook the car and find the office. There is room to do that and there was no problem. There is only one 50 amp lot and that seems to be permanently occupied. Only about 50% of the spots were being used and the office let us pick which one we wanted. No problem with those people although they don't seem to have much knowledge about RVs or there needs. Water is located down the road by most of the dry boat slips and lots of room to turn around.
13 June 2012
Overall rating
4.0
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
4.0
Overall Experience
4.0
R.L. left this review using the Directory software: - We made our reservation under the old system and when we arrive 4 days later it was the first day the new system was in effect. The folks at blg 5 went ahead and checked us in anyway, saving us a trip up to the hotel. At the campground we found our assigned site already occupied. Someone drove down immediately and assigned us a new spot.
July 2012
(Updated: July 22, 2012)
Overall rating
1.5
Location
2.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
2.0
Amenities/Facilities
2.0
Value
1.0
Overall Experience
1.0
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.
May 6, 2012
(Updated: May 07, 2012)
Overall rating
1.3
Location
3.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
1.0
Amenities/Facilities
1.0
Value
1.0
Overall Experience
1.0
The campground is very difficult to find and not user friendly for big rigs. You have to drive past the campground to the boat yard to check in. There is not much room to turn around there and the water/dump sites are very difficult to access due to their location. We were told we would be in one site, but when we arrived, someone was in that site and the office was not aware. They changed our site to another one and we found that one to be filled with trash bags at 3pm. We called the office and stated we would be taking yet another site due to the trash left that we would not clean up. At 8:30pm. no one had bothered to come and clean up the trash.
Aug 4 - Sept 6 2011
(Updated: September 26, 2011)
Overall rating
4.7
Location
4.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
4.0
Value
5.0
Overall Experience
5.0
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.
September 6-14 2011
(Updated: September 19, 2011)
Overall rating
4.2
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
5.0
Overall Experience
4.0
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.
June,24 till July 5,2011
(Updated: June 28, 2011)
Overall rating
4.0
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
4.0
Overall Experience
4.0
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.
Oct 6 - 8, 2010
Overall rating
4.6
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
5.0
Overall Experience
5.0
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.
Oct. 12 - 18. 2010
Overall rating
3.9
Location
4.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
4.0
Value
3.0
Overall Experience
4.0
G.A. left this review using the Directory software: Beautiful campground; watched the sun rise over the Lake. Nice bathhouse and laundry; pit toilets in campground were the cleanest I've been in and absolutely no smell. Need a campground host to control campers leaving their dogs alone in campers and allowing them to bark "all day long". This was a drawback for us and made some days unpleasant.
27 Aug - 17 Sep 2010
Overall rating
4.4
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
4.0
Overall Experience
5.0
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.
22 Jun - 9 July 2010
Overall rating
3.5
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
4.0
Overall Experience
3.0
Great location, easy access if you check in between 0900 -1500 and use gate 4. Good shoppette on base and a few fast food places attached. McDonalds also a short walk on base. Cell phone service is poor at campground (AT&T) WIFI available at Library and McDonalds on base. Great BX and commissary off base. Stop in at visitors center at gate one after you checkin and get information. Train ride to Chicago is $5.50, half that if in uniform. Travel office at shoppette were you can get tickets for everything. Can get general delivery at Post Office on base. Don't expect to rent a sailboat if you haven't sailed on Lake Michigan, even with credentials. Would be a great place with water and sewer, but not a bad deal at the current price. Reservations are easy to get, but don't expect to remain in the same spot the entire time. Same as other reviews, reservation management system defies logic. Don't stay near the PIT OUTHOUSE. Stinks anytime the wind stops, especially in the morning. Heard the rumors from the oldtimers that installation of water was funded and staked off, but it has been for years. Bonus was fireworks shows on the 4th of July. Could see Chicago and several communities north and south of campground and the base put on a great show and "fair" with food, rides and a concert.
May 12 - June 10, 2010
Overall rating
4.4
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
4.0
Amenities/Facilities
2.0
Value
5.0
Overall Experience
5.0
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.
Sept 13, 2009
Overall rating
2.0
Location
4.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
2.0
Amenities/Facilities
1.0
Value
1.0
Overall Experience
2.0
BAD NEWS/GOOD NEWS. First the Bad -- Less than our expectations: Chaos in finding the campground; no water available near campground; electric is 30 amp only; toilets are awful; no refunds policy for leaving early. Because of a July 09 landslide between the campground and the office/marina area, the dump station is a long way from the RV parking in inconvenient to use. BUT, work is underway on cleaning up the landslide damage, although it may take time to shore up the library now sitting along a cliff. Cell phone service was very poor or non-existent at the campground along Lake Michigan. And the Good – Ed, the manager, said that funds have been approved to put water and sewerage at the sites, and new paved sites will be added, plus toilet house will be knocked down and replaced with a new bathroom facility. He said improvements are ready to start (but AD residents said they heard that last year). More Bad -- We entered the base on Sunday through the main gate (09-13-09) and proceeded to find the RV check-in, which wasn’t open and followed the road to a dead end at the landslide area. We turned around and maneuvered across the base with our trailer looking for the park entrance until we found a policeman who led us to Ziegemeier Road (off Paul Jones near McDonald’s) that got us to the RV park. Our neighbor in a motorhome had entered the main gate, was told to exit and enter at Gate 5. He couldn’t find the RV office until finally finding someone to direct him. He left early, forfeiting a couple of night’s fees. We left early, also. Chaos!
BW
Barry W. Zander
August 24-29 2009
Overall rating
2.2
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
1.0
Amenities/Facilities
1.0
Value
2.0
Overall Experience
2.0
What a shame! A beautiful location right on Lake Michigan, but a poorly run facility. First, there is the issue of getting access to the base. Unlike most other military installations that grant access with your military ID card, Great Lakes requires you to register your vehicle. I waited in line for 45 minutes to get my car registered. Then, your RV must go thru Gate-5, but your car cannot go thru this gate -- it's for trucks and RVs only. Then you have to drive to Building 13 to register for the campground, but that office is located about 2 miles away from the campground (due to a mud slide that closed the shore road). The campground itself has only 20 spaces. All have only 30 amp service with NO water and NO sewer hookups. There is a dump station, but again, it's 2 miles away at the marina. The campground has NO showers and NO water and only pit toilets that stink to high heaven. MWR could do a lot better -- this could be a money maker if they just fixed the place up a bit and added full hookups. There appears to be a number of long-term campers homesteading here and relatively few vacationers.
June 20th thru 27th 2009
Overall rating
2.9
Location
3.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
2.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
3.0
Overall Experience
3.0
Lake Michigan was beautiful. The Gate police Officers seemed to change the rules on a daily basis. I seriously question if some of those guys should be carrying firearms. We arrived at a time when there was a mud slide at the Camp Ground. This made it difficult to get around. The Camp Host A Retired Navy Person gave us number combination to a dilapidated building with the showers, which were in terrible shape. He must not like Army people. It wasn't until the last day here when a very really kind young fella, asked us why we were using the old facility to take showers. It is about to be torn down. He went on to tell us about the newer showers located in the adjacent building. The Camp ground needs to some help. Has the potential to be a great Campground.
June 2008
Overall rating
3.9
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
2.0
Value
5.0
Overall Experience
4.0
Visited on June 16-20, 2008. The view of Lake Michigan is awesome. We did not use the shower or dump facilities but aware they are not located at the campground. We took the train into Chicago and was able to park our car in the lot near the gate to the train depot, which was extremely convenient. NEX / Commissary is off base and found it a little hard to find. The gate guards seems to change the entrance rules without notifying the campground office so there is some confusion about which gates to enter through, especially with a big rig. Would definitely recommend this facility for access to Chicago and a place to chill out.