Emerald Trails Campgrounds Introduce
For Illinois residents seeking a refreshing escape into nature without venturing too far from home, Emerald Trails Campgrounds in Crete offers a promising destination. Nestled within the scenic landscapes of northeastern Illinois, this campground presents itself as a serene haven for those looking to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of outdoor living. While camping experiences can often vary widely, Emerald Trails has garnered attention for its commitment to maintaining a pristine environment and providing a friendly atmosphere, making it a compelling option for a local getaway.
Emerald Trails Campgrounds aims to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all its visitors. Many guests have expressed significant satisfaction with the overall upkeep of the area, a critical factor for any positive camping trip. The dedication to cleanliness, particularly in communal areas like restrooms, stands out as a key highlight, assuring campers of a well-maintained and hygienic environment. This focus on guest comfort and a welcoming vibe contributes to the campground's appeal for Illinois locals in search of a reliable and pleasant outdoor adventure.
Emerald Trails Campgrounds is conveniently located at 3132 E Goodenow Rd, Crete, IL 60417, USA. Its position in Crete, a village in Will County, places it within an accessible driving distance for a significant portion of Illinois's population, particularly those residing in the greater Chicago metropolitan area and its surrounding suburbs. This makes it an ideal spot for weekend trips or shorter excursions without the need for extensive travel.
The campground’s address on E Goodenow Road ensures relatively straightforward access from major thoroughfares that connect to the Crete area. Whether you're coming from Chicago, Joliet, or other communities across Illinois, the journey to Emerald Trails is typically manageable, allowing campers to quickly transition from urban or suburban settings to the tranquility of the campground. This ease of accessibility is a major advantage for Illinois locals, as it maximizes their time enjoying the outdoors rather than being spent on the road. The surrounding rural character of Crete also contributes to the feeling of an escape, despite its convenient proximity to larger population centers.
Emerald Trails Campgrounds provides essential services designed to ensure a comfortable and accommodating camping experience. While specific details on every amenity are not exhaustive in the provided information, the focus on fundamental provisions is evident.
- Campsites: The campground offers various types of campsites to accommodate different needs, whether you prefer pitching a tent under the stars, parking your RV with full hookups, or something in between. The "beautiful view from the site" mentioned in a review suggests well-situated and pleasant camping spots.
- Restroom and Shower Facilities: A key service, and a major highlight for many, are the restroom and shower facilities. They are consistently praised for being "extremely clean," with one review noting them as "one of the cleanest campsite bathrooms I have ever been in." This level of cleanliness is a significant comfort for campers. While one review mentioned issues with hot/cold water consistency in the showers, the overall cleanliness is highly regarded.
- Friendly and Helpful Staff: The staff is consistently described as "friendly and helpful," indicating a strong commitment to guest service and a welcoming atmosphere from the moment of arrival. This personalized attention enhances the overall camping experience.
- Catch and Release Pond (with caveat): The presence of a catch and release pond is noted, intended for recreational fishing. However, it's important for potential visitors to be aware that one review described it as "so full of muck that you can't even fish," suggesting that its functionality may vary or be limited.
Emerald Trails Campgrounds stands out with several notable features and highlights that contribute to its appeal as a local camping destination in Illinois.
- Exceptional Cleanliness and Upkeep: This is arguably the strongest highlight of Emerald Trails. Multiple reviews commend the "upkeep of the area" as "extremely clean," with specific praise for the immaculate bathrooms. This meticulous attention to cleanliness ensures a pleasant and hygienic environment for all campers, setting it apart from many other campgrounds.
- Beautiful Views from Sites: The mention of a "beautiful view from the site" suggests that the campground is thoughtfully laid out to take advantage of its natural surroundings, offering scenic backdrops for individual campsites. This enhances the overall aesthetic and provides a more immersive outdoor experience.
- Friendly and Accommodating Staff: The positive interactions with staff, described as "friendly and helpful," create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. Responsive and pleasant staff can significantly improve a camping trip, addressing needs and making guests feel valued.
- Peaceful and Relaxing Atmosphere: While one review suggested "nothing to do" leading to boredom, this can also be interpreted as a highlight for those specifically seeking a quiet and peaceful retreat. For campers whose primary goal is relaxation, reading, or simply enjoying nature's quiet, the absence of excessive activities might be a positive feature.
- Proximity to Chicago Area: For Illinois locals, the campground's location in Crete offers the significant advantage of being close enough for spontaneous weekend trips or short escapes without long travel times, allowing for more frequent visits.
- Shower Quality (with nuance): Despite a comment on inconsistent water temperature, the general availability and overall quality of the showers are considered a positive feature by at least one reviewer, offering a comfortable amenity for personal hygiene during a camping trip.
For reservations, inquiries, or more information about Emerald Trails Campgrounds, please use the following contact details:
Address: 3132 E Goodenow Rd, Crete, IL 60417, USA
Phone: (708) 672-8700
Mobile Phone: +1 708-672-8700
Emerald Trails Campgrounds stands out as a highly suitable option for Illinois locals seeking a convenient, clean, and welcoming outdoor escape. Its prime location in Crete offers easy accessibility from major population centers across the state, particularly the bustling Chicagoland area, making it an ideal choice for quick weekend getaways or even spur-of-the-moment camping trips. This minimizes travel time, allowing Illinois residents to maximize their relaxation and enjoyment of the natural surroundings.
The campground's most emphasized feature, its exceptional cleanliness, including its restrooms and overall grounds, provides a level of comfort and peace of mind that is highly valued by campers. This commitment to upkeep, combined with the friendly and helpful staff, creates a consistently positive and inviting atmosphere. For those who prioritize a well-maintained environment and pleasant interactions, Emerald Trails delivers. While the activity level might appeal more to those seeking a quieter, more relaxed camping experience rather than a bustling resort, its beautiful views and tranquil setting offer a genuine opportunity to unplug and reconnect with nature. For Illinois families and individuals looking for a reliable, clean, and accessible spot to enjoy the great outdoors close to home, Emerald Trails Campgrounds presents a compelling and frequently praised option for creating lasting memories within their own state.
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Emerald Trails Campgrounds Location
Emerald Trails Campgrounds
3132 E Goodenow Rd, Crete, IL 60417, USA
Emerald Trails Campgrounds Reviews
We very much enjoyed our camping experience at Emerald Trails. The staff was friendly and helpful, the view from the site was beautiful. One of the things I was most impresses with was the upkeep of the area, extremely clean. This includes the bathroom, this was one of the cleanest campsite bathrooms I have ever been in. We look forward to camping here again in the future!
Jun 30, 2025 · Jessica MozweczThere is Nothing to do, the catch and release pond is so full of muck that you can't even fish and even if you do the fish are going to take your worm before they get the hook. The best thing about this place is their showers. Although you can't tell which is hot and which is cold cuz the hot's cold and the cold is hot and most of the time it's just cold. Thank God it was hot and a cold shower was okay. But if you want to come to a campground to be bored this is the campground for you.
Jun 27, 2025 · Cheriss HeaterThis is a really nice clean country campground. The camping area is a little more than a mile from the road on a nicely graded gravel driveway. The laundry is reasonably priced and clean. The entire camping area has lots of trees and is nicely shaded. It is very quiet at this campground and people are friendly. There are quite a few permanent campers but that never bothers us, they tend to be really nice people that would help you if you needed it. When we booked, they told us they had a 15 lb weight limit for dogs. There are plenty of dogs well in excess of that, 50, 60, 70 lbs, which we don’t care about. Don’t let the 15 lb limit keep you away, just tell them your dog is less than that, it obviously works. I even witnessed the owner allow someone to take their unleashed Alaskan Husky in the office with them. It was a puppy, sure, but even the most ignorant person knows that dog is going to be more than 60 lbs very shortly. I don’t know what the motorcycle thing people are talking about is, there is one on the site next to me and two others that I have seen. Motorcycles don’t bother me, I’ve had them for more than 50 years. As at every campground, there is always deadbeats who don’t keep their dogs on a leash and don’t pick up after them, apparently the owners don’t care despite written rules, since they clearly see it everyday. Except for the dog deadbeats, I don’t have anything negative to say about this campground. If dog policies were reasonably enforced (the leashing and pickup), this would be 5 stars.
Aug 31, 2024 · Rodney BarnettI was in Chicago for a conference. Prefer camping in nature to staying in an overpriced hotel. They had a great camp spot for me to place my tent and I was able to grab a shower. This was a holiday weekend and I was still able to get a spot with no reservation. Thanks so much Emerald Trails. You made my stay in Illinois a great success!
Sep 08, 2024 · Nicholas ShillingfordWhere to start. Big Bob made my friend and I feel welcome all the way through our stay. The best camping experience I’ve had in a long time. Only local camping in the area ( steger ) also. The showers have the best water pressure. Thanks Bob for the hospitality and I will see you again.
Jun 04, 2024 · Victor
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