Visitors

Lodging

At the Great Lakes Navy Lodge in the Forrestal Village has 50 kitchenette units, with two units designed especially for handicapped personnel. You can also opt for no smoking and connecting units. All ranks, active duty (on duty or leave), reservists, retirees, and other approved guests (including families of new recruits) can make reservations. A mini-mart and gas station are located nearby and are open 18 hours per day.

Travel Information

By Airplane

O'Hare International Airport is located about 30 miles southwest of Great Lakes and all major airlines operate at this airport. You can easily avail taxi and limousine service O'Hare at all hours.

By Automobile

Although driving in the Chicago area can seem unnerving, Great Lakes is easily approachable from a major interstate highway, and also from U. S. 41. It is located about 15 miles south of the Wisconsin state line.

By Bus

Bus travelers need to board the Waukegan-bound bus either from Chicago or Milwaukee. Buses from Chicago generally stop at the main gate to deboard passengers, even though there is no official stop here.

Buses run between Navy housing (Forrestal Village), North Chicago, and Waukegan. You can travel to North Chicago and Waukegan with stops at the Naval Hospital and Pier 525 via PACE, the suburban bus line of the RTA.

By Train

The Metra Union Pacific North Line offers passenger service to and from Kenosha, Wisconsin and to and from downtown Chicago.

Base Pass and Security

Private automobiles need to meet insurance requirements from an approved company to run on the base. Motorcycles are allowed on base, only after the riders successfully complete the motorcycle safety course before obtaining a decal. Base decals are allotted by the Badge and Pass Office.

Recruit Training Command Tours

Tours are not open to the general public at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.

All Active Duty Navy, Naval Reservist, and Official parties have a chance to see firsthand how present day's Sailors are trained for the Fleet.

The Back to Bootcamp tour is provided 4 times per quarter and devised for authorities who would like to present their personnel with a chance to relive the U.S. Navy's Basic Training experience.

Training