St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade 2026
Chicago River dyed green + downtown parade — same Saturday.
2026 dates · concluded
Mar 14
Chicago (Chicago River + downtown) · Illinois
See what's coming up in Illinois →Where to sleep in Illinois
We have no campground verified inside Chicago itself, so these are the Illinois campgrounds we do have on file — rig limits, fees and booking windows straight from the operator.
- Starved Rock State Park CampgroundNearest town: Oglesby · State Park / State Forest$22–$35/nightRigs to 50 ftBooks 6 months ahead via il reserveamerica
- Giant City State Park CampgroundNearest town: Makanda · State Park / State Forest$20–$35/nightRigs to 40 ftBooks 6 months ahead via il reserveamerica
- Pine Hills Campground (Shawnee NF)Nearest town: Wolf Lake · US Forest Service$14–$18/nightRigs to 30 ftBooks 6 months ahead via recreation.gov
- Illinois Beach State Park CampgroundNearest town: Zion · State Park / State Forest$22–$35/nightRigs to 45 ftBooks 6 months ahead via il reserveamerica
Going to St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. Pick your nights and we'll email you when one is listed for them.
What you need to know
Chicago St. Patrick's Day River Dyeing happens the Saturday closest to March 17 at the Chicago River + Wacker Drive — followed by the downtown parade. RV options: Chicago Northwest KOA (Union, IL, ~1 hr) + Indiana Dunes State Park (Chesterton IN, ~1 hr).
Official source: chicagostpatricksdayparade.org
Safety + legal
Chicago mid-March 25-45F + wind off the river. Bundle up. Plan CTA transit — downtown driving is closed off.
Insider tip
River-dyeing happens ~9-10am — get to Michigan Avenue bridge by 8:30am for unobstructed view.
Concluded · Mar 14, 2026
St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade 2026 has ended
This edition ran Mar 14, 2026. Next year's dates have not been published yet. Nothing on this page can be booked for the dates above any more.
- Dates
- Mar 14, 2026
- Status
- Concluded
- Location
- Chicago (Chicago River + downtown)
Own a rig near Chicago (Chicago River + downtown)? List it now and be on the map for the next edition.
List your rig →This edition is behind us
The window on this page is closed. What is still live: the next edition, and the campgrounds that take bookings year-round.
Ran
Mar 14
St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade 2026 is over for this edition.
Next
Not yet dated
No published dates yet. The Illinois calendar has what is confirmed.
Best rigs for St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade
First pick first — each row opens the class's browse page.
Plan it by rig
Each class above has its own planning page for St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade — class fit and booking guidance in one place.
Frequently asked about St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade
When is St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade 2026?
St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade 2026 takes place on Mar 14, 2026 in Chicago (Chicago River + downtown), Illinois.
Where is St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade held?
Chicago (Chicago River + downtown), Illinois.
What are the exact 2026 dates?
Mar 14, 2026 (single-day event).
What RV should I rent for St. Patrick's Chicago River Dyeing + Parade?
Best categories: rv, trucks-vans. Chicago St. Patrick's Day River Dyeing happens the Saturday closest to March 17 at the Chicago River + Wacker Drive — followed by the downtown parade. RV options: Chicago Northwest KOA (Union, IL, ~1 hr) + Indiana Dunes State Park (Chesterton IN, ~1 hr).
How early should I book an RV?
Recommended lead time: 10 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
What safety and legal guidance applies?
Chicago mid-March 25-45F + wind off the river. Bundle up. Plan CTA transit — downtown driving is closed off.
What's an insider tip?
River-dyeing happens ~9-10am — get to Michigan Avenue bridge by 8:30am for unobstructed view.
More Illinois + cultural events · 5
Cross-discover same-state events you can stack with your trip, plus cultural events in other states.
PickRV is an independent RV-rental marketplace and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NFL, FIFA, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, or any event organizer. All event names and marks are the property of their respective owners and are used here only for factual, descriptive reference.
Plan around the event · 4
Hub state · nearest city · nearest park · recommended rig category — one click each.
State rules, safety and legalLicence + towing rules, insurance basics and the non-affiliation notice.
Important: travel + safety + insurance disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Before you rent in Illinois — key local rules
Class D tops out at 16,000 lbs GVWR; non-CDL Class C / B ladder above — IL Secretary of State — Driver License Classes
Boating Safety Certificate required for operators 12-17 — IL DNR — Boating
Shawnee National Forest is closed to OHVs; ride private parks or IDNR sites — USFS — Shawnee National Forest: Highway Vehicles & OHV
Illinois BAC 0.08%; open container in passenger area prohibited — Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-501
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with Illinois Secretary of State — DLs before relying. Reviewed in the last 3 months (as of 2026-05-24).
Illinois rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 7% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Allowed — disclosure required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-07:00