I wanted to include a link to the CBG's website but TA won't allow me to. You can Google it. In the dropdown menu, look for "Plan Your Visit". and then you'll also see "What's in Bloom". Know that they update this only every 2 weeks, so it's a little behind what you might actually be able to see.

Due to COVID-19, all indoor exhibits are off-limits. No idea what things will be like in the coming winter or spring. In normal times, there are greenhouses and buildings to visit, year round. Check the Botanic Garden website for up-to-date information..

I do not remember ever seeing a trailer or camper in their parking lot, including two visits in the past week. Since attendance is limited now using timed admissions, the parking lots are not very full. So perhaps they would allow campers now even if they do not normally. You can call member services and ask, as they are very service oriented and would try to be helpful. I would have a Plan B, such as shuttle service from nearby hotel. Email communication from them might be your safest bet, as if you get a "yes" you can show that at the entry gate along with your timed entry ticket. The Botanic is worth the hassle, was there yesterday and It is in full bloom

Garden is closed right now. But, generally: Admission is “free”... you can walk/bike in. The cost is the parking. I don’t think a library card will work.

Even before Covid 19, the Garden planned to limit crowd size at the Orchid Show. Tickets are sold by date and time slot. Sales close when a particular time slot is filled to capacity. The times are on the hour, from 10:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. The exhibition closes at 4:00. There is one late night left (March 19) from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. It's called "Orchids After Hours".

You could easily spend an entire afternoon or morning there. The Garden is spacious, it has different gardens laid out in different areas. I have been there twice, for about 2 hours each, and we focused on several gardens each time. We could have spent more time there, exploring all the areas. It really depends on whether you want to stop and absorb all the beauty of each area, or just kind of cruise through for an overall impression. I'm more of a "stop and smell the roses" kind of gal. You might want to study the layout in advance of your visit, to decide what you want to focus on. Hope this helps!

If you live > 75 miles away, the fee is $72/year. A family membership is available for $135.

There are both bus and train options to get to the Garden. You can search the internet for transportation options to the garden from the city. As suggested earlier, The Gardens will have suggestions.

According to their web-site: "...Tours run daily from late April through October and last about 35 minutes each. Please check our hours of operation. Upon your arrival at the Garden, drop by the Visitor Center, or stop at any ticket location to purchase ticket(s) for your desired departure time. There is no need to make a reservation. Trams are wheelchair accessible. Tour packages are available for groups of 15 or more. Grand Tram Tour Get carried away on this 2.3-mile narrated tour! Optional stops allow passengers to step off the tram to tour sites including the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, Dixon Prairie, and the Regenstein Center. Customer Service: (847) 835-6801

The Chicago Botanic Garden is not free. However if you are a member of another museum or botanic garden, they have reciprocal arrangement so you can get in free. That covers parking. Tram rides are a separate price.