Campground

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4.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Feb. 26, 2025

Remote but close to civilization

This is our favorite place to camp.  It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything.  It has the electrical hookups that we need and has a bath house that is close to where you camp (hundreds of feet versus getting into a car and driving to it).  It has lots of groomed and ungroomed walking trails.  It has a boat ramp and a small store and restaurant.  It allows dogs and the rangers keep the site relatively quiet, especially at night.  And within 5 miles of the campground, you have the amenities that you need in case you forgot something along the way.  We love going there.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 27, 2022

Fox den at Chain o Lakes

Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers (our site was protected on 3 sides by some fairly dens foliage and trees). Electric is easily accessible, and water / sanitary is easy to get in and out of.

The concessions/ camp store is located near the boat docks and is easily walked or driven to with decent selection of foods, gear, and fishing items.

Bathhouse could use to be cleaned a bit more regularly but overall a pleasant experience for the price. Recommend staying.

SiteF022
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Ian C., July 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Ian C., July 27, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2021

Nice 👍

Great campground. Fox den! Dirty floor in the shower and bathroom.

Site43
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2021

Great camp right on Chain-O-Lake

Camp is on the Chain-O-Lake, if you like any type of boating. Fox Den site are space well. Good trails for both walking and biking.

SiteFox Den 28
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 10, 2021

Best Campground in Chain O'Lakes State Park

Chain O'Lakes State Park in IL has two electric campgrounds, 2 non-electric campgrounds and one group site.  Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post.  Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts to far from parking pad.  Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees.   In Honeysuckle you will have  clear line of site to very close neighbor. 

There are three campgrounds close together, Fox Den and two non-electric campgrounds Turner South and Prairie View that share the bath house which was clean and  is in the  center of them all.

There are hiking trails and this campground is the closest to the  boat dock and concession which serves as the camp store.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Debra M., June 10, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 28, 2020

Nice open sites surrounded by woods

This campground is within a couple hours of Chicago so it makes a nice getaway for the weekend. Things were pretty filled up when we came here. However there is plenty of space around to find a spot on your own.

The campsites are a nice size and have electric hookups. Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out. We prefer more brush/trees between sites so this campground was just ok with us. It is better than standard RV campgrounds but we could have used some more privacy. Flushing toilets and showers are in a central location with some pit toilets throughout the state park. This particular campground was just about as far away into the park as you could go without going to the youth/group camp.

There is a boat launch with rentals and a bunch of hiking trails closer to the entrance. However, if you go just past the entrance- pass by the playground- you will come to a stop sign. Keep going straight even though it will look like you are just walking into trees. A trail is there that was a nice place to explore. Even on multiple adventures, we did not pass anyone when we went hiking on it. We did have to work our way through a few downed trees. The trail looks like it would be pretty muddy if it rains so choose your timing. It was a perfect escape from the crowds. 

We would come back to Fox Den if other campgrounds were filled up. However reservations would be important to make first.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Art S., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Art S., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Art S., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Art S., September 28, 2020
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  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Art S., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Art S., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Art S., September 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Art S., September 28, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2020

Great campground

This was our first time at this campground and we were impressed. We stayed in the Fox Den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition. Our site was very shaded and quiet at night. The bath house was very clean. There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding. We did a nice short hike in area. We had a great time at this campground and would visit again.

  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Michelle  M., July 12, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2019

No Dispersed Camping (2019)

I've camped here in the cabin option, which was fine and relatively quiet a few years ago, but wanted to find a place more secluded to do dispersed camping and saw this listed on thedyrt.com under dispersed camping. I called to verify and they do NOT allow any dispersed camping unless if you have a group of 40 or more people for boy scouts/girl scouts.

Reviewed Apr. 20, 2018

Great for local get aways

Great for the times that we have to work weekends and still want to go camping. We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish. The only big minus is the full hook ups fill up fast no spur of the moment camping unless it is early or late in the season. The other thing is ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site.

SiteFox Run - All times of the year
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Sep. 15, 2017

Lovely kayaking

We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill. Also it is 30 miles from Shipshawana where the Amish have a flea market and auction (Tuesdays & Wednesday) . Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily. Bathrooms could use a bit of paint but were clean enough. We were there during the week and had he place to ourselves. All in all it was a fun stop on our way to Colorado.

Site379
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Aida K., September 15, 2017
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Aida K., September 15, 2017
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Aida K., September 15, 2017
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Aida K., September 15, 2017
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Aida K., September 15, 2017
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Aida K., September 15, 2017
  • Review photo of Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park by Aida K., September 15, 2017
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2016

Nice quick escape

This park isn't too far away from Chicago, which makes it a great place for a quick get away! There are a variety of sites from electric to non-electric. A boat rental area for canoes and kayaks makes this great for getting on the water and there are some decent bike trails in the park as well.