Thomas Woods Campground offers a rustic alternative to glamping near Algonquin, Illinois, with private tent sites spread throughout wooded areas. Located approximately 25 miles from Algonquin, this McHenry County Conservation District property features a different camping experience with hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and more secluded sites. The campground operates primarily on weekends from early May through late October, with limited amenities compared to luxury glamping resorts.
What to do
Kayaking on Chain O' Lakes waterways: At Fox Den Campground, visitors can explore interconnected waterways ideal for paddlers of all levels. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill. Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily," reports one camper who appreciated the water access.
Hiking wooded trails: Thomas Woods Campground features serene forest paths perfect for nature walks. A visitor noted, "Beautiful wooded and quiet. Great hiking trails, a pond for fishing, private camp sites." The trails offer a mix of terrain with forest and prairie sections showcasing seasonal wildflowers.
Mountain biking: Camp Bullfrog Lake provides extensive trail systems specifically designed for mountain biking enthusiasts. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails," states one visitor who discovered the extensive network during their stay.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Unlike the open glamping areas, many campers appreciate the seclusion at Turner Lake South Campground. "This was a well laid out campground, with some sites right on the roads and some buried back in the woods away from everyone (we chose the latter and felt like we had the place to ourselves)," notes a camper who valued the privacy.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer direct lake access for fishing. At Turner Lake South, "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by."
Affordable camping options: Honeysuckle Hollow provides budget-friendly alternatives to luxury accommodations. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," explains a budget-conscious camper who found value in the basic amenities.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area have limited availability outside summer months. "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021. The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," explains a Honeysuckle Hollow visitor who benefited from mid-week camping.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife interactions at campgrounds. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down."
Tick prevalence: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort and other wooded areas require tick prevention measures. At Honeysuckle Hollow, one parent warned: "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. They literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated play areas for children. A Chicago Northwest KOA visitor mentioned, "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Level, safe sites: When selecting campsites with children, look for flat terrain. At Honeysuckle Hollow, a family noted, "Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe. Also seemed pretty respectful in the evenings with people toning down the noise."
Weekend activities: Chicago Northwest KOA offers structured events for younger campers. A long-time visitor explains, "This campground has really grown on me a lot. My family and i have seen the newer owners clean it up, remodel sites, add new equipment for children and added more activities too!"
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Check hookup placement at Chain O' Lakes campgrounds. One RVer at Fox Den explained, "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad." This detail matters significantly for properly positioning your rig.
Site width variations: Many campgrounds offer inconsistent site sizes. At Big Foot Beach State Park, a visitor observed, "Spaces are not consistent, some very large and shaded and some smaller and crowded. Short trails in the park to hike." Research specific site dimensions before booking for larger RVs.
Dump station congestion: Plan extra time during peak periods. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," noted one RVer about their experience navigating facilities during busy weekends.
