Chain O' Lakes State Park offers diverse camping experiences within an hour of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. The park spans over 6,000 acres and connects seven lakes through navigable waterways in the northeastern part of the state. Winter temperatures typically drop to 20°F, while summer averages around 80°F, making May through October the prime camping season for both traditional sites and yurt accommodations.
What to do
Hiking trails for all levels: Fox Den Campground offers multiple trail options from its central location. "There are hiking trails and this campground is the closest to the boat dock and concession which serves as the camp store," notes one visitor who appreciates the convenience of activities near their site.
Kayaking through multiple waterways: Turner Lake South provides excellent access to the Chain O' Lakes waterway system. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," reports an enthusiastic paddler.
Rock climbing activities: Camp Sullivan offers a unique rock climbing wall not found at other area campgrounds. A visitor notes, "There is an activities barn with a rock climbing wall," making it a good option for families seeking structured recreation beyond typical outdoor activities.
Fishing from your campsite: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides lakefront sites with direct fishing access. "I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site! The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," shares a camper who enjoys the convenience.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Thomas Woods Campground offers more secluded camping spaces. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms... avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best," advises a family camper.
Well-maintained facilities: Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area receives praise for its upkeep. "Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups," reports a satisfied visitor.
Family-focused amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort caters specifically to families looking for structured activities. "There are a ton of activities here to include two bouncy pillows, three play grounds, a pool, water slides, a kids water activity area, beach, water obstacle course, inflatable slide, RC car track, laser tag, mini golf, giant chess, and I'm sure I'm missing something," details one comprehensive review.
Affordable camping options: Turner Lake South offers budget-friendly sites. "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," shares a camper who appreciates the value.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Thomas Woods Campground has active wildlife. "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites. Camp hosts are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers. Hand pumps for water and well-kept pit toilets. Hiking galore! My 'leashed' dog loves this place, as do I," explains a regular visitor.
Tick prevention essential: Honeysuckle Hollow requires tick awareness. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!" warns a parent.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds near Buffalo Grove have limited seasons. Fish Lake Beach operates from May 1 to October 15, while others like Big Foot Beach State Park run "April to October," making off-season camping challenging in this region.
Varying bathroom conditions: Camp Bullfrog Lake tends to have consistently clean facilities. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked," notes one camper, though experiences vary across campgrounds, with some reporting inconsistent maintenance.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites away from water for safety: At Fish Lake Beach, a camper recommends: "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque."
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Honeysuckle Hollow fills quickly during peak times. "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East," advises a regular visitor who notes planning ahead is essential.
Pack containment options for small children: When camping at Honeysuckle Hollow with toddlers, one experienced parent suggests: "Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair," due to the prevalence of ticks in the area.
Look for yurt camping options: Chicago Northwest KOA offers yurt accommodations for families near Buffalo Grove. "This KOA has very limited full hook up sites. As far as KOA standards, it is not great. It is about an hour and half from Chicago and Milwaukee," notes one visitor who tried the alternative lodging option.
Tips from RVers
Call ahead about electrical hookup locations: Fox Den Campground has better electrical placement than nearby alternatives. "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," explains an experienced RVer familiar with both campgrounds.
Level sites availability: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers good RV sites despite limited shade. "For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest. Sites #4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," notes a camper who has stayed there multiple times.
Water fill and dump logistics: At Honeysuckle Hollow, plan for water access points. "We had 50 amp, but no water/sewer, although there was a water spigot next to our site that we could use to fill up jugs of water. The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water," shares a visitor who stayed for a week.
