Bull Valley camping options extend throughout McHenry County and into adjacent areas with diverse accommodations ranging from basic tent sites to full electric hookups. The region sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level with glacial terrain creating the distinctive rolling landscape. Most campgrounds remain open from early May through mid-October with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 85°F during camping season.
What to do
Water activities in less-crowded areas: Head to Turner Lake South in Chain O' Lakes State Park where you can enjoy paddling without fighting the main channel traffic. As one camper notes, "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."
Hiking through diverse ecosystems: Thomas Woods Campground offers both wooded and prairie trails suitable for all skill levels. "What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails. They aren't the longest but we were able to vary the route up to keep it fresh for our dog to sniff out her adventure. Some of grass and others were dirt."
Explore natural springs: The Ottawa Lake Campground area includes unique geological features worth exploring. "Hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" This area is approximately 75 minutes from Bull Valley but offers a completely different landscape than the Chain O' Lakes region.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites with affordable rates: For budget-conscious campers seeking yurt camping near Bull Valley, Illinois alternatives, basic tent sites provide excellent value. "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."
Private camping spots: Fox Den Campground offers more secluded sites than other loops in 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."
Midweek tranquility: If possible, schedule your yurt or tent camping trip during weekdays for a quieter experience. One visitor noted, "We were there during the week and had the place to ourselves. All in all it was a fun stop on our way to Colorado."
What you should know
Mosquito and tick preparation: Bring appropriate repellent and perform regular tick checks, especially with young children. A parent shared, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks."
Site selection advice: Not all sites are created equal, even within the same campground. A camper advises, "Site 17 [is a] larger site for an RV but I used a tent only. I enjoyed the fact the site was further off the main road which allowed for more privacy. Most of the sites were right on the road and you'd need to position your car right for privacy."
Wildlife management: Honeysuckle Hollow campers should prepare for evening wildlife visitors. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water options: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers a clean beach area with amenities. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Spacious sites for active children: Look for sites with ample play space. "We were at site 4 which is electric hookup and it was a huge area! The kids had so much space to run around and explore. They loved the well pump."
Scheduled activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events for younger campers. "There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends. People are nice to you. Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup positioning: At Chicago Northwest KOA, RV sites are thoughtfully arranged. "It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy."
Plan for potable water access: Many campgrounds have central water sources rather than at each site. "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."
Check campground loops for best RV fit: When researching yurt camping or RV sites near Bull Valley, Illinois, choose the right loop. "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 too far from parking pad."
