Camping options near Bull Valley, Illinois provide natural escapes on generally flat terrain with elevations around 900 feet above sea level. The region's glacial topography creates small hills and depressions with a mix of wooded areas and prairie lands. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity while spring and fall bring cooler conditions ideal for outdoor activities.
What to do
Hiking trails: Chain O' Lakes State Park features extensive trails through varied landscapes. "There are a series of connecting trails giving a wide variety of options. There are even horse rentals and a trail designated as horse friendly," notes a visitor at Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park. The park offers miles of crushed gravel and paved paths.
Kayaking options: The waterways offer excellent paddling experiences without requiring advanced skills. "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," reports a camper at Turner Lake South.
Wildlife observation: The natural areas support diverse animal species. "We did a 5 mile hike through the park. It was absolutely beautiful. Lots of hills, forested areas, open prairies, and multiple water locations including next to the Fox River where our dog was able to cool off," shares a visitor from Prairie View Camping Area.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: For pet friendly camping near Bull Valley, Illinois, Thomas Woods offers natural seclusion. "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," reports a camper at Thomas Woods Campground.
Clean facilities: Basic but well-maintained amenities add comfort to the outdoor experience. "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," notes a visitor from Fox Den Campground.
Budget-friendly options: Affordable sites make camping accessible. "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. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night," explains a camper at Turner Lake South.
What you should know
Booking considerations: Plan ahead during peak seasons. "Checking in was interesting. No online reservations were allowed and their phone systems were down but we only found a few sites that were available. We were only able to camp for the night. I would recommend looking into this a bit more before driving out," advises a camper from Prairie View.
Park closure timing: Gates close at designated hours. "A note that the park gates close early as well - we returned one evening at 10:30pm and couldn't get back in with a vehicle. Had to go back in on foot. Good to plan ahead!" cautions a visitor from Prairie View Camping Area.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for local wildlife activity. "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," warns a camper from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips for camping with families
Kids activities: Multiple recreation options keep children engaged. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. 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," shares a visitor at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites toward the middle of loops. "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," suggests a family at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tick precautions: Take measures against ticks with children. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. 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," advises a parent from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Plan for appropriate spacing between vehicles. "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," notes an RV camper at Fox Den Campground.
Hookup access: Check electrical connection distances before booking. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," suggests a visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow who had to relocate due to hookup issues.
Dump station timing: Allow extra time during busy 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," reports an RVer who stayed at Honeysuckle Hollow for a week.
