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Peter N.
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ScoutSunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Nice sites. Lots of road noise.
Camping near Fox Lake, IL
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The Fox Lake area in northeastern Illinois features several established campgrounds within Chain O' Lakes State Park, offering a mix of tent, RV, and cabin camping options. Campgrounds like Fox Den, Turner Lake South, Prairie View, and Honeysuckle Hollow provide varying levels of amenities within the park system. The region extends into southern Wisconsin with additional options at Richard Bong State Recreation Area and Big Foot Beach State Park, creating a diverse camping corridor along the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Most sites are developed campgrounds with designated sites rather than dispersed camping areas, with many offering electric hookups and basic amenities.
Reservations are required at most campgrounds in the area, with sites filling quickly during summer months, particularly on weekends. The camping season generally runs from spring through fall, with limited winter availability. Chain O' Lakes State Park enforces a no-alcohol policy, even at individual campsites. Many campgrounds provide access to the Fox River and connected lake system, making them popular with boaters and anglers. The region's flat terrain makes for accessible camping, though privacy between sites varies significantly by campground loop. As one camper noted, "Turner lake south loop has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites."
Waterfront access represents a major draw for campers visiting the Fox Lake region, with several campgrounds offering boat launches and fishing opportunities. Prairie View campground provides a more rustic experience without electrical hookups, while Fox Den and Turner Lake South offer more amenities. According to one visitor, "Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season." Campers frequently mention the extensive trail system throughout the area, including hiking paths and horse trails. The proximity to Chicago (approximately 60 miles) makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for urban residents seeking outdoor recreation, with several reviewers noting the convenience for "quick weekend trips" from the city.
Best Campgrounds near Fox Lake (73)
1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
2. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore"
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) 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"
3. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
4. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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."
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
5. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
"I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"
"Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."
Check Availabilityfrom $21 - $39 / night
6. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."
7. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
"Plenty of space & foliage between sites and a nice network of trails surrounding the campground. Close to some small towns and the interstate as well, but not close enough to hear traffic."
"the property is HUGE and most things are about a 10 to 15 min walk from the campsites. lots of hiking, boating, swimming fishing and more! a great place for anyone!"
Check Availabilityfrom $21 - $110 / night
8. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
"Conveniently located next to Lake Geneva with a tiny roadside beach area. I recommend camping sites on the west side of the camping loop to cut down on sun. Not enough electric sites for campers."
"We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $19 - $37 / night
9. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
Check Availabilityfrom $43 - $73 / night
10. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."
"There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."
Check Availabilityfrom $12 / night
Drive Time
- 35 min from Kenosha, WI
- 46 min from Racine, WI
- 58 min from Janesville, WI
- 59 min from Milwaukee, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Fox Lake, IL
226 Photos of 73 Fox Lake Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Mud Lake West — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State ParkK
Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Happy Acres KampgroundJ
Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation AreaA
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State ParkW
Recent Reviews near Fox Lake, IL
685 Reviews of 73 Fox Lake Campgrounds
- JJenny B.
TravelerHononegah Forest Preserve
All sites are separated not on top of each other. We’ve been here quite a few times during cooler months and have been very happy with our experience.
Stuart K.
LegendPrairie View Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Nice Shaded Camping Alcove With Plenty of P&Q
Prairie View CG is the very first camping oasis you will come across after entering Rock Cut SP from its northernmost entrance, with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east. Once you enter the park, you will follow the long winding nicely paved two-lane circuit until you begin seeing the signs highlighting where to go for the various campgrounds. Once you access this road, you’ll come across a small building with a ranger where you will check in, after which, you will pass by a designated dump station before coming around a small bend where you will take your first left.
The sites begin with #500 and as you circumnavigate the simple circular loop, you will pass by about 2 dozen or so slots that are nice flat paved slots perfect sized for just about any RV or 5th Wheel. There is a single his / her restroom along with trash area at the beginning of the loop just past sites #503 and #504. To access the shower, you will need to go back to the main road and hike it down the road with your towel and toiletries, which I have to admit, is the biggest bummer about this particular campground. If having close access to shower facilities is important to you, then you may want to contemplate staying at other campgrounds here at Rock Cut SP like Staghorn and White Oak, which offer closer proximity.
One of the greatest assets here at Rock Cut SP is the very massive Pierce Lake, which is great for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming. To launch your watercraft, you’ll head south to Hickory Hills campground where on the eastern side of this area you’ll be able to find the boat launch. In the Prairie View campground, in addition to restroom and waste disposal, you’ll also have access to running water spigots at each site along with running electric. The small community amphitheather is located centrally just past the campstore and before reaching the Hickory Hills campground. There is an excellent camp store in the middle of Rock Cut SP that offers up ice, firewood, ice cream, snacks, games, limited groceries and a number of other sundries you might need while camping. Additionally, there are 5 shelters that have electricity, with water and restrooms nearby and each shelter available through a reservation system. Two of the shelters (Red Oak and Puri Crest) also have children’s playgrounds nearby.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best sites here at Prairie View CG are those that are located furthest from the main road, for attaining the maximum camping bliss trifecta of less traffic, little noise and more privacy. As such, look at sites #512, #514, #516 and #518, which are all located on the exterior of the circle, thus providing the greatest amount of intimate nature experience; (2) Once you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your cooler, fret not, and just head out of the park where you will find a handful of dining options: Tom& Jerry’s, Fresh Start Café, Waffle Shop, Golden Chopsticks Buffet, Sunrise Family Restaurant, Beef-A-Roo (in fact, there’s like 4 of these that the park is surrounded by), but one of my absolute favorites is Green Fire, which is a really nice farm-to-table joint; (3) Got bird watching on your mind? Well, you’re in luck, because here at Rock Cut SP you can spot an amazing array of winged adventurers including bald eagles, American robins, northern cardinals, barn owls, mourning doves, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, Canadian geese, red-bellied woodpeckers, brown thrashers and many others; (4) Tired of nature and just want to get some really cool culture in you? Then head just due south of Rock Cut SP to explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House, which is simply amazing; and (5) If you come bearing watercraft like canoe or kayak, while Lake Pierce is wonderful and great for fishing, if you want something a bit more challenging, then head due west to the Rock River, where you can drop in from a number of launch sites, however I strongly recommend Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve.
Happy Camping!
- GGladys L.Traveler
Plum Grove Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park in Rockford , Illinois
We got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
- BBeth O.Scout
Blackwell Family Campground
Great Stay
Blackwell has clean bathrooms, offers hiking trails, boating (kayak rentals) or bring your own, fishing, archery, cycling. The gate locks at 7pm but you just call the night guard and he will let you in. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Would definitely stay again. Be aware Winfield Road has a lot of traffic so sites further away from that road are best. Heard coyotes about 3 am both mornings. Rangers were exceptional.
Sherry K.ScoutPearl Lake
Late night party central
The park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
kelsea D.TravelerPrairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
A lot to do.
There’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendHoneysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Lively Little Campground Beside Turner Lake
There’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
- nnancy H.
GuideStaghorn Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Perfect for an overnight stop when travelling through I-90 & Rockford Ill
We are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
Guide to Fox Lake
Fox Lake camping areas typically experience hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F and mild springs and falls with daytime temperatures ranging from 50-75°F. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 700-900 feet, positioned along the Chain O'Lakes waterway system consisting of 15 interconnected lakes spanning 7,100 acres. Non-electric primitive campsites typically cost $12-25 per night while electric sites range from $25-35.
What to do
Kayaking through interconnected waterways: The Chain O'Lakes system offers extensive paddling opportunities from multiple launch points. At Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park, campers appreciate the diverse paddling options. "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," explains one visitor.
Horseback riding for all skill levels: Several camping areas near Fox Lake provide equestrian facilities. The Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area offers both trail riding and rentals. "The Weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long," reports one visitor. Trail difficulty varies from beginner to intermediate.
Fishing from lakefront sites: Multiple campgrounds offer direct lake access for anglers. At Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park, "There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground. Perfect if you have a boat and want access to the Chain of Lakes," according to one regular camper.
What campers like
Proximity to Chicago with natural settings: Many of the best places to camp near Fox Lake, Illinois are within easy driving distance of major urban areas. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park is especially popular for this reason. "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)," writes one regular visitor.
Secluded tent sites in designated loops: Several campgrounds offer more private tent camping areas separated from RV sections. At Prairie View camping area, "We stayed at the Prairie View section on site P27. It was me, my wife, our 8 month old daughter, and our dog... Luckily it was fantastic. You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble," explains one camper who appreciated the privacy.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned across multiple campgrounds. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water. Clean bathrooms and shower," reports one camper.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters are common: Both welcome and unwelcome wildlife can be part of the camping experience. According to campers at Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area, "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go... There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two."
No alcohol policies at Illinois state parks: Unlike Wisconsin campgrounds, Illinois state parks enforce strict alcohol restrictions. One Fox Den camper notes, "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."
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Site characteristics differ drastically between loops and campgrounds. At Honeysuckle Hollow, a camper explains, "Our site was encased in foliage which gave us some privacy. I could see through the brush to neighbors but it was enough to give my dog a sense of peace without disturbances. The sites are near enough together - we heard many children playing from all around us - but still gave us a sense of being out in the woods."
Tips for camping with families
Mosquito preparation essential: Bug protection is critical for child comfort. At Honeysuckle Hollow, one family warns: "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! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house."
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Turner Lake South, families benefit from "Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks." Sites closest to these amenities fill quickly during summer weekends.
Budget-friendly tent options: For families watching costs, certain campgrounds offer exceptional value. According to a Turner Lake South visitor, "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."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup limitations: Many campgrounds have specific electrical setups that require planning. At Honeysuckle Hollow camping area, "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance."
Extended stays considerations: For longer visits, certain campgrounds offer better amenities. One RVer at Big Foot Beach State Park noted, "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021. We had a back-in site on the north side of the campground. 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."
Gate closure policies: Be aware of strict entrance times at some parks. "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!" warns a camper at Prairie View camping area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Fox Lake, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Fox Lake, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fox Lake, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 69 reviews.
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