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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.
"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!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"*** 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"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
"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!"
"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. "
"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."
from $24 - $41 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $24 - $110 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $18 - $36 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $12 / night
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TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
RangerWe had a truly enjoyable stay and would’ve stayed an extra day if our travel schedule would’ve allowed. David was a wonderful host. Greeted us with a smile and escorted us to our site. We had our choice of 2 spots, both lovely. Picnic table and plenty of FREE firewood to keep us cozy. Wild turkeys roamed the grounds as well as the friendly ducks. All in all, a very peaceful evening and a special place.
GuideFor a primitive campground, this was a nice-enough experience.
Pros:
- The sites we stayed in and the others that we noticed seemed sizeable and had nice tree-cover
- Having access to the Ice Age Trail was really neat
- Lake access nearby
Cons:
- On the continuum of vault toilet quality, these were on the less-desirable end. We joked about whether it was scarier to visit them when they were dark or when the lights were on. If you love having fly friends keep you company when nature calls, then these are the bathrooms for you! The bathrooms did get cleaned on Sunday morning, but this didn't help the situation very much.
- No showers
ScoutStayed with Thousand Trails. It's mostly an annual park, but they've got about 20 TT sites. They've got a clean pool, good size. And a clubhouse that's open til 9pm. Laundry & trash dumpsters nearby. Full hook ups. We enjoyed our stay.
TravelerIt’s a lot bigger than I expected it to be. Our site is great the bathrooms are well maintained. There’s plenty of things to do here. Getting wood is great and easy the only downside is paying $8 a bundle. Otherwise great campgrounds. Would definitely come back.
TravelerStayed in Sunrise campground. Minimal amenities available. Most sites seem geared towards tents and small units. Sunfall camp ground especially so.
ScoutAway from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
GuideIt was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
GuideOur friends have a permanent camper here so we joined them for the weekend. I’ve never experienced a place like this. It’s not what I would consider camping. It’s basically people’s second trailer park home. The frog pond that was turned into a swimming hole with ridiculous inflatables completely ruined the peaceful atmosphere in that area of the park. If you enjoy being surrounded by people, noise, and teens cruising in golf carts, you’ll love this place. We do have fun when we are with our friends here, but it is definitely not a typical peaceful camp.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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?
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 68 reviews.
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