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.
