Campsite options near Grayslake, Illinois range in elevation from 650 to 800 feet above sea level, situated across the rolling glacial moraines that characterize northeastern Illinois. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with July and August temperatures averaging 80-85°F during the day. Woodland sites in this region feature oak-hickory forests on higher ground with marshy lowlands populated by cattails and sedges.
What to do
Kayaking interconnected waterways: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides numerous paddling routes through multiple lakes. "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," noted one visitor to Turner Lake South.
Fishing from your campsite: Several lakefront sites at Turner Lake South offer direct water access. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," reports one camper. Fishing licenses cost $15 for Illinois residents and $31.50 for non-residents.
Horseback riding trails: Richard Bong State Recreation Area offers designated equestrian paths. "There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long," shares a visitor to Sunrise Campground. Guided trail rides cost approximately $45 per hour with multiple difficulty levels available.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Turner Lake South offers more secluded camping spots. "The campsites are a little bigger in Turner Lake South, I feel, but both have campsites circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent," explains one camper about the area's layout compared to other loops.
Budget-friendly options: Non-electric sites provide affordable alternatives. "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," reports a visitor about Prairie View.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight bathroom maintenance as a key factor. "Bath house clean and in the center of them all," notes one camper about Fox Den. Another mentions that "The shower houses are dated, yet I have seen them clean and also not clean on busy camper weekends."
What you should know
Reservation processes vary: State parks may have different booking systems. "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," warns a visitor about Prairie View.
Gate closures enforced: Camp Reinberg has strict access controls. "There is a gate that is closed at 10pm every night and opened again in the morning," notes a camper. Similarly, other parks have restrictions: "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."
Wildlife encounters: Insects and animals require preparation. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," cautions a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow. Another adds, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Tips for camping with families
Screen houses essential: Pack enclosed shelter options for young children. "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!" shares a parent camping with toddlers at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Water activities for different ages: Fish Lake Beach offers multi-generational water recreation. "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!"
Strategic site selection: Choose sites based on amenities proximity. "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," advises a family at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Electric post locations matter: Check hookup positioning before booking. "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," advises an experienced camper comparing the Chain O' Lakes options.
Water fill services: Some campgrounds provide staff assistance for water. "The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them. But they do it with a good attitude," notes a visitor to Camp Reinberg.
Site dimensions vary significantly: Research specific site limitations before arrival. "We originally booked 96 but could not extend our slide because of large trees on either side of the pad and then the electric was about 50 feet away. Moved to 50 one of the nicest spots," shares an RVer at Honeysuckle Hollow, emphasizing the importance of campsite research.
