Cabin camping near Gurnee, Illinois provides access to forests and wetlands along the Chain O'Lakes waterway system. This region sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during camping season. Mosquitoes can be particularly abundant in wetland areas during summer months, with activity peaking at dusk.
What to Do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Ottawa Lake Campground offers excellent bird watching and small mammal sightings. "We kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice... But back to the fun part. We enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw," reports one visitor at Sunset Campground.
Water recreation options: Anglers can fish directly from their sites at several locations. "The lake is 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," notes a camper at Turner Lake South.
Off-site attractions: Local farms and markets provide seasonal activities within driving distance. "If you like antiques or fun local places, head to The Milk House in Pingree and hit up the antique shops on your way," suggests a visitor to Chicago Northwest KOA, which is convenient for exploring the surrounding countryside.
What Campers Like
Privacy levels vary by location: Turner Lake South offers more secluded options. "The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East. 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," according to one experienced camper.
Evening ambiance: Nighttime offers stargazing opportunities at less developed sites. "Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky," shares a visitor at Sunset Campground.
Recreational facilities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort features water-based amenities. "We tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site! The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side."
What You Should Know
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Quality and cleanliness fluctuate by location and season. "The shower houses are dated, yet I have seen them clean and also not clean on busy camper weekends," notes a camper about Turner Lake South.
Wildlife management concerns: Prepare for insects and local wildlife encounters. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. They literally fall out of the trees into people!" warns a visitor 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."
Seasonal crowd patterns: Weekday stays offer more solitude than weekends. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," reports a camper about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips for Camping with Families
Child-friendly amenities: Camp Reinberg provides accessible activities for young visitors. "The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout," notes a visitor.
Safety considerations: Terrain can present challenges for families with small children. "Along one edge of campsites there is a huge cliff-sized drop off, so be cautious if camping with children," cautions a visitor to Happy Acres Kampground.
Containment strategies: Screen houses prove useful for young children in buggy areas. "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. Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house," advises a family at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers varying site qualities for RVs. "For the most part, all of the 30/50 amp sites are very similar. Can't really say one appears to be better than the rest. Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," notes an RVer.
Hookup logistics: Water access can require staff assistance at some locations. "There is NO water spigots at the RV sites. 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," explains a visitor at Camp Reinberg.
Shade availability: Newer facilities may lack mature trees. "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small," reports an RVer at Camp Bullfrog Lake, suggesting early morning or late afternoon outdoor activities during summer months.
