Chain O'Lakes State Park offers rustic and glamping camping options near Highwood, Illinois, approximately 50 miles from downtown Chicago. The state park encompasses over 6,500 acres of protected woodland and water systems with multiple campgrounds situated around its interconnected lakes. Winter temperatures average 20-30°F while summer camping season sees average highs in the mid-80s with moderate humidity.
What to do
Kayaking the interconnected waterways: At Turner Lake South Camping Area, paddlers can experience serene wildlife viewing on the connected 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," notes one visitor. Boat rentals are available at the main boat launch area.
Horseback riding trails: Chain O'Lakes State Park offers dedicated trails for equestrians during summer months. "There are horse/snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground," explains a camper. The riding trails connect multiple areas of the park, providing access to more remote scenic areas and grasslands.
Winter activities: When temperatures drop, Camp Bullfrog Lake provides year-round camping with winter access to trails. "We live 15 minutes away so like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," mentions one camper who enjoys off-season visits. Winter camping requires additional preparation but offers solitude and different wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Thomas Woods Campground offers secluded camping options with natural buffers. According to a camper, "This was a well laid out campground, with some sites right on the roads and some buried back in the woods away from everyone (we chose the latter and felt like we had the place to ourselves)." Most sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to water pumps.
Affordable pricing: Basic tent sites at Turner Lake South provide budget-friendly options for campers seeking simplicity. "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. Non-electric sites typically cost $12-25 per night depending on location.
Accessibility to Chicago: Camp locations provide convenient access to the city while offering natural settings. One visitor to Fox Den Campground notes, "This park isn't too far away from Chicago, which makes it a great place for a quick get away!" Most campgrounds are within 30-60 minutes of northern Chicago suburbs.
What you should know
Seasonal differences in site availability: Summer weekends book quickly, requiring advance planning. "We chose the Turner South Loop, one of the older tent camping loops, and the age definitely showed. Most of the sites on this loop are pretty worn, with not much privacy," reports one camper who recommends site T9 or T10 if staying in this loop.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for ticks and raccoons when camping at Honeysuckle Hollow. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns one family. Another adds, "the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Water access limitations: Not all campsites provide easy lake access despite being in a water-rich region. One camper at Big Foot Beach State Park observed, "This campsite is convenient if you're visiting Lake Geneva but not the most scenic of parks. There's a beach across a busy street that is about 5 feet long that's right against the road."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides dedicated play areas for children. "There is a park for the kids in several areas," notes a visitor. Another adds, "I really enjoyed my stay here it's small but it's great they're pool and activities for families very quiet at night everyone and the staff were friendly."
Kid-friendly water activities: Several locations offer supervised swimming areas with graduated depths. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms (no hot water in the showers) right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" shares one parent about Fish Lake Beach.
Stroller accessibility: Evaluate terrain before booking with small children. "We also travel with our daughter with special needs, and the spaces were pretty accessible, a step or two to climb over with the stroller," explains a family who visited Chicago Northwest KOA, adding useful information for families with mobility considerations.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup placement: Check the location of power sources before setting up at Honeysuckle Hollow. "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," advises an experienced RVer.
Pull-through site availability: Fox Den Campground offers more spacious RV options than other nearby campgrounds. "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. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees," explains one reviewer comparing the options.
Dump station congestion: Plan extra time for services during peak periods. A camper reported, "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping."
