Camping cabins near Ingleside, Illinois offer year-round options in a region characterized by glacial landforms and kettle lakes formed during the last ice age. The area sits at approximately 780 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most cabin rentals in the Chain O' Lakes region require advance booking, especially during peak season from May through September when occupancy rates often exceed 90%.
What to do
Paddling adventures: 4-5 mile routes connect several lakes throughout Chain O' Lakes State Park. "If you like to kayak or canoe this is a great place to be. There is a water way fee per kayak or canoe per year but it is well worth it," notes a visitor. Another camper adds, "We kayaked but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy."
Wildlife watching: Spring migration season brings numerous bird species to the wetland areas. At Richard Bong State Recreation Area, "If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go... I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two."
Winter cabin stays: December-February offer quiet retreats when most campgrounds have reduced occupancy. "No showers in winter but awesome," mentions one visitor about the cabins at Kettle Moraine State Forest. The winter season provides opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on designated trails throughout the region.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin areas feature natural screening. At Kettle Moraine, "Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood."
Clean facilities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort maintains well-kept shower buildings. "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.
Evening atmosphere: Most cabin areas enforce quiet hours after 10pm. "The atmosphere is the perfect balance of fun and relaxing," notes a visitor to Fish Lake Beach. Another adds, "Although it didn't disturb our sleep, certain loud vehicles were more noticeable throughout the day and night."
What you should know
Insect preparedness: May-September brings heavy mosquito activity. At Ottawa Lake Campground, "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it... I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi."
Electrical limitations: Some cabins have restricted power capacity. "We had a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday... We were told that the park was just so old that it probably couldn't keep up and moved us to a 50 amp sight," reports a camper at Rock Cut State Park.
Water access varies: Not all cabin locations include direct water hookups. At Camp Reinberg, "There are 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."
Tips for camping with families
Tick prevention: Bring protective clothing for children during summer months. At Honeysuckle Hollow, "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!"
Wildlife awareness: Store food properly to prevent unwanted visitors. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night."
Cabin selection strategy: Choose sites farther from main roads. A Turner Lake South visitor recommends: "I feel like 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... both have campsites circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent."
Tips from RVers
Water fill planning: Schedule extra time for water connections at campgrounds with limited hookups. At Camp Reinberg, "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."
Dump station timing: Arrive early or late to avoid wait times. "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," notes a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Site selection for larger units: Request specific site numbers based on access needs. For Prairie View campground at Rock Cut State Park, "To access the shower, you will need to go back to the main road and hike it down the road with your towel and toiletries, which I have to admit, is the biggest bummer about this particular campground."
