Chain O' Lakes State Park provides multiple camping options near Lake Villa, Illinois, with sites located on the shores of seven connected lakes. The park spans 3,200 acres with elevation ranging from 765 to 815 feet above sea level. During peak summer months, temperatures average 75-85°F with significant mosquito activity, while fall brings 50-70°F temperatures and reduced insects.
What to do
Kayak the connected waterways: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, paddlers can navigate between multiple lakes without tackling challenging river sections. "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 a visitor at Turner Lake South.
Visit nearby attractions: The park's location provides access to nearby points of interest. "We stayed at Chain O' Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill. Also it is 30 miles from Shipshawana where the Amish have a flea market and auction (Tuesdays & Wednesday)," shares a camper who stayed at Fox Den Campground.
Winter activities: Unlike many regional campgrounds, Chain O' Lakes offers winter camping opportunities. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports a camper at Ottawa Lake Campground, a nearby option when Chain O' Lakes reaches capacity.
What campers like
Private campsites: Fox Den Campground offers more secluded sites than other areas. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers (our site was protected on 3 sides by some fairly dens foliage and trees)," explains a visitor.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained restrooms. "The bathroom facilities have a bit to be desired but still very functional. If you like to kayak or canoe this is a great place to be. The camp sites are spaced apart at a good distance to lend you some privacy," notes a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Budget options: For those seeking affordable glamping in Lake Villa, Illinois, the park offers cost-effective sites. "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," shares a visitor to Turner Lake South.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for nighttime visitors to your campsite. "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 and all surfaces wiped down," warns a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Alcohol policy: Unlike some private campgrounds, alcohol is not permitted in the state park. "The state park is larger than expected with decent amenities (boat rentals, concessions, relatively clean pit toilets) and areas designated for trailer camping and tent camping," notes a camper at Turner Lake South, who also mentions the alcohol restriction.
Reservation planning: Sites fill quickly during prime season. "The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition. Our site was very shaded and quiet at night. The bath house was very clean. There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding," shares a visitor at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, an alternative when Chain O' Lakes is full.
Tips for camping with families
Best sites for children: Some loops are more family-friendly than others. "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. Closer to the center of this row is best," suggests a family who camped at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Bug prevention: Ticks and mosquitoes are common, especially with children. "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!" warns a family camper.
Alternative glamping near Lake Villa: For family-oriented glamping experiences, consider nearby options. "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," notes a visitor to Thomas Woods Campground.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: RV campers should research site layouts before booking. "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 RV camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Water access: Plan your water needs carefully. "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," shares an RV camper who stayed for a week.
Site comparison: Different camping loops offer varying experiences for RVs. "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. In Honeysuckle you will have clear line of site to very close neighbor," explains an RV camper.
