Glamping in Lakemoor, Illinois offers campers access to the Chain O' Lakes waterway system, consisting of 15 interconnected lakes spanning 7,100 acres. Located at approximately 800 feet above sea level, this region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal shifts with summer temperatures averaging 78-85°F, making it ideal for water recreation. Most glamping sites remain open from April through late October, with peak season water temperatures reaching 75-80°F.
What to Do
Kayaking through connected lakes: At Fox Den Campground, visitors access multiple waterways for paddling. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill. Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily," notes Aida K.
Wildlife observation on hiking trails: The Thomas Woods Campground offers multiple trail systems showcasing Illinois prairie and woodland ecosystems. A camper reports, "What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails. They aren't the longest but we were able to vary the route up to keep it fresh for our dog to sniff out her adventure. Some of grass and others were dirt. The wildflowers caught our eye."
Mountain biking near luxury accommodations: Near upscale glamping options, Camp Bullfrog Lake provides extensive trail systems for cyclists. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails," shares Tim K.
What Campers Like
Private sites with natural separation: Luxury campers appreciate the layout at many campgrounds. At Turner Lake South, "The campsite are nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites. Fox den and Prairie view loops are nice as well with mostly primitive sites."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Even at more rustic glamping locations, bathroom facilities remain important. "The bathroom facilities were kept very clean. Our camp site was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition. Our site was very shaded and quiet at night," says a visitor to Fox Den Campground.
Proximity to urban areas with nature immersion: Luxury camping near Lakemoor provides a balance of wilderness and convenience. One camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake states, "It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. It has the electrical hookups that we need and has a bath house that is close to where you camp. It has lots of groomed and ungroomed walking trails."
What You Should Know
Site selection impacts privacy levels: Sites vary significantly within the same campground. At Fox Den, "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)."
Wildlife precautions needed: Be prepared for local fauna. At Honeysuckle Hollow, one camper warns, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Also - the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Off-season benefits: Many glamping sites near Lakemoor offer different experiences throughout the season. "We were camping here right in the middle of fall. The leaves were changing and our site was near the lake. Awesome family friendly spot. Adult beverages must be in a solo cup," notes a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips for Camping with Families
Book sites away from main roads: For families with young children, site location matters. At Thomas Woods Campground, "We were camping in site 4 which is electric hookup and it was a huge area! The kids had so much space to run around and explore. They loved the well pump. We explored the campground both tent and rv. Both areas were well spaced out with enough privacy."
Consider lake access for swimming: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort caters specifically to families with children. "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. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there."
Plan for evening activities: Family-focused glamping sites often provide scheduled entertainment. "The camp store by the boat launch has fire wood, live bait, food, and other supplies," mentions a Turner Lake South visitor, while another notes, "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas."
Tips from RVers
Check hookup distances: At many Lakemoor area sites, electrical connections may be far from designated pads. "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," advises an experienced camper.
Consider weekday visits: For luxury RV camping with more space, timing matters. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week. The park has many trails, which were nice," explains a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
