Thomas Woods Campground offers dispersed camping options near Marengo, Illinois, with both drive-in and walk-in sites available. Located within the McHenry County Conservation District, this smaller woodland campground operates on weekends from early May through late October. Sites are spaced out to provide relative privacy, with some sites positioned farther from the main road for a more secluded experience.
What to do
Hiking trails: Thomas Woods Campground connects to several miles of trails through woods and prairie. "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 and we enjoyed pausing to appreciate their beauty," notes one visitor at Thomas Woods Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides multiple water access points for paddlers. "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," reports a camper at Turner Lake South.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer lake access for fishing. "The lake was 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," according to a recent visitor to Turner Lake South.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campsites provide separation from neighbors. "I stayed in one of the tent camping sites with a little walk up (parking for a car available about 50 feet away). Nobody else was camping within sight of me, which was nice, though 2 other sites were visible from mine," writes a camper at Thomas Woods Campground.
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value. "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," notes a reviewer at Turner Lake South Campground.
Premium glamping accommodations: For those seeking upscale outdoor stays near Marengo, options include canvas structures with real beds. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites... 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," shares a visitor at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
What you should know
Weekend-only operation: Some conservation district campgrounds have limited schedules. "Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites. Camp hosts are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers. Hand pumps for water and well-kept pit toilets. Hiking galore! My 'leashed' dog loves this place, as do I," explains a visitor to Thomas Woods Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for local fauna activity. "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 camper at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area.
Raccoon activity: Proper food storage is essential. "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," advises a Honeysuckle Hollow visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds offer scheduled events for children. "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 Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Spacious family sites: Some areas provide ample room for children to play. "We did our first (family of 5) camping trip at Thomas Woods. We were at 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," shares a camper at Thomas Woods.
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer swimming options. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" remarks a visitor to Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Tips for RVers
Site selection important: Research specific site dimensions before booking. "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)," reports a camper at Fox Den Campground.
Electric hookup considerations: Know your electrical needs and site options. "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 a visitor comparing the two Chain O' Lakes campgrounds.
