The Northern Illinois area surrounding McHenry offers cabin options ranging from rustic state park accommodations to more developed private resorts. Situated at an elevation of 797 feet with several lakes and the Fox River running through the region, the area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping season. Winter cabin camping is limited with most facilities closing from October through April.
What to do
Boating and fishing access: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers both Turner Lake and Honeysuckle Hollow with kayak and canoe routes. "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 Turner Lake South visitor.
Hiking trails: Richard Bong State Recreation Area provides walking paths through wetlands approximately 30 miles from McHenry. "Very nice campground. Would definitely come again," according to one camper, while another adds, "It's a big park. The trails are nice." Sunset Campground includes both short and long trails suitable for most ability levels.
Swimming options: Most cabins near McHenry offer water activities during summer months. "The lake was very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" reports one visitor to Ottawa Lake Campground. The Kettle Moraine State Forest area includes several swim-friendly lakes within a 45-minute drive north of McHenry.
What campers like
Relative quiet during weekdays: Most cabin locations experience significantly reduced crowds Monday through Thursday. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," according to a visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with cabins typically maintain regular bathroom cleaning schedules. "Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups," notes one Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Most cabin locations prioritize activities 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," writes a Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort visitor.
What you should know
Train noise affects some sites: Several campgrounds with cabin rentals near McHenry have rail lines nearby. "This place isn't EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you'll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks... you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you're sharp, you're going to want to ensure you haven't booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours," warns a reviewer at Northwoods RV Resort.
Busy summer weekends require advance planning: Holiday periods fill completely at most facilities. "The lake is very clear and you could see the fish swim by. This loop is best for tent camping. The other loops are basically all rvs. The boat launch to the fox river was nice too but it does get busy," notes a visitor at Turner Lake South.
Ticks prevalent in wooded areas: Bring proper insect protection, 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!" cautions a Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Tips for camping with families
Look for cabin rentals with playgrounds: Several facilities offer dedicated children's play areas. "Lots for the kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground," shares a Chicago Northwest KOA visitor, while another adds, "Very nice campground. It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy."
Cabin options vary widely in amenities: Some provide only walls and beds while others offer kitchenettes. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site!" recommends a camper at Fish Lake Beach.
Bring screen shelters for outdoor dining: Mosquitoes can be intense, especially near water. "The bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. The pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there's a neat walking trail in the woods. Super kid friendly, fishing pond/beach," reports a Happy Acres Kampground reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Book sites away from facilities: High-traffic areas experience more noise and activity. "The sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all. The people are very nice. Everyone waves to everyone," notes one Northwoods RV Resort camper.
Utilize proximity to nearby services: Most cabin rental locations near McHenry provide easy access to stores. "This campground has really grown on me a lot. My family and i have seen the newer owners clean it up, remodel sites, add new equipment for children and added more activities too!" shares a Chicago Northwest KOA visitor.
Check on seasonal shower availability: Some facilities limit services during shoulder seasons. "We stayed here overnight on our way to Michigan, with our site in the White Oak loop. Most sites here were secluded and level. Beware of the Plum Grove loops - most sites there looked small and close together, and many were not very level," advises a visitor at Rock Cut State Park.