Cabin Camping near McHenry, IL

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    Several cabin camping options exist within a short drive of McHenry, Illinois. Chain O' Lakes State Park offers cabin accommodations at both Turner Lake South and Honeysuckle Hollow campgrounds, with basic amenities including electricity, fire pits, and picnic tables. Most cabins feature raised beds, simple furniture, and access to nearby shower facilities. "Sites had gravel and roots so tent spot took some searching and clearing to find. While pretty busy it still felt private and quiet aside from nearby sites playing music," noted one visitor about the Turner Lake area. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides more developed cabin options with electricity and proximity to recreational amenities.

    Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Chicago Northwest KOA in Union offers typical KOA-style cabins approximately 25 miles from McHenry, open seasonally from April through October. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Most locations permit pets in cabins for an additional fee, though policies vary by site. One camper mentioned that "the cabins at this campsite are nice, not sure on pricing though" when discussing the Chain O' Lakes accommodations.

    Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary widely - some offer only outdoor fire pits with cooking grates, while others include small refrigerators and microwaves. Camp Reinberg in Palatine provides cabin rentals with basic furnishings approximately 30 miles from McHenry. On-site camp stores at Fish Lake Beach and Chain O' Lakes sell firewood, ice, and limited grocery items. For extended stays, larger grocery stores can be found in surrounding communities. Proximity to Chicago makes these cabin locations popular weekend destinations, particularly during summer and fall.

    Best Cabin Campgrounds near McHenry (25)

      1. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      3.9(15)10mi from McHenryRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) 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"

      "Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff"

      2. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      3.9(13)9mi from McHenryRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

      "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

      3. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

      4.3(8)7mi from McHenryRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side."

      "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."

      from $43 - $73 / night

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      4. Chicago Northwest KOA

      4.1(17)16mi from McHenryRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Plus they have a quiet time at night.So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."

      "Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping."

      5. Camp Reinberg

      4.8(13)18mi from McHenryRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Amenities are simple but well-cared-for, including clean restrooms, hot showers, shaded picnic areas, a proper indoor camping kitchen and dining hall as well as a large open field for play complete with"

      "There are pavilions, air conditioned/heated dining hall, shower building, restrooms (seriously the cleanest I’ve ever seen, even the ceilings were cleaned!)"

      from $45 - $60 / night

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      6. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

      4.2(26)23mi from McHenry104 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The sites are rustic but nicely groomed with a tree line between most campsites, although almost none of the spots had occupants."

      "The only issue was that generators aren't allowed, so we were kind of suffering in the oppressive heat with no reprieve of the AC in our camper."

      from $21 - $39 / night

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      7. Happy Acres Kampground

      2.6(12)21mi from McHenryRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."

      "we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. 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"

      8. Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      4.3(52)43mi from McHenry103 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Ours had a grill the folded in and out, not sure if all have it."

      "Some have a beautiful view of lake. Some water fountains did not work, however sinks were always working. So many little trails all throughout the campsite."

      from $21 - $39 / night

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      9. Thousand Trails Pine Country

      4.5(6)26mi from McHenryRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Our boys loved wandering between the fishing pond and the small recreation areas and we ended the evening sharing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that we made over an open fire on a Camp Chef black"

      "Stayed with Thousand Trails. It's mostly an annual park, but they've got about 20 TT sites. They've got a clean pool, good size. And a clubhouse that's open til 9pm."

      10. Northwoods RV Resort

      3.5(4)23mi from McHenryRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The pros: friendly neighbors, well-maintained heated pool, full hook-ups at most sites, community center, lake, and arcade (was not open due to COVID), free included cable and WiFi (although the WiFi is"

      "There is no store. The only thing available is firewood. If you need anything at all, there is a Walmart about ten minutes down the road."

      from $65 - $85 / night

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    Cabin Reviews near McHenry, IL

    256 Reviews of 25 McHenry Campgrounds

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 30, 2026

      Lakefront Cabins - Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

      Lakefront Seclusion Meets Cabin Convenience at Shabbona Lake

      Tucked along the shore of shimmering Shabbona Lake, just under two hours west of Chicago mind you, are two rustic yet welcoming camp cabins at this particular SP. These modest structures, each around 200 sq ft, offer a cozy hideaway for up to six people. Facing southeast over the lake, the cabins are shaded and tucked away for privacy, with only a nearby boat launch dock reminding you of civilization.

      Inside, the cabins keep it simple: two basic rooms in each, with electricity, baseboard heat, air conditioning and a ceiling fan. There are no cooking facilities or bathrooms (which I have to admit, I was surprised to learn) although there is a multi-leveled adjustable BBQ grill along with a very good sized firepit, so bring your own plans for cooking meals and preparing food. Guests rely on nearby campground amenities, including showers with running hot water, flush toilets, potable water, a dump station and the handy Camp Store that is a very short walk from these cabins and comes stocked with supplies, snacks, firewood and fishing gear.

      What sets these cabins apart is the lakefront view combined with practicality. You step right from your door onto a serene, wooded lakeshore offering a perfect perch for early-morning fishing, sunrise coffee on the veranda or unwinding at sunset. The proximity to stocked waters featuring large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, channel catfish, walleye and muskies adds fishing convenience, while the quieter, smaller-scale lodging feels exclusive. Additionally, the Camp Store’s rentals(boats, bait, paddleboats) keep the fun within reach.

      Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Reserve early as only two cabins exist, and they’re popular from May 1 through October 31 on ExploreMoreIL™; (2) Drive gently on the access path as the lake road can be narrow and shaded; (3) Expect no kitchen or plumbing, so prep meals or plan to dine at nearby Pokanoka’s Dockside Restaurant that sits inside the SP on the western side of the lake or, for a short drive to Shabbona, check out Shabbona Café, Chumley’s Pizza followed by some sweets at Screamers Ice cream after saving campfire cookouts for the fire ring; (4) Bring your own bathrooms habits as restrooms are shared in the main campground; and (5) Check out the Camp Store early for spare fishing poles, firewood or ice cream before being tempted into relaxation.

      Happy Camping!

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 13, 2024

      Northwoods RV Resort

      New Campground Scent Emanates From this Freshly Minted RV Outpost

      My first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.

      Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.

      Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) 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, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, 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, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.

      Happy Camping!

    • Meg
      Jun. 12, 2022

      Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      Good For families, a few downsides

      *** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) 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.

      Pros- easy pull in sites and lots of walk-in availability. Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe. Also seemed pretty respectful in the evenings with people toning down the noise.

      Lots of electric sites, deep enough for 2 tents, 2 cars (although close to neighbors and no trees between sites), picnic table and fire pit.

      Bathroom shower houses were decent (we usually just have toddler use her travel potty, but this one was fine).

      Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks.

      Cons - 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! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair.

      Also - 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.

    • H. K.
      Jun. 26, 2022

      Camp Bullfrog Lake

      Nice but very little shade

      We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

      There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.

      There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.

      Overall it was pretty quiet.

      The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.

    • Hatie P.
      Apr. 19, 2018

      Camp Bullfrog Lake

      Lovely cabins, facilities and hiking!

      I visited Palos early this week (mid-April) for a very very chilly three days. The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc). There are small and medium cabins, some heated with their own bathrooms, that feature bunk beds and are great for getting out of the cold. The central bathrooms are clean, heated and offer showers. The water is not yet potable so bring your own or check with the park team to ensure it's drinkable when you go. The hiking here is AWESOME with a bajillion different routes right from the campground. We hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk. I will definitely be back!

    • M
      Aug. 23, 2019

      Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

      It might be the timing

      We had a wooded site in the Sunset campground, mid-week.

      The sites are rustic but nicely groomed with a tree line between most campsites, although almost none of the spots had occupants. The camp hosts were very nice and very communicative about all the happenings. Picnic table and fire pit included. Long enough drive in for RVs. But enough grass for tenting. Not many trees available for clothes lines.

      Unfortunately, we might have had bad timing. The beach was closed due to high levels of bacteria. The pit toilets closest to us were also closed due to a bee hive being found so we ended up driving to the flush toilets if there was any urgency but could walk if you wanted. We also picked a spot by the water fountain. The water was yellow from iron. It had just stormed so the bugs were bad and everything was wet. So mostly a series of unfortunate events but we still enjoyed our time.

      Because this is a prairie, there is so much to look at! The hiking trails are great through prairie and woods. The sunrise over the prairie and the sunset colors of the sky were great.

    • Brian O.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 17, 2024

      Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      Fine camping in Northern Illinois

      We stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has 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. Be aware that the map on www.ExloreMoreIL,com(where you make your reservations) doesn't show where the restrooms are. In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61. Facilities are clean and well lit. Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill. This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove, where you have access to the Fox River and Grass lake. This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood. To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border. This will put you on the Fox river with developments to the north(including a bar& grill) or to the south which is all nature. I think the distance by boat between the two launches is 4-5 miles, but I'm not sure, Halfway there you'll meet up with the Goldfinch trail which is the shortest loop and the most diverse in term of flora. There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground. Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season. We canoe, and both times we stayed there it was October, so I can't tell you how crowded, but the vast number of picnic areas must be there for a reason. An odd thing is that you can hear a Steam Train whistle quite often, this is from Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. We don't have kids so we went to Stade's Farm& Orchard(which is also large and kid friendly) because they have an orchard and vegetable market. One last thing, the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)

    • J
      Aug. 14, 2022

      Happy Acres Kampground

      Great for families

      Staff was polite and helpful. They escort you to your spot. They hand out activity sheets for the weekend. Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly. They charge extra if you have visitors.

    • Kelly M.
      Aug. 18, 2021

      Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      Enjoying Ottawa Lake Campground

      We've camped here before and like it. The sites are spacious and most seem to have shade for at least part of the day. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Ours had a grill the folded in and out, not sure if all have it. The beach is great, open and lots of room to set up for the day either on the grass or sand. There are flush toilets at the beach. There are rentable pavilions. We didn't see any garbage bins nearby so bring a trash bag to carry out. The showers are hot but that's the best thing about them. They're not very big and don't have a curtain to separate changing area and shower. With 2 kids, things tend to get a little wet. However, they get the job done. We love the location. Close to hiking: Scuppernong Trail on the Ice Age Trail and Scuppernong Spring Nature Trail and a few others. Close to shopping and restaurants, if needed. Only downside to our site was the highway (CR-ZZ) was on the other side of the trees and busy. All said, we'll most likely be back again.

    Guide to McHenry

    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.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular cabin campsite near McHenry, IL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near McHenry, IL is Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.

    What is the best site to find cabin camping near McHenry, IL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 25 cabin camping locations near McHenry, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.