McHenry campers can access numerous tent and RV camping sites within a 20-mile radius. Both primitive and developed camping options spread across an interconnected chain of lakes region with over 7,000 acres of water surface. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping months while spring and fall camping offers 50-65°F days with cooler nights requiring warmer gear.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers dedicated horse trails and rentals for families looking to explore on horseback. "There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on," notes a Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Kayak the Fox River: Launch directly from several camping areas to access the Fox River system. A visitor to Turner Lake South explained, "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."
Hiking variety: Multiple trail systems offer various difficulty levels. "There are a large amount of trails to hike and you can walk to Turner Lake from the Honeysuckle Hollow campground," one camper noted. Some trails feature crushed gravel surfaces while others provide paved options for accessibility.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing areas across lakes and ponds allow shore fishing without a boat. "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," explains a recent camper.
What campers like
Affordable camping: State park options provide budget-friendly options near McHenry. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear," explains a Turner Lake South visitor who appreciated the value compared to private campgrounds.
Site privacy levels: Fox Den Campground receives praise for more secluded sites. "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)."
Camp store convenience: Several camping areas feature on-site stores with necessities. "The concessions/ camp store is located near the boat docks and is easily walked or driven to with decent selection of foods, gear, and fishing items," notes a Fox Den camper. Another mentions that firewood is "inside a garage so it was all dry and ready to use."
Quiet weekday camping: Multiple campers note that weekdays offer significantly more solitude. "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 one visitor who stayed for an extended trip.
What you should know
Gate closing hours: Campground gates typically lock at night. A Prairie View camper cautions: "The park gates close early as well - we returned one evening at 10:30pm and couldn't get back in with a vehicle. Had to go back in on foot. Good to plan ahead!"
Wildlife precautions: Ticks and raccoons require specific preparations. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns a family camper. Another notes: "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Alcohol regulations: No alcohol is permitted in Illinois State Parks. "ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site," explains a Fox Den camper. Some private campgrounds like Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort do allow alcohol.
Campsite selection research: Electric hookups have varying accessibility. "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 a Honeysuckle Hollow visitor. Requesting specific sites based on reviews helps secure more desirable locations.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort focuses on family experiences with swimming areas. "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," reports one visitor.
Contained play spaces: Parents with young children recommend screen tents. "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," shares a camper with practical advice for families with infants.
Campground event planning: Weekend organized activities occur at several locations. "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," notes a camper describing the structured recreation options.
Loop selection for families: Consider specific camping loops based on family needs. "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," advises a parent who carefully evaluated site options.
Tips from RVers
Dump station timing: Peak checkout times can create backups. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," notes a camper who stayed at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Site selection for RVs: Fox Den receives consistent praise from RV campers. "Chain O'Lakes State Park in IL has two electric campgrounds, 2 non-electric campgrounds and one group site. Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts to far from parking pad."
Weekend vs. weekday stays: RVers note significant differences between weekend and weekday camping experiences. "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. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations."
Hookup configurations: Water access varies by campground and site location. "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," explains a Honeysuckle Hollow camper detailing the partial hookup arrangement common at state park sites near McHenry.
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