77 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Northern Illinois around Oakwood Hills features a variety of camping options within a short drive, particularly concentrated along the Chain O' Lakes region. State parks and forest preserves dominate the landscape, with Chain O' Lakes State Park offering multiple campground loops including Fox Den, Turner Lake South, Prairie View, and Honeysuckle Hollow. Each provides different experiences from wooded privacy to open RV-friendly areas. Paul Wolff Campground in Burnidge Forest Preserve and Camp Reinberg in Palatine offer forest preserve camping closer to suburban areas. The Chicago Northwest KOA in Union and Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo round out the private camping options with more amenities for families and RV travelers.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter availability. Illinois state parks enforce a strict no-alcohol policy that applies even at individual campsites. Reservations through the ExploreMoreIL system are essential during summer weekends when lakefront sites fill quickly. As one camper noted about Chain O' Lakes, "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." Many campgrounds feature electric hookups and water access, though primitive camping options with fewer amenities exist at locations like Prairie View campground where "we could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site."
Lakefront access represents a significant draw throughout the region, with fishing, boating, and water recreation available at most locations. Campers consistently mention the contrast between busy summer waterways and quieter shoulder seasons. "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," reports one visitor. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds and even within loops - Turner Lake South offers "nice and private sites" while Honeysuckle Hollow is described as "open and row after row of RV sites." Shade coverage is another important consideration during hot Illinois summers, with several reviewers noting its importance for comfort during peak season.
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."
"tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability"The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore"
"*** 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"
"You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"
"We stayed here for a weekend and there were plenty of activities for the kids...the staff was friendly and the bathrooms were clean...our camp site was near the bathrooms, pool, and store so we were nice"
"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!"
"We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."
"While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."
"Most of the sites were right on the road and you’d need to position your car right for privacy. The tent sites are clumped pretty tight together with a couple exceptions."
from $20 - $35 / night
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TravelerWe got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
ScoutBlackwell has clean bathrooms, offers hiking trails, boating (kayak rentals) or bring your own, fishing, archery, cycling. The gate locks at 7pm but you just call the night guard and he will let you in. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Would definitely stay again. Be aware Winfield Road has a lot of traffic so sites further away from that road are best. Heard coyotes about 3 am both mornings. Rangers were exceptional.
ScoutThe park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. 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 is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
GuideWe are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
GuideLast minute online reservation...They only have. 4 or 5 RV sites...full hook ups...about $60+-...right near gas pumps but any noise did not bother us weary travelers...Only downside was showers were not included....For the price certainly an included shower should be part of the deal...easy check in and check out.,..We used the Love's site due to its location to visit family and the fact that electric was available...We have medical equipment that requires a recharge at night plus it's just nice to have the AC if needed.
TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
LegendWe had a truly enjoyable stay and would’ve stayed an extra day if our travel schedule would’ve allowed. David was a wonderful host. Greeted us with a smile and escorted us to our site. We had our choice of 2 spots, both lovely. Picnic table and plenty of FREE firewood to keep us cozy. Wild turkeys roamed the grounds as well as the friendly ducks. All in all, a very peaceful evening and a special place.
Campgrounds near Oakwood Hills, Illinois offer diverse outdoor recreation options throughout McHenry County. The area features several conservation district properties with well-maintained trails for hiking and biking. Most campsites in the region operate seasonally from May to October with varying levels of amenities and privacy. Rain can create muddy conditions on unpaved trails during spring and fall months.
Kayaking accessible waters: At Thomas Woods Campground, campers can enjoy nearby water access. "I biked to this campground from the Woodstock Metra station. While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here," reports one visitor who appreciated the natural surroundings.
Wildlife viewing: McHenry County forests provide habitat for various animals. "I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," notes a kayaker at Turner Lake South, highlighting the diverse wildlife visible from the water.
Equestrian options: Some parks offer horseback opportunities for visitors without their own horses. "There are even horse rentals and a trail designated as horse friendly," mentions a reviewer at Prairie View, describing the trail system available for riders of all experience levels.
Budget-friendly pricing: Several sites offer affordable camping without sacrificing quality. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear," writes a visitor about Turner Lake South, noting the exceptional value for tent campers testing equipment.
Privacy variations: Site layouts differ significantly between loops. "This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site," explains one camper about Prairie View Camping Area, whose site was "encased in foliage which gave us some privacy."
Firewood availability: Many campgrounds provide convenient firewood service. "The camp host delivered my fire wood right to my site (which was extra helpful because no car)," reports a Thomas Woods visitor, appreciating this accommodation for those without vehicles to haul supplies.
Gate restrictions: Several parks enforce strict access hours that may impact evening plans. "The camp gates close at night and there are tire shredders - you can leave but you can't get back in unless you want to walk," explains a reviewer about evening curfews.
Alcohol policies: Different locations have varying rules about alcoholic beverages. "The upside of lots of bugs are lots of bird watching. Many pretty varieties," notes a visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow, who also mentioned that all Illinois state parks enforce no-alcohol policies.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for interactions with local fauna at night. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns a Prairie View camper, advising others to secure all food items in vehicles before dark.
Tick prevention: Prepare for insects, especially with young children. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," cautions a Honeysuckle Hollow visitor who recommends having "a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks."
Playground access: Choose sites near recreational facilities when camping with children. "Child Friendly Campground. Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake," writes a reviewer at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Family-friendly entertainment: Some campgrounds organize scheduled activities. "We got our tent up easy and painless, had to move a few sticks but otherwise fantastic!" shares a visitor to Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park, appreciating the straightforward setup process for families.
Electric hookup locations: Power connections vary significantly between sites. "Each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad," explains a reviewer comparing Fox Den Campground to other Chain O'Lakes options.
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary widely between campgrounds. "A very nice, well manicured campground. Though a commercial-style, it does not feel like it. Sites are well spaced," describes an RV camper at Paul Wolff Campground, appreciating the balance of amenities and spacing.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment for comfortable setup. "The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition. Our site was very shaded and quiet at night," notes a Fox Den camper, mentioning that most sites in that loop are relatively level compared to other options in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Oakwood Hills, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Oakwood Hills, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 21 reviews.
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