Thomas Woods Campground offers primitive tent sites and electric hookups just 15 miles from Oakwood Hills, providing access to both wooded and prairie landscapes. The northern Illinois camping area experiences summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms between June and August. Mosquitoes can be particularly dense in June and early July near the Chain O' Lakes area, which requires adequate preparation.
What to do
Kayaking on Chain O' Lakes: Access multiple connected waterways at Chain O' Lakes State Park, where Turner Lake South Campground provides boat launch access. "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 paddler.
Mountain biking at Camp Bullfrog Lake: Located about 60 miles south of Oakwood Hills, this campground connects to extensive trail systems. "We aren't huge into bike trails, but we did bring our bikes after I read about the trail systems. The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day," shares a camper.
Explore hiking trails: Thomas Woods Campground offers multiple trail options with varying terrain. "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," according to one visitor.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Turner Lake South Campground provides more secluded options compared to other nearby areas. "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," explains a regular camper.
Clean facilities: Honeysuckle Hollow maintains good bathroom facilities despite high usage. "Checked in Friday afternoon. Things were busy in the office, but the staff was friendly and apologetic about the wait. The camp store by the boat launch has fire wood, live bait, food, and other supplies," notes one visitor.
Yurt camping options near Oakwood Hills: Chicago Northwest KOA in Union (approximately 25 miles from Oakwood Hills) offers yurt accommodations. "Did a quick stay with the kids for a Friday and Saturday night. A little bit smaller of a campground with regards to site space, but that's about the only thing 'bad' to say. Staff was very friendly and the facilities were kept very clean," reports a family who stayed there.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate May through October with limited off-season availability. "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021. We had a back-in site on the north side of the campground. The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," notes a Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Wildlife awareness: Fox Den Campground visitors should prepare for wildlife encounters. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Also - the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns a camper at Chain O' Lakes.
Alcohol policies vary: Some sites strictly prohibit alcohol while others allow it with restrictions. "We were camping here right in the middle of fall. The leaves were changing and our site was near the lake. Adult beverages must be in a solo cup. Good for RV and tent camping," advises a Honeysuckle Hollow visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites strategically: Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area has certain loops better suited for families with children. "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."
Budget-friendly options: Primitive tent sites offer significant savings for families. "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," reports a Turner Lake South camper.
Activity planning: Schedule activities around peak times to avoid crowds. "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. Not far from town in case you need to go to the store and there is also a bait/shop store on premises."
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Fox Den Campground offers more reliable hookups than some nearby options. "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. Electric is easily accessible, and water/sanitary is easy to get in and out of."
Site selection for larger rigs: Ottawa Lake Campground provides suitable options for bigger RVs about 60 miles north in Wisconsin. "We've been full time RVers for 4 years and this is a beautiful campground close to 'home'. We stay here a couple of times each year for doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family and friends, and general relaxation."
Seasonal availability: The best RV sites book quickly during peak season. "The full hook ups fill up fast no spur of the moment camping unless it is early or late in the season. The other thing is ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site."
