Turner Lake South at Chain O' Lakes State Park offers non-electric tent camping options with pricing as low as $12 per night. Sites are surrounded by woods providing some privacy from the main road. The campground features both pit toilets and a main shower building with flush toilets located between camping loops. Primitive tent sites are set among mature trees, offering natural shade during summer months. For RV campers, Fox Den Campground provides electrical hookups with individual posts at each site, more spacious camping pads, and better separation between neighbors compared to other loops in the park.
What to do
Kayaking the chain of lakes: Turner Lake South offers access to paddling routes with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "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 Cora M.
Hiking woodland trails: Paul Wolff Campground maintains several miles of interconnected trails through diverse terrain. "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them," explains Art S.
Fishing from shoreline sites: For anglers seeking direct lake access, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides dedicated fishing spots. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," says Chloe N., who recommends the lakefront tent sites where "you can fish right from your site!"
What campers like
Natural water views: The lake settings provide scenic backdrops for camping. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," notes Chloe N. about Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, highlighting how the undeveloped shoreline enhances the camping experience.
Wildlife sightings: Fox Den Campground sits in a location that facilitates frequent wildlife encounters. "This campground feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything," according to Christopher R., who appreciates the park's balance of accessibility and natural setting.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates for weekend getaways. At Turner Lake South, Addison G. notes, "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."
Clean facilities: Most parks maintain well-serviced bathroom buildings. Fox Den has "bathhouse that is clean" with campsites that are "tucked away with trees," according to Ian C., who adds that sites have "some semblance of privacy from other campers."
What you should know
No horse facilities in immediate area: Despite online searches for "horse campgrounds near Northbrook, Illinois," none of the closest campgrounds offer dedicated equestrian facilities. The closest options with horse trails are typically found farther south or west of Chicago.
Limited shower access: Some campgrounds lack shower facilities entirely. "Hard to pay that much when you can't shower or clean up," notes Tara M. about Paul Wolff Campground. Similarly, at Big Rock Campground, Joel R. points out, "No shade, and no showers... But, no shade in the Illinois heat and no shower made it unacceptable."
Variable site privacy: Campground layouts differ significantly in terms of tree cover and site spacing. Brian O. notes at Turner Lake South, "Turner lake south loop has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites."
Water quality concerns: Some facilities may have water issues. At Leisure Lake Resort, Iryna R. reports, "Water quality has been very bad... The water is so unclean that our shower develops yellow stains within a day."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Fish Lake Beach offers activities specifically designed 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," writes Leo V., who calls it a "Child Friendly Campground."
Check bathroom proximity: When camping with children, bathroom locations matter. Brian O. advises about Turner Lake South: "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."
Consider noise levels: For families needing quiet evenings, Big Foot Beach State Park Campground tends to be peaceful. "Great place to quickly get in and set up, easy access to all amenities, the ranger station, and camp hosts if needed. Good fishing ponds for the kids," notes Brenton S.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup distances: At Big Rock Campground, water connections may require extra equipment. Amanda K. advises, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions! As someone who normally camps in state parks with only electricity hookups, this site was a welcome treat."
Electrical access variations: Fox Den Campground offers reliable electrical hookups with individual posts. Ian C. notes, "Electric is easily accessible, and water/sanitary is easy to get in and out of," while praising the "more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas."
Site levelness: Most RV sites in the area feature relatively flat parking pads. According to Jeff G. at Big Rock, "The spaces are pretty level. There is electric at the sites and water spigots throughout, although not really at each space."
Open campsite layouts: Many campgrounds around Northbrook lack mature trees. At Big Rock, Mike D. explains, "Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn't take advantage of the whole park to explore."
