A
Abdulrahman A.
Scout
ScoutBig Rock Campground
Beautiful And Quite
Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
Camping near Ringwood, IL
79 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Northern Illinois near Ringwood provides several camping options within a short drive, with Chain O' Lakes State Park serving as the primary destination. Located about 10 miles from Ringwood, this park features multiple campground loops including Fox Den, Turner Lake South, Prairie View, and Honeysuckle Hollow, each offering different experiences and amenities. The region sits near the Wisconsin-Illinois border, allowing campers to access additional options like Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva and Richard Bong State Recreation Area. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of hookups and services. County-managed areas like Thomas Woods Campground in Marengo and private options such as Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo round out the camping landscape.
Reservations are essential during peak summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. According to one camper who stayed at Turner Lake South, "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." Many Illinois state parks enforce a no-alcohol policy, even at individual campsites. Gate closure times are strictly enforced—Chain O' Lakes gates close at 10 PM with tire shredders preventing late entry. Weather conditions include hot, humid summers when shade becomes valuable, and sites with tree cover are preferred. The camping season generally runs April through October, with some facilities closing water systems by late October.
Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds in the area. Turner Lake South receives praise for "nice and private sites," while Honeysuckle Hollow is described as "open and row after row of RV sites." Water activities dominate the recreational options, with Chain O' Lakes being "one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season." Fall visits offer a quieter experience with less crowding. Hiking trails throughout the region range from paved paths to natural surfaces, with many campers noting the abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities. Facilities typically include a mix of flush toilets and pit toilets, with shower buildings centrally located between camping loops rather than within each individual campground.
Best Campgrounds near Ringwood (79)
1. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"*** 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"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
2. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
"Conveniently located next to Lake Geneva with a tiny roadside beach area. I recommend camping sites on the west side of the camping loop to cut down on sun. Not enough electric sites for campers."
"We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."
from $18 - $36 / night
Check Availability3. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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!"
4. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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. "
5. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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."
6. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"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 Availability7. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
"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 Availability8. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."
"There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."
from $12 / night
Check Availability9. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
"I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"
"Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability10. Thomas Woods Campground
"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
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 41 min from Kenosha, WI
- 53 min from Racine, WI
- 53 min from Janesville, WI
- 1 hr from Rockford, IL
Recent Camping Photos near Ringwood, IL
239 Photos of 79 Ringwood Campgrounds
Janet P.
Mud Lake West — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Heather L.
Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Brian O.
Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Aida K.
Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Scott B.
Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Glenn T.
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Jason S.
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Scott N.
Thomas Woods Campground
Linda M.
Escape to Nature
Christie S.
Chicago Northwest KOA
Amanda K.
Happy Acres Kampground
Emily M.
Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Recent Reviews near Ringwood, IL
711 Reviews of 79 Ringwood Campgrounds
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
Operation_Fun ..GuideYogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Fort Atkinson
A midwest gem… I guess
Our friends have a permanent camper here so we joined them for the weekend. I’ve never experienced a place like this. It’s not what I would consider camping. It’s basically people’s second trailer park home. The frog pond that was turned into a swimming hole with ridiculous inflatables completely ruined the peaceful atmosphere in that area of the park. If you enjoy being surrounded by people, noise, and teens cruising in golf carts, you’ll love this place. We do have fun when we are with our friends here, but it is definitely not a typical peaceful camp.
Bryan A.
TravelerMuskego Park by Waukesha County Parks
Always a great time
This park has always been a go to for me. As a full time RVer, I come here a lot. The scenery is beautiful, beach right next door, fishing holes not far from here. The people who come are all very friendly and the park rangers are very welcoming and always have firewood for the visitors. Highly recommend this spot for everyone.
- MManny A.Traveler
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Simple and local
First time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
- Bryan A.Traveler
Wisconsin State Fair RV Park
Everything you need in one place!
I love staying here from time to time. As a full time RVer, I book here frequently. Not only do they have all types of hookups stays, but they full men and women’s locker rooms with showers, and restrooms, including a laundry facility on site, shop is inside the office and ice available. The customer service is by far the best! They work with you every step of the way and show you around the area if you wanted! Plus they have a dump station and water fill up station even if you’re not staying here or book here. I recommend this site to anyone and everyone!
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendRock Cut Equestrian Campground
A Peaceful Retreat for Horse-Loving Families
If your family's perfect camping trip includes saddling up and exploring miles of wooded trails together, the Equestrian Campground at Rock Cut State Park offers a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a few days. Tucked away from the park's busier camping loops, this rustic first-come, first-served campground provides spacious sites designed for campers traveling with horses, along with nearby potable water, restrooms and direct access to more than 14 miles of designated equestrian trails. While amenities are intentionally simple (erring on non-existent), the extra room to accommodate horse trailers and the quiet natural surroundings create exactly the kind of setting many riders are looking for. One of my favorite moments was watching families quietly prepare their horses in the early morning light before disappearing beneath the trees for a day on the trails, returning later with tired horses, dusty boots and smiles that needed no explanation. Arriving early is the best way to secure a site since camping is first-come, first-served and availability is limited. This campground is ideal for equestrian families given its spacious layout, direct trail access and peaceful atmosphere that allows both riders and horses to truly unwind.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Thousand Trails Pine Country
Shaded, Family-Friendly Country Retreat
There’s something instantly calming about rolling into a campground wrapped in tall pines and soft breezes, and Pine Country had that peaceful, easy feeling that made all of us exhale before we even found our site. This campground is expansive and welcoming, with full-hookup spots laid out across wide loops, plenty of shade, clean bathrooms and a friendly mix of families settling in for weekends or longer stays. 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 skillet munching them down at the picnic table while listening to the trees rustle above us. For families looking for a convenient home base near Rockford with lots of room to spread out, EZ access to town for supplies and a campground that really does feel safe and relaxed, Pine Country is an EZ pick. Highly recommended for young families seeking space, shade and a low-key, gentle setting to recharge.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Sycamore RV Resort
Peaceful Lakeside Pause in the Heart of Corn Country
There’s something so comforting about pulling into Sycamore RV Resort and seeing the sunlight dance across those two spring-fed lakes, giving you that immediate exhale that only a calm Midwestern campground can bring. The property is medium-sized, incredibly tidy and thoughtfully laid out, with full-hookup RV sites circling the water, a small sandy beach for summer splashing, clean restrooms and showers, simple playgrounds and EZ walking loops that make it feel both manageable and welcoming for families. The boys were in heaven the next morning when we drove over to Elleson’s Bakery for fresh homemade donuts still warm from the oven. Later we wandered through historic downtown Sycamore during Pumpkinfest, taking in the decorated storefronts and carved pumpkins lined up like a little parade. Back at the RV Resort, from what we saw, the best campsites are any of the lakeside slots on the western shore because they offer the prettiest sunrise views and the quietest pockets of the resort. Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this campground for families thanks to its peaceful lakeside setting, its clean and convenient amenities and its proximity to a charming small provincial Midwestern town that makes even a simple weekend feel memorable.
Guide to Ringwood
Camping options near Ringwood, Illinois center around a wetland ecosystem formed during the last ice age. The region connects several state parks across the Illinois-Wisconsin border, with several campgrounds accessible by boat. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting site conditions particularly in spring when water systems reopen after winter closures.
What to do
Kayaking on Turner Lake: Turner Lake South provides direct lake access with multiple put-in spots. "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," notes a camper at Turner Lake South.
Hiking on varied terrain: Trails at Marengo Ridge offer both woodland and prairie environments. "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," reports a visitor at Thomas Woods Campground.
Horseback riding: Chain O'Lakes State Park maintains trails for equestrian use. "There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on," shares a reviewer from Honeysuckle Hollow.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Many sites offer excellent wildlife spotting opportunities throughout the seasons. "I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two," writes a camper at Sunset Campground in Richard Bong Recreation Area.
Varying privacy levels: Different campground loops provide different experiences. "What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private," notes another Sunset Campground visitor.
Off-season tranquility: Fall camping offers fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. "We stayed in the Turner 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," reports a camper at Fox Den Campground.
What you should know
Gate closure enforcement: Strict entry cutoffs apply throughout the area. "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."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes and ticks can be intense, particularly in wetland areas. "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!"
Wildlife encounters: Nighttime visitors are common at campsites. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Campsite selection: Choose sites based on your family's 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 at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Child-friendly recreation: Some campgrounds offer multiple activity options. "This is a great campground. If you like to kayak or canoe this is a great place to be. There is a water way fee per kayak or canoe per year but it is well worth it," notes a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Budget-friendly options: Basic campgrounds offer lower rates. "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," shares a camper at Prairie View.
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: Electric posts can be tricky to access at certain campgrounds. "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."
Weekend versus weekday stays: Crowd levels vary dramatically by day of week. "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."
Water access: Water availability changes seasonally. "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. The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Ringwood, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Ringwood, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ringwood, IL is Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 14 reviews.
Keep Exploring