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Chain O' Lakes State Park's pet-friendly campgrounds include Fox Den, Prairie View, Turner Lake South, and Mud Lake East. All permit dogs throughout the camping areas with proper supervision. Pet owners must keep dogs on leashes no longer than 6 feet at all times and clean up after their pets. Fox Den Campground offers electric sites with more space between neighbors, while Turner Lake South provides both RV and tent sites with access to the water. Clean, well-maintained bath houses serve multiple campgrounds. The sites at Fox Den feel remote while still being close to civilization. Very quiet spots with no electric are available at Turner Lake with a short walk to the water.
The park features numerous hiking trails where leashed dogs are welcome to accompany their owners. Water access points along the Chain O' Lakes system allow for swimming opportunities, though pets must remain supervised near shorelines. The park enforces a strict no-alcohol policy that applies to all campers including those with pets. Campsites are generally spacious with fire rings and picnic tables, providing adequate room for pets to rest near their owners. Multiple lakes connected by small tributaries create excellent kayaking options for visitors with dogs who enjoy boat rides. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers an alternative option for families with pets who prefer more amenities, including a camp store, hot tub, pool, and beach access points where pets can cool off during summer months.
"They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."
"Driving into rural northern IL felt like leaving the craziness behind. I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"*** 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!"
"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. "
"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"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."
"It was me, my wife, our 8 month old daughter, and our dog."
"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"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 Availability"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"
"Pros: great hiking trails, nice lake to kayak on, family friendly beach and picnic areas Cons: Not great fishing, no dog friendly swim area, the beach/fishing pier/boat launch are all pretty far from"
from $24 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Plenty of space & foliage between sites and a nice network of trails surrounding the campground. Close to some small towns and the interstate as well, but not close enough to hear traffic."
"the property is HUGE and most things are about a 10 to 15 min walk from the campsites. lots of hiking, boating, swimming fishing and more! a great place for anyone!"
from $24 - $110 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.
GuideAbsolutely beautiful, reasonable prices, electric available. Tons of restrooms, showers, laundry, and wonderful camp hosts. Huge beach area, dog park, fishing as well. Shop to buy items you may need and absolutely wonderful place. Open all year round
RangerI was here for three months this time as i get to business completed. The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how. The grass is mowed every week. There is patroling at all hours for security. The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good. The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. The showers are cleaned and work great. The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.
LegendMy first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
ScoutStaff was polite and helpful. They escort you to your spot. They hand out activity sheets for the weekend. Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly. They charge extra if you have visitors.
ScoutWe love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It’s always quiet and the view is beautiful. Bugs were awful this stay. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly.
TravelerWe liked this site because it was on the "quiet loop." No radios or pets allowed. I'm not sure about children! :) The sites are fairly close together and the trees are sparse, but it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend over the 4th of July 2017.
You can walk over to an area that has hiking trails right out of the campsite. State park mountain biking trails are also close by, but you would need to drive to them. The showers were clean and when we used them, available. There is a playground right next to them as well.
The campsite itself had a good log-stopper so you wouldn't drive too far into the woods, great fire ring, and picnic table. We had nice flat areas for our tents.
I am not so sure I would have enjoyed myself if I'd been in another loop. The quiet was perfect!
GuideCampsites are kept up and quite clean. Some have a beautiful view of lake. Some water fountains did not work, however sinks were always working. So many little trails all throughout the campsite. Family friendly (parks, beach, pet friendly)
RangerFor years, this was our go-to campground for weekend nearby adventures. Over the years, the price has increased and at $30 per site for non-residents, it's a bit steep for tent camping for me (so I left off a star rating). All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs. It's located in a beautiful wooded Dupage County Forest preserve. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained. While I didn't camp here this year, I took these photos the last weekend in October to give everyone a sense of how nice this campground could be for them. My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views. For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods. Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends. Heads-up that sites 21 & 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites.
Near Round Lake, Illinois, camping options span across several forest preserves and state parks with elevations ranging from 700-900 feet. The area experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging 80-85°F and winters dropping to 15-20°F. Camping facilities typically remain open from April through October with select sites available year-round.
Kayaking through connected waterways: At Turner Lake South, visitors can access multiple lakes without difficult paddling. "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.
Horseback riding options: Richard Bong State Recreation Area offers designated horse trails for visitors. "This state campground fits both scenarios. Nice hiking trails, fishing accessible within the park, beautiful, splendid nights by the campfire," says Glenn S. The recreation area features trails specifically designed for equestrians with rental options available for those without their own horses.
Off-road recreation: For visitors with ATVs, Sunrise Campground provides dedicated areas. "We took our bikes down by the pond and park. They have flush toilets and showers," explains Katie D. The campground maintains separate areas for motorized recreation to avoid disturbing other campers while providing adventure opportunities.
Secluded sites with wildlife viewing: Many campers appreciate the private camping experiences available. "The site was very shaded and quiet at night. There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding," reports Michelle M. about Fox Den Campground.
Lakefront access: Water proximity ranks highly among visitor preferences. "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," describes Chloe N. about Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort.
Family-friendly amenities: Camps with activities for children receive positive feedback. "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," explains Leo V. The campgrounds maintain playgrounds, swimming areas, and organized activities throughout summer months.
No alcohol policy: Many Illinois state parks enforce strict rules. "The only big minus is 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," warns Jeanne M.
Bug preparedness essential: Insect activity can be significant. "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!" cautions Meg from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Reservation requirements: Advance planning helps secure preferred sites. "The fox den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition," notes Michelle M. Most campgrounds require reservations weeks in advance during peak summer season, especially for electric hookup sites.
Screen houses recommended: When camping with small children, additional shelter helps. "Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair," advises Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Accessible recreation options: Kid-friendly activities abound near Round Lake. "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," reports Meg K. about Turner Lake South.
Food storage precautions: Wildlife management requires special attention. "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 and all surfaces wiped down," warns Meg about camping with families.
Site selection matters: At Prairie View Camping Area, RV campers should choose carefully. "Our campsite was encased in foliage which gave us some privacy. I could see through the brush to neighbors but it was enough to give my dog a sense of peace without disturbances," explains Art S.
Electric access challenges: Power connection logistics vary by campground. "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," advises Debra M. RVers should bring extension cords ranging from 25-50 feet depending on the campground.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Round Lake: For pet owners, specific loops offer better experiences. "The site was so cozy because it was at the very back of the circle," notes Gus V. about Prairie View, which provides ample space for pets to rest while remaining leashed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Round Lake, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Round Lake, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Round Lake, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 57 dog-friendly camping locations near Round Lake, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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