Campsites near Russell, Illinois offer a mix of primitive tent sites and developed options across several state parks and private campgrounds. Located on the Illinois-Wisconsin border, the region experiences humid summers with temperatures typically reaching 85°F and mild spring and fall seasons that provide optimal camping conditions. The surrounding terrain features low glacial moraines with elevations under 800 feet, creating gentle, rolling landscapes around the numerous lakes and waterways.
What to do
Kayaking on connected waterways: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides multiple interconnected lakes for 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 one visitor to Turner Lake South.
Horseback riding for beginners: Horse rentals and guided trail rides are available seasonally within a 15-minute drive of most campsites. "They have horse rentals and a trail designated as horse friendly," mentions a camper at Prairie View, while another notes "Horse stables and guided rides for horse lovers" are a highlight of the area.
Fishing from lakefront sites: Turner Lake South offers sites with direct lake access. "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," reports one camper.
Wildlife observation: Sunrise Campground at Richard Bong State Recreation Area provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. But back to the fun part... 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."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural screening between sites at certain campgrounds. "Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. 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 one visitor.
Value for budget campers: Prairie View Camping Area offers affordable primitive camping. "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 who appreciates the basic amenities.
Fall foliage viewing: The area transforms during autumn with vibrant colors. "We were camping here right in the middle of fall. The leaves were changing and our site was near the lake. Awesome family friendly spot," notes a visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow, highlighting the seasonal appeal.
Variety of camping styles: From tent-only areas to full hookup RV sites, the region accommodates different preferences. "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," explains a camper who appreciated the layout.
What you should know
Gates close at night: Fox Den Campground and other state park campgrounds have strict gate closure times. "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," cautions one camper.
Ticks and mosquitoes: Insect protection is essential, particularly in summer months. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. They literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house," warns a parent who camped at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are particularly active at many campgrounds. "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," advises a visitor.
Water access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging water entry points. "Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy," notes a Turner Lake South camper, while another mentions "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad."
Tips for camping with families
Choose larger sites: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers family-friendly amenities. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. I recommend the lakefront tent sites, they are spacious and you can fish right from your site! The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," shares a family camper.
Plan for screening protection: Given the insect population, screen houses are recommended. "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," notes a parent who camped with young children at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Multiple playgrounds available: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks," mentions a visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow, while another camper notes "Lots of fun activities" at Fish Lake Beach.
Camp store convenience: Some campgrounds offer on-site shopping. "The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" notes a parent who found this helpful.
Tips from RVers
Check site distances from electric hookups: Honeysuckle Hollow requires attention to hookup placement. "These sites share an electric box. 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," advises an RV camper.
Dump station timing: State park facilities can become congested during peak periods. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," explains an RVer who stayed for a week during summer.
Midweek camping for space: Weekday visits offer more solitude. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," shares an RV camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Site selection for larger RVs: Level sites vary by campground. "Fox den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees. In Honeysuckle you will have clear line of site to very close neighbor," notes a camper who compared the different camping areas.
