Chain O' Lakes State Park offers easy access to camping near Russell, Illinois, with sites surrounded by natural lakes and wetlands. The park features over 6,500 acres of water and 488 campsites across multiple campgrounds, with seasonal availability from April through October. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making summer and early fall the most popular camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides multiple fishing locations across several connected waterways. A camper noted, "There are tons of trails, a small fishing pond and ok bathrooms. The staff is very friendly. There is horse riding here as well. The views are breathtaking."
Horseback riding: Mud Lake East at Chain O' Lakes offers guided horse rides from their stables. One visitor mentioned, "Horse stables and guided rides for horse lovers. Perfect if you have a boat and want access to the Chain of Lakes."
Hiking trails: Richard Bong State Recreation Area features extensive trail networks suitable for day hikes. A camper shared, "The trails are great for hiking and bird watching. We love going out in the spring when the bull frogs are out and listening to their chorus. There is a great winery just down the road if you want to take a field trip."
Water activities: Lakeside camping provides access to swimming, boating and kayaking. A review of Naga-Waukee Park stated, "The beach on the shores of Lake Nagawicka is well-groomed, clean, has a seasonal lifeguard and a playground within earshot."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with well-maintained bathrooms and shower buildings receive higher ratings. A camper at Cliffside Park Campground commented, "Clean (and warm) restrooms and the grounds were very well kept. Lots of room between sites."
Lake views: Waterfront camping sites provide scenic settings. One reviewer at Grass Lake Marina noted, "This is a good no frills campground with super nice people and great place to let the pups run, play, swim, and walk. The bald eagles nests are also amazing."
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer sites with sufficient space between neighbors. A camper at Cliffside Park described, "Flat sites, some shade in the center sections. Outer sites backed to woods for most sites. Even the Saturday night it was full still felt quiet and peaceful."
Family amenities: Many rv campsites near Russell include playgrounds and recreational facilities. A review of Sunrise Campground mentioned, "The Weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. A camper at Wisconsin State Fair RV Park noted, "Summer months May through April you do have to book 2 nights minimum. That was a little annoying as it already seemed high price of $60 per night."
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds close during winter months. A reviewer stated, "Camping is seasonal - April 1st through November 4th. Various bathroom options - ranging from pit toilets to port-o-potties. Showers available at the Beach House."
Alcohol policies: Regulations vary by location. One camper at Mud Lake East warned, "No alcohol, they will issue a ticket."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. A visitor to Naga-Waukee Park commented, "It is very close to main roads as I heard traffic all day and sometimes sirens. But honestly pretty good spot."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sunrise Campground offers recreational facilities for children. A visitor noted, "The campground amenities include a shower building, flush and vault toilets, a dump station and a playground area."
Educational activities: Nature centers provide programming for children. A camper shared, "There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long."
Beach options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas suitable for families. One review mentioned, "Nice quiet place to take kids to swim. Beach is clean and there are trees for shade and grills to cook."
Multiple recreation options: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities. A reviewer at Sunrise stated, "We went for the ATV track. We took our bikes down by the pond and park. They have flush toilets and showers."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Thousand Trails Pine Country provides full-service RV sites with seasonal restrictions. A visitor noted, "Tent camped here one night. Very nice, private sites. Not many campers, lots of RVs. Folks in the office were very helpful."
Site surface considerations: RV sites near Russell vary in surface type. A camper at Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort explained, "You can tell they're trying to remodel some of the sites. There is lots of grass so all the rain this weekend and we weren't muddy was awesome! The pull throughs were really long."
Road conditions: Interior campground roads may present challenges. A reviewer mentioned, "The road has lots of dips and bumps but going slow they weren't an issue. We were on the main road and there was lots of traffic going back and forth which was surprising since there wasn't a lot of campers."
Amenities for longer stays: Some RV parks near Russell offer extended-stay comforts. A camper at Lehmans Lakeside stated, "Water pressure was steady. Power was consistent. Bathroom/shower/laundry rooms were all very clean and well maintained. Having a sewer hook up on site was a welcome change to our typical state park sites."
