Best Campgrounds near Spring Grove, IL
Chain O' Lakes State Park encompasses several campgrounds near Spring Grove, Illinois, providing a variety of camping options within 40 miles of Chicago. The park features multiple camping areas including Honeysuckle Hollow, Turner Lake South, Fox Den, Prairie View, and Mud Lake East, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Many campsites are situated near water access points, with some loops designed specifically for tent camping while others accommodate larger RVs with electric hookups. Most developed campgrounds include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities, though amenities vary between camping loops.
Camping is available primarily from spring through fall, with some areas closing during winter months. Reservations are recommended, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Primitive tent sites start around $12 per night, while electric sites typically cost $25. The campground loops vary in layout and privacy levels, with Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East offering more secluded, wooded sites compared to the more open Honeysuckle Hollow area which features sites closer together. According to one visitor, "The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East. The campsites are a little bigger in Turner Lake South, but both have campsites circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent."
Campers frequently mention the park's water recreation opportunities as a highlight, with access to the Fox River and Chain O' Lakes waterway system. The state park includes boat rentals, fishing docks, and launch sites for kayaks and canoes. Trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding wind throughout the property. Wildlife sightings are common, with visitors reporting beavers, minks, and sand cranes. A recent review noted, "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." Visitors should be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks, particularly in summer months. The campground enforces quiet hours and has gates that close at 10 PM, though campers can exit after hours if needed.
