Chain O' Lakes State Park near Spring Grove, Illinois encompasses 6,500 acres of wetlands and forests, offering camping options within 40 miles of Chicago. The park connects to the Fox River system and features multiple camping loops with varying levels of privacy and amenities. Campground gates close at 10 PM with tire shredders preventing re-entry, though campers can exit after hours if needed.
What to do
Kayaking on Turner Lake: Turner Lake offers a peaceful paddling experience away from the busier Chain O' Lakes waterways. "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," shares a visitor to Turner Lake South Camping Area.
Horseback riding: The state park features equestrian trails throughout the property with riding options for visitors. "There are horse rentals and a trail designated as horse friendly," notes a camper at Prairie View Camping Area. The trails are well-maintained and offer views of the lakes and prairies.
Boat rentals at Maple Grove: For water activities, the main boat launch at Maple Grove provides access to the larger Chain O' Lakes system. "This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood," explains a camper. Rentals include paddle boats, kayaks, and small motorboats.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East camping areas offer more secluded experiences. A camper at Mud Lake East notes, "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."
Affordable primitive camping: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the low-cost primitive camping options. "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," writes a visitor about Turner Lake South.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The wetland ecosystem supports diverse wildlife viewing. "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," says a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area.
What you should know
Campsite selection tips: The campground loops vary significantly in layout and privacy. "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees," advises a camper at Fox Den Campground.
Ticks and mosquitoes: Insects are abundant, especially during summer months. "Saw several ticks/mosquitoes, decent bathrooms/showers. Sites seemed pretty close together," reports a visitor to Turner Lake South.
No alcohol policy: Unlike many campgrounds, alcohol is prohibited. "No alcohol, they will issue a ticket," warns a camper at Mud Lake East. Rangers actively enforce this rule throughout the park.
Tips for camping with families
Best campsites for children: Consider site selection carefully when camping with young children. "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," recommends a family camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tick prevention: Families with small children should take extra precautions. "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 wildlife activity requires proper food storage. "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."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup access: RVers should research site configurations before booking. "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 at Big Foot Beach State Park.
Loop selection for larger vehicles: Different camping loops accommodate varying RV sizes. "We stayed in Honeysuckle Hollow for a night. Not many people were there that night, as it thunder stormed. However site was well kept and concession stand available by the boat dock with everything you might need."
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times when using facilities. "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."
