J
Jenny B.
Traveler
TravelerHononegah Forest Preserve
All sites are separated not on top of each other. We’ve been here quite a few times during cooler months and have been very happy with our experience.
Camping near Spring Grove, IL
5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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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.
Best Campgrounds near Spring Grove (79)
1. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on. Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”."
"The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore"
2. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
"Conveniently located next to Lake Geneva with a tiny roadside beach area. I recommend camping sites on the west side of the camping loop to cut down on sun. Not enough electric sites for campers."
"We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $19 - $37 / night
3. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
"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"
"Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."
Check Availabilityfrom $21 - $39 / night
4. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
5. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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!"
6. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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. "
7. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
"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!"
Check Availabilityfrom $21 - $110 / night
8. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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."
"You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."
9. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $12 / night
10. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $43 - $73 / night
Drive Time
- 34 min from Kenosha, WI
- 46 min from Racine, WI
- 54 min from Janesville, WI
- 58 min from Milwaukee, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Spring Grove, IL
229 Photos of 79 Spring Grove Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Mud Lake West — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State ParkK
Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Happy Acres KampgroundJ
Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation AreaA
Thomas Woods Campground
Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State ParkW
Recent Reviews near Spring Grove, IL
705 Reviews of 79 Spring Grove Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendPrairie View Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Nice Shaded Camping Alcove With Plenty of P&Q
Prairie View CG is the very first camping oasis you will come across after entering Rock Cut SP from its northernmost entrance, with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east. Once you enter the park, you will follow the long winding nicely paved two-lane circuit until you begin seeing the signs highlighting where to go for the various campgrounds. Once you access this road, you’ll come across a small building with a ranger where you will check in, after which, you will pass by a designated dump station before coming around a small bend where you will take your first left.
The sites begin with #500 and as you circumnavigate the simple circular loop, you will pass by about 2 dozen or so slots that are nice flat paved slots perfect sized for just about any RV or 5th Wheel. There is a single his / her restroom along with trash area at the beginning of the loop just past sites #503 and #504. To access the shower, you will need to go back to the main road and hike it down the road with your towel and toiletries, which I have to admit, is the biggest bummer about this particular campground. If having close access to shower facilities is important to you, then you may want to contemplate staying at other campgrounds here at Rock Cut SP like Staghorn and White Oak, which offer closer proximity.
One of the greatest assets here at Rock Cut SP is the very massive Pierce Lake, which is great for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming. To launch your watercraft, you’ll head south to Hickory Hills campground where on the eastern side of this area you’ll be able to find the boat launch. In the Prairie View campground, in addition to restroom and waste disposal, you’ll also have access to running water spigots at each site along with running electric. The small community amphitheather is located centrally just past the campstore and before reaching the Hickory Hills campground. There is an excellent camp store in the middle of Rock Cut SP that offers up ice, firewood, ice cream, snacks, games, limited groceries and a number of other sundries you might need while camping. Additionally, there are 5 shelters that have electricity, with water and restrooms nearby and each shelter available through a reservation system. Two of the shelters (Red Oak and Puri Crest) also have children’s playgrounds nearby.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best sites here at Prairie View CG are those that are located furthest from the main road, for attaining the maximum camping bliss trifecta of less traffic, little noise and more privacy. As such, look at sites #512, #514, #516 and #518, which are all located on the exterior of the circle, thus providing the greatest amount of intimate nature experience; (2) Once you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your cooler, fret not, and just head out of the park where you will find a handful of dining options: Tom& Jerry’s, Fresh Start Café, Waffle Shop, Golden Chopsticks Buffet, Sunrise Family Restaurant, Beef-A-Roo (in fact, there’s like 4 of these that the park is surrounded by), but one of my absolute favorites is Green Fire, which is a really nice farm-to-table joint; (3) Got bird watching on your mind? Well, you’re in luck, because here at Rock Cut SP you can spot an amazing array of winged adventurers including bald eagles, American robins, northern cardinals, barn owls, mourning doves, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, Canadian geese, red-bellied woodpeckers, brown thrashers and many others; (4) Tired of nature and just want to get some really cool culture in you? Then head just due south of Rock Cut SP to explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House, which is simply amazing; and (5) If you come bearing watercraft like canoe or kayak, while Lake Pierce is wonderful and great for fishing, if you want something a bit more challenging, then head due west to the Rock River, where you can drop in from a number of launch sites, however I strongly recommend Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve.
Happy Camping!
- GGladys L.Traveler
Plum Grove Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park in Rockford , Illinois
We got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
- BBeth O.
ScoutBlackwell Family Campground
Great Stay
Blackwell has clean bathrooms, offers hiking trails, boating (kayak rentals) or bring your own, fishing, archery, cycling. The gate locks at 7pm but you just call the night guard and he will let you in. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Would definitely stay again. Be aware Winfield Road has a lot of traffic so sites further away from that road are best. Heard coyotes about 3 am both mornings. Rangers were exceptional.
Sherry K.ScoutPearl Lake
Late night party central
The park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
kelsea D.TravelerPrairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
A lot to do.
There’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendHoneysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Lively Little Campground Beside Turner Lake
There’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
- nnancy H.
GuideStaghorn Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Perfect for an overnight stop when travelling through I-90 & Rockford Ill
We are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
- Charlie Y.Guide
Love's RV Hookup-Hampshire IL 763
Cross country travelers
Last minute online reservation...They only have. 4 or 5 RV sites...full hook ups...about $60+-...right near gas pumps but any noise did not bother us weary travelers...Only downside was showers were not included....For the price certainly an included shower should be part of the deal...easy check in and check out.,..We used the Love's site due to its location to visit family and the fact that electric was available...We have medical equipment that requires a recharge at night plus it's just nice to have the AC if needed.
Guide to Spring Grove
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Spring Grove, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Spring Grove, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spring Grove, IL is Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
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