Chain O' Lakes State Park offers camping options across multiple loops near Spring Grove, Illinois, where the typical summer high temperatures reach 80-85°F. Located within the Fox River watershed, this 6,000-acre park features terrain shaped by glacial activity with rolling hills and marshy lowlands. Tent sites and glamping accommodations throughout the park experience significant seasonal variations with high mosquito activity from June through August.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: Access seven connected lakes directly from Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park, where clear water allows visitors to observe underwater activity. "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," notes a camper.
Horseback riding: Trail systems throughout the park accommodate equestrians with dedicated paths. "There are horse/snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground," explains one visitor who explored the various activity options at Turner Lake South.
Winter camping: Several campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, including Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit where winter camping provides a different experience. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports one winter visitor who appreciated the seasonal camping opportunity.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Fox Den Campground offers more privacy than other Chain O' Lakes camping areas. "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," writes a reviewer.
Affordable options: Budget-conscious glampers can find basic sites at lower rates at Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park. "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," explains a visitor.
Concessions and supplies: The main camp store near the boat dock offers essential items. "The concessions/camp store is located near the boat docks and is easily walked or driven to with decent selection of foods, gear, and fishing items," explains a camper who stayed at Fox Den, appreciating the convenience of on-site supplies.
What you should know
Campsite selection strategy: The various camping loops at Chain O' Lakes offer different experiences and privacy levels. At Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park, "There are three campgrounds close together, Fox Den and two non-electric campgrounds Turner South and Prairie View that share the bath house which was clean and is in the center of them all."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for active wildlife, particularly after dark. "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," warns a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Electrical hookups: Power supply varies significantly between sites. "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," notes an experienced camper comparing the park's campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Tick precautions: Take preventative measures, especially for families with small children. "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!" reports a visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park.
Midweek camping: For quieter experiences with fewer crowds, schedule visits outside peak weekend periods. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," notes a camper who stayed at Honeysuckle Hollow for an extended visit.
Family-focused amenities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort caters specifically to families with enhanced facilities. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!"
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: RV campers should research site dimensions before booking. "It's a really nice site, but the running water bathrooms were not cleaned regularly and the pit toilets were almost overflowing on a Thursday. The site was also filled with garbage when we arrived," reports a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow who encountered maintenance issues.
Electrical outlet distance: Check the location of electrical hookups relative to parking pads. At Chicago Northwest KOA, "This KOA has very limited full hook up sites. We paid for the deluxe patio site, which had no sewer. Site was not level but it had a lot of shade which was nice," notes a visitor discussing the practical considerations for RV hookups.
Gate closure times: Be aware of park access restrictions after hours. "One last thing, 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 a visitor to Turner Lake South, highlighting an important logistical consideration for RV campers planning evening activities outside the park.
