Camping spots near Lakemoor, Illinois provide diverse outdoor recreation options within the wetland regions of northeastern Illinois. The area sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with humid continental climate conditions that create distinct camping seasons from April through October. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, making most campgrounds seasonal operations with limited winter availability.
What to do
Kayaking multiple connected waterways: At Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park, paddlers access seven interconnected lakes without needing to navigate the main river. "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 camper Cora M.
Horseback riding available: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers designated equestrian trails throughout the preserve. "There is horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas," notes Meg K. The park maintains trails specifically for riders, with rental options available for visitors without their own horses.
Winter activities limited: Most camping facilities close by mid-October. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort operates from May 1 to October 15, while Big Foot Beach State Park Campground runs April through October. For off-season options, check state park day-use areas which sometimes remain accessible for hiking and wildlife viewing.
What campers like
Primitive camping options: Prairie View loop offers non-electric sites for campers seeking a more rustic experience. "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," explains Art S. from Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park.
Site privacy varies significantly: Fox Den Campground provides more secluded sites compared to other loops in the park. "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 (our site was protected on 3 sides by some fairly dense foliage and trees)," reports Ian C.
Lake access for fishing: Many campsites offer direct water access. "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 Julia B. at Turner Lake South.
What you should know
Site layout considerations: Site arrangements vary widely between campgrounds and loops. At Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park, "spaces are not consistent, some very large and shaded and some smaller and crowded," according to Debra M., who recommends this campground over Honeysuckle Hollow because "each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad."
After-hours access restrictions: Some campgrounds enforce strict gate closure times. At Turner Lake, "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," warns Brian O. Plan evening activities accordingly or risk being locked out.
Alcohol policies vary: Alcohol is prohibited at Illinois state parks but permitted at some private campgrounds and Wisconsin state parks. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort allows alcohol, while Chain O' Lakes State Park enforces a no-alcohol policy with possible citations for violations.
Tips for camping with families
Beach and water activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers beach access with supervised swimming. "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," explains Chloe N.
Bug protection essential: Insect activity can be intense, particularly 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," warns Meg at Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park.
Wildlife encounters common: Prepare for nocturnal visitors, especially raccoons. "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," advises Meg at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup placement matters: Many RV sites share electric boxes with neighboring sites. "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," suggests Debra M. at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Limited full-service options: Most campgrounds offer electric-only sites with water spigots and dump stations centrally located. At Camp Reinberg, "there is no water spigots at the RV sites. The staff has to hook up a very very long hose and will bring it to your site. You can get water, it's just an inconvenience for you and them," explains The School for Y.
Seasonal crowding considerations: Weekdays provide more space and privacy. "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 Tina at Honeysuckle Hollow, suggesting Sunday through Thursday visits for quieter experiences.
