Glamping and luxury camping options near Wadsworth, Illinois expand beyond just Chain O' Lakes State Park, with additional sites within a 30-minute drive. This northern Illinois region features kettle-formed lakes and rolling woodland terrain at elevations around 780 feet. Weather conditions typically range from warm 75-85°F summer days with frequent evening thunderstorms to mild 50-65°F spring and fall camping seasons with less precipitation.
What to do
Paddle the quieter waters: Turner Lake South provides a serene alternative to 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," notes Cora M. from Turner Lake South.
Horseback riding and archery: Several campgrounds offer activities beyond standard water sports. "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," explains Meg K. at Turner Lake South.
Winter camping options: For those interested in off-season glamping near Wadsworth, several sites remain open year-round. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports David H. about Ottawa Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest, which provides winter access roughly 35 miles from Wadsworth.
What campers like
Private sites with strategic placement: Experienced campers appreciate the thoughtful layout at Fox Den Campground. "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 dens foliage and trees)," reports Ian C. from Fox Den Campground.
Seasonal camping packages: Budget-conscious glampers appreciate seasonal deals. "Last year we heard out their fall package and got 3 weekends for a very much discounted price. Loved it so much we got it again this year! We will again spend most of September here," shares Melissa C. from Jellystone Park Caledonia, located 40 miles from Wadsworth.
Concession options: Many campers appreciate having camp stores and food options. "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," notes Ian C. about Fox Den Campground.
What you should know
Weekday vs. weekend experiences: Campgrounds near Wadsworth can transform between weekdays and weekends. "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021. We had a back-in site on the north side of the campground... The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," explains Tina from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Ticks and wildlife management: Prepare for insects, particularly during peak summer months. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... Also - the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns Meg from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Electric hookup locations: At some sites, the placement of utilities requires planning. "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 Debra M. at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips for camping with families
Budget-friendly options: Some locations offer exceptional value for family camping. "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. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night," shares Addison G. from Turner Lake South.
Kid-friendly glamping amenities: Jellystone Park offers extensive children's activities. "There are a ton of activities here to include two bouncy pillows, three play grounds, a pool, water slides, a kids water activity area, beach, water obstacle course, inflatable slide, RC car track, laser tag, mini golf, giant chess, and I'm sure I'm missing something. Great place for families," reports Garret K.
Loop selection for families: With proper planning, families can secure the best camping experience. "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," advises Meg from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs: RVers recommend researching specific loops and sites. "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," explains Debra M. from Thomas Woods Campground.
Dump station timing: Be prepared for potential waits during busy periods. "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," notes Tina from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Mobility considerations: Some glamping sites are more accessible than others. "We also travel with our daughter with special needs, and the spaces were pretty accessible, a step or two to climb over with the stroller," shares Stefanie B. from Chicago Northwest KOA, located about 30 minutes from Wadsworth.
