kelsea D.
Traveler
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.
Glamping near Waukegan, IL
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Chain O' Lakes State Park features four glamping areas near Waukegan, Illinois, with Honeysuckle Hollow, Turner Lake South, and Fox Den campgrounds offering upscale accommodations. Located approximately 25 miles from Waukegan, these glamping campsites include premium bedding, electricity, and private outdoor spaces, with many units positioned alongside lake views and wooded surroundings. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides additional glamping options with climate-controlled units. According to a camper, "This park isn't too far away from Chicago, which makes it a great place for a quick get away!"
Water recreation forms the centerpiece of the glamping experience, with seven connected lakes offering exceptional kayaking and canoeing opportunities. Hiking trails wind through the state park's natural areas, while nearby attractions include Amish markets in Shipshawana just 30 miles away. The concession area serves as a camp store with food options and boat rentals. Fishing directly from lakefront sites is popular, with the lake bordered by nature preserves creating scenic views. One visitor noted, "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side." Most glamping accommodations remain open from May through October, with some sites requiring advance reservations during peak summer months.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Waukegan (17)
1. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) 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"
"Non-electric sites in the loop on the small fishing pond were relatively quiet, well shaded, with decent screening between sites."
2. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"We stayed in the Fox Den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition. Our site was very shaded and quiet at night. The bath house was very clean."
"Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas."
3. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"There’s some small trails around as well that are beginner. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night."
"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."
4. 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."
"The staff is very friendly the grounds are beautiful and well maintained We kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability5. Prairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"We stayed at the Prairie View section on site P27. It was me, my wife, our 8 month old daughter, and our dog."
"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."
6. Mud Lake East — Chain O' Lakes State Park
"Very quiet spot with no electric short walk to Turner Lake. Spaces are well spaced, some with good shade and others in full sun. "
"There are tons of trails, a small fishing pond and ok bathrooms. The staff is very friendly. There is horse riding here as well. The views are breathtaking."
from $12 / night
Check Availability7. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
"Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois. 4 stars because it's not the camping in nature experience I am looking for. Lots of noise. Lots of kids. Lots of dogs."
"Nice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn’t very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric. this was the first time"
from $18 - $36 / night
Check Availability8. Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
"Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Ours had a grill the folded in and out, not sure if all have it."
"The campground is well kept with several bathrooms and showers. We have a 30ft travel trailer, and it was easy to maneuver around the campground."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability9. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Caledonia
"Plenty of things to do all day with the rec dept staff and lots of sightings of Yogi, Boo Boo, and Cindy Bear! Pool and Bear Paw beach are both nice, the kids had a blast at both."
"Bathrooms/showers are good. Comfortable stay."
10. Chicago Northwest KOA
"It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family."
"Plus they have a quiet time at night.So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise."
Drive Time
- 23 min from Kenosha, WI
- 34 min from Racine, WI
- 46 min from Milwaukee, WI
- 48 min from Chicago, IL
Recent Glamping Photos near Waukegan, IL
5 Photos of 17 Waukegan Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Waukegan, IL
233 Reviews of 17 Waukegan Campgrounds
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.
- HHolly B.
GuideChicago Northwest KOA
A bit of a drive
It was a bit of a drive to Chicago but nothing overly horrible. We went in October and it was very busy. Lost of activities for the family. We arrived very late but the staff was very gracious and hospitable. The grounds were well kept. They had trash pick up. Nice laundry area. The surrounding area was very nice and rural. We took our dogs on the architecture boat tour.
- MManny A.Traveler
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Simple and local
First time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
- Lex G.Traveler
Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
Nice and spread out
This is such a good spot, it’s not just an RV parking lot. Each site is its own little site just far enough from its neighbor to feel alone. Super nice and well kept
Mark D.
ScoutOttawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
We had such an enjoyable time at Ottawa Lake Campground.
Escape the everyday and immerse yourself in nature at Ottawa Lake Campground. Nestled in the heart of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, this welcoming retreat offers lakeside fun, scenic hiking trails, the quiet beauty of a true Northwoods experience, all without a long drive.
We have visited the Campground 5 times this year already, we love hiking all the trails in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
https://youtu.be/xl4uAtNWclM
- SSteve K.Guide
Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
Close to "home" beautiful sites
We've been full time RVers for 4 years and this is a beautiful campground close to "home". We stay here a couple of times each year for doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family and friends, and general relaxation.
- LLayla P.Guide
Camp Bullfrog Lake
Great camping spot
This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.
The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.
The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.
Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.
Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.
Overall I’d definitely stay here again.
- KKatrina D.Scout
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort
Not communicable, fraud administration
I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
Guide to Waukegan
Chain O' Lakes State Park offers campsites for glamping close to Waukegan, Illinois, approximately 25 miles from the city in a region characterized by glacial moraines and kettle lakes. The conservation area spans over 6,500 acres with elevations ranging from 735 to 780 feet above sea level. Winters bring temperatures dropping to the teens while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity.
What to Do
Kayaking to hidden areas: Turner Lake South provides access to secluded waterways with abundant wildlife. "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," reports Cora M.
Mountain biking: Camp Bullfrog Lake offers direct access to extensive mountain biking trail systems. A visitor noted, "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails."
Horseback riding: Several trails at Chain O' Lakes cater specifically to equestrian users. "There are hiking trails and this campground is the closest to the boat dock and concession which serves as the camp store," explains a camper at Fox Den Campground.
What Campers Like
Lake access for fishing: Fishing opportunities exist directly from several campsites. "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.
Private wooded sites: Many campsites offer seclusion despite proximity to urban areas. "The state park is larger than expected with decent amenities (boat rentals, concessions, relatively clean pit toilets) and areas designated for trailer camping and tent camping," mentions Claire S.
Affordable primitive camping: Budget options exist for tent campers seeking basic amenities. "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 Addison G.
What You Should Know
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for various wildlife interactions, 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," advises Meg at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Electric hookup limitations: Some sites share electric boxes or have inadequate reach. "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," suggests Debra M.
Ticks and insects: Prepare for heavy insect activity, especially with 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!"
Tips for Camping with Families
Child-friendly lake activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers structured recreation for children. "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. Clean bathrooms and shower," reports Leo V.
Protected play spaces: Create contained areas for young children in tick-prone areas. "Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair."
Proximity to emergency services: Most campgrounds maintain 20-30 minute access to medical facilities. "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection at Fox Den: Choose more secluded electric sites for optimal privacy. "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," advises Ian C. at Thomas Woods Campground.
Water access points: Fill tanks before arriving at certain loops. "We had a back-in site on the north side of the campground. We had 50 amp, but no water/sewer, although there was a water spigot next to our site that we could use to fill up jugs of water. The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water."
Midweek availability: Consider non-weekend stays for more space and quiet. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping
campsite near Waukegan, IL?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Waukegan, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Waukegan, IL is Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find
glamping camping near
Waukegan, IL?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Waukegan, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Waukegan, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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