Chain O'Lakes State Park offers diverse glamping options beyond just the Turner Lake South and Fox Den sites. Located in the northeastern corner of Illinois, the park encompasses over 6,000 acres with interconnected waterways and woodland habitats. Seasonal changes dramatically transform the camping experience, with fall bringing vibrant foliage and fewer mosquitoes than the summer months. Winter camping is available at select sites for those prepared for temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: The Goldfinch trail provides the most diverse flora within a shorter loop. According to a visitor at Turner Lake South Campground, "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."
Horseback riding: Several trails accommodate equestrians throughout the park. A camper noted, "There are horse/snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground," making it better for day rides rather than overnight horse camping.
Local attractions: The Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove is close enough that campers at Fox Den Campground report hearing their steam train whistle regularly. "An odd thing is that you can hear a Steam Train whistle quite often, this is from Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove," mentions one visitor who found it added character to their stay.
What campers like
Multiple access points: For paddlers seeking quieter waters, experienced kayakers recommend alternate entry points. "To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border," shares a camper who found this route preferable.
Loop selection: Each camping loop offers different advantages for glamping near Wonder Lake, Illinois. At Honeysuckle Hollow Campground, visitors note, "Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," providing specific guidance for choosing the best sites.
Amenities and services: The concession area provides more than just basic supplies. "The camp store by the boat launch has fire wood, live bait, food, and other supplies," states a reviewer who appreciated the convenience during their stay at Honeysuckle Hollow.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Each camping loop has a distinct layout and privacy level. A camper at Thomas Woods Campground described, "This was a well laid out campground, with some sites right on the roads and some buried back in the woods away from everyone (we chose the latter and felt like we had the place to ourselves)."
Wildlife encounters: Campers should properly secure food. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns a visitor, recommending eating early and packing all items in vehicles overnight.
Insect preparation: Ticks are prevalent in certain areas, particularly during warmer months. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," notes a family who recommends using screen houses, tick repellent, and protective clothing, especially for small children.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites strategically near recreation areas. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms," shares a family camper at Honeysuckle Hollow who found this arrangement ideal for their toddler.
Beach considerations: The swimming areas vary in size and amenities. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground observed, "The beach is about 10 feet of sand off a busy road and is not pet friendly," highlighting the importance of researching beach facilities before promising swimming opportunities to children.
Educational opportunities: Nature exploration provides learning experiences for children. One parent mentioned, "The wildflowers caught our eye and we enjoyed pausing to appreciate their beauty," during hikes on the varied terrain at Thomas Woods Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup accessibility: Electric hookups require planning at certain sites. A reviewer at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort advised, "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad," suggesting campers bring extension cords.
Site selection for larger RVs: Some sites have limitations for slide-outs. "We originally booked 96 but could not extend our slide because of large trees on either side of the pad," notes an RVer who had to relocate to site 50, which they found much more accommodating.
Water and dump station access: While full hookups are limited, resourceful RVers find workarounds. "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," shares a camper who stayed for an extended period.
