McHenry County offers seasonal camping options within an hour of Chicago, with many sites open from April through October. The area features both wooded campsites and lakefront accommodations across state parks and private campgrounds. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making most camping options unavailable from November through March.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Thomas Woods Campground, visitors can explore varied terrain with different levels of difficulty. "There are basic toilets (hole in ground style), a spigot for water, great trails (heavy on the mosquitoes, of course), and a very responsive team of folks running the campground," notes a camper at Thomas Woods Campground.
Kayaking: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides multiple water access points for paddling enthusiasts. A visitor at Turner Lake South shared, "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."
Fishing: Several lakes in the area offer fishing opportunities throughout the camping season. "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," reports a camper at Turner Lake South.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campsites in the area provide natural separation between camping spots. At Fox Den Campground, "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."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. A visitor to Big Foot Beach State Park noted, "Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers. Wood and ice available to purchase. Walked down by the beach but it was too cold to go in. Sandy beach but looked like a rock bottom."
Affordable glamping close to Woodstock, Illinois: For budget-conscious travelers seeking glamping near Woodstock, Turner Lake South offers basic sites at remarkably low rates. "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."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area fill quickly during peak season. At Honeysuckle Hollow, a visitor observed, "This was our first time at this campground and we were impressed. We stayed in the Fox Den electric sites. The campsite was very clean and the fire pit and table were in good condition."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife visiting your campsite. "We saw several ticks/mosquitoes, decent bathrooms/showers. Sites seemed pretty close together," mentioned one camper at Turner Lake South, while another noted, "The campsite had raccoons at night even after we locked up everything in the car."
Guide
