Chain O' Lakes State Park offers numerous primitive camping options in the Pleasant Prairie region with sites at Turner Lake South Campground available for as little as $12 per night. The state park spans over 6,000 acres and contains 10 interconnected lakes with 488 acres of water surface, providing campers with extensive water recreation opportunities. Several campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations from May through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
What to do
Kayaking between lakes: Chain O' Lakes State Park's extensive waterway system provides interconnected paddling routes that don't require river navigation. "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 one visitor to Turner Lake South Camping Area.
Horseback riding and archery: Several campgrounds offer diverse land-based activities beyond standard hiking. "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," reports a camper at Turner Lake South.
Seasonal activities and winter options: While most campgrounds operate May through October, some offer extended seasons. "We go at least once a year to see the Christmas lights. A great little after work trip on a Friday to cure the kiddos cabin fever a bit," mentions a visitor to Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Caledonia. The area offers winter camping options for those seeking glamping close to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin during colder months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Despite being developed campgrounds, many sites offer good separation. "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 a reviewer at Fox Den Campground.
Affordable glamping alternatives: Budget-friendly tent camping with amenities provides an alternative to luxury glamping near Pleasant Prairie. "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," notes a camper at Turner Lake South.
Proximity to urban amenities: Many campgrounds balance natural settings with access to services. "This is our favorite place to camp. It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. It has the electrical hookups that we need and has a bath house that is close to where you camp (hundreds of feet versus getting into a car and driving to it)," explains a visitor to Fox Den Campground.
What you should know
Road noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise, requiring strategic site selection. "The road noise is absolutely noticeable. It was incredibly loud when we drove through the loop closest to the highway and was significantly better even just one section over," warns a camper at Ottawa Lake Campground.
Tick and wildlife awareness: Insects and wildlife require preparation, especially with children. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," cautions a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility cleanliness fluctuates by season and visitation levels. "Shower house #2 was clean although a bit older (paint was peeling off the walls due to humidity) but the water pressure was fine and as hot as I needed it to be," notes an Ottawa Lake camper, while another mentioned, "The pit toilets were almost overflowing on a Thursday."
Tips for camping with families
Designated swimming areas: Several locations offer family-friendly water access with safety features. "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 visitor to Turner Lake South.
Kid-specific activities: Campgrounds near Pleasant Prairie feature recreational options for various ages. At Chicago Northwest KOA, a visitor notes, "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground."
Mosquito preparation: Insect management requires planning in this wetland-rich region. "This campground is within a couple hours of Chicago so it makes a nice getaway for the weekend... It is better than standard RV campgrounds but we could have used some more privacy," mentions a camper at Thomas Woods Campground, while another adds, "The trail looks like it would be pretty muddy if it rains so choose your timing."
Tips from RVers
Electric site locations: Power hookup locations vary widely between campgrounds, affecting setup options. "There are three campgrounds close together, Fox Den and two non-electric campgrounds Turner South and Prairie View that share the bath house which was clean and is in the center of them all," explains an RV camper.
Site levelness considerations: Many sites require advance preparation for leveling RVs. "We originally booked 96 but could not extend our slide because of large trees on either side of the pad and then the electric was about 50 feet away. Moved to 50 one of the nicest spots," advises a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Weekend versus weekday stays: Occupancy patterns affect the camping experience significantly. "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 a camper who stayed for a full week at Honeysuckle Hollow.
