Chain O'Lakes State Park and surrounding areas offer several equestrian-friendly campground options for horse enthusiasts. Located in northern Illinois, about 60 miles from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, this region features gently rolling terrain with wooded areas interspersed with prairies. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer camping season brings temperatures in the 70-85°F range with moderate humidity.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Turner Lake South at Chain O'Lakes State Park connects to numerous riding paths. "The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by. This loop is best for tent camping. The other loops are basically all RVs," notes Julia B.
Kayaking excursions: Explore the interconnected waterways at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, which offers water recreation away from the main Chain O'Lakes system. "We kayaked in the lake and it's small but nice. Great for kids lots of activities and space to play But very quiet and relaxing by nighttime," shares Christin D.
Hiking explorations: The Ice Age Trail near Pinewoods Campground offers scenic views through diverse terrain. "There is a central shower building with vault toilets in the camping loops. We asked the ranger about hiking and she gave us a map to a trail system that connects to this campground between the group sites and loop 3," explains Art S.
What campers like
Secluded camping areas: Fox Den Campground provides more private sites than other areas in the park. "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," writes Ian C.
Quick escapes from urban areas: Big Foot Beach State Park offers equestrian-friendly recreation near Lake Geneva. "Great place to quickly get in and set up, easy access to all amenities, the ranger station, and camp hosts if needed. Good fishing ponds for the kids, and great hiking trails throughout the property," reports Brenton S.
Family-oriented activities: Many campgrounds cater to families with designated play areas. "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," observes Leo V. about Fish Lake Beach.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Popular horse-friendly sites fill quickly, especially at Kettle Moraine State Forest. "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping. No host so buying wood is an issue, but pick a site on the edge and there is more than enough free. Bring a saw," advises Tim H.
Alcohol policies: Illinois state parks prohibit alcohol, while Wisconsin parks typically allow it. "We would gladly stay here again! Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule," mentions David W.
Campsite selection tips: Choose carefully for privacy and shade. "This campground is within a couple hours of Chicago so it makes a nice getaway for the weekend. Things were pretty filled up when we came here. However there is plenty of space around to find a spot on your own," notes Art S. about Fox Den Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Menomonee Park offers family-friendly water recreation. "We have been to Menomonee park several times. It is one of the kids favorites. The sites are just about all wooded. Not huge but a good size for a country park. The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards," explains Matt N.
Budget-friendly options: Non-electric sites provide savings. "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.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot native animals. "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.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric sites are available at several campgrounds but vary in layout. "Chain O'Lakes State Park in IL has two electric campgrounds, 2 non-electric campgrounds and one group site. Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts to far from parking pad," explains Debra M.
Site spacing considerations: Evaluate campgrounds based on proximity to neighbors. "All of the campsites were full so it was busy but we liked that each spot still felt separated by trees. We would recommend staying further from the road as there is some road noise but it didn't really bother us at all," advises Christie Z.
Seasonal considerations: Campground atmosphere changes throughout the year. "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," shares Christopher R.