Chain O' Lakes State Park offers tent and yurt camping near Saint Francis, Wisconsin with over 2,500 acres of terrain across numerous connected waterways. Located approximately 90 minutes north of Saint Francis, the park contains 7 major lakes connected by navigable channels, creating 488 acres of water surface. Camping opportunities range from basic tent sites to electric hookups, with some campgrounds operating seasonally from April to November while others remain open year-round.
What to do
Paddling access: Launch from Turner Lake South for direct water access without battling motorboat traffic. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," notes Cora M. about Turner Lake South.
Wildlife observation: Explore the dunes and wetland boardwalks at Kohler-Andrae State Park for bird watching opportunities. "There are a ton of activities here to include two bouncy pillows, three playgrounds, a pool, water slides, a kids water activity area, beach, water obstacle course, inflatable slide, RC car track, laser tag, mini golf, and I'm sure I'm missing something," shares Garret K. about Kohler-Andrae State Park.
Winter exploration: Ottawa Lake Campground offers winter camping with basic facilities. "No showers in winter but awesome," notes David H. about the winter camping experience at Ottawa Lake Campground. Hikers can access the Ice Age Trail system directly from several campsites.
What campers like
Natural spring water: The Kettle Moraine region features natural springs accessible via hiking trails. "Beautiful campground (Ottawa Lake campsites) Great Lake, hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" shares Autumn S. about Ottawa Lake Campground.
Seclusion options: Fox Den Campground offers more privacy than other loops in Chain O' Lakes. "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," notes Ian C. about Fox Den Campground.
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds provide lakefront beaches for swimming during summer months. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" reports Neysha R. about Turner Lake South. Most beaches have designated swimming areas with some providing lifeguards in peak season.
What you should know
Pricing variations: Some campgrounds carry higher fees for their amenities. "Yogi Bear campground is a nice, clean campground. Rental options and the big pool are wonderful. I can't afford to go there often though because it is pricey," explains Gina L.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for ticks and raccoons at many area campgrounds, especially in wooded sites. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... Also - the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking during summer months. "This campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East...it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends," advises Marisa A.
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak advantages: Consider weekday camping for quieter experiences. "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021. The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," shares Tina about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Bathroom proximity: Choose sites strategically based on bathroom access. "I would say sites are average size for a county park. All sorts are mostly wooded and offer good shade. There are pit toilets by the sites but a nice shower house with flush toilets about a 1/4 mile walk away," explains Matt N. about Menomonee Park.
Screen shelters: Bring enclosed protection from insects, especially with small children. "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," recommends Meg when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Electrical connections: Check the location of power pedestals before booking sites. "A lot of the spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," suggests Debra M. about Honeysuckle Hollow, noting she had to relocate when her initial site had an electrical connection about 50 feet away.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate with reduced facilities in shoulder seasons. "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," reports Christopher R. about Fox Den Campground.
