77 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Wisconsin-Illinois border region surrounding Wilmot offers a diverse range of camping experiences within state recreation areas and forest preserves. Richard Bong State Recreation Area, located just north of Wilmot, features both Sunrise and Sunset Campgrounds with amenities for tent and RV camping. Chain O' Lakes State Park, situated along the Illinois side of the border, provides multiple camping loops including Turner Lake South, Prairie View, Fox Den, and Honeysuckle Hollow, each with varying levels of privacy and amenities. Big Foot Beach State Park near Lake Geneva offers sites within 20 miles of Wilmot, providing both walk-in tent sites and RV-friendly options in a popular tourist area.
Reservations are essential during summer months when lakeside campgrounds fill quickly, particularly on weekends. As one camper noted, "This area has always been a summer getaway, so reservations are hard to get. We went in October, so it was much easier, but the weather was unpredictable." Most state park campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, with limited winter camping available. Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds, with some loops offering full hookups while others maintain a more primitive experience. The terrain throughout the area is generally flat with some gentle hills, making most campgrounds accessible without specialized vehicles. Cell service is reliable near towns but can be spotty in more remote camping areas.
Water recreation defines the camping experience in this region, with numerous lakes and rivers providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Campers frequently mention the contrast between different camping loops, with one visitor explaining, "We stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites." Trail systems connect many campgrounds to surrounding natural areas, with paved bike paths and hiking trails ranging from crushed gravel to natural surfaces. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, various bird species, and occasional waterfowl, particularly in the quieter camping areas away from the busier lake recreation zones.
"I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"
"Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We didn't have problems finding a spot and set up late at night as close to the lake as we could. The lake really can't be seen from any site but it's a 2 minute walk on a path to the lake."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Rocket launch (bring your own,) atv (no rentals-bring your own), water fowl hunting (during season), fishing, wildlife watching, swimming at the beach, playground for kids, and my favorite- nice trails"
"Plenty of space & foliage between sites and a nice network of trails surrounding the campground. Close to some small towns and the interstate as well, but not close enough to hear traffic."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability"The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore"
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."
"This is one of the most popular State Parks in Wisconsin because it's on Lake Geneva. In fact, it's the only state park within town's limits."
from $18 - $36 / night
Check Availability"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"However there is plenty of space around to find a spot on your own. The campsites are a nice size and have electric hookups. Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out."
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."
"we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"
"Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."
"This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."
"There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."
from $12 / night
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TravelerWe got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
ScoutBlackwell has clean bathrooms, offers hiking trails, boating (kayak rentals) or bring your own, fishing, archery, cycling. The gate locks at 7pm but you just call the night guard and he will let you in. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Would definitely stay again. Be aware Winfield Road has a lot of traffic so sites further away from that road are best. Heard coyotes about 3 am both mornings. Rangers were exceptional.
ScoutThe park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
GuideWe are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
GuideLast minute online reservation...They only have. 4 or 5 RV sites...full hook ups...about $60+-...right near gas pumps but any noise did not bother us weary travelers...Only downside was showers were not included....For the price certainly an included shower should be part of the deal...easy check in and check out.,..We used the Love's site due to its location to visit family and the fact that electric was available...We have medical equipment that requires a recharge at night plus it's just nice to have the AC if needed.
TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
LegendWe had a truly enjoyable stay and would’ve stayed an extra day if our travel schedule would’ve allowed. David was a wonderful host. Greeted us with a smile and escorted us to our site. We had our choice of 2 spots, both lovely. Picnic table and plenty of FREE firewood to keep us cozy. Wild turkeys roamed the grounds as well as the friendly ducks. All in all, a very peaceful evening and a special place.
Camping near Wilmot, Wisconsin places visitors between the Illinois state line and numerous inland lakes. This border region experiences cold winters with moderate snowfall and warm, occasionally humid summers with temperatures typically ranging from 20°F in winter to 80°F in summer. Many campgrounds in the area feature sandy soil conditions that provide good drainage during rain but can create dusty campsites during dry spells.
Horseback riding access: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers trail riding opportunities throughout the expansive park system. A camper noted, "There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground," showing the park's versatility across seasons. The park maintains dedicated equestrian trails separate from hiking paths.
ATV recreation: Richard Bong State Recreation Area includes designated areas for off-road vehicles. According to one visitor, "We went for the ATV track. We took our bikes down by the pond and park. They have flush toilets and showers." The park's multi-use design accommodates both motorized and non-motorized recreation within different zones.
Kayaking throughout connected waterways: Turner Lake South provides excellent water access with multiple entry points. A paddler 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." The interconnected waterways allow for routes of varying difficulty.
Private, wooded sites: Fox Den Campground offers more secluded camping experiences than other loops in the area. A camper observed, "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)." The natural vegetation between sites creates buffer zones for privacy.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Sites near water access points often provide the best wildlife sightings. One visitor at Sunrise Campground explained, "We love going out in the spring when the bull frogs are out and listening to their chorus. There is a great winery just down the road if you want to take a field trip and have something to sip by the fire at night." Spring and fall typically offer the best wildlife viewing with fewer crowds.
Heated swimming options: Happy Acres Kampground maintains a heated pool. As one camper mentioned, "The pool was great and thankful it was heated as the weather was cool." This extends the swimming season beyond what the natural lakes permit, especially during early and late season camping when temperatures fluctuate.
Raccoon activity: Honeysuckle Hollow and other campgrounds in the region have significant raccoon presence after dark. A camper warned, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down." Food storage in vehicles is essential throughout the camping season.
Alcohol restrictions: Illinois state parks enforce no-alcohol policies within campgrounds. A camper at Fox Den noted, "The only big minus is the full hook ups fill up fast no spur of the moment camping unless it is early or late in the season. The other thing is ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site." Enforcement includes ranger patrols and possible tickets for violations.
Tick prevalence: The wooded areas harbor ticks throughout the camping season. One family camping at Honeysuckle Hollow shared, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!" Regular tick checks are necessary when camping from April through October.
Playground proximity: Choose sites near recreation areas for easier access with children. A camper at Honeysuckle Hollow advised, "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best." Sites nearest bathrooms fill quickest during family-oriented holiday weekends.
Budget-friendly options: Prairie View Camping Area offers more affordable sites without electrical hookups. A camper shared, "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." Non-electric sites typically save $10-15 per night compared to sites with hookups.
Noise considerations: Campgrounds vary widely in noise levels, especially on weekends. At Richard Bong State Recreation Area, a visitor noted, "This used to be our traditional family camping area, but over the years camping has become very strict on noise and headcounts. It is also becoming more modernized. I still enjoy all the wildlife we see but I will stick with hiking over camping here. It sucks having to worry that when you are laughing loudly at great camp stories security may come give you a warning." Mid-week stays typically offer quieter conditions.
Electrical hookup placement: At Fox Den, electrical connections are more accessible than at other campgrounds. A reviewer explained, "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." Extension cords over 30 feet may be needed at some campgrounds.
Dump station congestion: Holiday weekends create significant wait times at facilities. One RVer at Happy Acres reported, "Since there's no full hookup, they needed someone to control the traffic that comes from two different directions going to the dual dump stations. There's no honor system, especially on a holiday weekend." Plan for 30+ minute waits when departing popular campgrounds on Sunday mornings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Wilmot, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wilmot, WI is Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
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