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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
