Park listing
Chain O Lakes State Park
8916 Wilmot Rd., Spring Grove, IL 60081
Review facilities, trailer fit, trails, weather, and the official reservation page before you commit to a trip.
Trip starter
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Chain O Lakes State Park
This listing is currently using verified trip data while licensed photography is being finalized.
Drive time
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Bathrooms
Showers and restrooms
Trailer fit
213 trailer-capable sites, max listed vehicle length 40ft, driveway mix: 0 pull-through, 213 back-in
Weather
Sunny
Why this park
Facilities
Showers and restrooms are surfaced in the current listing data.
Trailer fit
213 trailer-capable sites, max listed vehicle length 40ft, driveway mix: 0 pull-through, 213 back-in
Activity mix
41 named routes are surfaced for hiking and activity planning.
About this park
Located in the heart of Illinois largest concentration of natural Lakes, Chain O Lakes State Park is a water-oriented recreation area with outstanding opportunities for boaters, anglers and waterfowlers. The park offers 6,023 acres for campers, picnickers, hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and hunters in addition to the fore mention when in season.
Read full park description
Located in the heart of Illinois largest concentration of natural Lakes, Chain O Lakes State Park is a water-oriented recreation area with outstanding opportunities for boaters, anglers and waterfowlers. The park offers 6,023 acres for campers, picnickers, hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and hunters in addition to the fore mention when in season. There are 6 miles of hike/bike trails and 8 miles of horse trails. Park is open every day except Christmas Day, the hours of operations are Summer: 6:00 am - 9:00 pm, Winter 8:00 am - Sunset. Summer hours take effect April 1 and terminate last weekend in October. In the fall the park is closed from the beginning of November until December 26 for all activities except hunting. Winter hours take effect December 26 thru March 31. You will find a boat rental concession with food service/camp store. Opened in 1946, the park is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Please note the entrance gates will be locked from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am during summer hours (April 1 - late October/start of hunting) and sunset to 8 am during winter hours (December 26 - March 31). Tire shredder is activated. Campers may leave at any time, but re-entry to park will not be possible. April 1 - October 18 the gatehouse will be open 8:00am-10:00pm for reservation check-in. Walk-ins will be registered until 9:30pm daily. Starting 9/30/25 the Maple Grove Boat Launch area will be closed until further notice for major renovations.
Campsite fit
Group-designated sites listed in park data: 10. Verify current group pricing, vehicle maximums, and campground rules on the official reservation page.
Group-site signal
No special group limitations surfaced in the current listing metadata.
Trailer and rig access
213 trailer-capable sites, max listed vehicle length 40ft, driveway mix: 0 pull-through, 213 back-in
Fire rules
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Bathrooms and facilities
Trails and activities
41 named trail routes are surfaced here from 118 mapped source segments. Start with the featured routes, then expand the full list if this park stays on your shortlist.
White River Trail
3.1 miles total • 2 mapped segments • compacted • path
White Trail
2.4 miles total • 22 mapped segments • gravel and asphalt • path
Red Trail
1.9 miles total • 19 mapped segments • ground and grass • path
View all trail routes
West Huntington Circle
1.1 miles total • 3 mapped segments • paved • foot trail
Blue Trail
1.0 miles total • 10 mapped segments • ground and gravel • path
Ice House Trail
0.9 miles total • 2 mapped segments • asphalt • path
Green Trail
0.9 miles total • 13 mapped segments • ground and dirt • path
Vista Nature Trail (1.0 mi)
0.9 miles total • grass • foot trail
Silver Lake Icehouse Trail
0.7 miles total • 2 mapped segments • asphalt • path
Leonard Drive
0.6 miles total • 2 mapped segments • foot trail
Gold Trail
0.5 miles total • 4 mapped segments • grass and ground • path
Visitor Center Nature Trail (0.7 mi)
0.5 miles total • compacted • foot trail
Weather context
Sunny
2026-03-09 • 69° / 43° • 1% precipitation
Sunny, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
May
May avg: 72°F high, 53°F low, 11 rainy days
June
June avg: 81°F high, 62°F low, 10 rainy days
July
July avg: 85°F high, 67°F low, 9 rainy days
Safety and rules
No active alerts surfaced for the selected dates.
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Key rules and on-site notes
Start with the highest-signal rules below, then expand the full park policy list only if this park stays in contention.
Directions
Chicago - North on I-94 to Rt. 173 exit; west Rt. 173 15 miles to Wilmot Rd; south 1 ½ miles to entrance; park entrance on east side. Rt. 12 from West Suburbs - West on Rt. 12 thru town of Fox Lake to Wilmot Rd.; North Wilmot Rd. 2 miles to entrance; park entrance on east side. Wisconsin - South I-94 to Rt. 41; Rt. 41 south to Rt. 173; west Rt. 173 to Wilmot Rd.; south 1 ½ miles to entrance; park entrance on east side.
Contact
(847) 587-5512
Fire policy
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
View all park rules
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