Chain O’ Lakes State Park Hike, IL

Chain O’Lakes State Park is a 2,793-acre Illinois state park at the inlet of the Fox River into the Chain O’Lakes in Lake and McHenry counties, in the suburban wildlife of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is one of the centerpieces of the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

Camping at Chain O’ Lakes, IL

Honeysuckle campgrounds at Chain O’Lakes State Park, we review campsites 97, 98, 99 and 100. These are slightly isolated sites and better of tent camping. Be sure and use the 360° video controls to look around. Be sure and use only high quality electrical equipment with these power boxes.

I camp alone for the first time and arrives at night, in the dark, in the rain.

Morning intro for a day hike and trail run in Chain-O-Lakes State Park, IL. Turner Lake South Campsite 18 is a nice site. Campsite 17 was not so great.

I wrap up a successful solo camp at Chain O’Lakes.

We’re trying a new, or rather very old, single tent while back at Chain O’lakes State Park. Eating our standard Wild Pita to save time since we don’t begin our journey to the campsite until after 6pm.

We had a nice site along the Prairie View Loop, #30. This loop is generally quiet and the sites seem a bit larger.

Hiking at Chain O’ Lakes, IL

Starting our hike at the Chain O’lakes State Park Visitor Center – The best view in the park.

Hidden gem of Chicago. The long views over the Fox River Valley from the Badger Trail are pretty great. You can hear the birds and see the beauty.

The Chain O’Lakes Trails are interlocking circles and well maintained. This video takes place at the transition between the Badger Trail and the Goldfinch Trail.

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The Northern most stretch goes along the Rox River.

Ryan may not know where he is or what time it is but he’s excited to continue to the next spot.

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Trail Run around two of the three loops at Chain O’Lakes State Park. 3.7 miles in 27:50 minutes.

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See our Best Chicago Hikes in March, 2021 – https://www.hike360vr.com/best-hiking… This is how the Turner Lake Preserve area at Chain O’Lakes State Park looks at the beginning of March. In a next few weeks, all that snow will melt and the wetlands will come alive. To see our spring video at this location: https://youtu.be/z6AWzg4X2EQ

We are looking toward the Fox River on Badger Trail. Soon this area will wake up for a new year. See our Best Chicago Hikes in March, 2021 – https://www.hike360vr.com/best-hiking…

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We’ve learned two things about prescribed burns. The first is that the periodic burns helps recycle the nutrients needed for healthy prairie growth. The second, and more important reason for burning, is that natural prairie plant roots are deep and survive the burn while non-native plants don’t survive the burns. To see our winter video at this location: https://youtu.be/AUMScnVdOw4 To learn more about Prescribed Burns, check out this link to the Morton Arboretum: https://www.mortonarb.org/news/prescr…