Chain O’Lakes State Park, IL

Starting our hike at the Chain O’lakes State Park Visitor Center – The best view in the park. “Horse Rentals” are the first words spoken on film, nice. These are the first videos of us hiking, have mercy. This article covers both Hiking and Camping at Chain O’Lakes, this is a favorite of ours.

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 skiers. 

The park borders three natural lakes – Grass, Marie and Nippersink – and the Fox River that connects the other seven lakes (Bluff, Fox, Pistakee, Channel, Petite, Catherine and Redhead) that make up the Chain. In addition, the park contains a 44-acre lake within its boundaries. With nearly 6,500 acres of water and 488 miles of shoreline, Chain O’Lakes State Park is the heart of a water wonderland.

Chain O’Lakes State Park, located in northeast Illinois in both McHenry and Lake counties, became a state park in 1945 when the State of Illinois made an initial purchase of 840 acres. In the 1930s, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp became the Chain O’Lakes Conservation Area, and was incorporated into the state park in 1957.

We really like this camping location and have camped here for other hikes north of Chicago. The Hike is also impressive, see for yourself:

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.

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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.

The Northern most stretch goes along the Rox River.

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

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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Camping

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.

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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.

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

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