Campgrounds and RV parks near Third Lake, IL

The Chain O'Lakes region is the main regional draw. It is a water-oriented recreation area with opportunities for boaters, anglers, and skiers, bordering the natural lakes of Grass, Marie, and Nippersink along with the Fox River. Grass Lake Marina and RV Park puts boats directly on the chain, and Turner Lake South gives access to 8 miles of equestrian trail and a 6-mile biking and hiking trail inside Chain O'Lakes State Park. Boat rentals are available seasonally through a concessionaire, with motorboats, rowboats, canoes, and kayaks offered. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers swimming and family activities on-site. Fox River Recreation suits paddling trips on the Fox. To the east, Illinois Beach State Park draws visitors for its Lake Michigan shoreline, dunes, marshes, and hiking. Nearby Six Flags Great America and Gurnee outlet shopping are short drives from most campgrounds.

Northern Illinois has a clear four-season calendar, and most campgrounds in this area run a warm-season operating window. The Illinois Beach campground is open from April 1 through December 30, though reservations are only accepted from May 1 through September 30. Chain O'Lakes State Park camping is also concentrated in the warmer months, and private parks such as Fish Lake Beach typically operate from spring through fall. Summer is peak season. Independence Day and the weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day fill earliest, especially at lakefront sites on the chain and at Illinois Beach. Due to the high use of this area on summer weekends, reservations are recommended, and unreserved sites are often available on a first-come, first-served basis. Late spring brings cool nights, biting insects near marshes, and reliable trail access. Fall delivers strong color in October, cooler boating, and easier site availability. Camping at Illinois Beach is closed January through March, recreational activities are minimal in November and December, and temperatures fall to highs in the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit with snowfall beginning in November.

Sites in this region range from full-hookup pads at private resorts to electric-only state park sites. The campground in the southern unit at Illinois Beach provides 241 Class A Premium sites with electricity and access to showers and sanitary facilities. Chain O'Lakes State Park offers a mix of Class A, B, and tent sites across two campgrounds. Private resorts generally provide water, sewer, and electric, along with laundry, camp stores, and recreation programming. Cell coverage is reliable across most of Lake County. Expect mosquitoes near marshes from late spring through midsummer, so pack repellent. Boat launches see heavy traffic on summer weekends; launching early helps. Quiet hours are enforced at state campgrounds. Roads into the campgrounds are paved and accommodate large rigs.