Lakes within 5hrs of Chicago?
 

I am trying to plan a trip for this weekend to go camping and take the boat. We are looking to try something different than the Chain O Lakes and Lake MI and IL river. We are looking for a camp ground on or near a lake. Boat is not big enough to sleep all of us. I see Shelbyville is not too bad but a little further than I wanted. Any others out there?

Thanks

There may be somethign along the mississippi...but the only thing i can think of would be going into the state of MI or upper WI/UP of MI or the better bet would be plan a trip to LOTO (Lake of the Ozarks) that by far is the best playground you can go to. We have camped on the lake...dont rmemeber the camp grounds but it was near the dam...and they had Docks for the boats. Theres a few state parks that you can camp at and they have launches there as well. The rides not that bad....looking at around 6-7 hrs depending on how fast you drive.

Mascoutin State Park at Clinton Lake would be an option. About a 3 hour drive for you.

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt...R3/Clinton.htm

more lake info.. http://clintonlakemarina.com/

The problem is, at this late hour, camping spots are probably all taken.

We are actually goint to LOTO end of June for a full week. Really excited about that. No kids for that trip.

I will check out the other suggested locations.

So far Lake Shelbyville at Wolf Creek is looking pretty good.

Charlevoix or Torch lakes in northern Michigan. Charlevoix has access to Lake Michigan. Or shoot across Michigan to Lake St. Clair.

I would say Shelbyville only about 4 hours from you max. Eagle Creek has nice camping, golf course right next to the campground and the best ramp at the lake.

lake winnebago chain and wolf river in Wisconsin, 3hrs north of chicago

Hardy Damn pond in Stanwood Michigan fits your bill, perfectly. Probably about 3.5hrs from you they have a nice campground called Brower park.

Lake Shelbyville gets my vote but instead of Eagle Creek I would go to Sullivan Marina or Bo Woods Campground. Eagle is in the middle of the lake but not really close to any town (besides Findlay) for provisions. Also Bo Woods ramp is nice.

I second Brower Park. I have been here several times and it is one of the nicest campgrounds I have been to. They have a cove where you can leave the boat in the water overnight which is very nice. The water is really clean and some cool boats run on this lake. Also it usually doesnt get too rough. Should be about a 4hr ride from chicago.

You can't beat St.Clair. Nice wide river to run down. Lake St.clair has all kinds of places to go. The Moot, Gull Island and other places to tie up. You can go from Lake Huron to St.Clair then run down the river thru Detroit.

I love that area.

Thanks everyone. I ended up going to Shelbyville. It was great. May go back again over the 4th or St. Clair.

to bad i missed this post,we boat shelbyville almost eery weekend and camp at eagle creek..

How is Eagle Creek compared to Wolf? Do they have actual ramp docs? If I go back, I will def post up on here.

Yes, they have courtesy docks at Eagle for loading and unloading. The ramp is nice too.

Eagle Creek is a good ramp, however, when the lake is really down there is an underground road that can be hit w/ the hull. Trust me! It is straight out from the ramp, when you unload go right or left @ idle. I broke a portion of my skeg off three years ago here.