Lake vacation spots?

Question

My family of 5 (3 young adult “kids”) likes to fly into a location, spend a few days, and then do a loop road trip around the area, moving locations every few days. We would like to fly into Chicago, so I was wondering if there are smaller lakes within 2-3 hours that would have accommodations right at the lake where we could spend a few days to kayak, paddle board, and swim in the lake. I was interested in Starved Rock for hiking, and I see they have accommodations, but it looks like it might be more of a day trip type of place. Is that true?

Answer

Flying into Chicago gives you a lot of options for a lake-centered vacation within a 2-3 hour drive. While Starved Rock is a beautiful destination for hiking and exploring waterfalls and canyons, it is generally more suited for day trips or 1-2 nights rather than a multi-day lake vacation. The park itself has lodges and cabins, but the focus is hiking and nature walks rather than lake activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, or swimming.

If you’re looking for lakes with accommodations right on the water and opportunities for water sports, here are some options within 2-3 hours of Chicago:

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: About 1.5 hours from Chicago, Lake Geneva has a classic resort town feel. There are numerous lakefront hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals. You can kayak, paddleboard, swim, and even rent small boats. The town also has shopping, dining, and scenic walking paths along the lake.
Chain O’Lakes, Illinois: Located about 1.5 to 2 hours northwest of Chicago, this interconnected chain of lakes offers plenty of rental homes, cabins, and marinas. It’s ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming, with lots of small towns around for local dining and entertainment.
Fox Lake, Illinois: Roughly 1.5 hours north of Chicago, Fox Lake is part of the Chain O’Lakes system. There are lakeside cabins and vacation rentals, and the lake itself is good for all kinds of water activities, from boating to paddleboarding.
Mississippi River & Pool 13 near Rock Island/Quad Cities: While more of a river than a lake, some areas along the Mississippi have lakeside access and water sport opportunities. Accommodations may be more limited, but vacation rentals are available.
Lake Springfield, Illinois: About 3 hours southwest of Chicago, this is a large lake with recreation areas, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and some lakeside lodging options.

If you want to combine lake activities with hiking, you could do a loop that includes Starved Rock State Park for a day or two and then head to one of the larger lakes for a few days of water fun. For example, you could start in Chicago, drive 1.5 hours to Starved Rock for hiking and canyon exploration, then continue northeast to Lake Geneva for a more relaxed lake stay with water activities and restaurants. Another option is staying around the Chain O’Lakes area to have multiple small lakes in one spot for exploration and activities.

When planning, note that accommodations directly on smaller lakes can be limited, so booking in advance is recommended. Vacation rentals often give you the most flexibility and privacy, especially for a family of 5.

Fly into Chicago and spend 1-2 nights exploring the city if desired.
Drive to Starved Rock (approx. 1.5 hours) for hiking and exploring canyons for 1-2 nights.
Continue to Lake Geneva or Chain O’Lakes area for 3-4 nights of kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming.
Return to Chicago for departure.

This loop gives a mix of city sights, hiking, and lakefront relaxation with water activities. Early booking for lakefront rentals is key, especially during summer weekends.

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