Chain O'Lakes - Redhead Lake

Lake County, Illinois

Redhead Lake is a small lake in the Chain O’Lakes region. Surrounding the shore of Redhead Lake are several lake homes.

The Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital is 25 minutes away and Chicago Midway International Airport is around an hour and a half away.

The 7,000-acre Chain O’Lakes waterway system rests just below the Wisconsin state border. The chain is reported to be the busiest inland recreational waterway per acre in the United States.

Rich With Mobster History

Back in the days of prohibition, the Chain O’Lakes region was popular with gangsters like Al Capone, who owned a lake house in the area. As it turns out, the Chain O’Lakes were ideal for smuggling alcohol over from Canada.

Outdoor Activities

The region is very popular for boaters and anglers. Boaters starting in Redhead Lake can access many of the lakes.

Close to Redhead Lake is the Chain O’Lakes State Park, which borders three of the Chain Lakes and is right next to a 3,230-acre conservation area. The park offers hiking and horseback riding as well as camping and hunting opportunities. In the winter, visitors can ice fish, snowmobile, and cross-country ski.

Anglers on the Chain O’Lakes can expect to catch a variety of quality and sizeable fish including northern pike, muskies, largemouth and white bass, crappies, bluegills, channel cat, bullheads, carp, and yellow perch.

Food and Drink

Area locals recommend eating at Osati’s Pizza of Lakemoor, Leo’s Chicago Grill, PAWNEY’s Place, and Miller’s Dog N Suds Drive In.

For boaters who are looking to be entertained, Blarney Island is a highly rated Caribbean-themed bar that, by all definitions, lives up to its name. It is, in fact, in the middle of the lake, and is only accessible by boat. Of course, they have a shuttle for those who don’t wish to boat there.

Blarney Island also hosts drag boat races every Thursday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Fun and School for the Kids

Of course, families have plenty of other options for entertainment. Bella’s Bouncies Skate on Grand Roller Rink offers the classic roller skating experience with roller skate rentals.

And when the fun is over and it's time to hit the books, Redhead Lake is 10 minutes away from Grant Community High School.

A Tranquil Spot off a Thrilling Lakeside Region

If you want access to both a reposeful retreat as well as an enthralling time at the lake, check out Redhead Lake. It just may be the place for your next lake home!