Chain O'Lakes - Spring Lake

Lake County, Illinois

Spring Lake is an outflow of Bluff Lake in the Chain O’Lakes region in Illinois. Chicago is a little over an hour away.

The lake is a little over 20 minutes away from United Hospital Systems and one hour from O’Hare International Airport.

The Valley Ridge Golf Course offers 18 holes of fair and friendly play with beautiful lakes, ponds, and wetlands. There is also a grill and bar serving quality food and beverages.

At the CJ Smith Resort, visitors can rent boats and fishing gear.

Nearby, Steitz’ Resort is, according to locals, a hidden gem. Founded in 1938, one of the oldest family-owned businesses on the Chain. They’re in their third generation! Steitz serves homemade German cuisine and is known for its Friday night fish-fry boil.

Rich With Mobster History

During 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 Spring Lake can access many of the lakes.

Close to Spring 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 sizable fish including northern pike, muskies, largemouth and white bass, crappies, bluegills, channel cat, bullheads, carp, and yellow perch.

Food and Drink

Granny’s Lakeside Diner is a casual diner with boat access serving old-fashioned homestyle food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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, Spring Lake is 12 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 Spring Lake. It just may be the place for your next lake home!