Let me tell you, finding a good, reliable spot to take care of business when you’re navigating the tangled web of suburbs north of Chicago can be a real chore. You’re either dodging city traffic or finding places that are for registered guests only, and sometimes you just need a quick, no-fuss stop. That’s why stumbling upon a place like Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort in Volo feels like hitting the lottery. It’s not just a dump station; it’s a full-blown destination that happens to welcome folks who need to empty their tanks. It sits right off of U.S. 12, so it’s easy to get to, but the minute you pull in, that roadside hustle just melts away.
We were heading up toward Wisconsin, looking to explore the Chain O’ Lakes region, and our tank sensors were starting to give us that dreaded warning. A quick search pointed us toward Fish Lake Beach, and I’ll admit, I was skeptical. A "resort" that lets non-guests dump? It sounded too good to be true. But a friendly voice on the phone confirmed it, gave us the fee, and told us to come on by. The drive into Volo itself is interesting. You’re in this sort of transitional zone between the dense suburbs and real, open countryside. One minute you’re at a stoplight, the next you’re passing cornfields. It’s also home to that famous Volo Auto Museum, a place I’ve been meaning to stop at for years. It’s one of those classic roadside attractions with everything from movie cars to military vehicles, a perfect spot to kill a few hours.
Pulling into Fish Lake Beach felt different from your typical campground. You can immediately see the "resort" part of its name is no joke. There's a big, sandy beach right on the lake, a swimming pool complex that looked incredibly inviting, and a general sense of relaxed, family-fun energy. This isn't your gravel-lot, pull-in-pull-out kind of place. We checked in at the camp store, which was bustling but efficient, and the staff couldn't have been nicer. They pointed us toward the dump station, located conveniently near the exit, which is always a thoughtful design. You don’t have to weave your 40-footer through the entire park just to get to it.
The station itself was exactly what you hope for. It had dual-sided bays, a feature that seems small but makes a world of difference when a couple of rigs show up at the same time. The pad was clean, concrete, and slightly sloped, which, as any seasoned RVer knows, is a beautiful thing. There’s nothing worse than wrestling with your hose to get that last little bit out of the tank on a perfectly flat surface. The best part, though, was the access to potable water right there. Having a dedicated spigot for fresh water and a separate one for rinsing your black tank hose is a sign of a well-managed facility. It saves you the hassle of having to pull forward to a different spot just to top off your fresh tank, and it ensures you’re not crossing any streams, so to speak. We always carry our own dedicated white hose for potable water, and it’s great when a campground makes it easy to maintain that sanitary discipline.
While I was handling the less glamorous part of our pit stop, the rest of the family took the dog for a walk. Having a fenced-in dog park and trails right by the lake meant our co-pilot got to burn off some energy after being cooped up in the cab. It’s these little things that turn a routine chore into a pleasant break in the journey. We saw families swimming, people fishing off the docks, and kids running around the playground. It made us think that next time, we might just book a site and stay for a few days. The option to grab a full-hookup site is tempting, letting you handle the sewer situation right at your own pedestal instead of using the communal station. For a longer stay, that’s pure luxury.
Let’s talk value. While the fee for non-guests wasn’t a flat zero, the price they quoted us was more than fair for the Chicago area. I’d gladly pay a bit more for a clean, easy-to-use station with good water pressure and room to maneuver than save a few bucks at a cramped, questionable spot. For a place this nice, with the added bonus of being able to use their trash disposal to clear out the clutter we’d accumulated, it felt like a bargain. One tip I’d offer is to call ahead, not just to confirm they’re open to the public that day, but to check on the price and what payment they take. Some smaller, private parks still prefer cash, so it’s always good to ask.
If you’re planning a stop, timing is everything. This place is a popular beach destination in the summer, so showing up mid-afternoon on a Saturday in July probably means you’ll hit some traffic from the beachgoers. Aim for a weekday morning if you can. You’ll have the place almost to yourself. And as always, have your gear ready before you pull up to the bay, gloves, sewer hose, and any tank treatments you use. It just makes the whole process smoother for you and anyone who might be waiting.
So, what’s the final word? Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort is a gem. It’s the perfect example of a place that understands the needs of all kinds of RVers, from the full-time family staying for a month to the road-tripper just passing through. It offers a clean, efficient, and well-equipped dump station in a location that’s both convenient and genuinely beautiful. If you’re traveling between Chicago and Milwaukee and need a place to reset, this is an absolute must-stop. It turns a necessary chore into a genuinely pleasant experience.