When you’re relaxing on the warm, sandy beaches at Kohler–Andrae State Park, gazing across the watery expanse of Lake Michigan, you’re not likely contemplating the area’s nearly two-million-year history. This is when Ice Age glaciers carved out the lake basin and rising and falling water levels dramatically changed the landscape. Soon after, the first Paleo-Indians began inhabiting the area, who hunted mammoths and giant musk ox around the northeastern regions. Moving into the Christian Era, the Hopewell, Chippewa, Potowatomi, and Sauk took turns residing here. Then came European settlers in the 19th century, who had no interest in beachfront property, as it couldn’t be farmed. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that Americans started to value outdoor recreation as a form of relaxation and entertainment. Today, you can enjoy this 1000 acres of sandy beaches, rolling dunes and mixed woods, where you’re more likely to be contemplating the cool breeze what to barbecue for dinner.

For grilling up your tasty burgers, be they beef, beet, or anything in between, Kohler–Andrae State Park offers a large campground with fire rings and picnic tables in each site. There are more than 130 tent and RV sites to choose from, some with electrical hookups. There is also two group tent sites. The campground provides flush restrooms with showers, picnic areas and shelters, a playground, amphitheater, and laundry facilities; a dump station is located nearby. The campground is open year-round, but some amenities may not be available in winter months. Dogs are permitted in the campground and on some trails, but must remain leashed. Campers can access the beach through the picnic area or via a short nature trail. There is also an ADA accessible cabin available to rent. Campsite reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance; seasonal rates are $15–$40/night.

While soaking up the sun and splashing in the lake are the main draw to Kohler–Andrae State Park, there’s much to do. Visit the Sanderling Nature Center at the north end of the park where you can explore interactive exhibits about the area’s natural history, and native flora and fauna. Kids can become Wisconsin Explorers and earn a patch for completing activities. For some paddling fun, you can launch your kayak or paddleboard right from the beach, or for fishing, head over to the fishing pond on the Ancient Shores Trail. And speaking of trails, the park has 8.5 miles of nature paths and hiking trails to explore, many of which are barrier-free. A walk on the aforementioned Ancient Shores Trail reveals where the lakeshore existed more than 5,000 year ago; the Marsh Trail along the Black River is a good place for bird and wildlife watching; and the Dunes Cordwalk explores the park’s dunes, wetlands and white pine forest.


Kohler-Andrae State Park

Riding my bicycle laden with touring gear in the rain, I was quite wet by the time I arrived at the state park entrance. The two ladies inside were very helpful and got me set up in a site near the showers. However after riding the mile to get to the site I found it occupied. They had until 3 to leave. Luckily my phone had service so I called and switched to the next one over. I set up my tent and threw my stuff inside as the rain drizzled around me. 

The rain gave way around 3 so I went out and tended to the chain. As I was working the camp hosts came by. They cleaned out the fire pit and found broken glass, watermelon and other trash left by the last group. We had a nice conversation. They said that they knew the couple who hosts the next state park I'm riding to so I'll pass on their hellos. Then I walked out to the beach and found whitecaps on the waves. 

This is a great state park and well worth your stopping by.

Kohler - Andrae State Park, WI

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We camped for about 5 days with our family of 6. The first site we made reservations for was awful. It had no trees and was right by the entrance. But before we set up our tents, the host told us who was leaving and that we could take their first come first serve site. That one was shady, private enough, walking distance to the clean showers and bathrooms. It was quiet by 11, not a party camp ground. The walk towards like Michigan was scenic, the beaches were clean. I would go back again and highly recommend it.  

Gorgeous, scenic, clean and family friendly 

The campground is set in the pines right on the coast of Lake Michigan. We went in late June, and the site was surprisingly free of mosquitos. The size of the site is pretty typical. Not huge, probably enough for two tents. The best part of the park were the trails in the sand dunes. We took a daily hike from the campsite to the nature center through them, often making side trip to wade through the gentle waves of the lake. 

The whole campground was beautiful and comfortable, and we're definitely planning another trip.

Kid and Pet friendly

Living rather close to this park, this is our "go-to" place to camp. It has a great variety of activities available. There is a beach AND a dog beach so it's pet-friendly. Dogs are not allowed on all of the trails, but there are many you can take them on. Being on the water, you can swim, kayak, fish, or just soak up some rays! There are also non-reservable sites available. There are many electric sites, clean bath houses, friendly campground hosts, some rather private sites as well. It's a short walk from the campsites to the lake. Our favorite site is next to the woods where we have seen ample deer, turkey, foxes, and birds. Close to town if you need supplies, firewood and ice is available in the park.

Kohler-Andre

This campsite was so peaceful. It was not far from the lake and not far from the bathroom. It was comforting to be in the trees.

Lake side serenity 

We love this park. Lazy days at the beach listening to the waves and kids playing in the sand. Our site had tall pines for the kids to hang hammocks and plenty of open area for yard games. Good shower facilities as well. We do most of our state park camping during the week due to our schedule, fewer campers and quieter surroundings is enjoyable.

Go to the ocean without leaving WI!

Although there are plenty of nature trails an a pretty beach on Lake Michigan, the sites are very close together. With over 200 sites, it makes for a very noisy campground with lots of barking dogs and crying/screaming kids. In addition, you can hear the cars on the highway all night, as this campground is right by it.

Very large campground, pretty beach on lake MI

The non-electric sites are more wooded and closer to the nicer bathroom and showers. Pretty firm on the noise rule after 11\.

Wooded, clean, easy access to beach and playground 

Gorgeous place to camp! everything was beautiful, this park has it all... spacious campsites, sand dunes, trails, beach, gorgeous sunsets! plenty to do! there is a large open area and play area for kids to run around walkable from the camping, lots of little paths to explore! we loved our time here and can’t wait to go back!

Rejuvenating stay!

Sites (135 family, 68 of them electric, 2 group sites and one teepee) are generous in size with varying amounts of privacy. Two loops have bathrooms with flush toilets and showers while two just have pit toilets. Bathrooms and showers were clean with expected light water pressure. There were also laundry facilities, something I’ve not seen before in a state park campground. Trails, a small marsh boardwalk and the dunes cordwalk provide a nice exploration of the area. We were there on a rainy weekday in September and it was quiet but I expect that would not be the case on weekends and in the summer. 

Great location on Lake Michigan

It's a one-hour drive from Milwaukee. Nice, easy hiking trails. Facilities are kept clean. LOTS of RVs, so check out the photo of site before you reserve if you want to ensure your site has at least some privacy. They have one large teepee for rent that sleeps several people with cots provided, situated on a large wooden platform at the top of a hill with views of the lake beyond for $40 a night. Make sure you attempt to reserve it well in advance.

Beautiful Forested Park on Lake Michigan

Autumn camping along the lake - we chose an electric site even though we tent as it was in mid autumn and it gets darker earlier - it was mid week so no issue getting a site. Love the hiking here and easy lake access - Plus it's near Sheboygan and Kohler with all they have to offer

Easy lake access

We chose to stay at Kohler-Andrae state park on Memorial Day weekend as it's close to Milwaukee (home).  This camping trip was for our family of five plus a (crazy) dog.  We reserved our site well in advance (9 mos).  We were tent and hammock camping, and situated at the far east of the campground.  The camp sites are pretty close together with not much between sites, but they were sized to fit a large tent and had enough room for us all.

  

There are a couple of miles of trails at this park, and I think we covered them all, some are though the woods, another through a marsh and few that straddle the beach.  One of the most unique parts of this park are the sand dunes, and the trails through the dunes are actually boardwalk trails.  None of the hikes were strenuous, and all trails were very well maintained.  But we found ourselves completing all the hikes about 1.5 days into the camp, but we were all happy to just go back our site and relax.

  

Overall we had a great time, and were happy to choose this park.  The unique landscapes were well worth it, and I think we'll be back for some day hikes during different seasons, or to just hang out at the beach.  A few drawbacks, the park is small(er), and the sites are pretty open to the world.  But if you're looking for a short jaunt from Milwaukee - this is a great option.

A Unique Slice of Wisconsin

This park is a GEM!  Honestly, the campground is a bit busy for my liking during the summer, but it's a great place to camp in winter!  Facilities are decently maintained. 

  

The cord walk trail is great. The beach stretches so far and makes for a good afternoon of walking.  Nice nature center. Fun programs during the summer as well.  Lots of wildlife, especially birds, but we saw deer as well.   

  

\*For a rainy day or chilly winter day, I like to check out the art museum in Sheboygan. Not big, but some unique stuff.

love this park

Nice long stretch of soft sand beach and cool board walk hikes through sand dunes. The sites are pretty typical, nice, wooded, maybe a little squeezed together but over all not bad. A lot of pines which I like. Showers etc... are also very nice. I believe there are two teepees you can rent as well.  Over all my favorite Wisconsin sites for swimming on Lake Michigan thus far. 

Nice sand beaches and dunes.

Beautiful state park right on Lake Michigan. Sunrises so, so beautiful. This campground has everything! Trails, dunes, marshes, forests, and Lake Michigan. Very well kept. Bathhouse very nice. Very nice nature center. Laundry facilities available. Beach very nice. Large picnicking day area. Nice trails through marsh, woods, and dunes. Make sure to venture into Sheybogan  and check out the lighthouse. 

Very beautiful WI state park

Second time camping here. Park very well kept; nice walking and biking trails. Sunrises over Lake MI worth getting up every morning!  Kayaking the lake awesome!  Definitely put this campground on your must do list. Due to Covid, Nature Center, inside pavilion and check in closed. Showers with great pressure. Due to high Lake MI levels beach reduced in size but still very accessible.  Very nice Teepee that is reservable and ADA cabin the best I’ve seen in a state park. 

Beautiful WI state park right on Lake MI

This park is amazing- the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the camp sites are a bit close.  If you don't mind getting to know all the campers around you, then this shouldn't bother you.
Bathrooms are clean, trails are obviously cared for.
The beach is vast and clean, with gorgeous dunes leading to the water. Outdoor showers available for when you are done.
We have already booked a trip for next summer to experience in the warm weather.

Gorgeous and you can hear the waves as you go to sleep!

We were lucky enough to camp a few nights here in 2018. I can't say anything negative about the campground. Our site was large, and it had some trees that acted as natural dividers. The camp featured a nature center, and there was walkways near the lake. The beach section was nicely maintained too. I would've loved staying a few more nights.

Nice Campsite

With the recent popularity of camping most of the weekend dates are well booked out but our family was able to take some time off during the week for a two night stay here at Kohler Andrae State Park. This meant the park was only 50-60% full during our stay which was nice and relaxing. Was easy access into the park and to find our site. Sites are well spaced out and a big size. A lot of great hiking trails to walk around on and explore the park. The beach front stretches the whole park length with lots of room to spread out and explore. Beach quality is excellent and tranquil! Easy access to dump station that has been recently done which made it easy when we were leaving. Our young kids enjoyed our stay and would definitely go back again. 

Great Beach Park Stay

We've stayed at 209 and 227 here... Both are nice and close to pit toilets and a short walk to modern bathroom facilities. This park has lots of beach, lots of forest, and a beautiful marsh area. Highly recommended!

Great place to spend a few days 

The interior sites are a little cramped and may not accommodate larger RVs; however, the access to Lake Michigan more than makes up for it.  There is a really cool dog park on the beach.  While not something I typically look for in a review, the dump sites are new and excellent.  

Great camp with awesome lake access

Kohler Andrae is a jewel that has large pine woods, dunes, and beachfronts on Lake Michigan. Campground is clean, quiet, and serene. Great place for a weekend getaway with lots to do! 

Pine woods and beach front adventure! 

Even with a significant amount of rain we loved every minute at this campground. We snagged a cancellation a month prior so being picky with site was not an option. Regardless, we were not disappointed. Huge site, close to the bathrooms (clean with hot water) and water, and easy access by bike to the trails.

Lives up to the hype!

We loved our night at Koehler-Andre. The trees are amazing, the Campground was clean and the park is beautiful. We stayed in an electric site.

Beautiful wooded State Park Campground on the shore of Lake Michigan. 

Great campground! It was my first time camping with my friends and we all enjoyed our stay here. Campsites were spacious and well maintained. Came with a table and a fire pit. There were clean bathrooms with shower facilities. In comparison to Chicago's Lake Michigan, the water up here was a lot cleaner so we didn't feel gross after swimming. There was a nice lake and a dock for fishing, which we loved!

Great first camping experience with my friends! 

Very nice campground on Lake MI. This campground has it all-wooded sites, sites in the full sun, Teepee, and large ADA cabin. Laundry, nice nature center. Couple of complaints: 1) bathrooms were cleaned/closed daily from 10 am—11:30- which is the strangest and busiest time for use. Very inconvenient. 2) Both DNR and camp hosts seemed to be over the top policing only 2 cars per site, had to park with at least 2 tires on the asphalt, and they even hassled us about a truck with a tent in the back they considered a “camping unit”-they only  allowed 1 “unit” per campsite (we had a small pull behind). In 6 days, we experienced at least 4 visits complaining about a different thing each day. Due to this-4 stars instead of 5. Beach beautiful and sunrises over lake fantastic. 

Beautiful campground very close to Lake MI

Gorgeous. Worth the solo trip or group trip. Not so well known gem of Wisconsin 

Another beautiful Wisconsin State Park. We’ve stayed in several of these now, and have found them to be consistently well maintained, clean, free showers (this one has a handle where you can actually adjust the temperature), with dumpsters, recycling, and a dump station and water fill.  

  

We paid $40/night for an electric (30amp) site because we needed to run the a/c, but otherwise that’s far too expensive and we’d much rather pay $25 for a non-power site. There’s also the $13/day or $38 annual state park fee (residents pay a few dollars less), which we’re seeing more and more of at state parks now. 

  

Rangers and hosts are super friendly and helpful as well. There are nice trails around the campground, and some of them even allow dogs. Only a portion of the beach allows dogs, so watch for that. Sites vary in levelness and amount of privacy from your neighbor. 

  

There’s also laundry here, such a nice perk for full timers like us! Laundry day at the laundromat is such an unpleasant chore. 

  

ATT had good service and Verizon had weak service.