Horse camping opportunities flourish within 70 miles of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The region features glacial topography with kettles, moraines, and drumlins forming undulating terrain ideal for trail riding. Most equestrian campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October due to Wisconsin's cold winters when temperatures often drop below freezing.
What to do
Trail riding and hiking: Kettle Moraine State Forest offers extensive trail systems through varied terrain. "The campsites are nice and neat with bathrooms close by!" notes David Q. about Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground, which provides access to several hiking paths within 45 miles of Beaver Dam.
Swimming and beach access: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas for cooling off after trail rides. At Mauthe Lake Campground, visitors appreciate the "nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids" according to Kaylyn C., who also mentioned "the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July."
Mini golf and recreational activities: Some campgrounds offer additional recreational options beyond trail riding. Taylor C. reports that Harnischfeger County Park has "a mini gulf course that we had alot of fun with" as well as "a great hiking trail if you like that."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Campers appreciate secluded sites that provide separation between neighbors. At Pinewoods Campground, Abbe W. found "the sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain. Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight."
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance of shower houses and restrooms ranks high on campers' priority lists. Brendan E. specifically mentioned "Clean facilities, friendly staff, and great trails. No bugs!" at Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground.
Family-friendly environments: Many horse-focused campgrounds accommodate families well. GA J. noted that Mauthe Lake is "Great for family" with "Great clean sites and fishing. Many hiking trails. Historical attractions. Wisconsin does their parks and forests right."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most equestrian campgrounds operate seasonally. According to Tim H. at Kettle Moraine Southern Unit, "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping. No host so buying wood is an issue, but pick a site on the edge and there is more than enough free. Bring a saw."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. Lauren S. calls Harnischfeger County Park "A hidden gem" but notes that "The last weekend of September is FallFest and often books a year in advance."
Facility variations: Campground amenities can vary significantly. Charles M. observed at Mauthe Lake that "Some of the campsites seems very shallow but if you looked closer they have a path or another site to put a tent. The sites are well separated for privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for playground access: When camping with children, look for sites near recreational facilities. Matt N. reports that Menomonee Park has "a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I'm sure I'm missing more."
Consider quiet areas: Some campgrounds designate specific quiet areas. Wendy Z. recommended site 034 at Kettle Moraine Southern Unit because it was "on the 'quiet loop.' No radios or pets allowed... it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend over the 4th of July."
Check swimming options: Water features provide entertainment for children. Sarah L. mentions that at Mauthe Lake, "We've been camping here for years and love the beautiful lake for swimming and watersports. No motor boats so nice and quiet. Also great trail running opportunities on the Ice Age."
Tips from RVers
Elevation challenges: Watch for low clearance areas when driving large rigs. Kathy L. warns about Lake Kegonsa: "major CAUTION for RVs: there is an oak tree near entry with low branches and it took the AC off our friend's fifth wheel. There is also a low hanging overpass and it took the roofs off TWO fifth wheels while we were staying there."
Site selection: Choose pull-through sites for easier maneuvering with horse trailers and RVs. Michael D. shared that at Merry Mac's Campground, "We only stayed a few nights, chose a pull thru site. The staff is great, the pool is brand new! They have a huge pond with inflatables."
Utility access: Verify hookup availability before booking. Some campsites offer limited electric service. Jack D. advised that at Pinewoods Campground, "We stayed in loop 3 site 273 as we were camping in the early season and loops 1-2 were closed. The site was well wooded and very spacious!"
