Camping sites near Brownsville, Wisconsin offer a mix of river access, lakefront recreation, and wooded retreats. Most campgrounds in the region sit on glacial terrain formed during the last ice age, creating unique natural features like kettles, moraines, and rock formations. Winter camping options are limited as many facilities close from mid-October through April when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Long Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit-Iansr, visitors enjoy multiple fishing spots. "Good fishing" is mentioned by several campers, with Haley K. noting the lake is "lots to do at mauthe lake! one of my favs. good fishing."
Swimming in motor-free waters: The swimming areas at Mauthe Lake are popular for their quieter atmosphere. Sarah L. shares, "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."
Hiking on observation trails: Ledge County Park offers distinctive hiking with rock formations. Renee R. describes, "Walking along the trails, you can see where it gets its name! Lots of cool ledges and rock outcrops. We saw a moderate amount of birds and heard a bunch of critters (owls, a fox) one night."
Biking on crushed gravel paths: Several campgrounds connect to the region's bike trail system. According to a reviewer at Pike Lake, "Bike trail now connects to the campground making biking to Pike Lake possible," while another mentions "a crushed gravel trail running from here to Long Lake that is great for running/walking/biking."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy levels at Waupun Park Campground. Rita G. notes, "The deep spots offer gorgeous private, well wooded area that makes you feel like you're all alone in the woods. Fire rings and tables are there as well as bathrooms showers, a dump station and fresh water."
Clean, modern facilities: Shower buildings receive consistent positive reviews. Stacey N. reports, "Bathrooms and showers are modern and clean. We would camp here again. Site 21 is very nice… a little private elevated back yard area with a fire ring and picnic table."
Lake access without boats: Several campgrounds offer quiet water recreation. One camper at Pike Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit appreciates that "Pike Lake is a local favorite, with decent hiking trails and beach. Heed warnings of swimmers itch and know that the dog beach is very small, with no beach at all."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Camping near Horicon Marsh provides unique wildlife encounters. At Ledge County Park, Michael L. describes it as a "Great place to take in views of Horicon marsh," while another camper mentions seeing "deer every day which was lovely."
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Kettle Moraine State Forest Long Lake Campground, differences between campsite loops affect privacy levels. Darren L. explains, "Our site was a bit less secluded than I'd prefer but still very nice. The loop we were on the lower 900 loop, had quite a few sites that could be combined to be group sites."
Water quality concerns: Water conditions vary throughout the season. One camper cautions, "If you stay here do not swim. They have 2 beaches, they test one for ecoli and close it but leave the other one open because they don't have to test both. It's 50 feet away."
Dog restrictions: Pet owners should research limitations before arrival. Heewon A. reports, "The negatives as a dog owner is that dogs are not allowed on most trails or on to the beach," while another mentions there is "a dog friendly picnic area near the water though."
Campground layouts: Campers note significant differences between electric and non-electric sites. At Ledge County Park, one visitor observed, "I'm not a trailer camper, but if I were I would not appreciate the vibes of the electric sites. The sites are very close together and walking through it felt like going through a festival or circus more than a campground."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At The Playful Goose Campground, Beth B. notes, "Indoor pool great for kids. Bath house was a bit dated but okay. Coin operated showers, 25 cent for several minutes."
Beach facilities: Family-friendly beaches offer amenities for full-day outings. Kaylyn C. describes Mauthe Lake as having a "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids. Also the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July."
Group camping options: Family reunions work well in designated areas. At Waupun Park, Jamie W. shares, "This is a wonderful park for family get togethers. The group site is separate from the single sites. Very nice showers with soft water. There is a great water park just on the edge of the park."
Educational activities: Nature trails provide learning opportunities. GA J. reports that Mauthe Lake has "Great clean sites and fishing. Many hiking trails. Historical attractions. Wisconsin does their parks and forests right."
Tips from RVers
RV hookup limitations: At Fondu Lac County Fairground, placement can impact connections. Austin-Tarra G. advises, "We did have to buy two extenders for our sewer hose as our 38 foot rig's sewer spigot was too far from the sewer hook up."
Campground navigation challenges: Some roads present difficulties for larger vehicles. Sugar Maple S. warns about Pike Lake: "There is a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers."
Site dimensions for large RVs: Certain sites accommodate bigger rigs better. "Some are large and flat perfect for a class A (#2 #4, #29 #31 is okay, but smaller)," notes one camper about Pike Lake, while Joe at Waupun Park mentions, "Spots for a couple tents and a camper at each site."
Seasonal RV options: Long-term camping is available at select locations. Amber C. notes at The Playful Goose, "We were situated where the seasonal campers are and near the edge of the campground," suggesting established seasonal communities at certain campgrounds.
