Camping sites near Burlington, Wisconsin consist primarily of public campgrounds within state parks and forests, plus several privately owned facilities. The region sits on glacially formed terrain with kettles, moraines, and small lakes at approximately 800 feet elevation. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with higher humidity in July and August, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and less crowded camping conditions.
What to do
Swimming and fishing: Sunset Campground at Richard Bong State Recreation Area offers access to a small lake for water activities. "Great for relaxing or calming walks, great open view, small lake, enjoyable," notes camper Cora M. The recreation area provides multiple fishing spots within the park.
Boat rentals and kayaking: Visitors to Chain O' Lakes State Park can enjoy multiple connected waterways. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," says one camper at Fox Den Campground. The park offers boat rentals at the concession area near the main boat launch.
Trail hiking: Kettle Moraine State Forest features the Ice Age Trail with varied terrain. A visitor to Pinewoods Campground describes, "We asked the ranger about hiking and she gave us a map to a trail system that connects to this campground between the group sites and loop 3. We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail." Most trails are well-marked with color-coded blazes.
ATV riding: Designated areas at Richard Bong State Recreation Area allow for off-road vehicle use. "Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots," notes a camper. A vehicle admission sticker ($28 annual/$8 daily) plus an ATV trail pass is required.
What campers like
Wooded site privacy: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. At Pinewoods Campground, "The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion," says Kendal R. Sites toward the back of camping loops typically offer more privacy.
Cleanliness of facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive frequent positive mentions. "Very nice campground and great place to camp for first-time campers like I was. Very nice and clean facilities," notes Barbara P. about Sunset Campground. Shower buildings are typically centrally located within campground loops.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The wetland areas support diverse animal populations. "I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two," reports Tim H. Early mornings and evenings provide the best wildlife viewing times.
Lake access: Multiple campgrounds feature water recreation opportunities. At Ottawa Lake Campground, "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" reports Neysha R. Most lakes in the area permit non-motorized or electric motor boats only.
What you should know
Insect activity: The wetland environments support heavy mosquito populations in summer. "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go," notes one camper about Sunset Campground. May through September typically sees the highest insect activity.
Weekend versus weekday crowds: Campgrounds experience significant differences in occupancy patterns. An Illinois Beach State Park visitor notes, "Very busy in the summer and can get wild with people partying." Weekdays offer a quieter experience with better site availability.
Reservation requirements: Most state park campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. "This state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer," warns a camper about Turner Lake South Campground. Reservations open 11 months in advance through the Wisconsin DNR system.
Site variations: Campsite quality and features differ significantly, even within the same campground. A Big Foot Beach State Park camper cautions, "Spaces are not consistent, some very large and shaded and some smaller and crowded." Using the reservation system's site photos helps in selecting the best options.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Happy Acres Kampground, "There are a lot of playground areas for the kids, the pool was working and it was heated," reports a visitor. Most play equipment is centrally located within camping loops.
Nature programs: Educational activities enhance the camping experience. "The weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park with the nature center having activities all weekend long," shares a Sunrise Campground visitor. Programs typically run Friday-Sunday during summer.
Swimming options: Multiple parks offer swimming areas for children. "The sandy Beach and warm water were great! kayaking was nice too on wolf lake," notes a camper. Swimming beaches typically open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with no lifeguards present.
Fishing opportunities: Kid-friendly fishing spots abound throughout the area. "There is a great winery just down the road if you want to take a field trip and have something to sip by the fire at night. There are lots of activities at the nature center and you can bring your own toys ie: ATV's, rockets, bikes to enjoy the vast amount of acreage that is available for use," shares a visitor to Sunrise Campground. Most lakes are stocked with panfish, making them ideal for young anglers.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Site utility placement varies by campground. At Turner Lake South Campground, "Spots are mostly wide open to the road but separated enough to feel private (until drivers/walkers come through)." Many sites require extension cords of 25 feet or longer.
Dump station timing: Plan accordingly for waste disposal at peak checkout times. "Since there's no full hookup, they needed someone to control the traffic that comes from two different directions going to the dual dump stations. There's no honor system, especially on a holiday weekend," warns an RVer about Happy Acres Kampground.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. "Site had gravel and roots so tent spot took some searching and clearing to find," reports a Turner Lake South visitor. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended, especially for sites in wooded areas.
Shower facilities: Quality of shower buildings varies by location. "Shower house #2 was clean although a bit older (paint was peeling off the walls due to humidity) but the water pressure was fine and as hot as I needed it to be," reports a camper at Ottawa Lake Campground. Most shower facilities include private changing areas and consistent hot water.
