11 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping options near Burlington, Wisconsin include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and access types. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site offers a remote tent camping experience with hike-in access, while Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake provides lakefront tent sites with more developed facilities. MacQueen Forest Preserve, located south in Illinois, features secluded walk-in tent sites spread at least 50 yards apart for privacy.
Most primitive tent sites in the area require campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas. At KMSF Shelter 1, campers must hike along terrain that can be challenging, with the site featuring a basic shelter, fire pit, picnic table, and outhouse. Water sources are limited at most locations, with many sites lacking potable water. Tent campers should pack in their own drinking water and supplies. Fire restrictions vary by location, with most sites permitting fires in designated rings when conditions allow. Sandhill Station State Campground features carry-in only sites ranging from 100-500 yards from the parking area, with no on-site showers and only pit toilets available.
The tent camping experience in this region offers privacy and natural settings not available at RV-focused campgrounds. Sites at MacQueen Forest Preserve provide excellent seclusion with some positioned in wooded areas and others in open meadows ideal for stargazing. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with some locations becoming mosquito-heavy during summer months. A visitor to Sandhill Station noted, "The campsite we were on was spacious, private, and beautiful. We had two large oak trees on either side of our site, giving us a good amount of mixed shade." Another camper at KMSF Shelter 1 described it as "very secluded for privacy" with a "decent walk and terrain to get to the site."
"You can rent backpacking shelters, at the ranger station in Eagle. The shelter is basically a barn without a front door. It comes with a fire ring, table, and an outhouse!"
"Reservable backpacking sites about 45-60min away from nearest parking. Fire pit, shelter, and picnic table at site.
Really enjoyed the hike through forest to get to this site."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"Great backpack camp site. Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside."
from $74 - $100 / night
from $19 / night
Check Availability"This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs. There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy."
"You can't see the campsite next to you, and they all have a picnic table and a fire ring. You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in."
"Sandill Station is right outside Lake Mills, WI, right off the Glacial Drumlin bike trail. It features 15 campsites and 1 group campsite in an oak savanna, with varying degrees of shade."
from $19 - $70 / night
Check Availability"If your family's perfect camping trip includes saddling up and exploring miles of wooded trails together, the Equestrian Campground at Rock Cut State Park offers a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a"
from $20 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $160 / night
Check Availability
TravelerWe got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
ScoutThe park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
GuideWe are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
LegendWe had a truly enjoyable stay and would’ve stayed an extra day if our travel schedule would’ve allowed. David was a wonderful host. Greeted us with a smile and escorted us to our site. We had our choice of 2 spots, both lovely. Picnic table and plenty of FREE firewood to keep us cozy. Wild turkeys roamed the grounds as well as the friendly ducks. All in all, a very peaceful evening and a special place.
GuideSites are large, well-spaced, many shaded by wonderful large trees. The woods are very open with little understory, and much of the area facing the road is graveled, so you will still see your neighbors. So many hiking options - the Ice Age Trail connects to the campground only a few minutes walk away. Many hiking options, the walk to the Powder Hill Lookout tower is a must. Picnic area and waterfront are a short drive away. Bathrooms were clean and showers free, hot, and strong. Some traffic noise from highway nearby but quiet at night.
GuideFor a primitive campground, this was a nice-enough experience.
Pros:
- The sites we stayed in and the others that we noticed seemed sizeable and had nice tree-cover
- Having access to the Ice Age Trail was really neat
- Lake access nearby
Cons:
- On the continuum of vault toilet quality, these were on the less-desirable end. We joked about whether it was scarier to visit them when they were dark or when the lights were on. If you love having fly friends keep you company when nature calls, then these are the bathrooms for you! The bathrooms did get cleaned on Sunday morning, but this didn't help the situation very much.
- No showers
Tent campsites near Burlington, Wisconsin range from primitive backpack sites to walk-in locations offering varying levels of solitude. Most sites require a reservation during peak season from May through October. Winter camping is available at select locations, with temperatures often dropping below freezing from December through February.
Fishing access points: At MacQueen Forest Preserve, campers can access the Kishwaukee River directly from site #8. One visitor noted, "Great remote location over looking the river," making it convenient for casual fishing.
Bike trail connections: Sandhill Station State Campground connects directly to the Glacial Drumlin bike trail. A camper mentioned it's "right outside Lake Mills, WI, right off the Glacial Drumlin bike trail," providing easy cycling access.
Stargazing opportunities: Several sites at MacQueen Forest Preserve face an open meadow that's ideal for night sky viewing. As one reviewer described, "About half of the campsites are in a meadow at the back end of the campground. It would be beautiful for stargazing!"
Site privacy: Campers consistently mention the seclusion at Snug Harbor Inn Campground. One reviewer noted, "The Galapagos tent campsite is elevated and a short distance from the loop road, and has a nice view of the lake," providing both privacy and scenery.
Affordability: MacQueen Forest Preserve offers some of the region's most affordable camping. A camper highlighted, "The very best part? You're in the middle of the country, with gorgeous sunsets, and the primitive camping is only $4."
Water views: Several campgrounds feature lakefront sites. At Snug Harbor, a visitor appreciated that the campground has "three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views," allowing campers at different elevations to enjoy lake vistas.
Distance to sites: Many tent sites require carrying gear from parking areas. At Purplehaze Acres, sites range from drive-up to walk-in locations, with potable water available. Similarly, Sandhill Station requires carrying gear "anywhere from 100-500 yards from the campsite, depending on which one you choose."
Seasonal insect considerations: Bug activity varies significantly by season. One Sandhill Station camper warned about "stagnant water, though, so WAY too many mosquitoes, even with the really intense bug spray," recommending fall or spring visits instead of summer.
Limited facilities: Most primitive sites have basic amenities only. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "There's vault toilets and the one I used wasn't terrible, but it is primitive. There's even a light switch inside with a functioning light!"
Group site selection: For families camping together, specific areas accommodate multiple tents. At KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site, a visitor mentioned, "There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside. There is a fire pit, but we found our own wood around the site. (Bring a small axe)."
Pack for varied weather: Summer temperatures average 75-85°F but can drop significantly at night. At Snug Harbor, one camper shared, "Will come back again, hopefully no rain next time!" highlighting the importance of weather preparation.
Cart availability: Some sites provide equipment to transport gear. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in. It's an easy walk, on a crushed gravel road and mowed trail."
Smaller rigs only: Most tent-focused campgrounds have limited RV access. At Cappie's Landing, only walk-in and boat-in camping is permitted, making it unsuitable for RVs.
Tiered camping layout: Snug Harbor accommodates both tents and RVs with its multi-level design. A visitor observed, "Like the design of 3 levels so everyone gets a view. Nice place in the country but close enough to town to grab all those things we forgot."
Self-check-in procedures: Many local campgrounds use honor systems for payment. A MacQueen visitor explained, "It's all self-checking, you just use the pay box in the parking lot," allowing for late arrivals without formal check-in processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Burlington, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Burlington, WI is Backpack Sites — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Burlington, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Burlington, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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