Campsites near Butler, Wisconsin offer diverse terrain shaped by glacial activity throughout the Kettle Moraine region, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Most camping options sit within a 30-minute drive radius of Butler, with several locations remaining open for winter camping when temperatures can drop below freezing. The camping season typically runs from April through November, though availability and amenities vary significantly by season.
What to do
Hiking through glacial terrain: The Ice Age Trail runs directly through several campgrounds in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, offering unique geological features. At Pike Lake Campground, "You can walk over to an area that has hiking trails right out of the campsite. State park mountain biking trails are also close by, but you would need to drive to them," notes one visitor.
Swimming in spring-fed waters: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas with varying amenities. The water quality at Muskego Park provides a refreshing alternative to larger lakes. "This place had it all. A spring fed pond for swimming and fishing. Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area," reports a Muskego Park camper.
Winter camping adventures: Unlike many Wisconsin campgrounds that close during colder months, Ottawa Lake Campground remains accessible year-round. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports one winter visitor. Winter campers should prepare for potentially challenging conditions but will enjoy significantly reduced crowds.
Visit observation towers: Climbing observation towers offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. At Pike Lake, one visitor recommends to "be sure to check out the interpretive astronomy trail and take the walk up Powder Hill to the tower!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between camping areas. At Pinewoods Campground, "The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion," reported one camper, while another noted their site was "well wooded and very spacious!"
Clean facilities: Despite being county and state-operated facilities, most campgrounds maintain good standards. At Cliffside Park Campground, visitors consistently mention the cleanliness: "The park was really well-maintained with a camp host on site. The grass was mowed, there was no trash, and the restrooms were super clean and heated."
Quiet camping options: Several campgrounds offer designated quiet loops. At Pinewoods Campground, "We stayed in the quiet loop, Loop 1, which actually was very quiet. Everyone was respectful of the rules." Pike Lake similarly offers quiet sections where "No radios or pets allowed."
Abundant wildlife viewing: The natural setting supports diverse wildlife. Campers report seeing everything from chipmunks and birds to occasional black bears (posted warnings at Pinewoods). The mixed forest and prairie terrain creates varied habitats throughout the region.
What you should know
Campground selection timing: Reservations open 11 months in advance for Wisconsin state parks, and sites fill quickly for summer weekends. At Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, "Summer months May through April you do have to book 2 nights minimum. That was a little annoying as it already seemed high price of $60 per night," notes one camper.
Noise considerations: Proximity to roads, speedways and other attractions can impact some campsites. "Proximity to highway means more noise. Also close to Slinger Speedway, which on Sundays on the weekend can be loud with the races and they can run kinda late (about 10PM)," warns a Pike Lake visitor.
Variable site sizes: Campsite dimensions vary widely across the region. At Pike Lake, "Each of the 32 sites is unique in their own way. Some are large and flat perfect for a class A (#2 #4, #29 #31 is okay, but smaller), some incorporate the geography into the site."
Enforcement of rules: Campers report inconsistent enforcement of quiet hours at some locations. At Menomonee Park, one frustrated visitor noted, "The people across from us were playing music and being loud well past 1:00 am. Overall the park looks nice, but we would not recommend this place based on the noise after quiet hours."
Tips for camping with families
Beach facilities for children: Several parks offer swimming beaches with varying amenities. Muskego Park features "a spring fed pond for swimming and fishing" while Naga-Waukee Park includes "a beach with life guards." One visitor noted the beach at Ottawa Lake was "incredibly clean (they had a triathlon there we weekend we stayed)."
Playgrounds and activities: Many campgrounds include playgrounds and recreational facilities. "They have lake swimming, dog swimming area, many trails and tons of wildlife. Sites are pretty secluded too if u get the right one," notes a Pike Lake camper. For more extensive amenities, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers "two bouncy pillows, three play grounds, a pool, water slides, a kids water activity area, beach, water obstacle course, inflatable slide, RC car track, laser tag, mini golf."
Dog-friendly options: While many campgrounds allow pets, restrictions vary. At Menomonee Park, a camper mentioned, "We stayed with a group of people here with no electricity but was able to use my generator during the day while camping in my pop-up. Hot shower, public lake to go kayaking in. Also they had bicycle rentals."
Weekend activity planning: Special weekend programs are available at certain parks. Jellystone offers themed weekends, including Halloween events that campers particularly enjoy: "We booked a site here for Halloween and had a great time. My kids love Halloween Weekend camping at the various JellyStone Campgrounds."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer limited electrical hookups and few have full hookups. At Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, "We took an electric only site on the far right and were backed up against a band of grass. Full hookup sites are all blacktop." Another visitor described it as "a huge parking lot with full hookups" that's "perfect for what it is!"
Length restrictions: Some campgrounds have tight turns that limit larger RVs. At Pike Lake, visitors warn of "a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers." Consider campground road layouts when selecting sites for larger rigs.
Dump station access: While not all campgrounds offer sewer connections, many provide dump stations. At Cliffside Park, they offer "electric hookups, but no sewer hookup—dumpsite available." Some RVers note the importance of checking dump station design, as one camper at Wisconsin State Fair RV Park found "the pipe is highly elevated, making the process more hands-on than one would like."
Winter accessibility: For cold-weather camping, Ottawa Lake Campground accommodates RVs year-round. One winter camper advises: "You can camp year around in this campground. 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."
