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Butler, Wisconsin provides access to several established campgrounds within the Kettle Moraine State Forest system, where visitors can find a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. The area features notable developed campgrounds like Ottawa Lake Campground and Pike Lake Campground, both part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest units. These mixed-use campgrounds typically offer amenities such as drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. Most sites in the region are within a 30-minute drive of Butler, making them convenient for weekend getaways from the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
Camping is available year-round at some locations like Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, while others such as Pike Lake Campground operate seasonally from early April through mid-October. "The sites are generally spacious, some are oddly shaped. The further back you go on the main loop though, actually brings you closer to town," noted one visitor about Big Foot Beach State Park. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer weekends and holidays when campgrounds fill quickly. Many campgrounds in the area feature electric hookups for RVs, though primitive tent-only sites are also available. Winter camping options are limited, with fewer facilities open and potentially challenging access conditions.
Kettle Moraine State Forest campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their natural settings and recreational opportunities. The forest's glacial terrain creates diverse landscapes with lakes, hills, and woodland areas ideal for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Campers frequently mention the privacy of sites at Pinewoods Campground, where thick tree cover provides shade and seclusion. Several visitors highlighted the excellent trail systems connecting camping areas to natural features. Proximity to Lake Michigan beaches is another draw for campers in the eastern portions of the region. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds and swimming areas make many of these developed campgrounds popular choices for visitors with children, though some reviewers noted that holiday weekends can bring larger crowds and more noise.
"So we just use that because no one was there. 1.7 miles on bike path to Brewer Baseball field. It was raining to we used Uber to the game and walked back for an afternoon game."
"They work with you every step of the way and show you around the area if you wanted! Plus they have a dump station and water fill up station even if you’re not staying here or book here."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"Site was spacious but very close to your neighbors. Lots to do in the area. Bathrooms and showers were clean. The beach was not clean and very hard to walk on, very rocky."
"Red Trail, Paradise Trail,Rice Lake are all great hikes. Great views of Lake Ottawa. The close by town of Oconomowoc has a nice place to eat, Burkes Lakeside."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Live nearby. We go there a lot over the summer. Fun park to ride bikes through. Many trails to walk or hike. The pond has a great beach for kids."
"There are miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I’m sure I’m missing more."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"North Kettle Moraine, Pike Lake Unit was an easy choice given it's proximity to the city- about 40 minutes."
"A last minute decision to camp for a night led my son and I to the often visited Pike Lake unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Its a beautiful park and within 30 minutes of our home."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"It is close to the Ice Age trail and the Scuppernong trail, and a short drive from Ottawa Lake. Nearby is some excellent mountain biking in hilly terrain at the Emma Carlin and John Muir trails. "
"Pinewoods Campground is part of the southern Kettle Morraine State Forest in Wisconsin. The campground is secluded and most sites are private and shaded."
from $20 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area."
"I did not stay at this park, but did drive and walk through it to get a feel for it. There are a number of sites I'd love to tent camp in. This park is bounded by a lake with a nice beach."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Nestled in the heart of lake country (Waukesha County) and accessible from the Lake Country Trail and Ice Age Trail, this county park is perfect for those just passing through or families looking for a"
"Very windy weekend but I imagine during the summer it’s a great spot to camp near their big beach and lake access."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"We were also pleasantly surprise when found out about the close by trail - short trail beginner friendly ravine geography. Very beautiful view of the lake from the top of the cliff."
"Month Stayed: September Site: gravel and level Spacing: very close to others Cleanliness: very clean Surrounding: trees throughout, playgrounds, nice bathrooms Noise: some noise due to closeness Access"
from $32 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This location did not dissapoint. We have not gone to this location during the warmer months but looks to be a great campground"
"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
"Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!"
from $20 - $38 / night
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TravelerVery friendly and very clean. 1 swimming pond 2 fishing ponds volleyball courts and 2 off leash dog areas. Showers are free and they have a huge kid play area along with a seasonal swimming pool and hot tub.
ScoutWe have been seasonal campers for many years! When we first started, everyone was very nice and we always had a great time. Each years the rules change a bit which is common.The last three years have been horrible! We have had nothing but issues that I brought up to the staff many times. I have had the workers ask me if I was f***in stupid, people stealing stuff off our lot, telling our guest we don’t camp there( even tho they knew they were coming for my daughters birthday party), and much more. They are extremely Strict on the 5 mph. They will scream at you if they see Gravel dust as you drive. The campground is not well maintained. I wish things would not have ended the way it has. I’m happy we found a better family friendly campground to be at where my kids are not scared to be playing in our lot!
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.
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.
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
TravelerIt’s a lot bigger than I expected it to be. Our site is great the bathrooms are well maintained. There’s plenty of things to do here. Getting wood is great and easy the only downside is paying $8 a bundle. Otherwise great campgrounds. Would definitely come back.
GuideWe camped on Site 9, which is at the front of the park near the entrance. The site was mostly level, with electric only hookups. If I had been here before I would have chosen a site tucked back farther to avoid some of the highway noise, but overall it was a good experience. We hiked a mile or two through the park, the bathhouse we used while on a walk was well supplied and clean with bathroom and shower combined, all unisex. We would stay here again if in the area.
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.
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!"
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.
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Butler, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Butler, WI is Wisconsin State Fair RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 10 reviews.
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