Several RV campgrounds near Cascade, Wisconsin provide varied access to recreational amenities in the Kettle Moraine region. Most locations sit between 800-1,000 feet elevation with a mix of wooded and open sites. The area's glacial terrain creates a diverse landscape of hills, lakes, and mixed hardwood forests that experience hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
What to do
Lake activities at Mauthe Lake: Mauthe Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest offers excellent water recreation. "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids. Also the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July," notes one camper. The no-motor boat policy keeps the lake quiet for paddlers.
Hiking trail access: Kohler-Andrae State Park connects to several trail systems. "Hiking trails are great, especially the ones through the dunes," shares one visitor. The park includes "trails, dunes, marshes, forests, and Lake Michigan" with boardwalks traversing sensitive dune areas.
Recreational events: The Fairgrounds RV Park regularly hosts community activities. One camper mentions, "While I've been here they've had a circus, a carnival, a flea market, and something similar to a farmer's market." These events typically run on weekends and offer entertainment options without leaving the campground.
What campers like
Private camping areas: Naga-Waukee Park offers secluded sites. "A very nice, woodsy campground. Feels like you are further north than you really are!" explains one camper. The 20 family sites range from full cover to full sun with varying privacy levels.
Clean facilities: The maintenance at many campgrounds receives consistent praise. At Mauthe Lake, campers appreciate that "Campground facilities are clean, 30 amp at the electrical site worked perfectly." Bathroom facilities vary widely between locations, with some offering full shower houses and others limited to pit toilets.
Convenience to Milwaukee: Multiple campgrounds provide easy city access. The Wisconsin State Fair RV Park offers "Perfect campground for what it is! Big paved parking lot with full hookups. Very close to downtown, right off of interstate." Another camper confirms it's "good as a base for Milwaukee attractions."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during peak seasons. At Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, "Summer months May through April you do have to book 2 nights minimum," which can be restrictive for overnight travelers.
Variable site sizes: Space constraints affect many locations. At Plymouth Rock Camping Resort, one camper found "campsites are small. It was nice to be able to rent a golf cart because the park is large and the activities are spread about."
Noise considerations: Proximity to roads and racetracks creates noise issues. Plymouth Rock's location means "The noise is annoying early in the morning and throughout the day. It is really close to a racetrack." Similarly, at Naga-Waukee Park, campers report hearing "traffic all day and sometimes sirens."
Limited amenities at certain parks: Facility access varies widely. Omro RV Park offers bare essentials: "Dump station and water available, but not at your site. Quiet, clean, well kept. No open fires."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access options: Some campgrounds offer swimming alternatives to natural bodies of water. At Village Inn on the Lake, "The indoor pool is so nice! It's a saltwater pool and they have a separate hot tub," providing reliable swimming regardless of weather.
Activity planning: Scheduled events keep children engaged. Plymouth Rock Camping Resort includes numerous organized activities as "They have an outdoor movie, and lots of other activities," making it suitable for families despite spacing issues.
Playground accessibility: Several parks feature dedicated play areas. Mauthe Lake includes a playground near the beach area, while Naga-Waukee Park has "a large open area and play area for kids to run around walkable from the camping."
Beach conditions: Lake Michigan access varies by location. Kohler-Andrae State Park features a "nice beach" that's "very well kept" with a "Large picnicking day area" adjacent to the swimming areas, making it suitable for day-long family outings.
Tips from RVers
Space constraints: Many rv campgrounds around Cascade, Wisconsin have tight sites. One RVer at Plymouth Rock noted "the short term sites are literally over a mile of tight, windy road to get to them."
Hookup specifics: Service types vary by location. At Fairgrounds RV Park, RVers find "20/30/50 amp service, most sites have water hook-up, and dump station" availability, though the configuration changes throughout the campground.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park is "really a parking lot for RV camping off an interstate. Very loud and not family place but good for overnight," making it better suited for utility than recreation.
Surface conditions: Site composition affects leveling requirements. Omro RV Park features "Large gravel sites are flat but not secluded," which works well for easy setup but lacks privacy buffers between neighboring RVs.
