Cabin camping near Delavan, Wisconsin offers access to glacial terrain with distinctive kettle formations created during the last ice age. Located within the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, campers can explore terrain that rises 300 feet above surrounding lowlands. Winter cabin stays remain popular with temperatures often dropping below 10°F in January, making heated accommodations essential.
What to do
Hiking at Scuppernong Springs: Explore natural springs across a 2-mile trail near Ottawa Lake Campground. "There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on," notes one visitor at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area.
Water activities on Pierce Lake: The 162-acre lake at Rock Cut State Park provides fishing, boating and swimming options. "Great boating. Beautiful nature. Not something you would expect near Rockford," mentions a camper who rated the park 5 stars.
Winter recreation: For cold-weather cabin stays, Ottawa Lake offers year-round camping access. "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping... Nice place for solitude. No rowdies in winter," reports a visitor at Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
Beach access: Many cabin locations include swimming areas with sandy beaches. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" mentions a visitor to Ottawa Lake, highlighting the need for advance planning during peak times.
What campers like
Private campsites: The spacing between sites at many locations allows for a more secluded experience. "The sites in this area generally have long driveways, more privacy than I've seen in many State Parks campgrounds and generous space between sites," reports a visitor at Turner Lake South.
Wildlife viewing: Cabin areas provide opportunities to spot diverse wildlife. "But back to the fun part... 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," shares a camper at Sunset Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple cabin locations offer access to well-stocked fishing areas. "We saw a guy with a catfish the size of my forearm," mentions one camper about their experience at Kettle Moraine South Camping.
Nature trails: Paths connect many cabin areas to surrounding natural features. "Scuppernong Springs was also a treat for the kiddos although I highly recommended planning for a solid 2 mile hike if you're with kids," advises a camper who stayed at Ottawa Lake Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Cabins have different amenities depending on the time of year. "No showers in winter but awesome," notes a visitor about winter camping at Ottawa Lake Campground.
Electrical considerations: Some cabin and RV sites have electrical limitations. "We have a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday," reports one camper at Rock Cut State Park, highlighting the importance of checking electrical specifications before booking.
Road noise: Certain cabin locations experience highway noise. "You can hear the highway at night which kinda takes away from the nature vibes but overall I was very happy with our one night stay," mentions a visitor to Rock Cut State Park.
Insect preparation: Cabin campers should prepare for seasonal insects. "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it," explains a Sunset Campground visitor, noting that a "pop-up screened gazebo" made sitting outside more enjoyable.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Many locations offer specially designed water recreation for children. "There are wonderful water toys at a beach with a pier. There is a small doggie beach. There is a fishing spot. There is a nice children's play area," shares a visitor to Scenic Ridge Campground.
Campground activities: Some locations organize regular events for younger visitors. "Great place to bring our three boys. There are 2 playgrounds, a nice pool, games and activities for the kids over weekends," reports a camper from Milton-Madison KOA.
Junior Ranger programs: Several state parks offer educational materials for children. "Pick Up the activity book for kids it is a great adventure lots to do at the lake!!!" recommends a visitor to Kettle Moraine State Forest.
Tent options for families: For those wanting a more rustic experience next to cabins, some locations have family-friendly tent sites. "All of the campsites were full so it was busy but we liked that each spot still felt separated by trees," notes a visitor to Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV sites near cabins vary in privacy levels. "This is a family owned park with primarily seasonal spots. Everyone has had free reign to decorate or add stuff at will. Some are nice sites and some are a dilapidated mess," advises an RVer about Scenic Ridge Campground.
Off-season advantages: Visiting outside peak times provides a quieter experience. "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021... The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," reports a visitor to Honeysuckle Hollow.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times when using facilities. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," notes an RVer at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Site leveling needs: Some cabin-adjacent RV sites require preparation. "Our site was downhill so that presented quite the challenge to level out," mentions a visitor to Scenic Ridge, highlighting the importance of bringing leveling equipment.