Best Tent Camping near Elkhart Lake, WI
Tent camping near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin provides several options within the scenic Kettle Moraine State Forest region. The Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp and Greenbush Group Campground offer dedicated tent-only sites in a natural woodland setting. These campgrounds, located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit, provide spacious tent campsites with basic amenities for groups seeking a traditional camping experience. Additional tent camping options can be found at Waubedonia County Park in Fredonia, approximately 25 miles east of Elkhart Lake, which offers a more intimate camping experience along a river.
The tent campgrounds in this region typically feature grassy sites surrounded by trees, making them ideal for both ground tents and hammocks. Most sites are drive-in accessible, though Purplehaze Acres also offers walk-in tent sites for those seeking a more secluded experience. Drinking water is generally available at central locations, with campers noting that spigots may be located near parking areas rather than at individual sites. Pit toilets are standard at most locations, with facilities strategically placed around camping loops. Fire rings and picnic tables are common amenities, with firewood available for purchase at select locations. The primary camping season runs April through November, with reservations recommended, particularly for the popular group sites.
The tent camping experience in the Elkhart Lake area is characterized by spacious sites that accommodate multiple tents. According to reviews, the Greenbush Group Campground sites can fit numerous backpacking tents, with sites 2 and 9 being particularly large, accommodating over 20 tents simultaneously. Campers noted that while sites offer visual separation with surrounding trees, sound carries between campsites. One visitor reported: "The nine sites are visually separated, but not far enough away from each other to block louder noise." The grassy tent pads surrounded by trees provide ample hammock options and create a classic Wisconsin woodland camping atmosphere. For primitive tent camping enthusiasts, the surrounding Kettle Moraine State Forest offers hiking opportunities through glacial terrain, making these campgrounds convenient basecamps for day explorations.