Kettle Moraine State Forest surrounds Elkhorn, Wisconsin with glacial terrain that includes kames, kettles, moraines and drumlins formed during the last ice age. Camping elevations range from 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level. The region experiences cold winters with average January temperatures around 22°F and summer camping season temperatures averaging 70°F, with July being the warmest month.
What to do
Kayaking on Turtle Lake: Snug Harbor Inn Campground provides direct lake access with boat rentals available on-site. "Great campground. Full weekend but very quiet and relaxing. Staff very nice," notes Jeffery S., describing the Labor Day experience at the Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake.
Hiking winter trails: Ottawa Lake Campground remains open year-round, offering unique winter hiking experiences. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports David H., who enjoyed Ottawa Lake Campground during colder months when fewer campers visit.
Fairground events: Camp at Elkhorn Campgrounds during special events. One visitor noted, "This weekend had their annual Ribfest. Great food and music that you can walk to from your site (~2 min walk)," sharing the convenience of staying at the fairgrounds during festivities.
What campers like
Multiple lake activities: Chain O'Lakes State Park offers seven connected lakes for paddling. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," explains Aida K. about Fox Den Campground, adding that "Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily."
Proximity to downtown: Elkhorn Campgrounds provides unusual urban camping access. "Not many frills but quiet and within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn," notes Charles S. about Elkhorn Campgrounds, highlighting its convenient location for campers wanting to explore local shops.
Clean swimming areas: Whitewater Lake in Kettle Moraine offers pristine swimming conditions. "The campground was clean and quiet. We were in the East Loop," states Abbe W. about Whitewater Lake Campground, adding that the "on-site host was super friendly and helpful with firewood and ice."
What you should know
Site variations: Fox Den Campground offers more privacy than other nearby options. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers," explains Ian C.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for raccoons and insects in the area. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns Meg from Turner Lake South Campground, recommending early dinner and thorough cleanup.
Road noise considerations: When glamping in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, campsite selection matters for noise levels. "The road noise is absolutely noticeable. It was incredibly loud when we drove through the loop closest to the highway and was significantly better even just one section over," explains Linda N. about her experience at Ottawa Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly recreation: The Milton-Madison SE KOA offers extensive family amenities near Elkhorn. "Great place to bring our three boys. There are 2 playgrounds, a nice pool, games and activities for the kids over weekends, and the rv sites are well spaced," shares Erin B. about her family's experience at Milton-Madison SE KOA.
Contained play areas: Set up screen enclosures when glamping with small children. "With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick," advises Meg from Honeysuckle Hollow.
Spring hiking with kids: Scuppernong Springs offers accessible trails for children. "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," notes Linda N. from her family's experience at Ottawa Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Carefully review site maps before reserving. "I would recommend viewing their map and comparing to google maps. They do allow you to pick your site if your willing to pay $10 extra," advises Marc W. about Milton KOA, adding the helpful insight that "We had a back in site which was easy to navigate into and was mostly level."
Electric hookup positioning: At Fox Den, electrical access is more convenient than at nearby options. "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts to far from parking pad," explains Debra M., pointing out an important distinction for RV campers seeking luxury camping near Elkhorn.
Pull-through availability: Some sites accommodate staying hitched for overnight stops. "The pull through space was level and allowed staying hooked up to truck. Full hook ups was nice for the last stop before parking til next trip," notes Jeff G. about his experience at Milton KOA.
