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Southern Unit Horseriders Campground at Kettle Moraine State Forest provides dedicated camping facilities for equestrians near Elkhorn, Wisconsin. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, and toilet facilities. Hot showers are available for campers after long days on the trails. The campground operates seasonally from April through November, allowing riders to experience Wisconsin's varied seasonal landscapes. Sites are reservable and pet-friendly, making it convenient for horse owners who travel with other animals. The campground is clean and well-maintained with easy access to riding trails.
The Southern Unit features an extensive network of equestrian trails that wind through the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Riders can access miles of scenic trails directly from the campground, offering diverse terrain through woods, prairies, and glacial formations. The trails are well-marked and maintained specifically for horse use. Most sites provide ample space for horse trailers with convenient parking arrangements. Campers should note that while the campground is horse-friendly, there are no dedicated horse corrals on site, so portable corrals or highlines are recommended. Camping with horses requires adherence to forest regulations regarding feed storage, manure management, and trail use. For group equestrian camping, reservations should be made well in advance, especially during peak riding seasons when the campground frequently reaches capacity due to its popularity among horse enthusiasts.
"We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."
"This is one of the most popular State Parks in Wisconsin because it's on Lake Geneva. In fact, it's the only state park within town's limits."
"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 $18 - $30 / night
"Within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn, EAHS, and the horse areana. You might even be able to catch a show or two on site at the fair grounds, depending on the time of year."
"Not many frills but quiet and within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn."
"Site along the edge of the campground had ample shade. There is a central bathhouse with flush toilets and 3 showers. There is also a pit toilet. "
"It has a large lake with almost 40 miles of hiking trails, including equestrian trails and an equestrian campground. There is boating and fishing as well as swimming in the lake."
from $12 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Driving on country roads to this campground, I drove past many many horse ranches. So it's no surprise that there is a dedicated campground for horseback riding in this state park. "
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"Trails were geared more towards horses and bikes, but there are plenty of walking paths, and we were able to find some hidden trails along the lake (read: unofficial)."
"There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding. We did a nice short hike in area. We had a great time at this campground and would visit again."
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability"Good hiking around the lake and mostly dog friendly. Nice play ground with horse she pits."
"Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
from $12 - $35 / night
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TravelerSuch a great little place to escape to or visit if you're just passing through. Nothing crazy fancy but hook-ups and fire pits available if needed. Within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn, EAHS, and the horse areana. You might even be able to catch a show or two on site at the fair grounds, depending on the time of year.
LegendWe stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites. Fox den and Prairie view loops are nice as well with mostly primitive sites. Be aware that the map on www.ExloreMoreIL,com(where you make your reservations) doesn't show where the restrooms are. In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61. Facilities are clean and well lit. Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill. This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove, where you have access to the Fox River and Grass lake. This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood. To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border. This will put you on the Fox river with developments to the north(including a bar& grill) or to the south which is all nature. I think the distance by boat between the two launches is 4-5 miles, but I'm not sure, Halfway there you'll meet up with the Goldfinch trail which is the shortest loop and the most diverse in term of flora. There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground. Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season. We canoe, and both times we stayed there it was October, so I can't tell you how crowded, but the vast number of picnic areas must be there for a reason. An odd thing is that you can hear a Steam Train whistle quite often, this is from Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. We don't have kids so we went to Stade's Farm& Orchard(which is also large and kid friendly) because they have an orchard and vegetable market. One last thing, the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)
TravelerThis is an small campground in the Walworth County fairgrounds. Not many frills but quiet and within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn.
LegendDriving on country roads to this campground, I drove past many many horse ranches. So it's no surprise that there is a dedicated campground for horseback riding in this state park.
Built for Large Gatherings
There are a number of COVID-era regulations that as of this writing are in place, see photos of the signs posted. This campground is clearly built for large groups to hang out together. There is a large shelter with picnic tables and very convenient roll-up sides that can be used to protect people during inclement weather. There is also a large grill that would be great for serving many, and a very nice fire pit with fixed seating for a large group.
Ammenities
There are also nice touches, such as a small stair-step for beginners or young people to mount their horse. And the campground has a little free library. There are electric and non-electric campsites, all seem to have a picnic table and fireplace. There are ample places to bridle horses and shared corrals every four or five campsites. There are also animal waste collection areas throughout the campground. There are several pit toilets throughout the campground, and one building with flush toilets and showers. It's a very nice and fairly new building.
Group Campsite
The group campsite has six sites and they are not pull through for trailers. There is a fire pit with fixed seating around it centrally-located in the group campsite. The group campsite does not have electric units.
And no surprise, there is easy access to horse trails throughout the state forest.
My Top Picks
There are several sites along one side of the park that are a little more secluded and in a pine forest. They have picnic tables and fire pits like the others, they include 409, 410, 411, 412, 413. There's also a series of pull-through sites that would make it easier for those who don't care to back trailers in or out of the site. These include electric sites 405, 404, 403, 402, and 401.
There's a nice couple of campsites at the end of one of the loops that affords a little bit of privacy, the only problem is they abut the main road and are a little noisy with car traffic. However, they are sweet sites. They include 427 and 428. Unfortunately, they camping here you would hear all of the car traffic while all the other campsites are much further away from the road.
RangerRock Cut St. Park is in the middle of an urban area, but you would not know it. The park is very large and has multiple campgrounds. I stayed in the Plum Grove campground. Trees were not really leafed out and some sites would have shade later in the year. Site along the edge of the campground had ample shade. There is a central bathhouse with flush toilets and 3 showers. There is also a pit toilet. Sites have an electrical hookup, but water is from a hydrant. There is a dump station and water supply near the park entrance. There are bike trails, hiking, and equestrian trails. I also believe that you can swim and boat here.
RangerI love everything about this park except the beach, so it didn’t get a 5 star. We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine. Took a walk around and found plenty of other large, private shaded electric sites. If we came here again I would go for a site away from the bathroom. The tent sites looks fantastic- large and private. Plenty of hiking trails here, a decent playground, and tons of large fields to picnic in. Park has a Facebook page where they post activities. Friday night we saw a presentation on the cranes of Wisconsin, and Saturday morning we did a parkwide scavenger hunt. All fun for the family. We would definitely camp here again. The beach is across the very busy road, and has about 10 ft of sand before the road. Fine for a dip, but not relaxing. Very crowded. Other beaches are nearby but not free. Town of Lake Geneva is very cute in an upscale tourist way. Our kid found the museum a lot of fun.
RangerI've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.
LegendOf all of the campgrounds that I have visited in Illinois, I would say that Rock Cut State Park is the best that I have seen. It boasts as being the largest State Park in Northern Illinois. It has a large lake with almost 40 miles of hiking trails, including equestrian trails and an equestrian campground. There is boating and fishing as well as swimming in the lake.
The campground staff is very helpful and do a good job at keeping it clean and well maintained even with the large number of visitors. Don't miss my interview with Marsha, one of the friendly staff members at Rock Cut State Park.
ScoutFull hook ups and electric sites plus some restricted Equestrian and walk in sites
Not for #vanlife. I tried to pay for a tent site and was told “you’re not supposed to sleep in your car” “this campground is for RV’s only”
Equestrian camping near Elkhorn, Wisconsin offers riders access to over 130 miles of trails through glacial terrain ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet in elevation. The area's continental climate brings warm summers with average highs of 80°F and cold winters with lows around 10°F. Fall camping provides moderate temperatures and colorful foliage, while summer brings longer daylight hours for extended trail rides through the region's kettle formations.
Trail connections: Explore the Ice Age Trail from Kettle Moraine State Forest campsites for day hikes or overnight adventures. "We asked the ranger about hiking and she gave us a map to a trail system that connects to this campground between the group sites and loop 3. We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail. While the view was mostly hidden it was still a nice hike," reports a camper from Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit.
Boating excursions: Access multiple lakes within a 20-minute drive from Elkhorn campsites. "You can rent boats and kayaks too! The bathrooms/showers are always clean and have hot water," notes a visitor at Chain O' Lakes State Park. Boat rentals typically cost $12-25/hour depending on watercraft size.
Historical sites: Visit nearby museums documenting the region's glacial history and early settlements. Local attractions include the Wisconsin Driftless Area exhibits and historic farm equipment displays within 30 minutes of most campgrounds. "About 20 minutes northeast of the campground is Lapham Peek Park with a walk up tower offering great views of the area," shares a camper at Kettle Moraine.
Private sites: Secluded camping areas offer separation from neighboring campsites. "The sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain. Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight," notes a reviewer at Pinewoods Campground.
Convenient access: Easy drive-in camping with minimal setup challenges. "Making reservations at the group site was easy and ensured no other campers were near us. Beach access and a great tree canopy allowed for comfortable tent camping," reports a visitor to Kettle Moraine South.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained shower houses throughout the region's campgrounds. "The shower houses are clean and so are the camp sites. Also, there's a small beach on a lake within the park near camping areas," mentions a camper at Kettle Moraine South Camping.
Site reservation timing: Book early for summer weekends and holiday periods. "Due to the fest, there was some late noise, but nothing obnoxious. Definitely recommend as a home base for area fun, music, shopping, and restaurants," notes a visitor to Elkhorn Campgrounds.
Seasonal considerations: Year-round options vary in availability. "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping. 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," advises a camper at Kettle Moraine State Forest.
Trail conditions: Check local updates before planning long rides. Seasonal closures often occur after heavy rainfall or during spring thaw (typically March-April). Trails may require different preparations based on recent weather patterns and maintenance schedules.
Playground access: Multiple recreation areas cater to different age groups. "There are a number of COVID-era regulations that as of this writing are in place, see photos of the signs posted. This campground is clearly built for large groups to hang out together. There is a large shelter with picnic tables and very convenient roll-up sides," notes a visitor to Southern Unit Horseriders Campground.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Many campgrounds offer junior ranger activities and nature walks specifically designed for children ages 6-12, typically lasting 60-90 minutes.
Quiet camping loops: Designated areas for families seeking less noise. "We stayed in the quiet loop. However we got rained out and having a five year old little girl, a 14wk old puppy, and a newbie camper almost four others we could only take so much rain," mentions a visitor to Pinewoods Campground.
Electric hookup locations: Site placements vary across campgrounds. "There are electric and non-electric campsites, all seem to have a picnic table and fireplace. There are ample places to bridle horses and shared corrals every four or five campsites," reports a visitor to Southern Unit Horseriders Campground.
Pull-through availability: Easier access sites exist at select campgrounds. "There's also a series of pull-through sites that would make it easier for those who don't care to back trailers in or out of the site. These include electric sites 405, 404, 403, 402, and 401," notes a horserider camper from Kettle Moraine.
Dump station access: Plan accordingly as not all equestrian sites offer sanitary dumps. Many campgrounds have central dump stations rather than at individual sites, typically located near main entrances for convenient access when departing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Elkhorn, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Elkhorn, WI is Big Foot Beach State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Elkhorn, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Elkhorn, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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