P
Peter N.
Scout
ScoutSunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Nice sites. Lots of road noise.
Tent Camping near Elkhorn, WI
1 campground with availability this weekend
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The area surrounding Elkhorn, Wisconsin offers several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius, ranging from primitive hike-in sites to established campgrounds with amenities. Notable options include Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake, which features dedicated tent sites with lake views, and KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site, a secluded hike-in location for tent campers seeking more solitude.
Most tent sites in the region provide basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though amenity levels vary significantly. Snug Harbor offers full-service tent camping with drinking water, showers, and toilets, while backcountry options like KMSF Shelter 1 feature only basic toilets and require campers to bring their own water. Several campgrounds, including Cappie's Landing and Sandhill Station State Campground, require walk-in or hike-in access, meaning tent campers must carry gear from parking areas to their sites. Many locations have seasonal operating schedules, with peak availability from May through October.
Tent campsites in the Elkhorn area provide varied experiences depending on proximity to water bodies and forests. MacQueen Forest Preserve offers particularly secluded tent camping with sites spread approximately 50 yards apart, providing privacy rarely found at more developed campgrounds. The primitive sites are positioned either in wooded areas or around a meadow perfect for stargazing. A visitor commented, "There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart. You can't see the campsite next to you." Sandhill Station features tent sites in an oak savanna setting with varying degrees of shade, making it better suited for spring and fall camping rather than mid-summer when mosquitoes are prevalent and shade is limited. Carry-in requirements at several locations naturally limit overcrowding and preserve the wilderness experience for tent campers.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Elkhorn (11)
1. Backpack Sites — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
"You can rent backpacking shelters, at the ranger station in Eagle. The shelter is basically a barn without a front door. It comes with a fire ring, table, and an outhouse!"
"Reservable backpacking sites about 45-60min away from nearest parking. Fire pit, shelter, and picnic table at site.
Really enjoyed the hike through forest to get to this site."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
2. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site
"Great backpack camp site. Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside."
3. Melody Park Campground
4. Kishwaukee Valley Farms
from $74 - $100 / night
5. Sandhill Station State Campground
"Sandill Station is right outside Lake Mills, WI, right off the Glacial Drumlin bike trail. It features 15 campsites and 1 group campsite in an oak savanna, with varying degrees of shade."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $70 / night
6. Equestrian Campground - Rock Cut State Park
"If your family's perfect camping trip includes saddling up and exploring miles of wooded trails together, the Equestrian Campground at Rock Cut State Park offers a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a"
7. MacQueen Forest Preserve
"This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs. There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy."
"You can't see the campsite next to you, and they all have a picnic table and a fire ring. You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in."
8. Walk In Campsite & Shelters — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit
Check Availabilityfrom $18 / night
9. Cappie's Landing
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
10. Purplehaze Acres
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $160 / night
Drive Time
- 29 min from Janesville, WI
- 34 min from Milwaukee, WI
- 38 min from Kenosha, WI
- 46 min from Racine, WI
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Elkhorn, WI
6 Photos of 11 Elkhorn Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Elkhorn, WI
769 Reviews of 11 Elkhorn Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendPrairie View Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Nice Shaded Camping Alcove With Plenty of P&Q
Prairie View CG is the very first camping oasis you will come across after entering Rock Cut SP from its northernmost entrance, with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east. Once you enter the park, you will follow the long winding nicely paved two-lane circuit until you begin seeing the signs highlighting where to go for the various campgrounds. Once you access this road, you’ll come across a small building with a ranger where you will check in, after which, you will pass by a designated dump station before coming around a small bend where you will take your first left.
The sites begin with #500 and as you circumnavigate the simple circular loop, you will pass by about 2 dozen or so slots that are nice flat paved slots perfect sized for just about any RV or 5th Wheel. There is a single his / her restroom along with trash area at the beginning of the loop just past sites #503 and #504. To access the shower, you will need to go back to the main road and hike it down the road with your towel and toiletries, which I have to admit, is the biggest bummer about this particular campground. If having close access to shower facilities is important to you, then you may want to contemplate staying at other campgrounds here at Rock Cut SP like Staghorn and White Oak, which offer closer proximity.
One of the greatest assets here at Rock Cut SP is the very massive Pierce Lake, which is great for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming. To launch your watercraft, you’ll head south to Hickory Hills campground where on the eastern side of this area you’ll be able to find the boat launch. In the Prairie View campground, in addition to restroom and waste disposal, you’ll also have access to running water spigots at each site along with running electric. The small community amphitheather is located centrally just past the campstore and before reaching the Hickory Hills campground. There is an excellent camp store in the middle of Rock Cut SP that offers up ice, firewood, ice cream, snacks, games, limited groceries and a number of other sundries you might need while camping. Additionally, there are 5 shelters that have electricity, with water and restrooms nearby and each shelter available through a reservation system. Two of the shelters (Red Oak and Puri Crest) also have children’s playgrounds nearby.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best sites here at Prairie View CG are those that are located furthest from the main road, for attaining the maximum camping bliss trifecta of less traffic, little noise and more privacy. As such, look at sites #512, #514, #516 and #518, which are all located on the exterior of the circle, thus providing the greatest amount of intimate nature experience; (2) Once you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your cooler, fret not, and just head out of the park where you will find a handful of dining options: Tom& Jerry’s, Fresh Start Café, Waffle Shop, Golden Chopsticks Buffet, Sunrise Family Restaurant, Beef-A-Roo (in fact, there’s like 4 of these that the park is surrounded by), but one of my absolute favorites is Green Fire, which is a really nice farm-to-table joint; (3) Got bird watching on your mind? Well, you’re in luck, because here at Rock Cut SP you can spot an amazing array of winged adventurers including bald eagles, American robins, northern cardinals, barn owls, mourning doves, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, Canadian geese, red-bellied woodpeckers, brown thrashers and many others; (4) Tired of nature and just want to get some really cool culture in you? Then head just due south of Rock Cut SP to explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House, which is simply amazing; and (5) If you come bearing watercraft like canoe or kayak, while Lake Pierce is wonderful and great for fishing, if you want something a bit more challenging, then head due west to the Rock River, where you can drop in from a number of launch sites, however I strongly recommend Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve.
Happy Camping!
- KKevin D.Scout
Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground
This campground charges both a site reservation fee ($33 for a primitive mosquito infested tent site) AND an additional day use fee on top of that - a $16 fee on top of that! $49????? For a no hook up single tent site???? Of course the fees aren’t actually published anywhere so you have to reserve it to actually know what you’ll be paying. It’s nothing special so these fees aren’t actually warranted for this place. 👎
- GGladys L.
TravelerPlum Grove Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park in Rockford , Illinois
We got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
Sherry K.ScoutPearl Lake
Late night party central
The park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
kelsea D.TravelerPrairie View — Chain O' Lakes State Park
A lot to do.
There’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendHoneysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park
Lively Little Campground Beside Turner Lake
There’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
- nnancy H.
GuideStaghorn Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Perfect for an overnight stop when travelling through I-90 & Rockford Ill
We are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
- MManny A.Traveler
Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park
Simple and local
Simple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
Guide to Elkhorn
Tent campsites near Elkhorn, Wisconsin range from secluded forest settings to open meadows with varying access requirements. Most primitive sites operate seasonally from May through October, with early spring and fall offering better conditions for sites with limited shade. Winter camping is available at select locations, though facilities and water access may be restricted during cold months.
What to do
Fishing access: MacQueen Forest Preserve offers sites near the Kishwaukee River, though visitors note varying quality of fishing spots. One camper mentioned, "The places with access to the river were not good locations for fishing," suggesting anglers should scout locations before setting up.
Tubing adventures: The South Branch of the Kishwaukee River provides natural recreation for tent campers at MacQueen Forest Preserve. A reviewer noted, "Some fellow campers were doing a diy tubing right to the campground. About a 2 hr lazy river tube from Kingston or 5hrs from Genoa on the slow moving S. Branch of the Kishwaukee River which can be pretty deep in places."
Stargazing opportunities: Several tent sites provide excellent night sky viewing conditions, particularly at the meadow sites. A visitor to MacQueen Forest Preserve observed, "About half of the campsites are in a meadow at the back end of the campground. It would be beautiful for stargazing!"
What campers like
Site privacy: Tent campers frequently praise the seclusion at primitive sites. At KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site, one reviewer appreciated that "It's very secluded for privacy," making it ideal for campers seeking isolation.
Affordable rates: Budget-conscious tent campers can find exceptional value. MacQueen Forest Preserve charges just $4 per night for individual primitive sites, with one visitor commenting, "The primitive camping is only $4. There is water, but it is not, I repeat is not, potable."
Terraced camping layouts: Snug Harbor Inn Campground offers tent sites with unique positioning. One camper noted, "The property is basically terraced along a slope down to the lake, with the RV and mobile home sites closer to the lake. The tent sites are above it all with decent views of the lake below."
What you should know
Carry-in requirements: Several tent campgrounds require gear hauling from parking areas. At Sandhill Station State Campground, "all 15 standard sites are carry-in only. The parking lot is anywhere from 100-500 yards from the campsite, depending on which one you choose."
Insect considerations: Seasonal mosquito populations can impact camping comfort. One visitor to Sandhill Station noted, "The sites are really near some stagnant water, though, so WAY too many mosquitoes, even with the really intense bug spray. We were there in mid-June on one of the hottest weekends of the year and we were massacred."
Noise factors: Some tent sites experience regular noise disruptions. A MacQueen Forest Preserve visitor warned, "If you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Equipment transportation: When camping with children, prepare for carry-in requirements. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in. It's an easy walk, on a crushed gravel path and mowed trail."
Accessible options: Families with mobility concerns can find appropriate tent sites. MacQueen Forest Preserve features "one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy" and "they do have one space near the parking lot that's handicap accessible."
Group camping considerations: Families camping together should select adjacent sites. At MacQueen, "There's also a giant fire pit with benches. The perfect area for a small group camp (as long as each party paid for the campsite that's back there)."
Tips from RVers
Tent sites near RV areas: Some campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping in proximity. At Snug Harbor Inn Campground, "This is primarily an RV/mobile home campground, but there are some nicely tucked away tent camp sites. The Galapagos tent campsite is elevated and a short distance from the loop road, and has a nice view of the lake."
First-time setup insights: New RVers find local campgrounds accessible for learning. One visitor to Snug Harbor shared, "Wanted someplace close to home. Familiar with the Delavan area so was excited to find Snug Harbor. Set up went well, didn't blow anything up! Yea! Staff was great, helped me back in."
Off-season availability: Shoulder seasons offer quieter camping experiences. A MacQueen Forest Preserve visitor noted, "I stayed one night and I really enjoyed myself. There wasn't anyone there. I assume it's because it's early in the spring. It's very basic, just a fire pit and a picnic table at each spot."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Elkhorn, WI?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elkhorn, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elkhorn, WI is Backpack Sites — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Elkhorn, WI?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Elkhorn, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Elkhorn, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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