Ottawa Lake Campground offers multiple camping options within 25 miles of Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Located in the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest at an elevation of 900 feet, the area features rolling hills formed by glacial activity. Most campsites in this region operate seasonally from April through October, with some winter camping available at specific locations.
What to do
Hiking trails: Experience the natural springs at Ottawa Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest. "Beautiful campground (Ottawa Lake campsites) Great Lake, hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" writes Autumn S.
Kayaking and boating: Access multiple lakes at Chain O' Lakes State Park just across the Illinois border. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes," notes Cora M.
Swimming beaches: Cool off at the clean, well-maintained beaches within 30 minutes of Elm Grove. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" says Neysha R. about Ottawa Lake.
What campers like
Privacy in wooded sites: Many campsites around Elm Grove offer secluded spots with natural surroundings. At Menomonee Park, "The sites are just about all wooded. Not huge but a good size for a country park. Most offer decent separation from your neighbor," according to Matt N.
Winter camping options: For off-season glamping close to Elm Grove, Wisconsin, several parks remain open year-round. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports David H. about winter camping at Ottawa Lake Campground.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower buildings. At Kohler-Andrae State Park, "The facilities are well kept and there is a good variety of things to do at the park from the beach to the boardwalk," notes Sara S.
What you should know
Weekend crowds: Plan ahead during peak season as campgrounds fill quickly. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," shares Tina about Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area.
Ticks and insects: Come prepared with proper protection. "Bring bug spray," warns Adam about Ottawa Lake, while another camper notes: "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... they literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Road noise: Some campsites experience traffic sounds. "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.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Choose locations with built-in entertainment options. At Naga-Waukee Park, "The beach on the shores of Lake Nagawicka is well-groomed, clean, has a seasonal lifeguard and a playground within earshot," writes Ross K.
Consider electric sites: Many families prefer sites with power for convenience. "We were able to grab a nonelectric site and transfer to an electric site when one cancelled last minute," shares Linda N. about her Ottawa Lake stay.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Take precautions with food storage, especially at night. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns a camper at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Check hookup locations: Verify electrical box distances before booking. At Big Foot Beach State Park, "Nice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn't very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric," reports Melissa B.
Site sizes vary: Research specific site dimensions if you have a larger rig. "Spaces are not consistent, some very large and shaded and some smaller and crowded," notes Debra M. about Big Foot Beach State Park.
Full-hookup options: Some campgrounds offer complete services for longer stays. "We've been full time RVers for 4 years and this is a beautiful campground close to 'home'. We stay here a couple of times each year for doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family and friends, and general relaxation," shares Steve K. about his experiences at Ottawa Lake.
