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Best Campgrounds near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI

754 Reviews

Fontana-on-Geneva Lake in Wisconsin features several established campgrounds within short driving distance, providing accommodations for various camping styles. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground offers tent, RV, and glamping options just minutes from Lake Geneva, with approximately 100 sites including 30 with electrical hookups. Other nearby options include Elkhorn Campgrounds and Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake, which cater to both tent and RV campers. The Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit's Ottawa Lake Campground, located northwest of Fontana, provides year-round camping opportunities with both tent and cabin options.

Reservations are essential at most campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer months when Lake Geneva becomes a popular destination. Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, though some like Rock Cut State Park remain open year-round. Electric hookups are limited and often book quickly, with several campgrounds offering both 30-amp and 50-amp service for RVs. The region experiences typical Midwest seasonal variations with humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall ideal for comfortable camping conditions. Most established sites include standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water. A camper noted, "We live near Chicagoland so staying at Big Foot Beach State Park is an easy option for a short weekend get away. Minutes from downtown Lake Geneva, this spot is super quaint and easy to get to."

Campers frequently mention the convenience of staying near Lake Geneva without paying premium hotel prices. Big Foot Beach State Park receives mixed reviews, with some appreciating its proximity to town amenities while others note the limited beach access and lack of privacy between sites. Several visitors highlight the clean facilities, particularly mentioning the newer shower houses and bathrooms. The campgrounds serve as practical bases for exploring Lake Geneva's attractions, including the lake's perimeter trail and downtown shopping. Sites vary considerably in size, shade coverage, and privacy, with one reviewer recommending specific sites: "For anyone who is interested in camping here, the following sites, in my opinion, are the best campsites in terms of shade, not being flooded during a rain and privacy: 27, 32 and 74."

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Best Camping Sites Near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, Wisconsin (90)

    1. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Lake Geneva, WI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 248-2528

    "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."

    2. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "The hiking/biking trails are many miles long.  The fishing near t he dam is great and you can always find a spot near the edge of the lake.  Bring bug spray."

    "Rock cut is only about a 50 minute drive from the far burbs of Chicago. It’s situated a few miles outside of Rockford so if you’re into exploring old industrial river towns, this is a nice one."

    3. Thomas Woods Campground

    17 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 338-6223

    $20 - $35 / night

    "Love this spot for proximity to my home so I can get out more frequently than a longer drive into Wisconsin and other more popular camping locales."

    "While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."

    4. Elkhorn Campgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Elkhorn, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 723-3228

    "Easy access to electric and/or water. If unsure, contact office. Site, restrooms, and showers were clean. There are a lot of sites but still felt like there was ample space."

    "Not many frills but quiet and within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn."

    5. Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake

    6 Reviews
    Delavan, WI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 883-6999

    $15 - $45 / night

    "I did not stay here, but I spend some time walking through to get a feel for the place."

    "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."

    6. Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    39 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 594-6200

    "Site was spacious but very close to your neighbors. Lots to do in the area. Bathrooms and showers were clean. The beach was not clean and very hard to walk on, very rocky."

    "Made my first visit to Ottawa Lake on a mid-March weekend. The facilities were still under their winter setup (only vault toilet, no shower available, pay in an envelope)."

    7. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    23 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    24 miles
    Website

    "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"

    "Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."

    8. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    20 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

    9. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    24 miles
    Website

    "Rocket launch (bring your own,) atv (no rentals-bring your own), water fowl hunting (during season), fishing, wildlife watching, swimming at the beach, playground for kids, and my favorite- nice trails"

    "the property is HUGE and most things are about a 10 to 15 min walk from the campsites. lots of hiking, boating, swimming fishing and more! a great place for anyone!"

    10. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    20 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "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."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI

263 Photos of 90 Fontana-on-Geneva Lake Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI

754 Reviews of 90 Fontana-on-Geneva Lake Campgrounds

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Pilgrims Campground

    Nice enough grounds, poorly maintained electric panels

    To be honest I thought this stay was going to be easy and the first couple days were. They didn’t have full hook up sites and we have a 50 amp rig… we used a dogbone to connect to the 30 amp site. It was fine for a bit but then we started to get surges. Our EMS protected the rig but ultimately we couldn’t use the power. Even with only running the fridge it continued to trip. We tried the one next to us and it gave us the reverse polarity code so we decided it would be best to just leave the following day. The grounds are well maintained and the owners are friendly… they mentioned some of their 30 amp sites will get converted to 50 next year so hopefully that helps but definitely frustrating to need to book another site and forfeit money on this one.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    King's Campground

    Where Fireflies & Faith Meet Fresh Air & Farmland

    As a mom camping with my husband and kids, I loved how this Christ-centered campground felt both safe and family-friendly, with roomy sites that offer shade, fire pits, picnic tables and clean bathhouses close enough for those urgent kid trips. The layout makes it easy to relax while still keeping an eye on little ones and the amenities, whether tent pads or RV hookups, make setting up simple. What really stood out was the nearby fun and educational activity for kids, like a nature trail, nearby working farm, local park or our visit to Blackhawk Statue near Lorado Taft that gave the kids both excitement and a learning moment. At the end of the day, this is the kind of place where parents can unwind by the fire while the kids fall asleep happily worn out from their adventures.

  • Operation_Fun ..
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    Could be better

    This seemed like it could be a really great campground, but it's not taken care of very well and felt a bit unsafe. 

    It's a huge park, yet the sites aren't very private. The mosquitoes and ticks are the worst I've experienced thus far, and the abandoned buildings by the beach feel like crack dens.

    We brought chairs and relaxed by the beach for a while, which was very peaceful and really made the trip.

    It's worth checking out if you're interested. I now understand why there are always sites available here when it seems every other campground is fully booked.

  • Mark D.
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    We had such an enjoyable time at Ottawa Lake Campground.

    Escape the everyday and immerse yourself in nature at Ottawa Lake Campground. Nestled in the heart of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, this welcoming retreat offers lakeside fun, scenic hiking trails, the quiet beauty of a true Northwoods experience, all without a long drive.

    We have visited the Campground 5 times this year already, we love hiking all the trails in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.

    https://youtu.be/xl4uAtNWclM

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pettits Lakeview Campground & Bar

    Family Friendly Lakeside Campground

    Pettit’s Lakeview Campground & Bar is the kind of place where family camping meets lakeside fun with a lively twist, sitting right on Lake Koshkonong with beautiful sunset views and easy boat access. My kids loved the playground while the adults enjoyed Friday fish fries, live music and the laid-back bar that doubles as a social hub, creating a strong community vibe with theme weekends and plenty of laughter. That said, it’s definitely more “festival” than “quiet forest” with sites being closing together, weekends can get noisy with karaoke and bar traffic, and shade is limited, so if you’re looking for peace and birdwatching, this isn’t it, but for families who don’t mind a little bustle, it’s a fun and memorable spot.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pilgrims Campground

    Simple Campground

    With a small family to mind, while out enjoying a short weekend of camping, I appreciated Pilgrim’s Campground in Wisconsin for its quiet, family-oriented atmosphere that made our stay both relaxing and memorable. The sites were clean, level and easy to settle into, with plenty of shade and enough space for the kids to play safely nearby. While the campground doesn’t have the flashy resort-style amenities of some bigger parks, it makes up for it with well-kept facilities, a friendly, welcoming staff, and a slower pace that let us truly enjoy time together outdoors. My kids loved riding their bikes around the loops, roasting marshmallows at night and spotting wildlife along the nature trails, while I valued the sense of safety and the community feel among fellow campers. Conveniently located near local attractions yet peaceful enough to feel tucked away, Pilgrim’s offered the perfect balance of simplicity, comfort, and wholesome family camping.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Milton-Madison SE KOA

    KOA Close to Lake Koshkonong

    With 2 kids to mind, I found the Milton-Madison SE KOA to be one of the most family-friendly campgrounds we’ve visited, with something for everyone to enjoy. With over 200 sites, the campground is clearly geared toward RVs and fifth wheels, but it also offers a few cabins and tent sites, giving families different ways to stay. The kids were thrilled with the heated pool that even has a waterfall, the playgrounds, gaga ball, arcade, and weekend rides like the barrel train and hayrack.  In short, there was always something to keep them entertained while I could actually relax. I appreciated the practical touches like clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, a well-stocked market and a clubhouse with plenty of space to gather. My husband loved that Lake Koshkonong was right nearby for fishing and paddling, and we all enjoyed exploring Milton’s small-town restaurants with Mary’s Café for biscuits and gravy that was a huge hit and Frederick’s Supper Club, both of which made for a special night out. The Riggio family, who run the campground, were some of the kindest hosts we’ve met, which made the whole experience feel extra welcoming. While I do think the tent sites and cabins are a bit pricey for what you get, the number of activities, amenities, and nearby conveniences made it worth it for the memories we created together. For families looking for a lively, activity-packed camping trip, this KOA is a great choice.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Lakeland Camping Resort

    Lakefront Fun

    As a mom, I found Lakeland RV Campground in Milton to be the kind of place where the whole family can truly unwind and have fun together. Set along Lake Koshkonong this place was bursting with energy and feels more like a summer resort than a traditional campground with over 270 full-hookup sites and cozy cabins for families who don’t have an RV. The kids had endless options to keep them busy from 2 swimming pools, a sandy beach, playgrounds, mini golf, sports courts, and even planned activities and themed weekends and I loved the convenience of the camp store, laundry, fitness center and clean facilities. In the evenings, we enjoyed gathering around the campfire under the stars, and during the day we ventured onto the lake for kayaking and fishing, which felt like a little adventure just steps from our site. It was also nice knowing that if we wanted a change of pace, Milton and Janesville offered small-town charm and great dining and Madison wasn’t far for a day trip. My mom tips? Book a site away from the pools if you want peace and quiet, treat yourself to dinner at Fredrick’s Supper Club, sneak out early for a serene paddle on the lake, and don’t worry if you forgot gear as nearby shops have you covered. Lakeland made it easy for me to relax while my kids had a blast, and that combination is what makes it such a special family getaway.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Fort Atkinson

    Nostalgic Campground

    As a mom, I can honestly say that Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Fort Atkinson is one of those rare campgrounds where the kids are entertained from morning till night and parents can actually relax a little too. The whole place feels designed with families in mind: colorful playgrounds, themed weekends, wagon rides, character visits from Yogi and Boo Boo, and a pool with splash zones that keep little ones happy for hours. Our campsite was clean and level, with options for full hookups or cozy cabins if you’d rather skip the RV, and the bathhouses were spotless, which is something I always look for. What I appreciated most was the balance: the kids could run from the jumping pillow to the mini golf course to the craft barn without ever getting bored, while my husband and I enjoyed sitting by the campfire or joining in on family activities like outdoor 'movies under the stars.' The campground store was well-stocked with snacks, s’mores supplies, and those 'oops, we forgot it' supplies, which saved us more than once. And while there’s plenty to do onsite, being near Lake Koshkonong and Fort Atkinson means you can easily slip away for a day of fishing, boating, or exploring. For me, the best part was watching my kids’ faces light up during the evening hayride, sticky with marshmallow, waving at Yogi like he was a celebrity that felt like the kind of wholesome, memory-making trip I hope they’ll look back on for years.

Guide to Fontana-on-Geneva Lake

Camping near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, Wisconsin offers both year-round and seasonal options spread across state recreation areas and county parks. The region sits within the kettle moraine geography, featuring rolling hills and glacier-formed lakes that provide diverse camping terrain. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing while summer highs often reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity levels.

What to do

Kayaking on Turtle Lake: At Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake, visitors enjoy direct water access from a terraced campground setup. "Beautiful views overlooking Turtle Lake. Friendly and helpful staff," notes Carole X., who appreciated the lakefront setting. The campground rents boats and is arranged on three levels so most sites have water views.

Hiking Ice Age Trail sections: The Ottawa Lake Campground provides direct access to the Ice Age Trail with short connecting paths. "The campground was close to our intended hiking trail — the Scuppernong section of the Ice Age Trail. It's absolutely gorgeous and will be why we come back again," shares Linda N. Hiking difficulty ranges from easy to moderate with multiple trail connections.

Archery and ATV riding: Richard Bong State Recreation Area offers specialized areas for off-road vehicles and target sports. "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing," explains Meg K. The recreation area maintains separate zones for different activities to minimize conflicts between user groups.

What campers like

Clean, updated facilities: Big Foot Beach State Park Campground receives positive comments about its renovated amenities. "Nice campsite with newer bathrooms and showers," mentions David W. The shower buildings were updated in recent years, providing reliable hot water and improved cleanliness.

Affordable camping close to attractions: Elkhorn Campgrounds offers budget-friendly rates while maintaining proximity to popular destinations. "Great location to visit Lake Geneva (~8mi.) or see a concert at Alpine Valley (~20 min). There's a shuttle from the campground (outer sites near racetrack)," explains Dan W. Sites start at $25 per night with discounts for longer stays.

Privacy between sites: Thomas Woods Campground maintains natural separation between campsites. "I've been here two other weekends. Generally quiet and many of the tent spots are spaced out enough to provide privacy and quiet," reports Matt K. The campground features both walk-up tent sites and sites with 30-amp electrical service, allowing campers to choose their preferred experience level.

What you should know

Beach limitations: Despite lake proximity, some beaches have restrictions or limited access. "The beach is about 10 feet of sand off a busy road and is not pet friendly," notes Melissa B. about Big Foot Beach State Park. Most swimming areas lack lifeguards and operate seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Road noise variations: Sunrise Campground at Richard Bong State Recreation Area has noticeable traffic sounds in some loops. "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. Sites furthest from main roads provide the quietest camping experience.

Wildlife encounters: Chain O' Lakes State Park campgrounds have active wildlife populations. "We had some raccoons at night even after we locked up everything in the car," reports Julia B. Proper food storage in vehicles or secure containers is essential, particularly at Turner Lake South where raccoons are frequently sighted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an RV park in Fontana on Geneva Lake?

While Fontana-on-Geneva Lake itself doesn't have an RV park within town limits, nearby Pearl Lake offers RV camping with lakeside sites that are perfect for summer getaways. For those wanting to stay closer to Geneva Lake, Elkhorn Campgrounds provides RV-friendly sites with water hookups and is equipped to accommodate big rigs. Both locations are a short drive from Fontana and offer convenient access to the Geneva Lake area while providing necessary RV amenities.

Where can I find camping options near Lake Geneva and Fontana, Wisconsin?

Big Foot Beach State Park Campground is your best option directly on Lake Geneva and the only state park within town limits. It offers spacious sites for trailers and tents, though reservations are essential during summer months. Another excellent choice is Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, located in a beautiful pine forest setting with access to the Ice Age and Scuppernong trails. This campground accommodates both tents and trailers and is a short drive from Ottawa Lake, providing a more secluded experience while still being accessible to the Fontana area.

What recreational activities are available at Fontana Beach on Geneva Lake?

Fontana Beach on Geneva Lake offers swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking opportunities with beautiful lake views. While not directly at Fontana Beach, nearby Ottawa Lake Campground in the Kettle Moraine State Forest offers similar recreational activities with spacious waterfront access. For those seeking more diverse activities, Hickory Hills Campground in the region provides additional recreational options. The Geneva Lake area generally supports water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, while surrounding trails offer hiking and biking opportunities.

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