18 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Wisconsin offers limited options for horse camping near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake. A review of area campgrounds shows that none of the local facilities provide horse corrals or dedicated equestrian amenities. Big Foot Beach State Park, the closest established campground to Lake Geneva, specifically does not allow horses in large sections of the park according to visitor feedback. The park's 100 sites accommodate tent and RV camping, but lack equestrian-specific infrastructure.
Equestrians seeking riding opportunities must venture to the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit, approximately 20 miles north of Fontana-on-Geneva Lake. While the Southern Unit features several campgrounds, including Pinewoods Campground and the main Southern Unit camping area, none offer horse corrals according to facility data. Riders who wish to bring horses to the area should contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for information about potential day-use horse trails or privately owned stables that might permit overnight horse camping. The surrounding forest does maintain hiking trails that connect multiple camping areas, though horse access remains limited on most recreational paths.
"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."
from $19 - $37 / night
Check Availability"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"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."
"Red Trail, Paradise Trail,Rice Lake are all great hikes. Great views of Lake Ottawa. The close by town of Oconomowoc has a nice place to eat, Burkes Lakeside."
from $21 - $39 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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. "
"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 $21 - $90 / night
Check Availability"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"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
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. "
from $21 - $70 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThis 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. 👎
GuideWe 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.
TravelerFirst time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
LegendIf 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 few days. Tucked away from the park's busier camping loops, this rustic first-come, first-served campground provides spacious sites designed for campers traveling with horses, along with nearby potable water, restrooms and direct access to more than 14 miles of designated equestrian trails. While amenities are intentionally simple (erring on non-existent), the extra room to accommodate horse trailers and the quiet natural surroundings create exactly the kind of setting many riders are looking for. One of my favorite moments was watching families quietly prepare their horses in the early morning light before disappearing beneath the trees for a day on the trails, returning later with tired horses, dusty boots and smiles that needed no explanation. Arriving early is the best way to secure a site since camping is first-come, first-served and availability is limited. This campground is ideal for equestrian families given its spacious layout, direct trail access and peaceful atmosphere that allows both riders and horses to truly unwind.
RangerFirst, you have to make reservations in advance online. The website says otherwise. They are spacious sites and well maintained the water. Spicket are a significant distance from each campsite so come prepared for that.
ScoutThis is a nice getaway for camping, picnics, hiking, fishing and in the summer swimming! They only offer swimming with lifeguards in the summer months. They have great open spaces for group camping.
TravelerThis is such a good spot, it’s not just an RV parking lot. Each site is its own little site just far enough from its neighbor to feel alone. Super nice and well kept
ScoutEscape 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
GuideWe'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.
Equestrian camping near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake sits on terminal moraine topography formed during the last glacial period, creating the rolling hills and kettle features characteristic of southern Wisconsin. The area receives moderate rainfall averaging 36 inches annually, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F during peak camping season. Nearby water features include several small lakes and streams that provide habitat for diverse wildlife populations.
Hiking interconnected trails: At Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, you'll find extensive trail systems for various skill levels. "There are plenty of camp sites here! All different types. Electric, non-electric, primitive, walk-in, etc. Also, there's a small beach on a lake within the park near camping areas." The forest maintains numerous connecting paths between designated camping zones.
Horseback riding opportunities: While dedicated horse corrals are limited, some areas allow day-use trail riding with proper permits. "You can ride horses or rent a tiny boat... Ammenities are basic," notes one visitor to Turner Lake South. Some private stables near park boundaries may offer guided rides or boarding options for equestrians bringing their own horses.
Fishing access points: Multiple lakes provide fishing opportunities within a short drive. At Chain O'Lakes State Park, "There is a lake for fishing and some trails. You can rent boats and kayaks too!" Another visitor mentions, "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips."
Wooded privacy at select sites: The Pinewoods Campground offers good tree coverage. "The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion," writes one camper. Another notes, "The sites are far enough apart for some privacy and the trails were very well kept up."
Affordable camping options: Some locations offer budget-friendly rates compared to resort accommodations. One visitor to Turner Lake South points out, "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly." Basic tent sites often cost significantly less than full-hookup RV spots.
Seasonal activities and amenities: During summer, swimming areas provide relief from heat. "There is a very nice beach as well as a fishing pier. I didn't take advantage of any of the hiking trails so cannot speak to those," reports a visitor to Kettle Moraine. Fall brings spectacular colors to deciduous forests, making it an excellent time for photography and nature observation.
Limited bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies widely between parks. A camper at Paul Wolff Campground noted, "The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "This state park is larger than expected with decent amenities (boat rentals, concessions, relatively clean pit toilets) and areas designated for trailer camping and tent camping," observed one visitor about Turner Lake, adding that planning ahead is essential.
Wildlife awareness needed: Encounter reports include everything from deer to bears. "There was a posting about black bear sightings in the area. We did not experience that, just chipmunks and birds," reported a camper at Pinewoods. Proper food storage is essential regardless of which wildlife you might encounter.
Alcohol restrictions vary: Some parks prohibit alcohol entirely. "No alcohol allowed," notes one visitor to Big Foot Beach State Park. Check specific park regulations before bringing any alcoholic beverages, as rules differ between Wisconsin and Illinois parks.
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience with young children. At Fox Den Campground, a visitor notes, "There are hiking trails incorporated into the campground with access to the kettle morraine Forrest. Bringing bikes is a great idea for getting around to bathrooms/the camp store."
Junior ranger programs: Many parks offer educational activities for children. "Pick Up the activity book for kids it is a great adventure lots to do at the lake!!!" enthuses a visitor to Kettle Moraine State Forest. These programs typically include nature scavenger hunts and wildlife identification exercises.
Bug preparation essential: Mosquitoes can be particularly troublesome in wooded areas. "The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years," notes a camper at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort. Bring plenty of repellent and consider mosquito netting for eating areas.
Quiet camping sections: For families needing consistent sleep schedules, seek designated quiet areas. "We liked this site because it was on the 'quiet loop.' No radios or pets allowed," shares a Kettle Moraine camper. These loops typically enforce strict quiet hours from earlier in the evening until later in the morning.
Electrical inconsistencies: Several parks report issues with power reliability. "We have a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday," reported one RVer about Rock Cut State Park. Bring a surge protector and be prepared for potential electrical limitations.
Site spacing considerations: At Elkhorn Campgrounds, "There are a lot of sites but still felt like there was ample space. Great location to visit Lake Geneva (~8mi)." Many RV sites throughout the region offer minimal privacy barriers, so select carefully if seclusion is important.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds provide dump stations, though some have limited hours. "Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out," notes a Fox Den Campground visitor. Check specific campground regulations for dumping procedures and restrictions.
Level site availability: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. "Most sites here were secluded and level," notes one RVer about Kettle Moraine. Research individual site characteristics before booking, as some camping areas have significant slopes that can challenge even the best leveling systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI is Big Foot Beach State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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