Big Foot Beach State Park Campground sits on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva at an elevation of 860 feet, providing access to natural terrain within minutes of downtown Lake Geneva. The park covers 271 acres with both wooded and open camping areas, though sites vary significantly in size and shade coverage. Campers seeking pet friendly camping near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake will find several options with different amenities and restrictions throughout the region.
What to do
Kayaking on Turtle Lake: At Snug Harbor Inn Campground, visitors can enjoy a peaceful paddle with lake views. "Beautiful views overlooking Turtle Lake. Friendly and helpful staff," notes Carole X. The campground features a terraced design that gives most sites water views, regardless of their location.
Fishing at Chain O' Lakes: Turner Lake South camping area offers multiple fishing opportunities for anglers. "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 on my two trips so far," says Cora M.
Winter camping: Ottawa Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest remains open year-round for those wanting to experience the area during colder months. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports David H., making it a good option for more rugged winter camping experiences near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake.
What campers like
Private campsites: Thomas Woods Campground offers more secluded camping options. "Have stayed here a few times tent camping. Smaller campground in McHenry county. Good staff. Other campers relatively friendly and quiet. County police make a presence in the camp ground," notes Doug. The campground provides both drive-in and hike-in sites.
Affordable options: Campers appreciate the budget-friendly sites at some locations. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly," shares Addison G. about Turner Lake South, making it an economical choice for pet-friendly camping near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake.
Clean facilities: Rock Cut State Park maintains well-kept shower buildings and restrooms. "State park offers some good hiking and all season activities. Camp ground was quiet and clean," Tyler S. comments. While some shower buildings are older, they remain functional and regularly maintained.
What you should know
Raccoon activity: Be prepared for nighttime wildlife visitors at several campgrounds. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down," warns Meg at Chain O' Lakes.
Site locations matter: At Richard Bong State Recreation Area, road noise can impact certain campsites. "Sites are super tight and wooded, so expect to be breakfast, lunch, and dinner for an army full mosquitos. Couldn't even sit outside at the site really. It would be better if they could cut back some," advises Stefanie B. Campsites further from highways offer better sound insulation.
Gate closures: Some parks enforce strict entrance rules. "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:)" notes Brian O. at Turner Lake South. Plan evening activities accordingly if staying at state parks with similar restrictions.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When selecting sites with children, consider proximity to play areas. "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 as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best," recommends Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Bug preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic, especially with young children. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick," shares Meg about her experience at Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area.
Affordable activities: Look for campgrounds with built-in recreation options. "The Weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long," notes Jill G. about Sunrise Campground at Richard Bong State Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: At Elkhorn Campgrounds, RVers can find suitable sites for various sizes. "Campsite 65- Rita, the mgr/owner, returned call to assist in selecting a site. The outer lanes had shade, while our site was in the middle open area. Easy access to electric and/or water. If unsure, contact office," advises Dan W.
Power concerns: Electrical service varies widely between campgrounds. "We have a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday... Wasted about 30 hours of our trip over their electrical not being updated and they knew that," Rebecca C. warns about Rock Cut State Park. Carrying adapters and extension cords helps address potential hookup challenges.
Campground layout: Understanding the configuration helps with pet management. "The campground is set up nicely. Our site had the usual picnic table and a short walk to the restrooms and water. What we enjoyed the most was the variety of hiking trails. They aren't the longest but we were able to vary the route up to keep it fresh for our dog to sniff out her adventure," shares Art S. about Thomas Woods Campground.
