The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Tent Camping near Franksville, WI

7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates
    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Public lands surrounding Franksville, Wisconsin offer several tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking natural settings. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site stands out as a secluded backcountry tent camping destination, requiring a hike to reach the site. Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake in nearby Delavan provides dedicated tent campsites with lake views, while Melody Park Campground in Twin Lakes offers seasonal tent camping from May through mid-October. Little Turtle Lake and Purplehaze Acres, both within an hour's drive, provide additional tent-only camping options in the region.

    Tent campgrounds near Franksville vary in amenities and accessibility. KMSF Shelter 1 features primitive tent camping with basic facilities including a fire pit, picnic table, and outhouse. Campers should bring their own water as drinking water is not available at this free site. At Snug Harbor, tent sites are positioned on the upper terraced section with views overlooking the lake. These sites include access to clean bathrooms, showers, and drinking water. Most tent-only sites in the region permit fires where designated fire rings are provided, though campers should check current fire restrictions before arrival. Pet-friendly policies are common at most locations.

    Walk-in tent sites at KMSF Shelter 1 provide exceptional privacy and a true backcountry experience. According to a recent visitor, "It's very secluded for privacy" and requires "a decent walk and terrain to get to the site." The shelter offers an optional covered area for tent placement, with surrounding woods providing ample firewood for those willing to gather and split it themselves. At Snug Harbor, tent campers noted specific sites like Galapagos and Box Turtle offer elevated positions with lake views. One reviewer highlighted that "Snapper 4, 5, 6 and 7 would be nice for group camping because they are all very close to one another and a bit more private." The three-tiered design ensures most tent sites maintain scenic views despite being in a mixed-use campground.

    Connectivity Maps

    Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
    Map showing cell service coverage and campground pins
    Try Connectivity Maps

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Franksville (7)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Backpack Sites — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      5.0(2)30mi from Franksville3 sitesTents

      "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."

      from $23 / night

      Check Availability

      2. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site

      5.0(1)30mi from FranksvilleTents

      "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."

      Check Availability

      3. Melody Park Campground

      Be the first to review25mi from FranksvilleTents
      Check Availability

      4. Walk In Campsite & Shelters — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit

      Be the first to review31mi from Franksville1 siteTents

      from $21 / night

      Check Availability

      5. Kishwaukee Valley Farms

      Be the first to review41mi from FranksvilleTents, Glamping

      from $74 - $100 / night

      6. Little Turtle Lake

      Be the first to review49mi from Franksville5 sitesTents

      from $50 - $80 / night

      Check Availability

      7. Purplehaze Acres

      Be the first to review50mi from Franksville7 sitesTents

      from $40 - $160 / night

      Check Availability
    View all 7 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Franksville Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Tent Camping Reviews near Franksville, WI

    465 Reviews of 7 Franksville Campgrounds

    • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt Pro User
      May. 16, 2026

      Camp Reinberg

      A Forest Preserve Escape for the Whole Family

      From the moment we pulled into Camp Reinberg, our entire family felt something was unique and different about the peacefulness that you immediately encounter when arriving here to Camp Reinberg – it was the kind of quiet that settles over you long before the bags are unpacked, which felt remarkable considering how close this little retreat sits to suburban Palatine. This Forest Preserve of Cook County campground is modest in size with a mix of tent pads, a very small circuit of RV-friendly sites and several modern cabins that give it the feeling of a thoughtfully managed woodland outpost rather than a crowded complex. Amenities are simple but well-cared-for, including clean restrooms, hot showers, shaded picnic areas, a proper indoor camping kitchen and dining hall as well as a large open field for play complete with an enormous bonfire pit and BBQ grill area with direct access to the miles of hiking paths that wind through Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Our favorite moment came just before sunset when the boys darted between the oaks spotting chipmunks while we lingered at the picnic table with a thermos of hot cocoa, savoring the calm and popping in extra marshmallows for full effect. For families, this campground is genuinely recommended thanks to its safety, gentle trails and close-to-town convenience with the best site choice being either one of the tent pads along the wooded northeastern edge (sites#6-10) or the northernmost corner of the RV loop if you’re looking for a spot for your rig (#2-4), where the privacy and tree cover make the stay feel much more like a deep-forest escape.

    • Alicia V.The Dyrt Pro User
      May. 12, 2020

      Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      Well maintained and clean

      Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

      There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

      Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

    • Josh F.
      Dec. 3, 2020

      Hebron Campground

      Small, Tidy with Lots of Waterworks

      This is a relatively small, private campground mostly for RVs though there are some very nice sites that would be lovely for tents. There are a dozen tent sites that back up to a very charming river, each one has a picnic table and fire pit. The view of the river from these sites is lovely. Adding to the waterworks, there is a cute pond with a charming fountain in the center of the RV sites, and a nice horseshoes pit. There are a number of RV sites with full hookups. 

      I spoke with the owner and they did not have tent camping in 2020. They were worried about people in too close proximity in the restroom. In 2020 they only allowed RVs that had their own restroom facilities. The owner told me that maybe there will be tent camping in 2021.

    • Scott N.
      Jul. 14, 2020

      Thomas Woods Campground

      Great trails, loud neighbors, lots of bugs

      Thomas Woods campground has some great sites, particularly the tent sites. Many of them are set off a short distance from the parking area. I stayed at site 30 which was less than a tenth mile from the parking spot. There are no trash cans at the site, the dumpsite is near the entrance. Most of the roads are one way so after dropping the trash off you must drive all through the campground to get back to your site. The site itself had plenty of room and privacy. The woods are dense and block all views of the neighboring sites. Unfortunately, I think some people think if they can’t see you, you can’t hear them. Every site has a raised pad for a tent. This was very nice. I did track in some of the small gravel into the tent, though. It looks like kitty litter. Not a big deal. It was nice sleeping flat and not sliding off my sleep pad.

      Near Marengo Ridge is a bike trail called H.U.M. Trail. It is only 3.5 miles long. From what I understand is they lost funding for the project. The path is paved and offers a scenic forested view. The hiking trails of Marengo Ridge are the true stars of the area. I walked for almost two hours and still didn’t see them all. Some of the trails have wide paths of grass while others are single-track dirt. 

      As other reviewers have written, the mosquitoes are insane.  Bring plenty of bug spray!

      My website:  https://www.lost13.com/camping/2020/7/13/marengo-ridge

      My video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4TzLzf\_PY&t=1s

    • Meg
      Jun. 12, 2022

      Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      Good For families, a few downsides

      *** 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 as the ones closest to the main loop aren’t very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best.

      Pros- easy pull in sites and lots of walk-in availability. Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe. Also seemed pretty respectful in the evenings with people toning down the noise.

      Lots of electric sites, deep enough for 2 tents, 2 cars (although close to neighbors and no trees between sites), picnic table and fire pit.

      Bathroom shower houses were decent (we usually just have toddler use her travel potty, but this one was fine).

      Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks.

      Cons - 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, but they literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair.

      Also - 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.

    • Mel C.
      Jul. 9, 2019

      Pike Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit

      Great lake and hiking

      We had a great time swimming and hiking At Pike Lake State Park. There is a nice observation tower with beautiful views of Holy Hill. The beach is large and there is a designated area for dogs, which we loved. Our campsite was large and grassy and had good privacy. The only issue we had was that our site was in a divot and had lots of low spots and therefore flooded badly, like 3 inches in our tent bad. Overall great camping, just watch for low sites in the non-electric area.

    • Josh F.
      Sep. 25, 2020

      Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake

      RV campground with lake access

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

      This is primarily an RV/mobile home campground, but there are some nicely tucked away tent camp sites that I'll recommend later in this review. Gravel roads connect the three loops and the landscaping is well kept and maintained. The campground sells ice, firewood and rents boats.

      There is a very clean bathroom and bathhouse, freshwater for campers, and some electric tent campsites. 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 (and the RVs). 

      The Galapagos tent campsite is elevated and a short distance from the loop road, and has a nice view of the lake. The Box Turtle site is also a bit elevated above the main driveway as is Snapper 7, though I am not sure where you are supposed to put your tent in that site.

      Now, Snapper 4, 5,6 and 7 would be nice for group camping because they are all very close to one another and a bit more private, set away from the rest of the campsites. There are lots of electrical sites for campers and RVs, most of which look like they are quite permanently in place.

    • R
      Jun. 29, 2022

      Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      Nice little get away

      Large sites with plenty of room to spread out. Plenty of birds and other wildlife for the kids to see. No alcohol is allowed so it made for a great family weekend. Short walk to bathhouse. Pit toilet for emergencies.

    • Robert K.
      Mar. 21, 2018

      Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      Cold night, but a pleasant park

      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). It was a very nice campsite that I stayed at. The grounds were quiet, however there were only a handful of people staying there at the time. The sites look to have enough space between the to make you feel a little more spread out and not sitting on top of each other. It got cold (cloudless late winter nights in Wisconsin can do that), but nothing you can’t prepare for. The proximity to the Ice Age Trail is a bonus, because it made for an easy activity without much fuss. Will visit again when warmer.

    Guide to Franksville

    Tent campsites near Franksville, Wisconsin range from secluded backwoods experiences to lakefront settings across southeastern Wisconsin. The region sits within the Northern Lake Country geographic area, characterized by glacial terrain and numerous small lakes. Camping season typically runs from May through October, with summer temperatures averaging between 70-85°F during peak camping months.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: At Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake, campers can enjoy fishing directly from the property. One visitor mentioned, "They also have tent sites. This season there will be new owners so I hope they keep some of the annual activities."

    Lake recreation: The area's small lakes provide calm waters for kayaking and swimming. A camper at Snug Harbor noted, "The campground sells ice, firewood and rents boats." Boat rentals eliminate the need to transport personal watercraft.

    Nature hiking: Walking trails around Little Turtle Lake connect tent sites to wooded areas. The five tent-only sites provide direct trail access for day hiking options through woodland terrain common to southeastern Wisconsin.

    What campers like

    Tiered camping layouts: The design at Snug Harbor Inn Campground creates excellent views from most sites. A camper praised this feature: "Nice three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views. Has a pub/restaurant with good food. Lots to do!"

    Quiet weekends: Despite full capacity during peak periods, several campgrounds maintain peaceful atmospheres. One Snug Harbor visitor reported, "Great campground. Full weekend but very quiet and relaxing. Staff very nice."

    On-site amenities: Access to clean facilities matters to tent campers without personal setups. A reviewer observed Snug Harbor's offerings: "There is a very clean bathroom and bathhouse, freshwater for campers, and some electric tent campsites."

    What you should know

    Weather considerations: Sudden storms can impact camping experiences. One camper at Snug Harbor shared, "Will come back again, hopefully no rain next time!" Summer thunderstorms are common in southeastern Wisconsin, typically passing through quickly.

    Insect management: Watch for stinging insects when setting up camp. A visitor noted, "My husband got stung twice when we went to plug-in our electric. But the staff came out immediately to spray and remove the nest."

    Site terrain variations: Campsite access at KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site requires physical exertion. A backpacker described, "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."

    Tips for camping with families

    Group site selection: For families camping together, certain areas offer better accommodations. A camper observed at Snug Harbor, "Snapper 4, 5,6 and 7 would be nice for group camping because they are all very close to one another and a bit more private, set away from the rest of the campsites."

    Outhouse considerations: Facilities at primitive sites may not be family-friendly. A KMSF Shelter 1 visitor cautioned, "There is an outhouse, but I wouldn't recommend using it." Families should prepare accordingly with portable options.

    Firewood collection: Teaching children woodcraft skills works well at backcountry sites. A KMSF Shelter 1 camper shared, "There is a fire pit, but we found our own wood around the site. (Bring a small axe)." Supervised wood gathering becomes both practical necessity and educational opportunity.

    Tips from RVers

    RV parking assistance: First-time RVers appreciate help with site navigation. One Snug Harbor camper reported, "Staff was great, helped me back in. Nice Bar/Restaurant on site. Met 2 nice couples which helped with any questions."

    Campground proximity to town: Locations near Franksville provide access to forgotten supplies. A camper at Purplehaze Acres appreciated "the design of 3 levels so everyone gets a view. Nice place in the country but close enough to town to grab all those things we forgot, Like coffee and cups."

    Elevated sites for larger units: RV campers should request specific locations for optimal experience. A visitor noted about Snug Harbor, "The Galapagos tent campsite is elevated and a short distance from the loop road, and has a nice view of the lake. The Box Turtle site is also a bit elevated above the main driveway."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Franksville, WI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Franksville, 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 Franksville, WI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Franksville, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

    Keep Exploring

    2. View all Wisconsin cities for camping