Tent camping near Glenbeulah, Wisconsin offers numerous wooded sites within the glacial topography of eastern Wisconsin. The region features several group camping facilities along with smaller, more intimate campgrounds scattered throughout Ozaukee and Dodge counties. The camping season typically extends from spring through late fall, with most tent sites available on a reservation basis through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reservation system.
What to do
Bike the trails: Wild Goose City Park connects to the Wild Goose State Trail, providing tent campers with easy cycling access. "Wild Goose bike trail leads to this park in Juneau. It's a good place to stop and have a break. There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain. Plenty of space to spread out for a picnic when you're biking through," notes reviewer Kim L. of Wild Goose City Park.
River activities: Tent camping options near Fredonia provide access to river recreation. "A nice little campground near the river in Fredonia, WI. The campsites are inexpensive and comfortable, though there aren't as many amenities that a larger campground would have," says Kevin S. about Waubedonia County Park.
Group gatherings: The Greenbush area specializes in accommodating large group tent setups within spacious camping areas. Greenbush Group Campground offers extensive sites suitable for organization or family reunions with grassy sites surrounded by trees for both ground tents and hammock camping.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Tent campers appreciate the generous sizing of group sites in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Amber R. from Greenbush Group Campground reports, "Large sites great for groups. Sites 2 and 9 are the largest. Those can each fit over 20 backpacking tents at the same time. Grassy sites surrounded by trees (plenty for hammocks too)."
Accessibility from urban areas: The proximity to Milwaukee makes tent camping near Glenbeulah convenient for weekend getaways. Hilary S. notes about Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp, "We booked this for a coronavirus-safe camping trip, and it did not disappoint. Water is usually available, but more limited during the pandemic."
Basic amenities: While facilities are minimal at many sites, campers appreciate the essential amenities provided. Most locations offer drinking water access points and toilet facilities, with tent sites typically featuring level, grassy surfaces suitable for comfortable tent placement.
What you should know
Site privacy considerations: While tent sites often have visual separation, sound travels between campsites. According to Hilary S. at Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp, "The nine sites are visually separated, but not far enough away from each other to block louder noise - we could hear loud music from the site 4 late into the night."
Water access varies: Water availability differs across campgrounds in the region. Some locations have spigots near individual sites while others require walking to central water stations. During certain periods, water access may be further restricted to main entrances or parking areas.
Small campgrounds available: For campers seeking more intimate tent camping settings, smaller facilities like Little Turtle Lake offer just 5 tent sites, providing a more secluded experience than the larger group campgrounds in the area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When tent camping with children, locations like Wild Goose City Park offer playground facilities that can keep younger campers entertained. The park provides open spaces for recreation alongside basic facilities.
Walk-in options for older kids: Purplehaze Acres offers both drive-in and walk-in tent camping options, making it suitable for families with older children who can help carry gear to more secluded sites. With 9 tent sites available, advance reservations are recommended during peak season.
Pit toilet consideration: Most tent camping facilities in the area utilize pit toilets rather than flush facilities. Families with younger children should prepare accordingly with hand sanitizer and consider bringing portable toilet seats for smaller campers.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: While tent camping dominates the Glenbeulah area, some locations do accommodate small RVs. Waubedonia County Park offers electric hookups and water connections suitable for modest recreational vehicles, though without dump stations or other specialized RV facilities.
Consider tent camping instead: The glacial terrain and wooded settings of the Kettle Moraine area generally favor tent camping over RV use. Most sites feature limited vehicle access and grassy surfaces that may become problematic for heavier vehicles during wet conditions.