Campsites near Glendale, Wisconsin lie within the glacially-formed Kettle Moraine region characterized by small lakes, rolling hills, and distinctive terrain formed during the last ice age. The area sits at elevations ranging from 580 to 1,050 feet, with summer temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F during day and cooling to 50-65°F at night. Fall camping extends into late October with overnight temperatures that can drop into the 30s, requiring proper sleeping gear and insulation.
What to do
Hiking trails with lake views: At Pike Lake Campground, campers can access the Ice Age Trail directly from the remote sites. "There are many hiking trails of varying lengths, and all are very well maintained. They are even updating the path of the trails to help stop erosion on the hills, which is impressive if you are interested in conservation and natural resource management," notes one visitor. The campground features an observation tower offering panoramic views of Holy Hill and Pike Lake.
Swimming beaches with amenities: Mauthe Lake Campground offers a clean swimming area with a sandy beach where families can cool off during summer months. "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids. Also the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July," reports one camper. The swimming area has no motorized boats allowed, creating a quieter environment for swimmers and paddlers.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes provide fishing access within a short distance of campsites. According to visitors at Menomonee Park, the park offers "great park with swimming beach, trails, dog park, and archery range." Another adds, "The quarry and the beach area were great, and there were a ton of picnic spots overlooking the lake."
What campers like
Well-spaced, private sites: Harrington Beach State Park earns praise for its site layout. "Most of the sites are pretty secluded so if you enjoy your privacy I will love this place. Everything was clean and updated including the bathrooms," writes one reviewer. The campground features both electric and non-electric sites set among trees for natural screening between neighbors.
Clean facilities: Ottawa Lake Campground maintains high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. "The site was spacious and clean, complete with the basics (fire ring, flushing toilets, showers, drinking water). Shower house #2 was clean although a bit older (paint was peeling off the walls due to humidity) but the water pressure was fine and as hot as I needed it to be," notes a visitor. Many campgrounds in the area provide both vault toilets and shower buildings with flush toilets.
Natural settings close to urban areas: The short driving distance from Milwaukee appeals to weekend campers seeking quick getaways. "A beautiful campground that caters to families. 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," explains a visitor to Pinewoods Campground. Most sites in the area provide fire rings and picnic tables.
What you should know
Weekend reservations fill quickly: Most state park campgrounds in the region book up months in advance for summer weekends. For weekday camping or last-minute trips, Cliffside Park Campground provides flexibility: "The campground takes reservations 7 days out or drive up. We saw a lot of bigger rigs but so much space between sites it didn't feel like we were crowded."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations. "Mid to Late October is great Fall camping in Southern Wisconsin. Cool nights range from lower 30's to upper 40's. Day time temps can exceed 60," notes one visitor. Spring camping may involve muddy conditions as frost leaves the ground.
Noise levels vary by location: Sites closest to highways experience more road noise. At Pinewoods Campground, "The quiet Loop was a wonderful idea however, the campsite next to us was blasting music and at 11:30 pm someone randomly started playing a flute?" Consider site location carefully when booking, especially at Wisconsin State Fair RV Park where it's described as "really a parking lot for RV camping off an interstate. very loud and not family place but good for over night."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with swimming options: Kids appreciate cooling off during hot summer days, and several area campgrounds offer water access. At Muskego Park, "This place had it all. A spring fed pond for swimming and fishing. Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area." The park also features "a little sand area, and a small pier to jump off of."
Consider county parks for amenities: Menomonee Park provides family-friendly facilities beyond just camping. "The park has a lot of trails for hiking, biking and some horse trails. The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards," writes one visitor. Another adds, "Live nearby. We go there a lot over the summer. Fun park to ride bikes through. Many trails to walk or hike. The pond has a great beach for kids."
Pack for insects: Bug protection is essential, particularly in wooded areas and during evening hours. "Definitely make sure to bring your bug spray for this location!" advises a visitor to Pinewoods Campground. County parks like Muskego tend to have fewer mosquitoes in open, grassy campsites compared to heavily wooded state forest campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Limited full-hookup options: Most state park campgrounds offer electric only, with water available at central spigots. "All sites are the same having 50/30/20 amp electric, water, gravel pads, a grassy patio, picnic table, and a fire pit but no sewer," notes a Cliffside Park visitor. Each site has water but "in order to reach some of the spigots you would need more than a 50' water hose so choose your site with that in mind."
Milwaukee metro access: The Wisconsin State Fair RV Park serves as the primary full-service option within Milwaukee city limits. "Perfect campground for what it is! Big paved parking lot with full hookups. Very close to downtown, right off of interstate. Clean facilities. We were visiting family downtown and it was very convenient," reports a visitor. Another shares: "We stayed at State Fair RV Park in Milwaukee for two months while waiting to retire and work out bugs in our new RV. The park was all cement, it was clean and quiet."
Site selection matters: When booking RV sites, consider the specific needs of your rig. At Pike Lake, "Each of the 32 sites is unique in their own way. Some are large and flat perfect for a class A (#2 #4, #29 #31 is okay, but smaller), some incorporate the geography into the site (#23 & #17 - very much tent sites, #15 great for a small trailer, #7NE, #9NE). There is a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers."
