Camping options near Glendale, Wisconsin expand beyond the glamping experiences already highlighted. The area sits within the Eastern Ridges and Lowlands geographic region where glacial activity formed the kettles and moraines that characterize the landscape. Winter temperatures typically drop to single digits, while summer highs reach the 80s with moderate humidity. Most campgrounds in the region open from April through October, with a few offering limited year-round options.
What to do
Lake activities: 10-foot swimming beach at Naga-Waukee Park provides recreational water access. "Nice place to relax," notes a visitor who adds the "beach is clean and there are trees for shade and grills to cook."
Hiking diverse terrain: Explore spring-fed waterways at Ottawa Lake Campground where one camper reported "hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest! Drank fresh spring water!" The unique glacial formations create varying difficulty levels across trail systems.
Winter recreation: Cold-weather camping options are limited but available. One visitor to Ottawa Lake noted, "No showers in winter but awesome," indicating basic facilities remain functional during colder months when many other campgrounds close completely.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple access points for anglers seeking various fish species. At Turner Lake South, the water clarity enhances the experience as "the water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by."
What campers like
Spacious natural sites: Wooded camping areas at Menomonee Park receive consistent praise for layout and size. "The sites are just about all wooded. Not huge but a good size for a country park. Most offer decent separation from your neighbor," according to one regular visitor.
Beach quality: Clean, well-maintained shorelines appeal to families with children. At Kohler-Andrae State Park, visitors appreciate "nice and clean beaches. Very well kept. Bathhouse very nice," which creates a more comfortable experience for extended stays.
Facility maintenance: Shower houses vary significantly between parks. One camper at Menomonee Park noted "pit toilets by the sites but a nice shower house with flush toilets about a 1/4 mile walk away," highlighting the importance of checking facility locations when booking.
Wildlife viewing: Diverse ecosystems support various animals. A visitor to Chain O' Lakes noted, "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 so far."
What you should know
Budget considerations: Pricing varies widely between parks. Jellystone received multiple mentions of being "overpriced" with one camper stating it's "very nice campground, it's clean. Very overpriced just for having a fancy pool."
Reservation timing: Weekend availability becomes extremely limited during summer months. At Chain O'Lakes, "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer... it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends."
Noise levels: Road sounds can be noticeable at some campgrounds. A visitor to Kettle Moraine mentioned, "The road noise is absolutely noticeable. It was incredibly loud when we drove through the loop closest to the highway and was significantly better even just one section over."
Site privacy: Varies significantly between loops within the same park. At Lazy Days, one camper observed it's "very open. Not a lot of shade," while sites at Turner Lake South were described as "circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent."
Tips for camping with families
Look beyond advertised amenities: Site layout matters as much as facilities for family comfort. At Big Foot Beach, one camper noted, "More of a yard style, open camping. No privacy. Lots of kids everywhere," which might appeal to families seeking social interaction.
Wildlife awareness: Nocturnal visitors require proper food storage. One parent camping with young children warned, "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Bug preparation: Tick prevention deserves special attention. A parent at Chain O'Lakes advised, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks... Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house."
Activity scheduling: Plan around peak usage times at water features. "The pond has a great beach for kids," notes a visitor to Menomonee Park, but another camper mentioned beach facilities "get very busy on the weekends!"
