Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine region offers RV sites near Glendale, Wisconsin with varying terrain from prairie settings to wooded pine forests. Campsites in this region sit at elevations between 800-1,000 feet above sea level, creating diverse camping experiences within a 30-mile radius. Most campgrounds in the area experience a shortened camping season with peak visitation between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
What to do
Hiking on Ice Age Trail: Pike Lake Campground connects directly to the historic Ice Age Trail with backpacking sites situated along the route. "Our campsite was very large, fully shaded, and included a picnic table and a fire ring. There was also a port-a-potty nearby, central to the three backpacking sites," notes one visitor to Pike Lake Campground.
Beach swimming: At Muskego Park, visitors enjoy a spring-fed pond for swimming during summer months. "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," writes a camper at Muskego Park.
Quarry exploration: Harrington Beach State Park features unique quarry hiking trails with historical markers. "The quarry and the beach area were great, and there were a ton of picnic spots overlooking the lake," shares a visitor who stayed at one of the walk-in sites.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Pinewoods Campground offers secluded camping spaces with natural barriers. "The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion," explains a camper at Pinewoods Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Cliffside Park Campground receives praise for its clean amenities. "Level sites with electric and water at each site. Well taken care of grounds. Nice bathrooms with clean showers," notes a visitor at Cliffside County Park.
Variety of camping styles: Naga-Waukee Park offers diverse camping options from wooded sites to more open areas. "There are very large group camping sites as well as a small number of family sites. The family sites are small - and there are only toilets available - but there is a main building down a steep hill to get to nicer facilities and showers," explains a visitor.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area require significant leveling equipment for RVs. At Harrington Beach State Park, the terrain can be particularly uneven in certain areas of the campground.
Seasonal fluctuations: Most campgrounds operate from April through mid-October with limited availability outside these months. "Stayed one night (Friday) and really enjoyed the location. We were in the quiet loop, Loop 1, which actually was very quiet," writes a camper about their early-season experience at Pinewoods.
Cell service variations: Connectivity changes dramatically between campgrounds. At Naga-Waukee Park, "We didn't get Verizon service in camp but occasionally found 1 or 2 bars of weak signal while hiking," reports one reviewer.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming areas: Muskego Park offers a family-friendly swimming pond with amenities. "Nice quiet place to take kids to swim. Beach is clean and there are trees for shade and grills to cook," shares a visitor.
Reserve sites away from highways: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. "This is a great place to experience nature near the cities. With the convenience of its location in mind, the entire grounds is surrounded by roads, highways and the constant hum of traffic," notes a Naga-Waukee Park camper.
Check for playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Harrington Beach State Park, families appreciate "Nice size site: 118. Lots of room to spread out. Grassy area for the kids to play."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup length: At Cliffside Park, water connections require planning. "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," advises an RVer.
Drive access variations: Pinewoods Campground has some tight turns for larger rigs. "There is a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers," warns a camper.
Electric-only limitations: Most RV sites near Glendale provide electric hookups without sewer connections. At Fairgrounds RV Park, a monthly visitor noted, "Most sites have water hook-up, restrooms, dump station," making longer stays possible with proper planning.
