Camping spots near Greendale, Wisconsin are primarily concentrated within a 25-mile radius, with the majority offering seasonal operations from spring through fall. The area sits on glacial terrain with kettles, moraines, and eskers forming unique landscapes at elevations ranging from 580-900 feet. Winter camping options are limited with Wisconsin State Fair RV Park being the main year-round facility that can accommodate campers during colder months.
What to do
Hiking diverse trails: At Pinewoods Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest, campers can access trails directly from their sites. "There is a central shower building with vault toilets in the camping loops. We asked the ranger about hiking and she gave us a map to a trail system that connects to this campground between the group sites and loop 3. We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail," notes one visitor.
Swimming in spring-fed waters: Natural swimming areas provide relief during hot summer days. A camper at Muskego Park reports, "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 swimming beach is family-friendly with sandy areas for children.
Wildlife observation: The Richard Bong State Recreation Area offers excellent wildlife watching opportunities. "We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private," explains a visitor to Sunset Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites with utilities: Campsites with good separation and hookups are highly valued. At Cliffside Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "Level sites with electric and water at each site. Well taken care of grounds. Nice bathrooms with clean showers." Another reviewer notes, "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."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank highly in camper satisfaction. One camper at Menomonee Park mentioned, "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." However, some noted inconsistency: "Pit toilets and metros desperately need to be cleaned more often."
Natural settings close to urban areas: The ability to camp in wooded environments while remaining close to metropolitan amenities is appealing. "Each spot had a table, hookups and a fire pit. Bathrooms were super clean and showers are free. Very impressed and satisfied," reported one visitor to Cliffside Park. Another mentioned it was "About a mile hike to Lake Michigan but easy flat route-goes along community park thru a small neighborhood. Amazing view!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary: Some campgrounds have specific booking policies. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park uses an automated system that can be frustrating: "I received six emails between Mar-Jun indicating they switched my spot. I noticed they placed a lot of large fifth wheels in tiny back in spaces when plenty pull throughs were available. Wonky system."
Noise levels differ significantly: Wisconsin State Fair RV Park is convenient but noisy: "Really a parking lot for RV camping off an interstate, very loud and not family place but good for over night." Meanwhile, at Menomonee Park, a visitor complained: "The people across from us were playing music and being loud well past 1:00 am. Overall the park looks nice, but we would not recommend this place based on the noise after quiet hours."
Weather impacts: Summer heat and insects can affect comfort levels. One camper at Sunset Campground observed, "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go." They recommended bringing a "pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas designed for children. At Ottawa Lake Campground, "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" During summer months, the swimming beaches provide supervised swimming.
Themed weekends: Holiday and special event weekends offer additional entertainment. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Caledonia, "We booked a site here for Halloween and had a great time. My kids love Halloween Weekend camping at the various JellyStone Campgrounds. This location did not dissapoint." Another camper shared, "Great campground for families! Tons to do! Bathrooms/showers are good. Comfortable stay."
Multi-use recreation areas: Several parks offer diverse activities beyond camping. One visitor to Muskego Park mentioned, "The weekend we were there they had live music, food trucks and a beer garden. This was well away from the campsite areas so if you are just there for nature it didn't impede on that." Menomonee Park similarly offers "miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Access to complete utilities varies by location. At Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, a camper noted it's "Perfect for what it is! Big paved parking lot with full hookups. Very close to downtown, right off of interstate. Clean facilities." This makes it ideal for urban exploration rather than nature immersion.
Dumpsite access: Not all campgrounds with electric hookups provide sewer connections. A Cliffside Park visitor mentioned, "Well run county facility. Electric hookups, but no sewer hookup--dumpsite station available." Consider tank capacity for longer stays at campgrounds without sewer connections.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on length, shade, and privacy needs. "We had an electric only site on the far right and were backed up against a band of grass. Full hookup sites are all blacktop," noted one camper about Wisconsin State Fair RV Park. At Ottawa Lake Campground, "Not all sites here have electricity so be mindful of that while booking."
