Visitors to southeastern Wisconsin enjoy cabin and glamping options within 30-50 miles of Greendale. The area features rolling glacial terrain with kettle formations, drumlins, and moraines formed during the last ice age. Winter temperatures regularly drop below 10°F while summer highs reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity, creating distinct camping seasons.
What to do
Lake activities with rentals: At Ottawa Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest, visitors can swim in a clean lake or paddle around to explore. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" notes camper Neysha R. about Ottawa Lake Campground.
Seasonal events: Winter camping offers unique experiences at Chain O'Lakes State Park. "We go at least once a year to see the Christmas lights. A great little after work trip on a Friday to cure the kiddos cabin fever a bit," explains Darren L. about the seasonal light displays at Jellystone Park.
Fishing options: Multiple lakes and ponds provide fishing opportunities throughout the region. "The pond has a great beach for kids," shares Kyle B. about Menomonee Park, adding that many trails are available for walking or hiking through the wooded areas.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Turner Lake South camping area offers secluded spots surrounded by trees. "The campsites are kinda small but not on top of each other. The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in," reports Julia B. about Turner Lake South.
Winter accessibility: Some campgrounds remain open during colder months. "No showers in winter but awesome," says David H. about winter camping at Ottawa Lake Campground, making it one of the few options available for off-season glamping near Greendale, Wisconsin.
Proximity to attractions: Campers appreciate locations that allow easy access to nearby towns and activities. "Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups," reports one camper about the camping areas at Chain O'Lakes State Park.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Bathroom quality and cleanliness fluctuate between campgrounds. At Elkhorn Campgrounds, "Site, restrooms, and showers were clean. There are a lot of sites but still felt like there was ample space," according to Dan W.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for wildlife, especially at night. "We had some raccoons at night even after we locked up everything in the car," warns Julia B. about Turner Lake South camping area.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise. "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," explains Linda N. about sites at Ottawa Lake.
Reservation timing: Popular weekends fill quickly. "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. While these sites are usually slated for walk-ups on the weekends, it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites," advises Marisa A.
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Choose campgrounds with clean swimming options. "The beach and lake was incredibly clean (they had a triathlon there we weekend we stayed). Scuppernong Springs was also a treat for the kiddos," reports Linda N.
Activity variety: Fox Den Campground offers multiple recreation choices. "There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding. We did a nice short hike in area," shares Michelle M.
Avoid holiday weekends: For quieter family glamping near Greendale, Wisconsin, schedule midweek stays. "We were there during the week and had the place to ourselves," mentions Aida K. about Fox Den Campground.
Fire pit setups: Family-friendly sites typically include cooking options. "All the campsites have raised firepits and a picnic table," notes Marisa A., making meal preparation easier with children.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup placement: Check the exact location of hookups before booking. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad," warns Debra M. about Honeysuckle Hollow, recommending "sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance."
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," cautions Tina about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Level pad locations: Select sites with level parking. "Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on," reports Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow, noting this is especially important for larger RVs.
