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Best Campgrounds near Hartford, WI

624 Reviews

The countryside surrounding Hartford, Wisconsin encompasses several established campgrounds throughout the Kettle Moraine State Forest system, with options ranging from developed sites to more rustic experiences. Pike Lake Campground in the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit provides wooded campsites with electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. Other nearby options include Mauthe Lake Campground in the northern unit and Ottawa Lake Campground in the southern unit, both offering tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. Most campgrounds in the region maintain picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails within the glacial landscape that defines the area.

Camping season generally runs from April through October at most established sites, with some facilities like Ottawa Lake Campground and Harnischfeger County Park remaining open year-round. Many locations require advance reservations through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources system, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. The glacial terrain creates a mix of wooded areas, lakes, and rolling hills with interconnected trail systems. Weather conditions vary significantly throughout the camping season, with mid-to-late October bringing cooler temperatures. As one camper noted, "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."

Campgrounds in the Kettle Moraine forest system receive consistently positive reviews for their natural settings and maintenance. Sites at Pike Lake feature varying degrees of privacy, with some positioned on hillsides offering more seclusion than others. The thick tree cover throughout many campgrounds provides ample shade and creates natural barriers between campsites. Several visitors highlight the recreational opportunities beyond camping, including swimming, fishing, and hiking the Ice Age Trail that winds through the region. A review of Mauthe Lake mentioned that "Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Central Wisconsin. This is one of my frequent visited campgrounds in the state given all the recreational trails for hiking and bicycling." Water access remains a popular feature, with multiple campgrounds situated near lakes suitable for fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating.

Map showing campgrounds near Hartford, WisconsinExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Hartford, Wisconsin (99)

    1. Pike Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit

    18 Reviews
    Slinger, WI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 670-3400

    "North Kettle Moraine, Pike Lake Unit was an easy choice given it's proximity to the city- about 40 minutes."

    "A last minute decision to camp for a night led my son and I to the often visited Pike Lake unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Its a beautiful park and within 30 minutes of our home."

    2. Mauthe Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit-Iansr

    43 Reviews
    Campbellsport, WI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 626-2116

    $18 - $28 / night

    "Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."

    "Mauthor Lake is a beautiful state park in Wisconsin. Good for biking, hiking, swimming and fishing. Sites are fairly wooded and private. Most of them seemed to be a decent size."

    3. Ledge County Park

    15 Reviews
    Horicon, WI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 387-5450

    "It is right next to the toilets/showers. The bathrooms were clean, the attendants were really nice, they borrowed us an extension cord so we could set up a bit further back."

    "Walking along the trails, you can see where it gets its name!  Lots of cool ledges and rock outcrops.  We saw a moderate amount of birds and heard a bunch of critters (owls, a fox (?!))"

    4. Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    38 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 594-6200

    "Site was spacious but very close to your neighbors. Lots to do in the area. Bathrooms and showers were clean. The beach was not clean and very hard to walk on, very rocky."

    "Made my first visit to Ottawa Lake on a mid-March weekend. The facilities were still under their winter setup (only vault toilet, no shower available, pay in an envelope)."

    5. Menomonee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    7 Reviews
    Menomonee Falls, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "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."

    "There are miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I’m sure I’m missing more."

    6. Harnischfeger County Park

    3 Reviews
    Ixonia, WI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 386-3700

    "Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking."

    "Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that."

    7. Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    22 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    25 miles
    +1 (262) 626-2116

    $18 - $30 / night

    "It is close to the Ice Age trail and the Scuppernong trail, and a short drive from Ottawa Lake.  Nearby is some excellent mountain biking in hilly terrain at the Emma Carlin and John Muir trails. "

    "Pinewoods Campground is part of the southern Kettle Morraine State Forest in Wisconsin. The campground is secluded and most sites are private and shaded."

    8. Naga-Waukee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    8 Reviews
    Delafield, WI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "Nestled in the heart of lake country (Waukesha County) and accessible from the Lake Country Trail and Ice Age Trail, this county park is perfect for those just passing through or families looking for a"

    "Very windy weekend but I imagine during the summer it’s a great spot to camp near their big beach and lake access."

    9. Lake Lenwood Beach and Campground

    5 Reviews
    West Bend, WI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 334-1335

    10. The Playful Goose Campground

    5 Reviews
    Horicon, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 485-4744

    "I really enjoyed the large lot we were on that backed up to a creek which you cannot hear or see but it is all forest behind you."

    "Nice trails within different areas of campground."

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Recent Camping Photos near Hartford, WI

225 Photos of 99 Hartford Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Hartford, WI

624 Reviews of 99 Hartford Campgrounds

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Close to "home" beautiful sites

    We've been full time RVers for 4 years and this is a beautiful campground close to "home". We stay here a couple of times each year for doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family and friends, and general relaxation.

  • J
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Fon du Lac County Waupun Park

    Peaceful wooded camping

    Quiet level throughout. Spots for a couple tents and a camper at each site. Disc golf and a small fishing area. Golf course right next-door so close you could walk to. Most of the sites were in a wooded area, which gives you some privacy. Only downfall for us was distance to the restroom as there’s only one so if you’re in the back of the campground, you gotta walk all the way upfront.

  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Waupun Park Campground

    Waupun County Park WI - Campground

    Family friendly campground, playgrounds, pickle ball court, showers, clean bathrooms, fire rings, shared water spigots & power at camp site. There is an outdoor pavilion for groups, firewood for sale at host. Lamp posts light camp road but not overwhelming. Nice shaded sites with mature white oak trees. Enjoyed and recommend if looking for full service campsite.

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Circle K Campground

    Horrid management, bad experience

    Management (owners Ed and Coleen) are two of the rudest people I have ever met, with Ed fabricating outrageous, completely inaccurate stories highlighting either his "heroics" (like when his personal fire truck he has was working people would call him before 911) but more often how he has been slighted because of other's inadequacies (local grocery store doesn't like him because "his campers buy all their food leaving none for the locals), and also falsities behind his rules (the U.S. Postmaster does not allow anyone else's packages/mail to be delivered to the campground).  They are completely intolerant of kids/teenagers (and, heresay from conversations with seasonal residents, special needs kids) - rules for use of the pool is that it is open after a certain time and if the air temp is above a certain level - we personally witnessed 3 young teens ask to get into the pool an hour after the pool should've been open and it was 5 degrees over Ed's stated temp, but no one else was using the pool and Ed turned them away - told them to swim in the cesspool... I mean, pond.

    Ed constantly creates new rules on a whim and is exceedingly selective (read: biased) for whom those rules are enforced. If you have a problem with the campsite (water, electricity, dead trees, ground hornets, you name it) - it is because YOU did something wrong, and if you disagree he will harass you to no end and may even kick you out. Some of the seasonal campers are nice, others (those "in" with the owners) are not. I would not recommend this campground to anyone unless/until it is under new ownership.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    Pros, cons, and Caution!

    PROS: large private sites with good space between them in a lovely wooded setting. Very nice hiking trails right from campground. Lake & pet swim area.

    CONS: no water, mosquitos. And… major CAUTION for RVs: there is an oak tree near entry with low branches and it took the AC off our friend’s fifth wheel. There is also a low hanging overpass and it took the roofs off TWO fifth wheels while we were staying there. Major damage on roof and internally - the RV had to be totaled and replaced. Terrible signage in park does not indicate height of bridge or warn about the oak tree. Our friends reported that the camp host said the park knows about these hazards but hasn’t taken care of them so she will “remind them” for their task list in November.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Astico County Park

    Artesian well

    We enjoyed the song of frogs and the artesian well.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Astico County Park

    Dark enough to see the Milky Way

    The sites are a decent size and well maintained. We easily backed in and leveled our pop up. The shower house is clean. The campground is busy this weekend, but was quite at dark. It was dark enough to see the Milky Way. The toilet is quite a walk, but they are adding more. There is a big playground at the top of the hill. On other trips we’ve enjoyed the swings nearer the river and the artesian wells. The hiking trails are nice and there is a restored rail bridge. We’ve also fished and rented kayaks on previous visits. There is a small cemetery at the top of the hill to explore and learn more about the people in the area.

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    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. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    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. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    The Playful Goose Campground

    Spacious lots, nice staff

    Indoor pool great for kids. Bath house was a bit dated but okay. Coin operated showers, 25 cent for several minutes. Pay attention to reservation online or call….they have multiple types of sites. We accidentally got one without sewer, but they have dump tank on property so no issue. They have fire pits on the sites as well as picnic tables. Nice trails within different areas of campground.

Guide to Hartford

Camping near Hartford, Wisconsin, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Climbing: High Cliff State Park Campground is a great spot for hiking with trails that offer stunning views of Lake Winnebago. One visitor mentioned, "There are great walking and hiking spots... the park is great for hiking and low elevation rock climbing."
  • Swimming and Beaches: Kohler-Andrae State Park has a beach area, although some reviews suggest it might not be the best for swimming. One camper noted, "The beach was not clean and very hard to walk on, very rocky."
  • Fishing and Boating: Mauthe Lake Campground is perfect for fishing and boating. A reviewer shared, "We spent most of our time fishing at Long Lake, which we liked much better."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Kohler-Andrae State Park said, "We found them to be consistently well maintained, clean, free showers... with dumpsters, recycling, and a dump station."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds, like High Cliff State Park Campground, offer spacious sites. One camper remarked, "I felt for a state park most of the sites were spacious."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Ottawa Lake Campground are great for families. A reviewer mentioned, "Family friendly (parks, beach, pet friendly)."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Kettle Moraine North - Mauthe Lake noted, "I ended up leaving halfway through my second day because I just didn't want to deal with the noise and traffic."
  • Reservations: It's a good idea to make reservations in advance, especially during busy times. One visitor at Lake Kegonsa State Park mentioned, "We didn’t have enough service for the website so we talked with a helpful agent."
  • Wildlife: Be aware of wildlife in the area. A camper at Pinewoods Campground shared, "There was a posting about black bear sightings in the area."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly campgrounds like Kohler-Andrae State Park, which has amenities for kids. A reviewer said, "There are nice trails around the campground, and some of them even allow dogs."
  • Plan Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. One family at Big Foot Beach State Park enjoyed the playground, saying, "Nice playground for kids. Volleyball nets."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A camper at Harrington Beach State Park mentioned, "Cheap bundle yourself firewood," which is great for evening campfire snacks.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the campsite. A visitor at Kettle Moraine North - Mauthe Lake noted, "The full electric sites here are pretty small and tightly packed."
  • Use Amenities: Take advantage of amenities like laundry facilities. A camper at Kohler-Andrae State Park appreciated, "There’s also laundry here, such a nice perk for full-timers like us!"
  • Plan for Power Needs: If you need electricity, book a site with hookups. A reviewer at Lake Kegonsa State Park mentioned, "We had a canopy over the picnic table... nice fire ring."

Camping near Hartford, WI, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Hartford, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hartford, WI is Pike Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.

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