2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Ottawa Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit houses upscale glamping accommodations with comfortable beds, climate-controlled interiors, and private outdoor spaces. Located near Dousman, Wisconsin, about 35 miles from Hartford, these luxury canvas tents and safari-style accommodations feature electricity, premium bedding, and rustic-chic furnishings. Kohler-Andrae State Park also offers elevated glamping experiences with fully-furnished safari tents that include real beds with linens, electricity, and private decks overlooking Lake Michigan. Both locations provide glamping guests with access to modern shower facilities, drinking water, and dedicated fire pits with cooking grates. One guest shared, "The sites are spacious and most seem to have shade for at least part of the day. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit with a grill that folded in and out."
Glamping guests at these locations enjoy direct access to hiking trails, including the Ice Age Trail and Scuppernong Trail, plus water activities on Lake Michigan and Ottawa Lake. The Playful Goose Campground, another glamping option near Hartford, features an indoor pool particularly appealing for families with children. Visitors can explore the surrounding Kettle Moraine State Forest with its distinctive glacial landforms, spring-fed lakes, and diverse wildlife. During summer months, glamping accommodations at these locations book quickly, especially on weekends, with most sites available from April through October. A recent visitor mentioned, "The beach is great, open and lots of room to set up for the day either on the grass or sand. There are flush toilets at the beach and rentable pavilions."
"Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Ours had a grill the folded in and out, not sure if all have it."
"The campground is well kept with several bathrooms and showers. We have a 30ft travel trailer, and it was easy to maneuver around the campground."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $39 / night
"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."
"We stayed with a group of people here with no electricity but was able to use my generator during the day while camping in my pop-up. Hot shower, public lake to go kayaking in."
from $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."
from $25 - $80 / night
"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."
"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."
"Swimming lake was very warm and clean. Fishing was available. Very affordable canoe kayak rentals. Mini golf and a little store where if you need it they have it."
from $31 - $43 / night
"Some easy, limited elevation hikes around the campground, and a nice mix of pine trees/marsh/open space. Just a few minutes walk to Lake Michigan and a nice beach."
"Riding my bicycle laden with touring gear in the rain, I was quite wet by the time I arrived at the state park entrance."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $70 / night
"It’s extremely clean, kid and pet friendly, with lots of amenities. Staff is incredibly friendly! The only downside is that if you want visitors, there is a $5/visitor fee."
from $60 - $190 / night
"Very clean and friendly staff, the pool is meh as the hot tub was cold but the grounds were real nice. Big fire pits, they pick up your garbage. Lots of stuff for kids to do"
"They have everything from just electrical hook up to full hookup to drive through spots. The pool and bath house is very nice. You can rent a golf cart too."
"Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside. There is a fire pit, but we found our own wood around the site. (Bring a small axe)."
"We arrived after 5pm and were able to find out camp spot easily with the reservation email."
"Only stayed in group campsite but was conveniently located with lots of room, picnic tables, fire pit. We stayed there for the Ironman race. Great fun, nice people."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 - $50 / night
ScoutThis campground charges both a site reservation fee ($33 for a primitive mosquito infested tent site) AND an additional day use fee on top of that - a $16 fee on top of that! $49????? For a no hook up single tent site???? Of course the fees aren’t actually published anywhere so you have to reserve it to actually know what you’ll be paying. It’s nothing special so these fees aren’t actually warranted for this place. 👎
TravelerVery friendly and very clean. 1 swimming pond 2 fishing ponds volleyball courts and 2 off leash dog areas. Showers are free and they have a huge kid play area along with a seasonal swimming pool and hot tub.
ScoutWe have been seasonal campers for many years! When we first started, everyone was very nice and we always had a great time. Each years the rules change a bit which is common.The last three years have been horrible! We have had nothing but issues that I brought up to the staff many times. I have had the workers ask me if I was f***in stupid, people stealing stuff off our lot, telling our guest we don’t camp there( even tho they knew they were coming for my daughters birthday party), and much more. They are extremely Strict on the 5 mph. They will scream at you if they see Gravel dust as you drive. The campground is not well maintained. I wish things would not have ended the way it has. I’m happy we found a better family friendly campground to be at where my kids are not scared to be playing in our lot!
GuideFor a primitive campground, this was a nice-enough experience.
Pros:
- The sites we stayed in and the others that we noticed seemed sizeable and had nice tree-cover
- Having access to the Ice Age Trail was really neat
- Lake access nearby
Cons:
- On the continuum of vault toilet quality, these were on the less-desirable end. We joked about whether it was scarier to visit them when they were dark or when the lights were on. If you love having fly friends keep you company when nature calls, then these are the bathrooms for you! The bathrooms did get cleaned on Sunday morning, but this didn't help the situation very much.
- No showers
Traveler⭐ 1/5— Not a Family-Friendly Experience We have traveled by motorhome for many years and stayed at numerous KOA campgrounds. For many years ! Sadly, this is the first negative review we have ever written. Milton KOA is beautiful and clean, although the sites are somewhat crowded. Most staff members were polite and helpful. Unfortunately, the conduct of one employee was completely unacceptable. Our group included six families with children ages 3–18. This employee used profanity, including the“F-word,” toward the children and behaved in a verbally abusive and threatening manner. When one mother calmly tried to address the situation, the employee moved toward her aggressively, causing her to fear she might be struck, and shouted,“I’m sick and tired of this.” At approximately 9:45 p.m., the 18-year-olds in our group were ordered back to their campsite, even though they were simply walking around and were not being loud or disruptive. Adults were allowed to drink in the pool area, while our children were treated with hostility and disrespect just for being there. No food no drinks.No child or parent should experience profanity, intimidation, or threatening behavior from a campground employee. The campground may be enjoyable for adults traveling without children. However, based on what our six families experienced, we cannot recommend Milton KOA to families with children. We are submitting a formal complaint to KOA Corporate and requesting a thorough investigation. Also, wasp infestation beware if you have allergies .
TravelerWonderful family spirt. Great clean showers and bathroom. Pool. Large campstore with lots of amenities.
ScoutStaff is friendly and attentive. Well maintained sites. Definitely family friendly. Lots of kids. Nice pool and clubhouse. We will come back.
GuideOur friends have a permanent camper here so we joined them for the weekend. I’ve never experienced a place like this. It’s not what I would consider camping. It’s basically people’s second trailer park home. The frog pond that was turned into a swimming hole with ridiculous inflatables completely ruined the peaceful atmosphere in that area of the park. If you enjoy being surrounded by people, noise, and teens cruising in golf carts, you’ll love this place. We do have fun when we are with our friends here, but it is definitely not a typical peaceful camp.
TravelerThis is my second time camping here (June / July). This campground is the best of both worlds. By that, I mean there’s is peace and solitude, while also family fun activities for kids and adults. You can rent kayaks and canoes, for the lake. Fishing pier, nice size beach with the inflatable obstacle course. On the weekend they have activity’s on the beach such as sand castle building competitions, obstacle races and then they have beach bubbles. It’s is fun to watch all the little kids running around like little marshmallows.
The golf carts are all newer with long lasting batteries. The campsites have lots of tree shade. On our arrival, our site appears to be cleaned. Even our fire ring was cleaned out. Golf cart was there waiting for us fully charged. They bring firewood out to you when you buy it from the store. The store has a nice array of items such as food, ice cream, clothing, little toys an such. The mini golf course is new and some obstacles are made from an artist with recycled tires that are painted.
There is lots or grass at our campsite (mud too if you’re here when it rains). The roads are a VERY hard packed gravel that electrical scooters can ride on. So yes, electric scooters appear to be permitted here. Be careful tho as there are quite a few pot holes and dips.
There is a heated pool that goes to 9ft. A balloon launching area, jumping pillow and I’m sure others that I’m missing. By the store, they have picnic tables in shade with activities on each one with little blocks. Karaoke on the weekends. And if you like to socialize, you might run into the “booze cruise”. This is a group of seasonal people that ride their golf carts around playing music trying to get more people to join the ride. They’re entertaining to watch as they stop and start dancing like they’re 12yrs lol.
Great place to camp. Quiet when you want it, fun when you need it, great free WiFi, activities, shade, well maintained campground with staff that will literally help anyway they can if it’s within their power. Hope all this helps someone make their next camping trip as well as ours have been!
Kettle Moraine State Forest stretches across a 30-mile-long glacial landscape near Hartford, Wisconsin. This region's distinctive terrain features kettles (depressions formed by retreating glaciers) and moraines (ridges of glacial debris) creating unique camping environments. Winter temperatures in the area average 15-30°F while summer months typically range from 60-85°F, allowing for year-round access to most campgrounds with proper preparation.
Hiking on the Ice Age Trail: Access multiple trail segments directly from Ottawa Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest. "Scuppernong Springs was also a treat for the kiddos although I highly recommended planning for a solid 2 mile hike if you're with kids," notes one visitor who enjoyed the natural springs.
Kayaking and canoeing: Lazy Days Campground offers affordable equipment rentals for water activities. "Very affordable canoe kayak rentals. Mini golf and a little store where if you need it they have it," according to a camper who found multiple activities on-site.
Fishing in local waters: Several campgrounds offer fishing access, with Menomonee Park providing various options. One visitor mentioned it's "Great for fishing and hiking," while another noted the park has "miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range."
Swimming at maintained beaches: Most campgrounds with lake access maintain swimming areas during summer months. At Naga-Waukee Park, "The beach on the shores of Lake Nagawicka is well-groomed, clean, has a seasonal lifeguard and a playground within earshot."
Well-spaced campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy at Lake Kegonsa State Park, where visitors noted "large private sites with good space between them in a lovely wooded setting." Another reviewer mentioned, "Clean facilities, friendly staff, and great trails. No bugs!"
Clean shower facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Kohler-Andrae State Park, visitors appreciate that "Bathhouse very nice. Very nice nature center. Laundry facilities available. Beach very nice."
Winter camping options: Some locations remain open year-round. At Ottawa Lake Campground, one winter camper reported "No showers in winter but awesome," indicating the basic amenities remain available during colder months.
Indoor amenities for weather flexibility: Milton KOA offers indoor options when weather doesn't cooperate. "Bathrooms are fantastic and recently upgraded. Very nice playground, and pool area with hot tub. The pool area is well maintained with a waterfall feature," according to a satisfied visitor.
Reservation requirements: Most popular glamping close to Hartford, Wisconsin requires advance booking, especially for summer weekends. State park campgrounds like Ottawa Lake fill quickly during peak season (May-September).
Seasonal operating schedules: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Naga-Waukee Park's camping season runs "April 1st through November 4th" with varying bathroom options including "pit toilets to port-o-potties. Showers available at the Beach House."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be abundant in wooded areas, particularly after rainfall. "Bring bug spray," advised one visitor to Ottawa Lake Campground who found it "Nicely nestled in the kettle moraine but busy in the summer."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have nearby roads or train tracks. At Lake Kegonsa, "The park is somewhat close to the interstate and rural highway roads so there is some traffic noise but relatively quiet by night time. What was NOT quiet on Thursday night was the freight train that came through around midnight and then again at 2 am."
Indoor pool access: For families seeking glamping experiences near Hartford with rainy day options, The Playful Goose Campground offers an indoor pool. "Indoor pool great for kids. Bath house was a bit dated but okay. Coin operated showers, 25 cent for several minutes," notes a recent visitor.
Playground proximity: Select campsites near playground facilities for easier supervision. At Naga-Waukee Park, the beach area includes "a playground within earshot" of many campsites, making it convenient for parents to monitor children.
Weekend activity schedules: Several campgrounds offer organized activities, particularly on weekends. Milton KOA provides "hay rides, laser tag, pools, Gaga ball, and daily activities" during normal operations, though availability may vary seasonally.
Beach quality considerations: Sandy beaches are preferred by most families with children. At Kohler-Andrae State Park, visitors note the "Beach very nice. Large picnicking day area" making it suitable for extended beach days with children.
Site selection strategies: Choose sites carefully based on RV requirements. At Naga-Waukee Park, "A lot of the roads were paved and some were gravel but very well maintained" making navigation easier for larger rigs.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. At Milton KOA, visitors noted "all the sites are full hook up" with "pull through space was level and allowed staying hooked up to truck."
Seasonal site differences: Seasonal campsites often occupy premium locations. At The Playful Goose, one camper mentioned "We were situated where the seasonal campers are and near the edge of the campground. Then there is a farm field and I saw deer every day which was lovely."
Clearance warnings: Watch for low-hanging obstacles when driving large rigs. At Lake Kegonsa State Park, one visitor warned of "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Hartford, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Hartford, WI is Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Hartford, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 glamping camping locations near Hartford, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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