8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Pike Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest offers pet-friendly camping with designated areas for dogs. The campground features 32 unique wooded sites that accommodate tents and RVs, with sites spread apart to provide privacy despite limited ground cover. Dogs are permitted throughout the camping areas but must be leashed at all times. The park includes a designated dog swimming area separate from the main beach, providing water access specifically for pets. Campsite amenities include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to clean bathroom facilities with showers. The campground hosts are friendly and informative, ready to assist with pet-related questions. Sites at the beginning of the loop are on hillsides with leveled tent pads, while sites at the bottom of the loop are flatter but closer together.
Numerous hiking trails throughout the Pike Lake area welcome dogs on leash, including access to the Ice Age Trail that runs directly through the park's three remote backpacking sites. These trails vary in difficulty, making them suitable for different dog fitness levels. The astronomy trail provides an interesting hiking experience with educational elements, and the observation tower offers expansive views of the surrounding kettle moraine landscape. Campground proximity to Highway 60 and Slinger Speedway means occasional noise, particularly on Sunday race days when sounds can continue until around 10PM. The campground is located on the opposite side of the park from the lake, requiring a drive or bike ride to access the swimming areas. For pet owners needing supplies, Cabela's is located approximately 15 minutes away, providing easy access to any forgotten camping or pet essentials.
"North Kettle Moraine, Pike Lake Unit was an easy choice given it's proximity to the city- about 40 minutes."
"They have lake swimming,dog swimming area,many trails and tons of wildlife. Sites are pretty secluded too if u get the right one.Best yet!"
Available this weekend
from $21 - $39 / night
"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
"Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!"
Available this weekend
from $21 - $39 / night
"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 (?!))"
"Huge beach area, dog park, fishing as well. Shop to buy items you may need and absolutely wonderful place. Open all year round"
"Some have a beautiful view of lake. Some water fountains did not work, however sinks were always working. So many little trails all throughout the campsite."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $39 / 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."
from $25 - $80 / night
"Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking."
"Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that."
"No radios or pets allowed. I'm not sure about children!"
"I've stayed here twice, both times in August (of different years), both times in Loop 1 which is the quiet loop (no pets, no radios or other noise, 24 hours a day)."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $90 / night
"We loved just walking around the paths to and from the lake to our site."
"Wonderful and clean beaches and accessible areas for dogs. The sites are nicely sized and the firewood sales are decent and dry! The paved roads in the campground are nice for bike and rollerblading."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $21 - $39 / 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
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!
GuideSites are large, well-spaced, many shaded by wonderful large trees. The woods are very open with little understory, and much of the area facing the road is graveled, so you will still see your neighbors. So many hiking options - the Ice Age Trail connects to the campground only a few minutes walk away. Many hiking options, the walk to the Powder Hill Lookout tower is a must. Picnic area and waterfront are a short drive away. Bathrooms were clean and showers free, hot, and strong. Some traffic noise from highway nearby but quiet at night.
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.
TravelerIt’s a lot bigger than I expected it to be. Our site is great the bathrooms are well maintained. There’s plenty of things to do here. Getting wood is great and easy the only downside is paying $8 a bundle. Otherwise great campgrounds. Would definitely come back.
GuideWe camped on Site 9, which is at the front of the park near the entrance. The site was mostly level, with electric only hookups. If I had been here before I would have chosen a site tucked back farther to avoid some of the highway noise, but overall it was a good experience. We hiked a mile or two through the park, the bathhouse we used while on a walk was well supplied and clean with bathroom and shower combined, all unisex. We would stay here again if in the area.
Kettle Moraine State Forest contains several dog-friendly campgrounds near Hartford, Wisconsin within the distinctive glacial terrain. The forest features unique geological formations known as kettles (depressions) and moraines (hills) created during the last ice age. Camping areas range from 850 to 1,100 feet in elevation, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 55°F at night to 85°F during day.
Hike the Ice Age Trail: The Ice Age Trail runs directly through several campgrounds, providing varied hiking terrain. "Each of the 32 sites is unique in their own way. Some are large and flat perfect for a class A (#2 #4, #29 #31 is okay, but smaller), some incorporate the geography into the site," notes a reviewer at Pike Lake Campground.
Kayak on the lakes: Multiple lakes provide paddling opportunities without motorboat traffic. "Nice clean swimming and lots of hiking and biking options," mentions a visitor to Mauthe Lake Campground. Another camper adds, "We've been camping here for years and love the beautiful lake for swimming and watersports. No motor boats so nice and quiet."
Visit historical attractions: The region offers historical sites connected by trails. "Great clean sites and fishing. Many hiking trails. Historical attractions. Wisconsin does their parks and forests right," notes a reviewer about Mauthe Lake.
Play mini-golf: Some campgrounds feature recreational amenities beyond natural attractions. "The campground has alot of great amenities. Theirs a mini gulf course that we had alot of fun with," shares a camper who visited Harnischfeger County Park.
Private woodsy sites: Many campgrounds balance privacy with amenities. "The sites are well separated for privacy. Also, the shower house is perfect for an end of the day washing," writes a camper about Mauthe Lake. Similarly, a Ledge County Park visitor notes, "Pit toilets are available in the non electric area, but toilets/showers are available by the dump station. Two playgrounds, picnic areas, fabulous trails, and just beside the Horicon Marsh wildlife area."
Water access for pets: Dedicated pet swimming areas provide water enjoyment for dogs. At Naga-Waukee Park, a camper observed, "Dog friendly, even a dog swimming area. Group camping, open fields, numerous grills and picnic tables."
Varying terrain options: Campgrounds offer sites with different topography to match preferences. "We picked on of the three backpacking sites that are along the Ice Age Trail and away from the other traditional sites close to the lake. There are many trails, a observation tower with a view of Holy Hill and Pike Lake, and of course the Ice Age Scenic Trail," mentions a Pike Lake camper.
Geological features: The unique landscape creates distinctive camping experiences. "The park is very pretty. 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) one night," notes a Ledge Park visitor.
Shower facilities vary: Some locations charge for showers while others include them. At Menomonee Park, a visitor noted, "Pit toilets by the sites but a nice shower house with flush toilets about a 1/4 mile walk away."
Quiet hours enforcement differs: Campground policies and staff oversight varies significantly. "We were just looking for a site to stay overnight after a wedding we attended near by. The sites ver very close together, but the biggest complaint is the noise into the wee hours of the morning. What good are quiet hours if they are not enforced?" reports a Menomonee Park camper.
Water quality concerns: Some facilities have reported water issues. A Lake Lenwood visitor cautions, "The pay shower was horrible: the water smelled like rotten eggs. After getting home and taking two of the children to the doctor for an illness that was caught while in the campground, we found that the smell from the hot water in the showers was actually from bacteria in the water."
Reservation system complexities: Each park has distinct booking protocols. "If you book on the Playful Goose website you must specify how many nights, adults and tents per site. Without too many logistics, we ended up paying over $220 for a weekend JUST TO CAMP IN HORICON," warns a visitor to The Playful Goose Campground.
Lake activities: Multiple lakes provide swimming and boating options. "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids. Also the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July," shares a Mauthe Lake visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers abundant wildlife watching. At The Playful Goose Campground, a camper observed, "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."
Indoor recreation options: Some locations provide weather-independent activities. "They have a small store and an indoor pool which is nice with Wisconsin weather being unpredictable," notes a Playful Goose visitor.
Site selection for families: Choose appropriate campsites based on family needs. "Sites at the beginning of the loop are on hillsides with leveled tent pads, while sites at the bottom of the loop are flatter but closer together," advises a Pike Lake review.
Site dimensions vary significantly: Research specific site measurements before booking. "If I had to guess I think it was about a quarter mile hike to the site. There are a few back there but once there it feels secluded," notes a Pike Lake visitor about backpacking sites.
Electrical hookups limited: Many campgrounds offer few electric sites. "There is a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers. Generally, the inner ring is electric (except #23) and the outer ring is non-electric," advises a Pike Lake camper.
Pull-through availability: Some campgrounds have pull-through options for easier access. At Ledge Park, a camper recommends, "Site 20 is the ideal site in this campground it is the biggest it's on top of the hill private on three sides and has beautiful views it is a pull through site which makes it even better."
Dump station access: Plan for dump station locations and availability. At Ottawa Lake Campground, a visitor shares, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hartford, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hartford, WI is Pike Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hartford, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 92 dog-friendly camping locations near Hartford, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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