Best Campgrounds near Horicon, WI

The Horicon area of southeastern Wisconsin features a mix of county parks and private campgrounds, with Ledge County Park and The Playful Goose Campground providing direct access to the renowned Horicon Marsh wildlife area. Camping options within 30 miles include several sites in the Kettle Moraine State Forest system, where glacial terrain creates diverse landscapes for outdoor recreation. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of hookups and amenities. Ledge County Park offers spacious sites with views of the marsh, while nearby Waupun Park Campground provides more wooded privacy. The region's camping landscape reflects Wisconsin's commitment to outdoor recreation with a mix of state, county, and private facilities.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences near Horicon. Most private campgrounds like The Playful Goose operate from May through October, while some county parks remain open year-round. Wisconsin's variable weather requires preparation, particularly for spring camping when sites can become waterlogged. As one camper noted about Ledge County Park: "After leaving a flooded, soggy Blue Mounds State Park we decided to see if we could get a site here... These sites were so spacious." Fall brings spectacular colors to the Kettle Moraine areas, with temperatures ranging from the lower 30s at night to 60s during the day. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and fall color season, with many campgrounds offering online booking systems.

Wildlife viewing opportunities rank among the top experiences mentioned by campers in the Horicon area. The Horicon Marsh, a 33,000-acre wetland, provides exceptional bird watching, particularly during migration seasons. Campers at The Playful Goose report: "Bird watching was abundant! Great overnight stay." Sites at Ledge County Park are praised for their proximity to nature trails and marsh views. The Kettle Moraine State Forest campgrounds, though slightly farther from Horicon, offer more secluded camping with access to the Ice Age Trail system. Facility quality varies across the region, with most campgrounds providing basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and restrooms. Several reviewers mention the clean facilities at county parks, though some note that older campgrounds may have dated infrastructure.

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Best Camping Sites Near Horicon, Wisconsin (117)

    1. Ledge County Park

    15 Reviews
    Horicon, WI
    3 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."

    "Great place to take in views of Horicon marsh. The trails and play ground. Just a awesome place to get out and relax "

    2. The Playful Goose Campground

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

    "Great sites along the Rock River, just a few minutes from the Horicon Marsh. We stayed with them before their official camping season opened so we missed the amenities."

    "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."

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

    18 Reviews
    Slinger, WI
    19 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."

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

    43 Reviews
    Campbellsport, WI
    26 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."

    5. Derge County Park

    5 Reviews
    Beaver Dam, WI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 887-0365

    "It right next to Beaver Lake. Witch is a great fishing lake. Or just to kayak. The boat launch is right across the park. There are not a lot of sites inside and out side bathroom with showers"

    "Several miles from highway. Place was quiet with large lots. Potable water and dump station available. Electric only on lots. Showers and restrooms available."

    6. Fairgrounds RV Park

    1 Review
    Beaver Dam, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 210-2085

    $30 - $45 / night

    "The site I'm at has plenty of space for them to run around my site without disturbing other campers. They have a camp host on site who is very helpful."

    7. Astico County Park

    8 Reviews
    Beaver Dam, WI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 623-5274

    $20 - $25 / night

    "Site had extra space around it, and we could canoe right from our site or use the boat launch by site 13."

    "My family and I enjoy the rural setting but its close proximity to several communities. With smaller children having resources available was nice."

    8. Waupun Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Waupun, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 960-4263

    "We enjoyed the fall colors and privacy for a long stop on our trip across the northern border."

    "We stayed there for a while very pretty and the people very friendly bring wood to your camp they have trails you can walk and county pool and golf course sites are good size we will return it's **close **"

    9. Wild Goose City Park

    1 Review
    Horicon, WI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 386-3705

    10. Harnischfeger County Park

    3 Reviews
    Ixonia, WI
    17 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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 117 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Horicon, WI

664 Reviews of 117 Horicon 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.

  • Abby T.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Pride of America Camping Resort

    Local Favorite

    We just purchased our fifth wheel last month, and a week after we took our first trip to POA. During that weekend, we booked our next trip for a full week. We loved the sites in the back (800s), amenities and the staff. We definitely plan to be back often!

  • 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.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Eureka Dam Campsites

    camping

    No showers 2 restrooms.. Owner is very nice!! Quiet shaded great place to relax maybe do some fishing...


Guide to Horicon

Camping near Horicon, Wisconsin, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Climbing: Explore the trails at High Cliff State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "High Cliff State Park is great for hiking and low elevation rock climbing." The scenic views along the Niagara Escarpment are a must-see.
  • Swimming: While some campgrounds have beaches, like Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park, the swimming areas might not be the best. A reviewer noted, "Even though there is a beach, it is not a very nice one and swimming there isn’t the best."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Kohler-Andrae State Park, you can enjoy fishing and boating. One camper shared, "There’s also a nice lake and a dock for fishing, which we loved!"

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Crowded Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground said, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."
  • Limited Privacy: Some sites are close together, which might not suit everyone. A camper at Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park mentioned, "Overall a pretty much wide open campground with virtually zero privacy."
  • Noise Levels: Expect some noise, especially near popular areas. A reviewer at Harrington Beach State Park Campground noted, "This was a louder campground. More of a party vibe than we really look for in state parks."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Wisconsin Dells KOA mentioned, "We had a 42 ft 5th wheel and with the help of an employee we were lucky to fit."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with good facilities. A reviewer at Kohler-Andrae State Park said, "There’s also laundry here, such a nice perk for full-timers like us!"
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Wisconsin Dells KOA noted, "Not very quiet, but not enough to make you mad."

Camping near Horicon, Wisconsin, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be prepared for the crowds and noise, and you'll have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping near Horicon Marsh?

Ledge County Park is one of the best options for camping near Horicon Marsh, offering great views of the marsh and multiple camping areas including group camping sites. Another excellent choice is The Playful Goose Campground, located just minutes from Horicon Marsh along the Rock River. For additional options within a short drive, consider Derge County Park near Beaver Dam or Wild Goose City Park near Juneau, both providing convenient access to the marsh and its renowned wildlife viewing opportunities.

What amenities does Horicon Campground offer?

Waupun Park Campground offers well-wooded, private sites with fire rings and picnic tables. The facilities include clean bathrooms, showers, a dump station, and fresh water access. For RV travelers, Fairgrounds RV Park provides drive-in access with water hookups, toilet facilities, and is big-rig friendly with reservable sites. Many campgrounds in the area maintain clean, updated facilities with attentive staff to ensure a comfortable stay while exploring the Horicon region.

What activities can I do while camping near Horicon?

The Horicon area offers abundant bird watching opportunities, particularly at Harrington Beach State Park Campground where you can enjoy Lake Michigan shoreline and secluded camping. Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails at Pike Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest, which features glacial terrain suitable for various skill levels. The region provides excellent wildlife viewing, nature photography, kayaking, canoeing in the marsh, fishing in nearby rivers, and exploring the Ice Age Trail segments. Seasonal activities include fall color viewing, spring migration watching, and winter cross-country skiing.