Southern Unit Horseriders Campground connects directly to 40 miles of bridle trails through the Kettle Moraine State Forest. These equestrian trails feature varied terrain crossing glacial hills and valleys with looped routes ranging from 2 to 15 miles. Most trails maintain a 10-foot width to accommodate side-by-side riding. The campground operates from April through November with a 10 p.m. noise curfew enforced during summer months. Campers without horses are welcome but must understand this is primarily an equestrian facility. Trail maps are posted at the campground entrance showing all connecting routes and their difficulty ratings. The area sees highest usage during June through September with many weekend events scheduled throughout the season.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Mauthe Lake Campground offers extensive hiking options through pine forests and around the lake shoreline. "You can walk over to an area that has hiking trails right out of the campsite. State park mountain biking trails are also close by, but you would need to drive to them," notes one visitor at Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
Fish at multiple lakes: The region offers several fishing opportunities within short drives of most campgrounds. At Kettle Moraine State Forest, "There's a lake with a swimming area if that's what you're looking for, not to mention a dock with great fishing. We saw a guy with a catfish the size of my forearm."
Play mini golf: Harnischfeger County Park provides unusual campground recreation options. "The campground has alot of great amenities. Theirs a mini gulf course that we had alot of fun with. Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that," explains Taylor C.
Kayak the Rock River: Located directly in Ixonia, Harnischfeger County Park offers water access for paddlers. "Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking," mentions Brittany R., highlighting the diverse activities available at this smaller park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Pinewoods Campground receives praise for its layout. "The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion," writes Kendal R., while another camper notes "The sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain. Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight."
Clean, modern facilities: Many horse campgrounds near Ixonia, Wisconsin maintain reliable amenities. One visitor to Kettle Moraine Southern Unit noted, "Spaces are not consistent, some very large and shaded and some smaller and crowded. Short trails in the park to hike. Stayed in many parks in WI."
Year-round availability: Unlike many regional campgrounds, some facilities maintain winter access. "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping. No host so buying wood is an issue, but pick a site on the edge and there is more than enough free. Bring a saw," advises Tim H. about Ottawa Lake Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Mauthe Lake Campground provides peaceful surroundings away from urban noise. "Big campsites. not too close to neighbors," comments one visitor, with another adding, "Nice quiet loop. The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping areas require advance booking, especially during summer months. At Menomonee Park, "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."
Bug protection: Wisconsin forests can host significant insect populations during warm months. "Definitely make sure to bring your bug spray for this location!" warns Amanda F. about Pinewoods Campground, while another camper at Kettle Moraine stated, "I think many of the locals know the bugs are bad and leave it for those of us from out of state to get eaten alive."
Trail access varies: Not all campgrounds provide direct access to trail systems. "We asked the ranger about hiking and she gave us a map to a trail system that connects to this campground between the group sites and loop 3. We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail," notes Art S. about Pinewoods.
Weather considerations: Spring camping may encounter wet conditions affecting site quality. "The sites are well separated for privacy. We could hear children playing but only saw them when they rode their bikes around the loop," explains a Pinewoods camper about site spacing.
Tips for camping with families
Opt for quieter loops: Lake Kegonsa State Park offers specialized camping areas. "We liked this site because it was on the 'quiet loop.' No radios or pets allowed. I'm not sure about children! The sites are fairly close together and the trees are sparse, but it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend over the 4th of July."
Check for playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated recreation areas. "Adjacent to the shower house was a nice wooded picnic area with playground equipment for the kids," reports a Lake Kegonsa visitor, while another notes, "The showers were clean and when we used them, available. There is a playground right next to them as well."
Bring bikes: Many campgrounds have paved roads suitable for children's bicycles. "Bringing bikes is a great idea for getting around to bathrooms/the camp store," suggests Amanda F. about Pinewoods Campground, adding valuable mobility for families with young children.
Look for swimming options: During summer, water access becomes important for families. A Kettle Moraine South camper mentions, "There's swimming, access to almost all of the hiking trails available in kettle Moraine, and all within walking distance of where you park your tent or vehicle."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Elkhorn Campgrounds offers varied site options for different rigs. "Campsite 65- Rita, the mgr/owner, returned call to assist in selecting a site. The outer lanes had shade, while our site was in the middle open area. Easy access to electric and/or water," reports Dan W.
Watch for low clearance: Some Wisconsin park entrances present challenges for tall vehicles. "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," warns Kathy L. at Lake Kegonsa State Park.
Electric options vary: Only certain sites offer power hookups at most parks. "All of the campsites were full so it was busy but we liked that each spot still felt separated by trees. We would recommend staying further from the road as there is some road noise but it didn't really bother us at all," notes Christie Z. at Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds provide sanitary dump facilities on site. One visitor to Harnischfeger County Park explained, "It's good for Rv and not much to do. Large space for RVs," highlighting the basic but functional nature of some facilities near Ixonia.
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