Best Campgrounds near Janesville, WI

The Rock Cut State Park campground sits 30 miles south of Janesville, Wisconsin, while Milton KOA and Blackhawk Camping Resort are located within 10 miles of the city. These campgrounds offer various accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Several family-oriented campgrounds like Hickory Hills and Lakeland Camping Resort feature amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and access to lakes for fishing and boating activities. Mixed-use campgrounds supporting both tent and RV camping dominate the region.

Many campgrounds in the Janesville area operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with a few remaining open year-round. Reservations are highly recommended during summer months when facilities reach capacity. "Unless you knew of Hickory Hills Campground, you wouldn't happen across this site by luck or accident," noted one visitor about finding less-visible camping locations in the area. Road conditions are generally good, with most developed campgrounds accessible via paved roads. Weather conditions vary significantly between seasons, with humid summers and cold winters affecting camping comfort. Most campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities, though amenities vary widely between locations.

Campers frequently mention lake access as a primary attraction at several campgrounds. At Blackhawk Camping Resort, Clear Lake provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and boating, though swimming may be restricted in certain areas. Several visitors observed that campgrounds with lake views tend to fill first during peak season. While some campgrounds offer secluded, wooded sites providing privacy, others feature more open layouts with minimal separation between camping spots. A reviewer commented that "the campground was filled with plenty of people in the first camping loop" when describing site density at one location. Proximity to hiking trails, such as those at nearby state parks, adds recreational value to the camping experience in the region. Road noise can be an issue at campgrounds located near highways, with reviewers often noting this in their feedback about specific developed campgrounds.

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Best Camping Sites Near Janesville, Wisconsin (104)

    1. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "The hiking/biking trails are many miles long.  The fishing near t he dam is great and you can always find a spot near the edge of the lake.  Bring bug spray."

    "Rock cut is only about a 50 minute drive from the far burbs of Chicago. It’s situated a few miles outside of Rockford so if you’re into exploring old industrial river towns, this is a nice one."

    2. Milton-Madison SE KOA

    17 Reviews
    Edgerton, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 868-4141

    "No enclosed dog park but plenty of area to walk your dog!"

    "Driving around, I really don't think there's a bad spot here.

    The staff is fantastic, friendly, and accommodating- as are the seasonal campers.

    We'll be back again...and again... and again!"

    3. Hickory Hills Campground

    12 Reviews
    Edgerton, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 884-6327

    $42 / night

    "Our site was nicely wooded and a decent size, but everyone was pretty close to each other.

    When we were there, the women's shower was freezing and the men's was almost uncomfortably hot."

    "Hidden from site, the entire grounds are completely surrounded by a very thick wall of tall trees that barricades this place from most of civilization."

    4. Blackhawk Camping Resort

    5 Reviews
    Milton, WI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    5. Lakeland Camping Resort

    6 Reviews
    Milton, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "We came to this area to do some genealogical work and needed to be situated between Madison and Beloit. Good location for that."

    6. Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Stoughton, WI
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 873-9695

    "Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."

    "We didn’t have much time to explore the campground but we did have a nice walk around the outer loop of sites. This is near the main highway and a nice place to camp."

    7. Crazy Horse Campground

    15 Reviews
    Evansville, WI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 897-2207

    "Being right in front of the jumping pillow people didn’t walk around. They would cut thru our site."

    "We made this trip mid-May during the Covid social distancing. The camp ground was on point with their preparedness. Check in was simply pull into your site or a brief stop at registration."

    8. Sugar River Forest Preserve

    10 Reviews
    Durand, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 877-6100

    "There are very tall trees around the entire campground giving you some respite from the sun and the heat.  The bath house is easily within walking distance from anywhere in the campground. "

    "Last time we camped in site 65, next to the path to the playground & walk-in site parking which was busy."

    10. Hononegah Forest Preserve

    7 Reviews
    Rockton, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 877-6100

    $11 - $31 / night

    "The bulk of the primitive campsites are located on the western side of the campground near the river’s edge, while those sites offering up electric and closer access to running water are located mostly"

    "Hike trail (path rather) was a great little scenic walk. Was going to upload some photos but the app wouldn't allow me to."

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Recent Reviews near Janesville, WI

778 Reviews of 104 Janesville 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.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • 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

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Spring on our site

    There was a spring on our site! We hiked in a bit to a wooded quiet site. The toilets were clean. The playground was great. We spent the day exploring our Swiss heritage in New Glarus.

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

    Astico County Park

    Artesian well

    We enjoyed the song of frogs and the artesian well.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Great Proximity

    It is a smaller state park camping wise. There is hiking and mountain bike trails available. With direct access to the Sugar River Trail and the town of New Glarus, it is a great location as an overnight stop or home base to explore.

  • 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.


Guide to Janesville

Camping near Janesville, Wisconsin, offers a mix of beautiful nature 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:

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during weekends. A visitor at Cox Hollow Campground noted, "The vibe here wasn’t for us. Various sites had music playing loud enough for us to hear."
  • Limited Water Access: Not all campgrounds have drinking water readily available. A camper at Rock Cut State Park Campground mentioned, "The only negative is no drinkable water."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground advised, "The way to get a site is through their website or calling."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Ottawa Lake Campground, which has parks and beaches. One reviewer said, "Family friendly (parks, beach, pet friendly)."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A camper at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Nice playground for kids."
  • Stay Close to Amenities: Select sites near bathrooms and showers for convenience. A visitor at White Pines Forest State Park Campground noted, "Perfect for camping with small children because the bathrooms are always close by."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Electrical Hookups: Make sure your site has the right electrical hookups. A camper at Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground said, "We booked an RV site but decided to camp."
  • Be Prepared for Slopes: Some sites may be sloped, making it tricky for RVs. A review for Blue Mound State Park Campground warned, "Many sites drop off steeply."
  • Plan for Waste Disposal: Know where the dump stations are located. A visitor at Cox Hollow Campground mentioned, "Water, garbage and recycling are available as well as a dump station."

Camping around Janesville, Wisconsin, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Janesville, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Janesville, WI is Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground with a 4-star rating from 81 reviews.