Camping options near Kenosha, Wisconsin range from heavily wooded sites to open paved lots, with most campgrounds located within 30 miles of the city. Regional temperatures fluctuate dramatically between seasons, with summer highs reaching 85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Camping availability typically runs April through October, with weekend reservations recommended at least two weeks in advance for summer months.
What to do
Swimming access: Chain O' Lakes State Park features multiple options for water activities. "There is a bait shop and place to rent both a paddle boat and one with a small motor. The fox river runs through the park as well," notes a visitor to Mud Lake East.
Hiking trails: Explore wooded trails at Naga-Waukee Park, which offers multiple trail systems connecting to larger networks. "A very nice, woodsy campground. Feels like you are further north than you really are!" reports a camper. The park provides access to both the Lake Country Trail and Ice Age Trail systems.
ATV recreation: Richard Bong State Recreation Area provides designated areas for ATV enthusiasts. "We went for the ATV track. We took our bikes down by the pond and park. They have flush toilets and showers," explains a visitor to Sunrise Campground. The recreation area spans thousands of acres with designated areas for various motorized activities.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Bald eagle nesting areas can be observed at several lakeside campgrounds. "The bald eagles nests are also amazing. We had water and 50amp, with a black water dump once or twice a week at your RV's site," notes a camper at Grass Lake Marina.
Beach and lake access: Many campers appreciate waterfront options within reasonable distances. At Northwoods RV Resort, "They also have a very pretty river to fish. The pool is very clean and the staff helped us pick a better site upon arrival," according to a reviewer who visited in 2024.
Proximity to urban attractions: Wisconsin State Fair RV Park provides convenient access to Milwaukee attractions. "Perfect campground for what it is! Big paved parking lot with full hookups. Very close to downtown, right off of interstate. Clean facilities. We were visiting family downtown and it was very convenient," explains a reviewer who appreciated the urban camping option.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds are situated near active rail lines. At Northwoods RV Resort, "You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you're sharp, you're going to want to ensure you haven't booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours."
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities close for winter, with few year-round options. "Summer months May through April you do have to book 2 nights minimum. That was a little annoying as it already seemed high price of $60 per night," reports a camper at Wisconsin State Fair RV Park.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies widely across campgrounds. "Bathhouses need major upgrade and cleaning (seems neglected by the river sites)," notes one camper at Northwoods RV Resort, while another mentions "Bathroom/shower/laundry rooms were all very clean and well maintained" at a different location.
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Cliffside Park Campground offers multiple play areas for children. "This is a great campground for families. It has a playground as well as a baseball field," reports a visitor who found the campground suitable for shorter stays with kids.
Kid-friendly swimming: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas designed for children. "Nice quiet place to take kids to swim. Beach is clean and there are trees for shade and grills to cook," writes a visitor to Naga-Waukee Park, highlighting the family-friendly waterfront options.
Nature programs: Scheduled educational activities occur at several state-managed sites. "The Weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long," notes a camper at Sunrise Campground.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require careful selection for larger rigs. "It was a small plot of camp. It was noisy from kids. But it was a good time and easy to get to from Chicago," mentions a reviewer at Naga-Waukee Park, highlighting the accessibility but compact nature of some sites.
Urban camping options: NAVSTA Great Lakes RV Campground provides unique access for military-affiliated campers. "The location was right on the water so that was nice. The site had I would call it an out house. I did not see a bath house with showers. The out house only had a toilet, no sink for hand washing."
Quiet hours enforcement: RV parks typically enforce quiet times after 11 PM. At Northwoods RV Resort, "Not often, but sometimes music and loud noise can be heard well after quiet hours at 11pm," suggesting inconsistent enforcement at some locations.
