Tent camping near Kiel, Wisconsin centers around the Milwaukee River basin, with most sites situated within 30 miles of the city. The region features glacial topography with kettles, moraines, and drumlins that create varied camping terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity levels during July and August.
What to do
Bike the Wild Goose Trail: Wild Goose City Park connects directly to the regional bike trail system, offering miles of scenic riding. A visitor notes, "Wild Goose bike trail leads to this park in Juneau. It's a good place to stop and have a break. There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain. Plenty of space to spread out for a picnic when you're biking through."
Fish local waterways: Waubedonia County Park provides access to the Milwaukee River, where campers can fish for smallmouth bass and northern pike. The riverside location makes it convenient for anglers staying overnight.
Hike glacial formations: The Kettle Moraine area features unique glacial landforms with several hiking trails ranging from 1-8 miles in length. Most trails are moderate difficulty with some elevation changes due to the moraine topography.
What campers like
Spacious group sites: Greenbush Group Campground receives praise for its large camping areas. One camper reported, "Large sites great for groups. Sites 2 and 9 are the largest. Those can each fit over 20 backpacking tents at the same time. Grassy sites surrounded by trees (plenty for hammocks too)."
Easy Milwaukee access: Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp provides a convenient weekend getaway from Milwaukee. As one visitor explained, "We booked this for a coronavirus-safe camping trip, and it did not disappoint. Water is usually available, but more limited during the pandemic."
Affordable county park camping: The smaller county parks near Kiel offer budget-friendly tent camping options with basic amenities. A camper at Waubedonia described it as "A nice little campgeound near the river in Fredonia, WI. The campsites are inexpensive and comfortable."
What you should know
Water access varies seasonally: Water availability changes throughout the camping season at several sites. At Northern Unit Greenbush, a camper noted water limitations: "spigot turned off by our campsite, but available near the parking lot at the entrance - a longer walk."
Noise carries between sites: Despite visual barriers between campsites, sound travels easily in many Kiel area campgrounds. One camper at Northern Unit Greenbush reported, "The nine sites are visually separated, but not far enough away from each other to block louder noise - we could hear loud music from the site 4 late into the night."
Limited amenities at smaller sites: Little Turtle Lake and similar smaller campgrounds provide only basic facilities. Little Turtle Lake has only 5 sites with toilets but no drinking water, making it necessary to bring your own supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Park amenities for children: Wild Goose City Park offers additional facilities beyond camping. A visitor mentioned, "There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain. Plenty of space to spread out for a picnic when you're biking through."
Consider site capacity: When tent camping with family groups, check site limitations. At Purplehaze Acres, the 9 available sites vary in size, with some better suited for multiple tents than others.
Bathroom accessibility: For families with young children, consider proximity to toilet facilities. Greenbush campsites require "Short walk to pit toilets and drinking water," which might be challenging for nighttime bathroom trips with small children.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Kiel have few RV amenities. Waubedonia County Park is one exception, offering electric hookups and water access for RVs and tent campers alike.
Consider size restrictions: The campgrounds near Kiel generally accommodate smaller RVs only. None of the tent camping areas are listed as big-rig friendly, making them better suited for pop-ups or small trailers under 25 feet.
Walk-in tent options: For tent campers seeking separation from RV areas, Purplehaze Acres offers walk-in tent sites that provide more privacy and a more rustic camping experience away from hookup areas.
