The Wisconsin Kettle Moraine area near Lyons features glacial landforms created during the last ice age, with moraines, kettles, and lakes ranging in elevation from 800 to 1,200 feet. The camping area typically experiences warm summers around 80°F and cool nights, with fall temperatures dropping to 40-50°F. Winter camping options are limited, with most sites closing after October.
What to do
Hiking trails for all levels: Ottawa Lake Campground offers access to numerous hiking options. "I've been camping here 5 times this year already, we love hiking all the trails in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit," reports Mark D. The Scuppernong section of the Ice Age Trail is particularly notable for day hikes.
Lake activities beyond swimming: Big Foot Beach State Park Campground provides more than just beach access. "Great place to quickly get in and set up, easy access to all amenities. Good fishing ponds for the kids, and great hiking trails throughout the property," notes Brenton S. The park's smaller beach area sits close to Lake Geneva's main waters.
Seasonal events: Fall and winter camping offer special experiences at select campgrounds. Thomas Woods Campground has beautiful fall foliage. "We were camping here right in the middle of fall. The leaves were changing and our site was near the lake," shares Ken. Firewood is delivered directly to your site for $5 per bundle.
What campers like
Privacy variations between campgrounds: Turner Lake South offers more seclusion than nearby options. "We stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites," Brian O. notes. Fox den and Prairie view loops primarily feature primitive sites with good privacy.
Off-peak camping advantages: Visiting during weekdays significantly changes the experience. "The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," shares Tina about her stay at Honeysuckle Hollow. Many campgrounds are significantly quieter mid-week.
Proximity to urban amenities: Elkhorn Campgrounds provides camping with urban conveniences. "This is an small campground in the Walworth County fairgrounds. Not many frills but quiet and within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn," explains Charles S. The location serves as a good base for exploring local attractions while maintaining camping comforts.
What you should know
Campsite selection strategy: Choose sites carefully at each campground based on location and hookups. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," advises Debra M. about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Wildlife considerations: Prepare for abundant wildlife, especially ticks and raccoons. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns Meg. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Road noise varies by location: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise depending on site location. "The road noise is absolutely noticeable. It was incredibly loud when we drove through the loop closest to the highway and was significantly better even just one section over," Linda N. reports about Ottawa Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Fox Den Campground offers excellent water recreation. "There is a boat launch with rentals and a bunch of hiking trails closer to the entrance," notes Art S. Chain O'Lakes provides interconnected waterways perfect for family kayaking and fishing.
Playground access: Consider site proximity to play areas when booking with children. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms," Meg recommends. "Avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep."
Budget-friendly options: Look for less expensive alternatives to premium glamping. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," shares Addison G. about Turner Lake South.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric and water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "We have 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," Steve K. says about Ottawa Lake Campground, which offers year-round access.
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some locations. "Our site was downhill so that presented quite the challenge to level out," Steven P. mentions about Scenic Ridge Campground. Many sites require additional leveling equipment for comfortable RV setup.
Dump station logistics: Plan for potential wait times when using dump facilities. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," explains Tina.
