Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Menomonee Falls. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Whether you own a horse or are joining a tour group, equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
Mauthe Lake campground has 135 sites, including 51 electrical sites, one shower building with flush toilets in the 300 loop and several vault toilets throughout the campground. The campground is located within the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. The beach area has playground equipment. Food/drink concessions and kayak/canoe rentals are available seasonally. Campsites accessible to people with disabilities are also available. A sanitary dump station and recycling/garbage station are provided for registered campers. Mauthe Lake campground is open for camping year-round.
$18 - $28 / night
$18 - $30 / night
Located within the Villages of Menomonee Falls and Lannon, Menomonee Park is filled with a historical background from the stone quarrying period of 1880-1900. Historical remnants include an old stone crusher and the railroad spur from the quarry to the Bugline. The Park totals 464 acres of rolling field, high quality maple woods, cattail marsh, wetlands, and a 16 acre quarry lake. During your travels through the miles of trails, you may spot a warbler, thrushes or other songbirds. The rolling hills provide challenges to hikers, cross-country skiers and those on snowshoes.
Enjoy a bike ride along the historical Bugline Recreational Trail that was once the railroad that served Stone City. The 16-mile paved trail is a treasure for hikers, bikers and runners. A separated portion of the trail is set aside for equestrian use. Rent Stand Up Paddleboards and Canoes on site.
$25 - $80 / night
$28 / night
Harnischfeger Park (132 acres) is the largest Dodge County Park. The park is located in southeastern Dodge County along the Rock River in the Town of Lebanon about one mile west of the unincorporated community of Ashippun and eight miles east of Watertown. A variety of terrain, vegetation and facilities provide park visitors with a multitude of recreational opportunities in a scenic setting. The clubhouse and two open pavilions offer excellent places to hold group functions, such as family reunions, company picnics, graduation parties and weddings. Camping is available with ten sites and a group site. Active and passive recreation abound with several miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing trails, snowshoeing, sledding, fishing areas, mini-golf course, disc golf course, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, baseball field, playground and a canoe launch with canoe and kayak rentals available. An 800 foot boardwalk provides additional shoreline fishing, wildlife and wetland viewing opportunities.
Traveler
I live very close to this park and camp here often. It is a nice family type campground with a nice swimming beach and playground for children. There is only 1 bath house here and MANY pit toilets that are surprisingly clean and not real stinky. It is part of the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine and there are great hiking and biking trails as well as horse trails with a horse camp nearby. Every once in a while you can spot an eagle soaring around dinner time. There are sites very near the lake, but I prefer the ones up the hill. Mosquitos are present in the early summer and the breezes topside keep them at bay.
Legend
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. Fox den and Prairie view loops are nice as well with mostly primitive sites. Be aware that the map on www.ExloreMoreIL,com(where you make your reservations) doesn't show where the restrooms are. In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61. Facilities are clean and well lit. Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill. This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove, where you have access to the Fox River and Grass lake. This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood. To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border. This will put you on the Fox river with developments to the north(including a bar& grill) or to the south which is all nature. I think the distance by boat between the two launches is 4-5 miles, but I'm not sure, Halfway there you'll meet up with the Goldfinch trail which is the shortest loop and the most diverse in term of flora. There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground. Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season. We canoe, and both times we stayed there it was October, so I can't tell you how crowded, but the vast number of picnic areas must be there for a reason. An odd thing is that you can hear a Steam Train whistle quite often, this is from Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. We don't have kids so we went to Stade's Farm& Orchard(which is also large and kid friendly) because they have an orchard and vegetable market. One last thing, the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)
TravelerIt’s ok, tends to fill up with RVs from people living out of, than actually camping.. Raccoons In trees are pretty cute.. you can ride horses or rent a tiny boat.. Ammenities are basic.. The public come here to launch boats in the summer it’s sad to watch. Decent sized park for the area.
Legend
Driving on country roads to this campground, I drove past many many horse ranches. So it's no surprise that there is a dedicated campground for horseback riding in this state park.
Built for Large Gatherings
There are a number of COVID-era regulations that as of this writing are in place, see photos of the signs posted. This campground is clearly built for large groups to hang out together. There is a large shelter with picnic tables and very convenient roll-up sides that can be used to protect people during inclement weather. There is also a large grill that would be great for serving many, and a very nice fire pit with fixed seating for a large group.
Ammenities
There are also nice touches, such as a small stair-step for beginners or young people to mount their horse. And the campground has a little free library. There are electric and non-electric campsites, all seem to have a picnic table and fireplace. There are ample places to bridle horses and shared corrals every four or five campsites. There are also animal waste collection areas throughout the campground. There are several pit toilets throughout the campground, and one building with flush toilets and showers. It's a very nice and fairly new building.
Group Campsite
The group campsite has six sites and they are not pull through for trailers. There is a fire pit with fixed seating around it centrally-located in the group campsite. The group campsite does not have electric units.
And no surprise, there is easy access to horse trails throughout the state forest.
My Top Picks
There are several sites along one side of the park that are a little more secluded and in a pine forest. They have picnic tables and fire pits like the others, they include 409, 410, 411, 412, 413. There's also a series of pull-through sites that would make it easier for those who don't care to back trailers in or out of the site. These include electric sites 405, 404, 403, 402, and 401.
There's a nice couple of campsites at the end of one of the loops that affords a little bit of privacy, the only problem is they abut the main road and are a little noisy with car traffic. However, they are sweet sites. They include 427 and 428. Unfortunately, they camping here you would hear all of the car traffic while all the other campsites are much further away from the road.
Traveler
Such a great little place to escape to or visit if you're just passing through. Nothing crazy fancy but hook-ups and fire pits available if needed. Within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn, EAHS, and the horse areana. You might even be able to catch a show or two on site at the fair grounds, depending on the time of year.
Guide
I would say sites are average size for a county park. All sorts are mostly wooded and offer good shade. There are miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I’m sure I’m missing more. There are pit toilets by the sites but a nice shower house with flush toilets about a 1/4 mile walk away. We have camped there several times and plan on coming back.
GuideWe have been to Menomonee park several times. It is one of the kids favorites. The sites are just about all wooded. Not huge but a good size for a country park. Most offer decent separation from your neighbor. The Ranger will come by often with wood to buy. There are a few group sites separate from the family camping. Large but in wide open fields. The park has a lot of trails for hiking, biking and some horse trails. The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards.
ScoutThe state park is larger than expected with decent amenities (boat rentals, concessions, relatively clean pit toilets) and areas designated for trailer camping and tent camping.
We stayed in the Turner South Loop, one of the older tent camping loops, and the age definitely showed. Most of the sites on this loop are pretty worn, with not much privacy. We stayed in T10, but would consider T9 if we returned to this loop for a different reserved site. The prairie loop looked a bit newer with bigger, less worn sites. Both loops had grill pits that were well-maintained for fires and campfire cooking.
Trails were geared more towards horses and bikes, but there are plenty of walking paths, and we were able to find some hidden trails along the lake (read: unofficial). Overall, a place for relaxing and leisurely strolls and not hiking.
Guide
The Pinewoods Campground is an odd mix. The comfort station (ie flush toilets with sinks and baby changing station) and shower facility is well maintained and centrally located to the camp ground with nearby playground, field area, and a little free library. The bathrooms located closest to the campsites are pit toilets that are lit at night, toilet paper provided, and hand sanitizer. The individual campsites are good sized (some with electric hookup for RVs) with dirt/pine needle ground instead of gravel areas which are more comfortable for tents. The tall trees keep the area shaded and cool even on hot summer days. The shade limits ground growth which pro - limits mosquitoes, but con - leaves clear eye-lines from one site to the neighbors. Kettle Moraine Forest - South as a park area has miles of trails for hiking, biking, skiing, and horse back riding. But individual trail areas are spread miles apart and driving or biking between sites is often required.
Overall its a great area for families or inexperienced/unsure campers but if you're looking to get out into nature and away from civilization this isn't the place for you. Also if you are a family with young children then loop 1 (campsites 1-36) which is a 24hour quiet zone should not be your first choice.
GuideGreat clean sites and fishing. Many hiking trails. Historical attractions. Wisconsin does their parks and forests right.
Legend
Open tent sites and well designed riggings and beyond excellent, well-maintained trails, accommodations and hospitality. This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, so if you’re looking for this kind of experience, don’t pass it up. In one of the most lush forests in the SE corner of Wisconsin near Milwaukee.
ScoutPinewoods Campground is part of the southern Kettle Morraine State Forest in Wisconsin. The campground is secluded and most sites are private and shaded. The tree cover is thick so expect shade throughout most of the day. Many trees make for good hammock camping. Sites 1-36 are 24 hour quiet sites where no music is allowed. A close drive away is Ottowa Lake and many wonderful hiking trails throughout the state forest.
ScoutMauthor Lake is a beautiful state park in Wisconsin. Good for biking, hiking, swimming and fishing. Sites are fairly wooded and private. Most of them seemed to be a decent size. Electric hook-ups, but no water. You can fill up at the dump station but I recommend bringing drinking water. There is a general store just outside the park where you can rent row boats, kayaks and paddle boats. The beach is mostly shallow water great for little ones. Flush toilets and changing area nearby. Small concession stand and playground within eyesight of beach
LegendMauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin. This is one of my frequent visited campgrounds in the state given all the recreational trails for hiking and bicycling. The campground is clean and spread out. This campground offers some of the cleanest showers I have encountered on my camping trips. The Lake to Lake bike trail connects Long Lake Campground and Mauthe Lake Campground which is abut an 8 mile trip one way. This trail is a mix of paved, dirt, and gravel and travels through different landscape . There is a short hiking trail around Mauthe Lake that you should be able to complete in an hour at a average pace. The Ice Age Trail also runs through the park as part of its 1200 plus miles through the state. Ice cream and restaurants are close by, just follow the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, which takes you on a scenic rout through the North Kettle and Southern Kettle Moraine Forest. Be prepared for LOUD FROGS when attempting to sleep, if you can sleep through this noise the campground won't let you down.
ScoutWe stayed with a group of people here with no electricity but was able to use my generator during the day while camping in my pop-up. Hot shower, public lake to go kayaking in. Also they had bicycle rentals.
TravelerGreat park with swimming beach, trails, dog park, and archery range. Campsites were ok, not much separation or privacy at all. Pit toilets and metros desperately need to be cleaned more often. We had very noisy neighbors that did not respect the quiet hours rule and park staff did nothing to intervene. Very convenient that they drive through the Campground to sell/deliver firewood tho. I'd stay here again because the park overall is great, but I would try to choose a better site. #9 looked alright, and in the 20#s looked a bit more tree lined and bigger.
ScoutWe 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. What good are quiet hours if they are not enforced? The people across from us were playing music and being loud well past 1:00 am. Overall the park looks nice, but we would not recommend this place based on the noise after quiet hours.
GuideLive nearby. We go there a lot over the summer. Fun park to ride bikes through. Many trails to walk or hike. The pond has a great beach for kids.
GuideGreat for fishing and hiking
GuideI've stayed here twice, both times in August (of different years), both times in Loop 1 which is the quiet loop (no pets, no radios or other noise, 24 hours a day). There are a few walk-in sites (site 16 isn't a very far walk), but most are drive-in. Most sites have hammock-able trees and are quite shady. Pit toilets are available in loop 1, otherwise you can walk to the other loop to have running water.
Note that check-in is at Ottawa Lake - I arrived too late for check-in to be open this year (not sure if it ever was due to the pandemic), but had no issues just going to the site I'd reserved online.
GuideI camped for two nights in Loop 1, site 21 (24-hour quiet enforced - no pets or speakers allowed). My site was pretty open, but still had nice shade and flat areas for my tent. I also hung a hammock and clothesline and had plenty of space to move about!
Five stars for the camp hosts -- so friendly and they keep the campground very clean! You can also get firewood and ice from the camp hosts, so extra points for convenience!
Hiking at Scuppernong and the Ice Age Trail are both accessible from the group camping area and/or near the showers, depending on which trails you are accessing.
Firepits were cleaned out daily, so no soggy ashes or smoky fires :)
You could hear a bit of road noise, especially motorcycles and heavy trucks, but nothing crazy. There are also several hike-to sites that are nice as well.
ScoutEach campsite was private with a good amount of space for tents. You can park right in your campsite which is really nice. There are also tons of hiking trails surrounding the campground like the Ice Age trail and Scuppernong Springs. Overall it was such a great getaway!
GuideStayed here one night in loop 1 (33). Camp sites are spread out. Facilities were in good condition for a state park in July. Showers were all working and had hot water. There's a playground for the kiddos. Trails to showers so you don't have to walk the long way on the roads. Every site was nice. Water in each loop available. Toilets in each loop. Trails connected to park.
ScoutGreat sites that are spread out, quiet loop is the way to go. Showers are really nice and hiking is beautiful with many trails.
TravelerThe site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion. The quiet Loop was a wonderful idea however, the campsite next to us was blasting music and at 11:30 pm someone randomly started playing a flute? The bathrooms were gross but the camp host was absolutely amazing and helped us with the noise problem and jumped our car so we'd probably stay here again even though it was a really weird trip haha
GuideCamped here twice - the first time was just one night in early July 2017 when we were backpacking on the Ice Age Trail. 3 of us were newbies and wanted a comfortable/safe place to stay for the night. Since we were new to the area (and backpacking), we completely missed the check-in area, which is located at a different camgrounds… when you're hiking with a 25lb pack, there was no back-tracking! We decided to skip the check-in and just hoped they didn't give away our previously-reserved spot. Pit toilets were fine, and the flush toilets and showers were clean.
Second time we stayed (early October 2017), we car camped and stayed for 2 nights. It was really cold and we blew through 4 bundles of firewood each day! Our site was close enough to the vault toilets and the flush toilets/showers weren't too far off. We hiked a little bit, but the trails were quite a hike from the campgrounds to begin with.
GuideCamp sites at Pinewoods are very generous in size and spaced far apart so you feel like the only ones there. Very quiet and peaceful. Sites are in the middle of a pine forest (as the name implies!) so you’re surrounded by tall trees. There is a small lake nearby: not much to look at but it’s good for kids to swim. Other than that, though, there’s not much else to do besides hiking.
Wisconsin offers a fantastic experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with a variety of campgrounds that cater specifically to equestrian needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Menomonee Falls, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Menomonee Falls, WI is Mauthe Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit-Iansr with a 4.4-star rating from 41 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Menomonee Falls, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Menomonee Falls, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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