Camping opportunities abound within 30 miles of Mequon, Wisconsin, across several county and state parks. The area sits on glacial terrain with kettle depressions, moraines, and drumlins shaped during the last ice age. Summer temperatures average 78-83°F with humidity levels reaching 70-85% during peak camping months of June through August.
What to do
Hiking trails year-round: Pike Lake Campground offers multiple trail options including access to the Ice Age Trail. "A lot of the miles are in open prairie instead of forest," notes one visitor, while another mentions that "hiking is great beginner trails within the park and connects to the IAT (Ice Age Trail)."
Beach swimming access: Naga-Waukee Park features a clean beach area ideal for summer visits. A camper reports, "Nice quiet place to take kids to swim. Beach is clean and there are trees for shade and grills to cook." The beach includes lifeguard supervision during peak season and a playground within earshot of the swimming area.
Lake activities: Harrington Beach State Park offers multiple water access points along Lake Michigan. "The quarry and the beach area were great, and there were a ton of picnic spots overlooking the lake," reports one visitor. Note that high water levels may affect beach conditions in some seasons.
Observatory access: Astronomy enthusiasts can visit the interpretive astronomy trail at Pike Lake, with several campers recommending the walk up Powder Hill to the observation tower for panoramic views.
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites: Mauthe Lake Campground gets high marks for privacy between sites. "The sites are well separated for privacy," shares one visitor, while another mentions "nice clean sites and fishing. Many hiking trails." The campground maintains natural vegetation buffers between most sites.
Clean facilities: Cliffside Park Campground maintains well-kept shower houses and restrooms. "Bathrooms were super clean and showers are free. Very impressed and satisfied," reports one camper. Another mentions, "The park was really well-maintained with a camp host on site. The grass was mowed, there was no trash, and the restrooms were super clean and heated."
Family-friendly amenities: River Bend RV Resort offers extensive recreation options on-site. A visitor details, "This place is a young kids heaven. Tons of activities! All included with admission etc... four wheel bikes to take out, jumping balloon, pool with multiple water slides, pond with blow up floating slides and climbing activities, canoes, a bar and restaurant, mini golf, frisbee golf."
Lakeside sunset views: Campers consistently mention sunset viewing as a highlight, with one Mauthe Lake visitor reporting "the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July."
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Pike Lake Campground, experienced campers recommend researching specific sites. "Each of the 32 sites is unique in their own way. Some are large and flat perfect for a class A (#2 #4, #29 #31 is okay, but smaller), some incorporate the geography into the site (#23 & #17 - very much tent sites, #15 great for a small trailer)."
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby attractions or highways. Cliffside Park campers mention hearing "a shooting range close and RR to the west and Mitchell Airport to the north but they aren't bad." Plymouth Rock campers report proximity to a racetrack, with one noting "the noise is annoying early in the morning and throughout the day."
Seasonal facilities: Bathroom and shower facilities often operate seasonally. One Naga-Waukee Park camper notes, "There are only toilets available - but there is a main building down a steep hill to get to nicer facilities and showers."
Limited cell reception: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds, with those farther from Milwaukee reporting spotty service. Many campgrounds offer Wi-Fi near main buildings but not at individual campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming options: Plymouth Rock Camping Resort includes multiple water attractions. "There's plenty to do. 3 pools, Mini golf, outdoor movies, the weekend we were there they had a band," shares one visitor. Several campgrounds offer designated children's swimming areas with graduated entry points.
Playground proximity: When booking sites at Naga-Waukee, families report better experiences when camping near the playground. The campground includes "a beach on the shores of Lake Nagawicka [that] is well-groomed, clean, has a seasonal lifeguard and a playground within earshot."
Activity planning: River Bend visitors recommend planning around scheduled events. "They have an outdoor movie, and lots of other activities. It is a bit pricey, but at least you are getting amenities," notes a camper. Most parks post weekly activity schedules at registration kiosks or shower houses.
Trail difficulty levels: Families with younger children report success with Pike Lake's shorter loop trails. "A very nice, woodsy campground. Feels like you are further north than you really are!" shares a visitor, while another mentioned the beginner-friendly trail system.
Tips from RVers
Electric service types: RV sites near Mequon, Wisconsin vary in electrical service. Fairgrounds RV Park provides diverse options, with a camper noting "20/30/50 amp service, most sites have water hook-up, restrooms, dump station." This makes it suitable for various RV configurations.
Limited turnaround space: Some campgrounds have tight navigation for larger rigs. One Pike Lake camper warns, "There is a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers."
Dump station timing: Plan dump station use strategically at busy campgrounds. At Cliffside Park, visitors recommend early morning or mid-week use to avoid lines. The park features a sanitary dump station but users note it can get congested during weekend checkout times.
Seasonal site options: For extended stays near Mequon, River Bend RV Resort offers seasonal options. "The park is mostly seasonal and the short term sites are literally over a mile of tight, windy road to get to them," advises one RVer. Several campgrounds in the region accommodate long-term stays with monthly rate discounts.
