4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campgrounds around Milwaukee, Wisconsin offer a mix of secluded walk-in sites and established tent-specific campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit features both the Greenbush Group Campground and Shelter 1 Backpack Site, providing primitive tent camping options approximately 40 miles north of Milwaukee. Several smaller county-managed facilities like Waubedonia County Park in Fredonia provide basic tent sites with varying amenities.
Most tent sites in the Milwaukee area require campers to pack in their own supplies, with limited facilities available at primitive locations. Sandhill Station State Campground in the Lake Mills Wildlife Area offers carry-in only tent sites located 100-500 yards from parking areas, with pit toilets but no showers on site. Water availability varies significantly between locations, with many backcountry sites requiring campers to bring their own water. Greenbush Group Campground provides drinking water access and pit toilets, though during pandemic restrictions some water spigots were temporarily disabled. The most primitive options include the KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site, which features an open shelter, fire pit, and basic amenities.
Backcountry tent camping options provide varying levels of privacy and wilderness experience. Sites at Kettle Moraine State Forest's Northern Unit can accommodate multiple tents, with grassy clearings surrounded by trees suitable for hammock camping. The terrain ranges from oak savanna at Sandhill Station to wooded areas in other locations. Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience significantly, with some areas becoming challenging during summer months. A camper described the Sandhill Station State Campground as having "spacious, private, and beautiful" sites with good mixed shade from large oak trees, noting it would be "a nice choice if you want a private, quiet getaway into the oak savanna of southern Wisconsin."
"You can rent backpacking shelters, at the ranger station in Eagle. The shelter is basically a barn without a front door. It comes with a fire ring, table, and an outhouse!"
"Reservable backpacking sites about 45-60min away from nearest parking. Fire pit, shelter, and picnic table at site.
Really enjoyed the hike through forest to get to this site."
from $21 / night
"Great backpack camp site. Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside."
from $19 / night
"Unlike the more intimate family sites, this area is designed for scale, with wide communal spaces, larger fire rings and plenty of room for picnic tables, shared meals and kid-filled games of tag and flag"
from $70 / night
from $50 - $80 / night
"Water is usually available, but more limited during the pandemic (spigot turned off by our campsite, but available near the parking lot at the entrance - a longer walk)."
"Those can each fit over 20 backpacking tents at the same time. Grassy sites surrounded by trees (plenty for hammocks too). Short walk to pit toilets and drinking water."
Available this weekend
from $90 / night
Available this weekend
from $21 / night
"Sandill Station is right outside Lake Mills, WI, right off the Glacial Drumlin bike trail. It features 15 campsites and 1 group campsite in an oak savanna, with varying degrees of shade."
Available this weekend
from $19 - $70 / night
from $40 - $160 / night
TravelerVery friendly and very clean. 1 swimming pond 2 fishing ponds volleyball courts and 2 off leash dog areas. Showers are free and they have a huge kid play area along with a seasonal swimming pool and hot tub.
ScoutWe have been seasonal campers for many years! When we first started, everyone was very nice and we always had a great time. Each years the rules change a bit which is common.The last three years have been horrible! We have had nothing but issues that I brought up to the staff many times. I have had the workers ask me if I was f***in stupid, people stealing stuff off our lot, telling our guest we don’t camp there( even tho they knew they were coming for my daughters birthday party), and much more. They are extremely Strict on the 5 mph. They will scream at you if they see Gravel dust as you drive. The campground is not well maintained. I wish things would not have ended the way it has. I’m happy we found a better family friendly campground to be at where my kids are not scared to be playing in our lot!
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
GuideSites are large, well-spaced, many shaded by wonderful large trees. The woods are very open with little understory, and much of the area facing the road is graveled, so you will still see your neighbors. So many hiking options - the Ice Age Trail connects to the campground only a few minutes walk away. Many hiking options, the walk to the Powder Hill Lookout tower is a must. Picnic area and waterfront are a short drive away. Bathrooms were clean and showers free, hot, and strong. Some traffic noise from highway nearby but quiet at night.
GuideFor a primitive campground, this was a nice-enough experience.
Pros:
- The sites we stayed in and the others that we noticed seemed sizeable and had nice tree-cover
- Having access to the Ice Age Trail was really neat
- Lake access nearby
Cons:
- On the continuum of vault toilet quality, these were on the less-desirable end. We joked about whether it was scarier to visit them when they were dark or when the lights were on. If you love having fly friends keep you company when nature calls, then these are the bathrooms for you! The bathrooms did get cleaned on Sunday morning, but this didn't help the situation very much.
- No showers
TravelerIt’s a lot bigger than I expected it to be. Our site is great the bathrooms are well maintained. There’s plenty of things to do here. Getting wood is great and easy the only downside is paying $8 a bundle. Otherwise great campgrounds. Would definitely come back.
TravelerStayed in Sunrise campground. Minimal amenities available. Most sites seem geared towards tents and small units. Sunfall camp ground especially so.
Tent sites near Milwaukee allow for basic camping experiences within an hour's drive of the city center. The region's topography features rolling hills, oak savannas, and water features created by glacial movement thousands of years ago. Camping options range from basic group sites to walk-in backcountry locations with varying levels of accessibility and seasonal challenges.
Bike along trails: The Wild Goose City Park in Juneau provides a convenient stopping point along the Wild Goose bike trail. "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," notes Kim L.
Explore local history: When camping at Sandhill Station State Campground, take time to visit nearby Aztalan State Park. "The state park is beautiful grassland and prairie, and the Crawfish River flows along side the park. There are hiking trails as well as guide tour booklets," says Jimmy P., who recommends the Aztalan museum with its "collection of Native American artifacts as well as things from local residents and their ancestors."
Water activities: At Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake, campers enjoy direct lake access. "Great three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views. Has a pub/restaurant with good food. Lots to do!" reports Alix M. The campground rents boats for fishing and recreation on the lake.
Natural surroundings: The oak savanna environment at Sandhill Station creates a distinctive camping experience. Jimmy P. describes the sites as "spacious, private, and beautiful. We had two large oak trees on either side of our site, giving us a good amount of mixed shade." This environment provides a unique ecological setting uncommon in many other campgrounds.
Secluded sites: The backpacking shelter at KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site offers exceptional privacy. "Great backpack camp site. Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside... It's very secluded for privacy," shares Erin Z., who appreciated finding firewood around the site.
Group accommodations: The large group sites at Greenbush Group Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest accommodate multiple tents. Amber R. notes that "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)."
Water availability challenges: During pandemic restrictions, some campgrounds had limited water access. At Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp, Hilary S. reported, "Water is usually available, but more limited during the pandemic (spigot turned off by our campsite, but available near the parking lot at the entrance - a longer walk)."
Distance from parking: For the best tent camping near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pack accordingly if choosing walk-in sites. At Sandhill Station, sites require carrying gear between 100-500 yards from parking. Jimmy P. advises, "There isn't anywhere to buy firewood, so buy from a local resident/gas station."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does tent camping cost near Milwaukee?
Tent camping costs near Milwaukee vary by location and amenities. Waubedonia County Park offers inexpensive sites with basic amenities, making it an economical choice for budget-conscious campers. At Sandhill Station State Campground, expect to pay standard Wisconsin state park fees (typically $15-25 per night) plus the required vehicle admission sticker. Most state parks and forests near Milwaukee fall in this price range, while private campgrounds may charge $25-45 per night for tent sites depending on amenities and season.
Where are the best tent campgrounds near Milwaukee?
For exceptional tent camping near Milwaukee, KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site offers a more secluded experience with an open shelter, fire pit, and natural surroundings perfect for backpackers seeking solitude. The Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp in Kettle Moraine State Forest provides spacious sites with pit toilets and water access, ideal for groups wanting a coronavirus-safe outdoor experience. These locations offer different camping styles - from primitive backcountry to more developed group sites - while still maintaining a natural wilderness feel within driving distance of Milwaukee.
What campsites in Milwaukee offer tent camping facilities?
While Milwaukee itself has limited camping options, several nearby campgrounds accommodate tent campers. Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake offers dedicated tent sites with beautiful lake views, despite being primarily an RV park. For group camping enthusiasts, Greenbush Group Campground features large, grassy sites surrounded by trees that can accommodate multiple backpacking tents, with sites 2 and 9 being particularly spacious. Both locations provide essential facilities like restrooms and water access while offering distinctly different camping experiences within a reasonable drive from Milwaukee.
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