Best Campgrounds near Mount Pleasant, WI

Developed campgrounds near Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin primarily cluster along Lake Michigan and in nearby state recreation areas. Cliffside Park Campground in Caledonia offers 92 sites with electric hookups and water, situated 8 miles from Interstate 41/94 in a quiet, wooded setting. Richard Bong State Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles west of Mount Pleasant, provides camping options at both Sunrise and Sunset Campgrounds, accommodating tents, RVs, and cabin stays. Most campgrounds in the region feature gravel pads, picnic tables, and fire rings, with several offering shower facilities and dump stations for RVs.

Camping options are predominantly seasonal, with most facilities operating from April through mid-October. Cliffside Park Campground remains open from April 15 to October 15, while Happy Acres Kampground in Bristol maintains a similar seasonal window from May 1 to October 1. Water hookups are typically winterized during colder months, making fall camping experiences more limited in amenities. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. According to one visitor, "This is a nice campground. Very clean and the sites are well maintained with water and electric at each. The campground is not far from stores in case you need to pick anything up or forgot something."

Many camping areas in southeastern Wisconsin offer family-friendly amenities with varying levels of privacy between sites. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Caledonia features concrete pads and extensive recreational facilities but comes at a higher price point than county or state parks. Campers consistently rate Cliffside Park highly for its cleanliness and spacious sites. "The sites are large, level and well-dispersed; there's plenty of shade; the electrical connections are well-placed," noted one camper, though they mentioned water connections can sometimes be difficult to reach. Sanders Park Campground in Racine receives lower ratings, with reviews describing it as "more like a parking lot than a campground" with "loud music, dogs constantly barking, no camp host, unleveled lots."

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Best Camping Sites Near Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin (48)

    1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We didn't have problems finding a spot and set up late at night as close to the lake as we could. The lake really can't be seen from any site but it's a 2 minute walk on a path to the lake."

    2. Cliffside Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Caledonia, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 886-8440

    $32 - $35 / night

    "We were also pleasantly surprise when found out about the close by trail - short trail beginner friendly ravine geography. Very beautiful view of the lake from the top of the cliff."

    "Month Stayed: September Site: gravel and level Spacing: very close to others Cleanliness: very clean Surrounding: trees throughout, playgrounds, nice bathrooms Noise: some noise due to closeness Access"

    3. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    23 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    14 miles
    Website

    "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"

    "Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."

    4. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    14 miles
    Website

    "Rocket launch (bring your own,) atv (no rentals-bring your own), water fowl hunting (during season), fishing, wildlife watching, swimming at the beach, playground for kids, and my favorite- nice trails"

    "the property is HUGE and most things are about a 10 to 15 min walk from the campsites. lots of hiking, boating, swimming fishing and more! a great place for anyone!"

    5. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Caledonia

    12 Reviews
    Oak Creek, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 835-2565

    "This location did not dissapoint. We have not gone to this location during the warmer months but looks to be a great campground"

    6. Happy Acres Kampground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, WI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 857-7373

    "we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"

    "Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."

    7. Muskego Park by Waukesha County Parks

    8 Reviews
    Muskego, WI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area."

    "I did not stay at this park, but did drive and walk through it to get a feel for it. There are a number of sites I'd love to tent camp in.

    This park is bounded by a lake with a nice beach."

    8. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    14 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    25 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

    "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

    9. Sanders Park Campground

    1 Review
    Mount Pleasant, WI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 886-6400

    10. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    25 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "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."

    "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly.

    But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

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Recent Reviews near Mount Pleasant, WI

459 Reviews of 48 Mount Pleasant Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Close to "home" beautiful sites

    We've been 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.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Circle K Campground

    Horrid management, bad experience

    Management (owners Ed and Coleen) are two of the rudest people I have ever met, with Ed fabricating outrageous, completely inaccurate stories highlighting either his "heroics" (like when his personal fire truck he has was working people would call him before 911) but more often how he has been slighted because of other's inadequacies (local grocery store doesn't like him because "his campers buy all their food leaving none for the locals), and also falsities behind his rules (the U.S. Postmaster does not allow anyone else's packages/mail to be delivered to the campground).  They are completely intolerant of kids/teenagers (and, heresay from conversations with seasonal residents, special needs kids) - rules for use of the pool is that it is open after a certain time and if the air temp is above a certain level - we personally witnessed 3 young teens ask to get into the pool an hour after the pool should've been open and it was 5 degrees over Ed's stated temp, but no one else was using the pool and Ed turned them away - told them to swim in the cesspool... I mean, pond.

    Ed constantly creates new rules on a whim and is exceedingly selective (read: biased) for whom those rules are enforced. If you have a problem with the campsite (water, electricity, dead trees, ground hornets, you name it) - it is because YOU did something wrong, and if you disagree he will harass you to no end and may even kick you out. Some of the seasonal campers are nice, others (those "in" with the owners) are not. I would not recommend this campground to anyone unless/until it is under new ownership.

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • Kaitlin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    Relaxing but no water hook up

    We love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It’s always quiet and the view is beautiful. Bugs were awful this stay. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly.

  • Taylor C.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Harnischfeger County Park

    Harnischfeger Campground

    The campground has alot of great amenities. Theirs a mini gulf course that we had alot of fun with. Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that.


Guide to Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant's campground options stretch from the western Richard Bong State Recreation Area to the eastern Lake Michigan shoreline, covering a terrain that transitions from prairie grasslands to lake bluffs. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with higher humidity levels, while spring and fall camping features mild daytime temperatures and cooler nights ranging from 45-65°F. Seasonal thunderstorms are common in summer months, particularly in the afternoon hours.

What to do

Horseback riding: Richard Bong State Recreation Area allows riders to explore designated trails through prairie landscapes. "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. Very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike," notes one visitor to Sunset Campground.

Kayaking and canoeing: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides multiple waterways for paddlers within 30 miles of Mount Pleasant. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," shares a camper at Turner Lake South.

Archery: Several campgrounds maintain designated archery ranges for practice. "My go-to campground. Have camped here numerous times. Sometimes with family for fun and recreation. Other times all by myself for peace and solitude. This state campground fits both scenarios. Nice hiking trails, fishing accessible within the park, beautiful, splendid nights by the campfire," reports a visitor at Turner Lake South.

What campers like

Private, wooded sites: Some campgrounds offer secluded spots that provide a more immersive nature experience. "The sites are large, level and well-dispersed; there's plenty of shade; the electrical connections are well-placed," says a camper at Cliffside Park Campground. Another visitor notes, "Went on our maiden voyage with a new trailer and loved this place. Flat sites, some shade in the center sections. Outer sites backed to woods for most sites."

Beach access: Several campgrounds provide swimming beaches with varying amenities. "Easy access to the beach, great sites and was very quiet. My only complaint is that there wasn't any soap or sanitizer in the bathrooms," reports a visitor to Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park.

Off-season tranquility: Camping during weekdays or shoulder seasons offers a quieter experience. "We camped here in early September during the week so it was not crowded and we didn't have a problem getting a walk-up site," shares a Cliffside Park visitor, while another notes, "Even the Saturday night it was full still felt quiet and peaceful."

What you should know

Weather contingencies: Severe storms can develop quickly during summer months. "Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky," mentions a Turner Lake visitor, highlighting the importance of being prepared for both clear and stormy conditions.

Insect preparation: Mosquitoes and ticks are prevalent in the area, particularly near water bodies. "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go," advises a camper at Sunset Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Mount Pleasant, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Pleasant, WI is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 66 reviews.