Best Campgrounds near Mukwonago, WI

Southeastern Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest provides the primary camping backdrop near Mukwonago, with multiple developed campgrounds within a 15-mile radius. Ottawa Lake Campground and Pinewoods Campground in the Southern Unit offer tent, RV, and cabin camping options with varying levels of amenities. Mukwonago Park, operated by Waukesha County Parks, provides 37 campsites closer to town with electric hookups but more limited facilities. Most campgrounds in this region feature wooded settings created by glacial terrain, with sites nestled among pine forests or alongside spring-fed lakes.

Camping in the Mukwonago area operates primarily from April through October, though some sites in Kettle Moraine remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when the proximity to Milwaukee and Chicago creates high demand. "The sites are large, spaced out, and the campground is generally quiet. Electricity has been added this year. It's a pretty decent campground for a quick overnight trip," noted one camper about Mukwonago Park. Winter camping requires preparation for cold temperatures that regularly drop below freezing. Most campgrounds offer some electric sites, though full hookups are limited. Water access points are strategically placed throughout campgrounds rather than at individual sites, and shower facilities typically close during colder months.

The glacial topography of the region creates distinctive camping experiences with moraines, kettles, and spring-fed lakes defining the landscape. Campers frequently mention the privacy of sites at Pinewoods Campground, which is designated as a 24-hour quiet area without radios or excessive noise. One visitor commented, "You will hear and see birds, as well as deer and various other wildlife." Ottawa Lake Campground receives praise for its proximity to the Ice Age Trail and swimming opportunities in the adjacent lake. Sites at the county-operated Mukwonago Park sit on elevated terrain about 100 feet above the Mukwonago River valley, providing scenic views but less shade than the state forest campgrounds. Most campgrounds throughout the area provide access to hiking and biking trails, with the extensive network in Kettle Moraine being a significant draw for outdoor enthusiasts.

Best Camping Sites Near Mukwonago, Wisconsin (87)

    1. Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    38 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 594-6200

    "Site was spacious but very close to your neighbors. Lots to do in the area. Bathrooms and showers were clean. The beach was not clean and very hard to walk on, very rocky."

    "Made my first visit to Ottawa Lake on a mid-March weekend. The facilities were still under their winter setup (only vault toilet, no shower available, pay in an envelope)."

    2. Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    22 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    9 miles
    +1 (262) 626-2116

    $18 - $30 / night

    "It is close to the Ice Age trail and the Scuppernong trail, and a short drive from Ottawa LakeNearby is some excellent mountain biking in hilly terrain at the Emma Carlin and John Muir trails. "

    "Pinewoods Campground is part of the southern Kettle Morraine State Forest in Wisconsin. The campground is secluded and most sites are private and shaded."

    3. Kettle Moraine South Camping — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    12 Reviews
    Eagle, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 594-6220

    "Red Trail, Paradise Trail,Rice Lake are all great hikes. Great views of Lake Ottawa.

    The close by town of Oconomowoc has a nice place to eat, Burkes Lakeside."

    "Whether you're in a tent or in a camper you can find just as much comfort as you're looking for. there's a lake with a swimming area if that's what you're looking for, not to mention a dock with great"

    4. Kettle Moraine Southern Unit — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    10 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    9 miles
    Website

    $28 / night

    "You can walk over to an area that has hiking trails right out of the campsite. State park mountain biking trails are also close by, but you would need to drive to them."

    "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."

    5. Mukwonago Park by Waukesha County Parks

    6 Reviews
    Mukwonago, WI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "The rangers drive through regularly and will deliver wood to your site if requested."

    "Swim or fish in the lake, archery or huge picnic sites."

    6. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    23 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    18 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."

    7. Muskego Park by Waukesha County Parks

    8 Reviews
    Muskego, WI
    9 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. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    18 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!"

    9. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Lake Geneva, WI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 248-2528

    "We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."

    "This is one of the most popular State Parks in Wisconsin because it's on Lake Geneva. In fact, it's the only state park within town's limits."

    10. Naga-Waukee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    8 Reviews
    Delafield, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "Nestled in the heart of lake country (Waukesha County) and accessible from the Lake Country Trail and Ice Age Trail, this county park is perfect for those just passing through or families looking for a"

    "Very windy weekend but I imagine during the summer it’s a great spot to camp near their big beach and lake access."

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Recent Reviews near Mukwonago, WI

703 Reviews of 87 Mukwonago 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.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    Pros, cons, and Caution!

    PROS: large private sites with good space between them in a lovely wooded setting. Very nice hiking trails right from campground. Lake & pet swim area.

    CONS: no water, mosquitos. And… major CAUTION for RVs: there is an oak tree near entry with low branches and it took the AC off our friend’s fifth wheel. There is also a low hanging overpass and it took the roofs off TWO fifth wheels while we were staying there. Major damage on roof and internally - the RV had to be totaled and replaced. Terrible signage in park does not indicate height of bridge or warn about the oak tree. Our friends reported that the camp host said the park knows about these hazards but hasn’t taken care of them so she will “remind them” for their task list in November.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Astico County Park

    Artesian well

    We enjoyed the song of frogs and the artesian well.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Astico County Park

    Dark enough to see the Milky Way

    The sites are a decent size and well maintained. We easily backed in and leveled our pop up. The shower house is clean. The campground is busy this weekend, but was quite at dark. It was dark enough to see the Milky Way. The toilet is quite a walk, but they are adding more. There is a big playground at the top of the hill. On other trips we’ve enjoyed the swings nearer the river and the artesian wells. The hiking trails are nice and there is a restored rail bridge. We’ve also fished and rented kayaks on previous visits. There is a small cemetery at the top of the hill to explore and learn more about the people in the area.

  • 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!

  • Ron D.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Pearl Lake

    Low Class Trailer Trashy Park

    Horrible customer service from the start. We registered online with a 35" 5th wheel for 2 nights. On checking in, we wouldn't fit in the site so the girl at the desk put us in a different site saying she couldn't escort us to our site. This was our first time being there and her excuse was they were short staffed. The street signage was very small and hard to read. Site numbers were said to be on every pedestal but they were not visible from any drive. After only a few minutes of driving around, we were astonished by all the trash and junky trailers on site. Note that if your camper is more than 10 years old, they want to first see a picture of it so as to keep their place classy. Not the case here once you have paid and are here. We call back to the office for assistance finding our site and the girl said she would have to lock the office and was hesitant about doing so but she would come out to hep us find our place. We simply asked for a refund saying we were very disappointed with the situation so far. When she told us they don't give refunds, we asked for a manager to call us back. At this point we left to find another place which we did and were at in about 30 minutes. The manager called us back offering us drinks at the bar, a premium site, tickets for kids in the bounce house, and free water craft but I and the wife were only there for 2 nights. We were not going back to that dump. She said she would have to speak with the owners about a refund but never called us back. Five days later I called several times to speak with the manager again but no call back. She did however text us saying they will not issue a refund saying the girl in the office could not leave the desk because her coworker was using the restroom. Then why did she say she couldn't leave because they were short handed? Long story short, think long and hard before you visit this trashy place. Showers were dark and dingy and smelled. The beach looked more like gravel and not pleasing. Just walking around, I couldn't get away from the awful smell of people smoking and vaping and a strong smell of pot smokers everywhere. Not at all the place we would take our grand kids ever.

  • 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.


Guide to Mukwonago

Camping sites near Mukwonago, Wisconsin sit within the distinctive glacial topography of southeastern Wisconsin, where elevations vary by up to 100 feet between river valleys and moraines. Average summer temperatures range from 75-85°F during peak camping season (June-August), while overnight temperatures can drop into the 50s even in summer. Most Mukwonago area campgrounds maintain wooded sites with variable levels of spacing and privacy between camping spots.

What to Do

Hiking the Ice Age Trail: Access points near several campgrounds connect to this 1,000+ mile National Scenic Trail. "We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail. While the view was mostly hidden it was still a nice hike. The trail is wide which meant my doggo hiked by my side," notes a camper at Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit.

Swimming at spring-fed lakes: Several campgrounds offer swimming beaches with varying amenities. At Muskego Park by Waukesha County Parks, "The spring fed pond for swimming and fishing" is popular with campers. One visitor reports: "This place had it all. A spring fed pond for swimming and fishing. Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings offer the best viewing times. "Spacious sites without electric... each has your standard table & fire pit... plenty of greenery to feel secluded," notes one camper about Muskego Park. For dedicated wildlife watchers, sites along the wooded edges of campgrounds typically offer more sightings.

What Campers Like

Private, wooded camping sites: Campers frequently praise the separation between sites at certain campgrounds. One camper at Pinewoods Campground appreciated that "the site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion." Pinewoods features a dedicated quiet loop (Loop 1) with restrictions that enhance the natural experience.

Clean facilities across most campgrounds: Bathroom and shower facilities receive consistent positive reviews. "The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife," notes one camper at Sunrise Campground. Most campgrounds feature both vault toilets distributed throughout camping areas and central shower facilities.

Variety of terrain within single parks: The glacial landscape creates diverse camping experiences even within individual parks. At Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, "The site was spacious and clean, complete with the basics (fire ring, flushing toilets, showers, drinking water). Shower house #2 was clean although a bit older (paint was peeling off the walls due to humidity) but the water pressure was fine and as hot as I needed it to be."

What You Should Know

Seasonal variations affect amenities: Most campgrounds in the area change service levels between peak and off-season. At Ottawa Lake Campground, one winter camper notes: "No showers in winter but awesome." Shower buildings typically close during colder months (November-March), while vault toilets remain available year-round.

Mosquitoes can be intense: The wetland areas around Mukwonago create ideal mosquito habitat. "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," reports a camper at Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area.

Camping loop differences: Many campgrounds separate different camping styles. At Pinewoods, "There are 3 separate loops, 1 quiet zone, one group, one family. Pit and flush toilets, showers, only 2 electric sites within Pinewoods." This separation helps match campers with their preferred environment, so research specific loops when booking.

Tips for Camping with Families

Playgrounds near campsites: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment within walking distance of camping loops. "Nice quiet campground in a huge, green and spacious park. Enjoy the numerous birds and fireflies and the peace and quiet of very private sites. Swim or fish in the lake, archery or huge picnic sites," notes one visitor to Mukwonago Park by Waukesha County Parks.

Nature programs for children: Ranger-led activities occur primarily during summer weekends. "The Weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long," reports a visitor to Sunrise Campground.

Kid-friendly swimming areas: Look for designated swimming beaches with gradual entry points. "We were tenting and it was primarily geared for tent campers. It was a very scenic area and the sites were well spaced from each other. The camping area had pit toilets, but there were flush toilets and showers in the beach area of the park. The swimming pond was spring fed and very pleasant for swimming with a nice sandy beach," notes a camper at Mukwonago Park.

Tips from RVers

Limited full-hookup availability: Electric sites are common, but water and sewer connections are scarce. "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," mentions an RVer at Ottawa Lake Campground.

Site size variations: RV site dimensions differ significantly between campgrounds. "Sites 1 through 8 are in an oak savannah, semi-shaded but mostly in a grassland area. Sites are grassy with no gravel pads for parking," notes one visitor describing Muskego Park.

Road width considerations: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. "We stayed in loop 3 site 273 as we were camping in the early season and loops 1-2 were closed. The site was well wooded and very spacious! It had a decent clearing for some sun and the driveway was longer setting it back from the loop road. One of the best sites in loop 3," shares a camper at Pinewoods Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Mukwonago, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mukwonago, WI is Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 38 reviews.