Camping options near New Berlin, Wisconsin extend beyond the standard state and county facilities to include unique experiences for various types of outdoor enthusiasts. The region sits within the Kettle Moraine, a geological formation created by glacial deposits that left behind distinctive hills, kettles, and lakes. Winter camping is available at select locations, with Ottawa Lake Campground offering year-round access despite temperatures that can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Hiking the Ice Age Trail: Access portions of this 1,000-mile scenic trail from Pinewoods Campground at Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit. "We camped here twice - the first time was just one night in early July 2017 when we were backpacking on the Ice Age Trail... We hiked a little bit, but the trails were quite a hike from the campgrounds to begin with," notes Joyce B.
Swimming in spring-fed waters: The beach at Muskego Park offers a natural swimming experience. "The best thing is probably the small man made pond. I believe it's stocked with fish and offers a very family friendly swimming area. There's a nice little concessions stand, a little sand area, and a small pier to jump off of," explains Darren L.
Mountain biking: Kettle Moraine's trails provide technical riding for all skill levels. "20 minute drive to the awesome Kettle Moraine biking trails. Yee haw!" enthuses Heather H. about staying at Ottawa Lake Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Richard Bong State Recreation Area's wetland environment creates excellent bird and animal watching opportunities. "If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go... 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," reports Tim H.
What campers like
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion found at certain locations. At Sunset Campground, "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," shares Tim H.
Winter camping options: For those willing to brave colder temperatures, off-season camping offers solitude. "No showers in winter but awesome," says David H. about Ottawa Lake Campground. Another camper notes, "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping. No host so buying wood is an issue, but pick a site on the edge and there is more than enough free. Bring a saw. Nice place for solitude."
Pine forest settings: The pine areas of certain campgrounds create a distinctive camping experience. At Muskego Park, Josh F. observes, "Sites 22 and 23, 24, 25 and 26 are very cool. The campsites are in the midst of a pine forest. It would be sweet to tent camp there and listen to the wind in those trees."
Water recreation: Many campgrounds feature lakes for various activities. "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," explains Natassha F. about Muskego Park.
What you should know
Reservations and timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "Busiest days are after Memorial Day weekend and to labor day weekend," advises GA J. about Ottawa Lake.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to their proximity to major routes. At Cliffside Park Campground, one camper notes, "The park is clean, lots of shade, host on site and very well maintained. The almost 100 sites are all gravel with electric and water for a great price... There is a shooting range close and RR to the west and Mitchell Airport to the north but they aren't bad."
Insects: Bug protection is essential, particularly in wetland areas. "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it... 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," reports a camper at Sunset Campground.
Urban proximity: For those seeking city access, options exist but with trade-offs. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park is "Well located to Milwaukee, nice clean facilities, but it is basically a large parking lot with a band of grass on the far right as you enter. Not a place for recreation, but good as a base for Milwaukee attractions," explains Paul Y.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Swimming areas provide entertainment for children. At Menomonee Park, "The pond has a great beach for kids. They also had bicycle rentals," notes a visitor. Another camper adds, "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."
Amenities for children: Some parks offer dedicated facilities for younger campers. "The park has a lot of amenities including a beachy pond area and an archery area where you can practice shooting from a blind above - great for hunters looking to brush up skills before the season starts," explains Laura B. about Menomonee Park.
Consider day use before camping: For families new to camping, day visits can help determine if a site will work. Kyle B. shares, "Live 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."
Theme camping for families: Jellystone Park in Caledonia offers character-focused experiences. "Plenty of things to do all day with the rec dept staff and lots of sightings of Yogi, Boo Boo, and Cindy Bear! Pool and Bear Paw beach are both nice, the kids had a blast at both," reports Ginny B.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Check site maps carefully for service locations. At Cliffside Park, "Each site has water but in order to reach some of the spigots you would need more than a 50' water hose so choose your site with that in mind."
Size limitations: Some county parks have restrictions on larger rigs. "The sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain. Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight," explains Abbe W. about Pinewoods Campground.
Urban options: For RVers needing city access, Wisconsin State Fair RV Park offers full hookups. "We stayed at State Fair RV Park in Milwaukee for two months while waiting to retire and work out bugs in our new RV. The park was all cement, it was clean and quiet. Laundry and shower facilities were kept very clean as well. There were plenty of grassy areas to take our dog out to potty," reports Anna and Michael G.
Seasonal extensions: Some RVers use local campgrounds for longer stays. "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," shares Steve K. about Ottawa Lake Campground.
