3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Southern Unit Horseriders Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest offers specialized horse camping sites for equestrians, with dedicated corrals situated every four to five campsites throughout the grounds. Electric and non-electric sites are available, each equipped with a picnic table and fireplace. The campground features amenities specifically designed for horse owners, including mounting steps for beginners and young riders, bridle stations throughout, and designated animal waste collection areas. The facility includes flush toilets, showers, and a large shelter with roll-up sides that can protect people during inclement weather. Sites along one side of the park provide more seclusion in a pine forest, while pull-through sites make it easier for those with horse trailers.
Direct access to horse trails throughout the Kettle Moraine State Forest begins at the campground entrance. The group campsite accommodates six individual sites with a centrally located fire pit, though these sites are not configured as pull-throughs for trailers. Riders particularly value sites 405-413, which offer either pine forest seclusion or easy pull-through access for large trailers. The campground is surrounded by numerous horse ranches and features convenient trailer parking. Sites 427 and 428 provide additional privacy but experience more road noise. For equestrians seeking year-round options, the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit also offers horse-friendly camping with multiple trail systems including hiking and biking routes alongside dedicated horse trails.
"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."
"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."
Available next weekend
from $21 - $39 / night
"It is close to the Ice Age trail and the Scuppernong trail, and a short drive from Ottawa Lake. Nearby 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."
Available next weekend
from $21 - $90 / night
"There are miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I’m sure I’m missing more."
"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."
from $25 - $80 / night
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $19 - $37 / night
"I live very close to this park and camp here often. It is a nice family type campground with a nice swimming beach and playground for children."
"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
Available next weekend
from $21 - $39 / night
"Driving on country roads to this campground, I drove past many many horse ranches. So it's no surprise that there is a dedicated campground for horseback riding in this state park. "
from $21 - $70 / night
"Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking."
"Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that."
"Within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn, EAHS, and the horse areana. You might even be able to catch a show or two on site at the fair grounds, depending on the time of year."
"Easy access to electric and/or water. If unsure, contact office. Site, restrooms, and showers were clean. There are a lot of sites but still felt like there was ample space."
"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."
"Trails were geared more towards horses and bikes, but there are plenty of walking paths, and we were able to find some hidden trails along the lake (read: unofficial)."
"There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding. We did a nice short hike in area. We had a great time at this campground and would visit again."
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
ScoutMy family has been camping at Mauthe Lake for decades, and every year we have to deal with camp hosts and rangers constantly monitoring us. We follow the rules and do not cause disruptions, and yet they constantly chew us out for very minor things. It makes me feel as if we’re not welcome on these grounds.
TravelerFirst time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
ScoutThis is a nice getaway for camping, picnics, hiking, fishing and in the summer swimming! They only offer swimming with lifeguards in the summer months. They have great open spaces for group camping.
TravelerThis is such a good spot, it’s not just an RV parking lot. Each site is its own little site just far enough from its neighbor to feel alone. Super nice and well kept
GuideAwesome campground in the north unit of Kettle Moraine. Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!
ScoutEscape the everyday and immerse yourself in nature at Ottawa Lake Campground. Nestled in the heart of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, this welcoming retreat offers lakeside fun, scenic hiking trails, the quiet beauty of a true Northwoods experience, all without a long drive.
We have visited the Campground 5 times this year already, we love hiking all the trails in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
https://youtu.be/xl4uAtNWclM
GuideWe'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.
ScoutI 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.
TravelerI loved how secluded the site felt. There were great trails and natural beauty in the park. The bugs weren’t bad, but beware of the poison ivy. The sites were very shaded, offering relief from the heat.
Kettle Moraine State Forest spans across the New Berlin region, with its unique glacial landforms shaped during the Wisconsin Ice Age. The forest's terrain features kettles, kames, and eskers with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet. Winter camping is available at some sites, with temperatures often dropping below 20°F from December through February.
Horseback riding trails: 20+ miles of dedicated trails are available at Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit Horseriders Campground. The campground is designed for equestrians with "a small stair-step for beginners or young people to mount their horse" and "ample places to bridle horses and shared corrals every four or five campsites."
Kayaking and fishing: Access the Fox River chain from multiple launch points within 30 minutes of New Berlin. Turner Lake offers multiple water activities as noted by one visitor: "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far."
Year-round hiking: Many trails remain accessible even in winter months at Kettle Moraine Southern Unit. A camper mentioned, "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! It's along the ice age trail and offers stunning views for easy hikes."
Quiet zones for peaceful stays: Several campgrounds offer designated quiet areas. At Pinewoods Campground, "Sites 1-36 are 24 hour quiet sites where no music is allowed," according to one reviewer. Another noted, "I am an ultra marathoner. I love Pinewoods because it is up and away from the racket of the usual radios and noisy children. This is because it is a 24 hour quiet area."
Swimming options: Both lakes and quarries provide swimming opportunities near New Berlin. Menomonee Park features "a nice beach" and "the quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing." Another camper reported that at Mauthe Lake, "the lake is clear and beautiful for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or just relaxing."
Pine forest campsites: Needle-covered ground creates comfortable tent sites. As one camper at Mauthe Lake Campground observed, "The sites have a lot of cover. The shower and flush toilets are centrally located between section 2-3." At another campground, a visitor recommended "site 19, a bed of pine needles to sleep on."
Seasonal considerations: Some facilities close during winter months while others remain open. At Big Foot Beach State Park, the operating season runs "April to October." One camper mentioned: "Clean sites, Lake Geneva swimming, friendly staff not far from Lake Geneva and stores for food and supplies the fall is beautiful and less crowded."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near New Berlin, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near New Berlin, WI is Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near New Berlin, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near New Berlin, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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