Kettle Moraine State Forest spans over 30,000 acres of glacially formed landscapes near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The area features unique glacial topography including kettles, moraines, and drumlins formed during the last ice age approximately 10,000 years ago. Winter camping options remain available at select sites, with temperatures averaging 22°F in January and 70°F in July.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mauthe Lake Campground offers prime fishing spots with multiple species available. "Big campsites. Not too close to neighbors, good fishing!" notes Haley K. The lake prohibits motorized boats, creating a quieter fishing environment.
Hiking the Ice Age Trail: Long Lake Campground connects to a 7-mile biking trail that links to other forest areas. According to Aaron B., there's a "huge biking trail that's about 7 miles long one way, good beaches and great lake." The crushed gravel surface makes it accessible for multiple skill levels.
Swimming beaches: High Cliff State Park Campground provides clean swimming areas away from motorized watercraft. "Nice clean swimming and lots of hiking and biking options," reports Noreen T. The park also features designated swimming areas with lifeguards during peak summer months.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: The 700 loop at Long Lake Campground offers more secluded camping spots. "Very nice campground. Sites are decent sized for tenting or small camper. Almost all the sites are surround by trees and small brush so it gives a private feel," explains Brandon L., who appreciates the natural separation between sites.
Clean facilities: Waupun Park Campground maintains modern restrooms and shower facilities. Stacey N. comments, "Bathrooms and showers are modern and clean. We would camp here again." The campground also offers regular maintenance with camp hosts available on-site.
Lake views and access: Breezy Hill Campground provides waterfront views with easy water access. "We have really enjoyed our stay here with our two dogs! It's extremely clean, kid and pet friendly, with lots of amenities," reports Adela S., highlighting the campground's pet-friendly policies.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from May through October, with limited winter availability. According to Jennifer B. at Kalbus Country Harbor, there are "lots of open space for our kids to play and a beautiful lake view and beach with lots of lake shells and birds to see."
Reservation requirements: State park campgrounds require advance reservations through the Wisconsin DNR website, especially during summer weekends. As Caroline K. notes about Mauthe Lake, "You can't go wrong with how close the park is to Milwaukee," making it popular with city dwellers seeking weekend getaways.
Pet restrictions at beaches: While most campgrounds welcome pets, dogs aren't permitted on designated swimming beaches. However, separate pet access areas exist at most lakes. Some campgrounds also enforce leash length restrictions and limit the number of pets per site.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Ledge County Park offers multiple playground areas near camping zones. "Beautiful hiking on the ledge (even did some climbing up the rock formations), spectacular views at the lookout points and multiple areas to picnic with a couple playgrounds for kids," shares Mel C.
Kid-friendly beaches: Hickory Oaks Campground features a small beach area specifically designed for children. Hannah H. reports, "We saw so much wildlife! Chipmunks, ducks, a great horned owl, and countless birds to name a few." The shallow pond areas provide safer swimming for young children.
Group camping options: Several sites in the lower 900 loop at Long Lake have minimal separation, working well for multi-family camping. Darren L. explains, "This loop would be good for an option if the group sites are unavailable. Especially the inner loop sites that back up to each other."
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: Most state forest campgrounds offer 30-amp service but lack 50-amp connections. Elizabeth S. at Mauthe Lake confirms "30 amp at the electrical site worked perfectly." Advanced reservations for electric sites are essential during peak season.
Pull-through sites: Waupun Park Campground offers designated pull-through sites for easier access. "Site 21 is very nice... a little private elevated back yard area with a fire ring and picnic table. Only drawback is that it's a little narrow, but not a deal breaker at all," shares Stacey N.
Water and dump stations: While water hookups aren't available at all sites, most campgrounds provide shared water spigots and centralized sanitary dump stations. RVers should arrive with full freshwater tanks during peak season when water stations may have lines.
