The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Oak Creek, WI

449 Reviews

The Oak Creek area in southeastern Wisconsin offers a mix of established campgrounds across both state-managed and private facilities. Nearby options include Cliffside Park Campground with 92 sites for tents and RVs, and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Caledonia featuring cabins and glamping accommodations in addition to traditional camping. Several developed campgrounds within a 30-minute drive provide access to lakes, forests and recreational areas including Richard Bong State Recreation Area with its Sunset and Sunrise campgrounds, and the Wisconsin State Fair RV Park which operates year-round.

Camping in the region typically runs from April through October, with peak season occurring during summer months. Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. "This campground is our go to during the school year. Practically walking distance to our house, this campground is generally nice. Wooded lots make you feel overall secluded," notes one visitor about Kettle Moraine State Forest. Weather considerations play a significant role in planning trips, as spring can bring unpredictable conditions while fall offers cooler temperatures ideal for hiking. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer when many campgrounds reach capacity.

Kettle Moraine State Forest's multiple campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their secluded sites and natural setting. A camper described the Pinewoods Campground as having "secluded and most sites are private and shaded. The tree cover is thick so expect shade throughout most of the day. Many trees make for good hammock camping." Most mixed-use campgrounds in the region provide amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to recreational activities including hiking trails, fishing, and swimming. Several campgrounds feature lakefront access, particularly in the Chain O'Lakes area and at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. Road noise can be an issue at some campgrounds situated near highways, with reviewers specifically mentioning this concern at Ottawa Lake Campground where sites backing up to Highway 67 experience traffic noise.

Map showing campgrounds near Oak Creek, WisconsinExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Oak Creek, Wisconsin (52)

    1. Cliffside Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Caledonia, WI
    5 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"

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

    12 Reviews
    Oak Creek, WI
    4 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"

    3. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Wauwatosa, WI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (414) 266-7035

    $55 / night

    "So we just use that because no one was there. 1.7 miles on bike path to Brewer Baseball field. It was raining to we used Uber to the game and walked back for an afternoon game."

    "Very close to downtown, right off of interstate. Clean facilities. We were visiting family downtown and it was very convenient."

    4. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    23 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    21 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."

    5. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    21 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!"

    6. Muskego Park by Waukesha County Parks

    8 Reviews
    Muskego, WI
    14 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."

    7. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    31 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."

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

    39 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    30 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)."

    9. Happy Acres Kampground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, WI
    22 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."

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

    22 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    29 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 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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 52 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Oak Creek Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Oak Creek, WI

158 Photos of 52 Oak Creek Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Oak Creek, WI

449 Reviews of 52 Oak Creek Campgrounds

  • Mark D.
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    We had such an enjoyable time at Ottawa Lake Campground.

    Escape 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

  • 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 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 Oak Creek

Camping near Oak Creek, Wisconsin, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From beautiful lakes to well-maintained campgrounds, there's something for everyone looking to escape the city.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Kohler-Andrae State Park. One visitor mentioned, "There are nice trails around the campground, and some of them even allow dogs." This park is perfect for those who enjoy a good hike.
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, Mauthe Lake Campground is a great spot. A reviewer shared, "Great fishing and day-camping experiences too," making it a solid choice for anglers.
  • Beach Activities: Spend a day at the beach at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park. One camper noted, "I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded," highlighting the beach's charm.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities at Kohler-Andrae State Park. A visitor remarked, "The amenities were very clean and well taken care of."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many enjoy the spacious sites at Cliffside Park Campground. One happy camper said, "The sites were clean, grass was trimmed, plenty of trees for shade."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at Ottawa Lake Campground. A reviewer stated, "Rangers and hosts are super friendly and helpful as well."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Big Foot Beach State Park noted, "Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois."
  • Limited Water Access: At Harrington Beach State Park, swimming is allowed at the beach, but the quarry lake is off-limits. A visitor mentioned, "No swimming in the quarry but swimming at the beach."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Mauthe Lake Campground advised, "Make online reservations. It seems to be the 2022 way."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and family-friendly trails. One reviewer at Pinewoods Campground mentioned, "There’s a playground for the kiddos."
  • Plan for Bugs: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in the summer. A camper at Sunrise Campground noted, "The mosquitoes were out but not the worst out of the campgrounds we've been in."
  • Bring Entertainment: Keep kids engaged with games or books. A family camper at Sunset Campground appreciated the "little book available for our daughter with activities in it."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the campsite. A reviewer at Kohler-Andrae State Park mentioned, "Sites vary in levelness and amount of privacy from your neighbor."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need power. A camper at Cliffside Park Campground noted, "The campground does not have a store, but sells firewood."
  • Dump Stations Available: Many campgrounds have dump stations for RVs. A visitor at Harrington Beach State Park mentioned, "No water or sewer but does have a dump station."

Camping around Oak Creek, WI, offers a mix of fun activities, clean facilities, and family-friendly environments. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot for you to enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you rent RVs in Oak Creek, Wisconsin for camping?

Yes, you can rent RVs near Oak Creek for camping, though there aren't rental facilities directly within Oak Creek itself. RV rentals are available in nearby Milwaukee and the greater southeastern Wisconsin area. After securing your rental, Big Foot Beach State Park Campground provides electric sites for RVs and is conveniently located next to Lake Geneva, though electric sites are limited and book quickly. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park is another good option for RV camping with full hookups and is big-rig friendly. For the best selection and pricing, book your RV rental well in advance, especially during peak summer months when availability becomes limited.

Where are the best campgrounds in Oak Creek, Wisconsin?

While Oak Creek itself doesn't have campgrounds within the city limits, several excellent options are nearby. Harrington Beach State Park Campground offers secluded sites with privacy, clean facilities, and Lake Michigan access - perfect for campers seeking tranquility. Kettle Moraine South Camping features large sites with plenty of foliage for privacy, beautiful fall colors, and great hiking opportunities including Red Trail and Paradise Trail with views of Lake Ottawa. Both parks provide clean bathrooms and showers. For those wanting to stay closer to urban amenities while camping, Cliffside Park Campground and Wisconsin State Fair RV Park are reasonable alternatives within driving distance of Oak Creek.

Where can I buy firewood for camping in Oak Creek, Wisconsin?

When camping near Oak Creek, you can purchase firewood at several locations. Many state parks like Ottawa Lake Campground and Pike Lake Campground sell firewood on-site at camp offices or host sites. Local gas stations, grocery stores, and hardware stores in Oak Creek and surrounding communities also stock firewood. Remember that Wisconsin has firewood movement restrictions to prevent the spread of invasive species and diseases like emerald ash borer. The safest approach is buying firewood near your camping destination rather than bringing it from home. Look for certified heat-treated firewood if available, or purchase from vendors within 10 miles of your campsite.

Keep Exploring