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

Best Tent Camping near Oak Creek, WI

448 Reviews

Public lands surrounding Oak Creek, Wisconsin offer several tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site provides a secluded backcountry tent camping experience accessible only by hiking trails. Approximately 30 miles southwest, Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake features elevated tent-only sites with lake views, while Waubedonia County Park near Fredonia offers more accessible tent campsites along the river. These established tent campgrounds provide varying levels of amenities and privacy within an hour's drive of Oak Creek.

Most primitive tent camping areas require campers to bring their own water and supplies. KMSF Shelter 1 features a basic shelter structure where tents can be placed, along with a fire pit, picnic table, and bench. Campers should plan to collect their own firewood from the surrounding area. The site includes an outhouse, though reviews suggest it may not be well maintained. At Snug Harbor, tent sites are positioned on the upper terrace of the property with gravel access roads connecting the camping loops. Waubedonia Park offers more developed facilities with drinking water, electric hookups, and trash disposal available for tent campers.

Walk-in tent sites at KMSF Shelter 1 require "decent walk and terrain to get to the site," according to one camper, making it ideal for those seeking privacy and seclusion. The effort required to reach this backcountry tent camping location helps ensure minimal crowds. At Snug Harbor, campers noted that specific tent sites like "Galapagos" and "Box Turtle" are elevated and set back from the main road, providing better views and more privacy. The Snapper sites (4-7) are recommended for group camping as they cluster together away from other campsites. Waubedonia Park campers describe the tent campground as "small but quaint" with "inexpensive and comfortable" sites, though with fewer amenities than larger facilities. These tent-only camping areas provide a range of experiences from true backcountry to more accessible options.

Map showing campgrounds near Oak Creek, WisconsinExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Oak Creek, Wisconsin (7)

Show More
Showing results 1-7 of 7 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Oak Creek Contest

Enter to Win

Tent Camping Reviews near Oak Creek, WI

448 Reviews of 7 Oak Creek Campgrounds

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2020

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Well maintained and clean

    Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

    There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

    Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

  • Josh F.
    Dec. 3, 2020

    Hebron Campground

    Small, Tidy with Lots of Waterworks

    This is a relatively small, private campground mostly for RVs though there are some very nice sites that would be lovely for tents. There are a dozen tent sites that back up to a very charming river, each one has a picnic table and fire pit. The view of the river from these sites is lovely. Adding to the waterworks, there is a cute pond with a charming fountain in the center of the RV sites, and a nice horseshoes pit. There are a number of RV sites with full hookups. 

    I spoke with the owner and they did not have tent camping in 2020. They were worried about people in too close proximity in the restroom. In 2020 they only allowed RVs that had their own restroom facilities. The owner told me that maybe there will be tent camping in 2021.

  • Meg
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Good For families, a few downsides

    *** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren’t very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best.

    Pros- easy pull in sites and lots of walk-in availability. Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe. Also seemed pretty respectful in the evenings with people toning down the noise.

    Lots of electric sites, deep enough for 2 tents, 2 cars (although close to neighbors and no trees between sites), picnic table and fire pit.

    Bathroom shower houses were decent (we usually just have toddler use her travel potty, but this one was fine).

    Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks.

    Cons - SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair.

    Also - the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it’s dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s’mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down.

  • Robert K.
    Mar. 21, 2018

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Cold night, but a pleasant park

    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). It was a very nice campsite that I stayed at. The grounds were quiet, however there were only a handful of people staying there at the time. The sites look to have enough space between the to make you feel a little more spread out and not sitting on top of each other. It got cold (cloudless late winter nights in Wisconsin can do that), but nothing you can’t prepare for. The proximity to the Ice Age Trail is a bonus, because it made for an easy activity without much fuss. Will visit again when warmer.

  • N
    May. 30, 2022

    Harrington Beach State Park Campground

    Pros and Cons Here

    We mostly enjoyed our trip here over Memorial Day Weekend. It’s not too far away from our home and a nice gear testing first trip.

    Pros: Spacious grassy site. This one even had an attached smaller clearing perfect for our 7 year old to use for her own space where we set up a hammock for her.

    The campsites feel very private with a thick brush between each site. It’s not a huge campground.

    Bathrooms and showers are very cleans and actually closed from 11am-noon each day for complete cleaning.

    Gorgeous magnificent trails and right on Lake Michigan. Also a beautiful quarry lake with a trail all the way around and a cute pond full of turtles!

    Very nice, completely cleaned fire pits.

    Cheap bundle yourself firewood. Cons:

    Gorgeous hikes, but short. We prefer more distance.

    Maybe because of its proximity to the lake and Milwaukee or perhaps the holiday weekend but this was a louder campground. More of a party vibe than we really look for in state parks. A particular group was extremely loud and kept us up until 4 am the first night. No park ranger on duty. It’s nice when quiet hours are observed.

    No trees really on the campground and it is built on and surrounded by wetlands that are actively in restoration. At the height of summer this place is going to be sweltering and full of bugs. The mosquitoes will be especially terrible.

    Overall we have and love this park for a day trip but probably won’t return to camp.

  • Mel C.
    Jul. 9, 2019

    Pike Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit

    Great lake and hiking

    We had a great time swimming and hiking At Pike Lake State Park. There is a nice observation tower with beautiful views of Holy Hill. The beach is large and there is a designated area for dogs, which we loved. Our campsite was large and grassy and had good privacy. The only issue we had was that our site was in a divot and had lots of low spots and therefore flooded badly, like 3 inches in our tent bad. Overall great camping, just watch for low sites in the non-electric area.

  • Josh F.
    Sep. 25, 2020

    Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake

    RV campground with lake access

    I did not stay here, but I spend some time walking through to get a feel for the place.

    This is primarily an RV/mobile home campground, but there are some nicely tucked away tent camp sites that I'll recommend later in this review. Gravel roads connect the three loops and the landscaping is well kept and maintained. The campground sells ice, firewood and rents boats.

    There is a very clean bathroom and bathhouse, freshwater for campers, and some electric tent campsites. The property is basically terraced along a slope down to the lake, with the RV and mobile home sites closer to the lake. The tent sites are above it all with decent views of the lake below (and the RVs). 

    The Galapagos tent campsite is elevated and a short distance from the loop road, and has a nice view of the lake. The Box Turtle site is also a bit elevated above the main driveway as is Snapper 7, though I am not sure where you are supposed to put your tent in that site.

    Now, Snapper 4, 5,6 and 7 would be nice for group camping because they are all very close to one another and a bit more private, set away from the rest of the campsites. There are lots of electrical sites for campers and RVs, most of which look like they are quite permanently in place.

  • C
    Apr. 8, 2018

    Pike Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit

    Fall Camping at Pike Lake

    Mid to Late October is great Fall camping in Southern Wisconsin. Cool nights range from lower 30's to upper 40's. Day time temps can exceed 60.

    Pike Lake State Park is part of the northern Kettle Moraine glacial deposit. This park offers fantastic hiking for many skill levels.

    The Land:

    Overnight camping has standard primitive sites (all wooded sites) scattered around single paved campground loop. Sites at beginning of loop are on hillside with leved pads for your tent. Sites at bottom of loop (near bathrooms) are flatter. However sites at bottom are closer together, than at the top.

    Pike Lake also has 3 (relatively new) hike in sites. I believe at least 1 of the hike in sites is non-reservable. All 3 sites have trail access from a parking lot (about 3/4 mile north from standard camp ground).

    Camping:

    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. I tend to book sites close to the bathrooms (young kids). However sites on the top of the loop are nice too. When the kids stay home, the hike in sites are very nice.

    Biggest disadvantage is the campground proximity to the rest of the park. One of the biggest draws to the park is the lake / beach. The camping is on the opposite side of the park to the beach. Certainly not a deal breaker, but when you have little ones, you just have to plan accordingly.

  • R
    Jun. 29, 2022

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Nice little get away

    Large sites with plenty of room to spread out. Plenty of birds and other wildlife for the kids to see. No alcohol is allowed so it made for a great family weekend. Short walk to bathhouse. Pit toilet for emergencies.

Guide to Oak Creek

Tent camping near Oak Creek, Wisconsin offers a blend of serene nature and accessible amenities, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Tips for tent camping near Oak Creek

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers should check out Snug Harbor

  • The Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake is well-reviewed for its beautiful views and friendly staff, making it a favorite among visitors.
  • With a three-tiered camping layout, Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake ensures that every camper has a great view of the lake.
  • This campground also offers a variety of activities, including access to a pub/restaurant, enhancing the overall camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Oak Creek, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Oak Creek, WI is KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Oak Creek, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Oak Creek, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring