Camping opportunities near Oakfield, Wisconsin primarily center around the kettle formations carved by glaciers that shaped the region over 10,000 years ago. The terrain consists of rolling, forested moraines with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from May through October, with July and August temperatures typically ranging from 60°F to 85°F.
What to do
Swimming in natural lakes: Long Lake Campground at Kettle Moraine State Forest offers two separate swimming beaches with sandy shorelines. "The lake is big, so motorcraft are allowed. It's fun to sunbathe and watch waterskiiers and tubers fly by off in the distance," notes Denise N. The south shore beach area includes a boat launch and reservable picnic cabana.
Hiking the Ice Age Trail: Several segments of this National Scenic Trail pass through local campgrounds. Sarah L. mentions that Long Lake has "great trail running opportunities on the Ice Age. There is a crushed gravel trail running from here to Long Lake that is great for running/walking/biking." The interconnected trail system links multiple camping areas throughout the region.
Local attractions within 15 minutes: From Waupun Park Campground, campers can easily access Waupun's community amenities. "We enjoyed the fall colors and privacy for a long stop on our trip across the northern border. You forget that you are situated right next to the small community of Waupun Wisconsin and you're just a stones throw from amenities to restock any supplies or enjoy a day in town strolling the charming Main Street and enjoying the many gorgeous bronze statues," writes Rita G.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Waupun Park Campground, the natural vegetation creates secluded camping spaces. "The deep spots offer gorgeous private, well wooded area that makes you feel like you're all alone in the woods," notes a camper. Another visitor adds, "Enjoying our time here, in spite of the rain. Some sites are nicely spaced apart... Site 21 is very nice… a little private elevated back yard area with a fire ring and picnic table."
Clean, modern facilities: Mauthe Lake Campground consistently receives positive reviews for its well-maintained amenities. "Campground facilities are clean, 30 amp at the electrical site worked perfectly. Other campers amazingly friendly. Sunset on the lake is ridiculously beautiful!" shares Elizabeth S. Another camper, Graisyn S., confirms: "Very nice, clean and quiet campground. The showers are a bit of a hike from most sites but they are private/individual rooms."
Oak and hickory forest settings: The mature forests provide natural shade and wildlife viewing. "The campground is in a beautiful oak/hickory forest with many birds, chipmunks and skeeters(pack protection)," advises Kay K. about Waupun Park Campground. The wooded environments throughout the area offer scenic settings while keeping sites cooler during summer months.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Long Lake Campground, various loops offer different experiences. "We walked some of the other loops and they did not all seem this way, especially in the 700's loop being a bit more wooded with some nice sites being my favorites, and also some nice sites in the upper 900's loop that were spaced out nicely," reports Darren L.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer months, especially on weekends. As one camper noted, "At the last minute we decided to go camping for the holiday weekend. We called 6 campgrounds close to us on Thursday at noon and this was the only one with availability."
Weather considerations: The region experiences variable spring conditions. At Ledge County Park, a camper shared: "After leaving a flooded, soggy Blue Mounds State Park we decided to see if we could get a site here on Saturday afternoon so we could complete a weekend camping in our new trailer. We were thrilled to be able to choose from maybe 20 unoccupied non electric sites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature recreational areas for children. At Ledge County Park, Cher & Walter P. mentioned the family-friendly amenities: "Nice, clean & family-type park! Hiking, observation deck, playground & volleyball!" The playground facilities help keep younger campers entertained.
Swimming options for different ages: Breezy Hill Campground offers alternatives to lake swimming. "Indoor pool great for kids. Bath house was a bit dated but okay. Coin operated showers, 25 cent for several minutes," notes Beth B. This provides a swimming option when weather conditions aren't suitable for lake activities.
Family activities: Mauthe Lake Campground includes several family-oriented amenities. Kaylyn C. describes it as having a "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids. Also the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July." Another visitor, GA J., confirms it's "Great for family" with "Great clean sites and fishing. Many hiking trails. Historical attractions."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and accessibility: For larger rigs, some campgrounds offer more suitable sites than others. At Long Lake, visitors should note, "Large sites, plenty of trees for hammocks. Free showers! A short bikeride to the beach," according to Jamie R.
Hookup variations: The Playful Goose Campground offers various utility connections. "Pay attention to reservation online or call….they have multiple types of sites. We accidentally got one without sewer, but they have dump tank on property so no issue," advises Beth B. Electrical connections vary across campgrounds, with some offering 30-amp service.
Road width concerns: Some campgrounds have narrow internal roads that can challenge larger RVs. As Amber C. observed, "They pride their grass, as they should because it is nice, but the roads in campground were all very narrow so we had to drive on it if a car was coming. If they could widen the roads a bit it would be helpful for driving as well as save their grass more."
