Cabins near Palmyra, Wisconsin occupy the glacial landscape of the Kettle Moraine region, where elevation ranges from 800 to 1,200 feet. The area's unique terrain was shaped by retreating glaciers, creating distinctive kettles (depressions) and moraines (ridges) throughout the landscape. Winter cabin camping is available year-round at several locations with temperatures typically dropping to the teens in January.
What to do
Spring water exploration: 20-minute hike from Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit to natural springs. "Great hiking right across the street with views of little springs. Kids lived it," notes Matt N., who appreciated the family-friendly terrain.
Boating and lake activities: Daily rentals available at Pierce Lake within Rock Cut State Park. The park includes a designated swimming area and boat launch. As Tim H. describes, "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!"
Winter camping: Year-round access at several locations with reduced rates during colder months. "No showers in winter but awesome," according to David H., who found Ottawa Lake Campground particularly suitable for off-season stays when seeking solitude.
Mountain biking: Trail passes required for the extensive single-track system. "20 minute drive to the awesome Kettle Moraine biking trails. Yee haw!" reports Heather H., highlighting the proximity to premier Midwest mountain biking.
What campers like
Lake access for fishing: Multiple piers available at Hickory Hills Campground with catch-and-release options. "If you're looking to get your fishing on, what's great about Hickory Hills Campground is that they provide you direct access to Rice Lake, where you'll catch no shortage of blue gills, small and large mouthed bass, bullheads and crappie," explains Stuart K.
Privacy between sites: Thick vegetation in certain camping loops provides separation. "The sites are fairly close together and the trees are sparse, but it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend over the 4th of July," notes Wendy Z., who specifically recommends the quiet loop at Kettle Moraine.
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance of restrooms and shower buildings at most locations. According to Linda N., "Shower house #2 was clean although a bit older (paint was peeling off the walls due to humidity) but the water pressure was fine and as hot as I needed it to be."
Seasonal activities: Scheduled events throughout camping season, particularly at private campgrounds. "Every weekend there are activities planned from wine tasting to Halloween trick or treating. The sites are large and you can choose from shady or sunny sites," shares Margo S. about Hickory Hills.
What you should know
Road noise: Proximity to highways affects some campgrounds and specific loops. "Although it didn't disturb our sleep, certain loud vehicles were more noticeable throughout the day and night," explains Linda N., who recommends camping "significantly better even just one section over" from the highway at Ottawa Lake.
Reservation timing: Book 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends at Kettle Moraine South Camping. "Pick a site on the edge and there is more than enough free [wood]. Bring a saw. Nice place for solitude. No rowdies in winter," advises Tim H., highlighting seasonal differences in availability.
Site selection: Location matters for amenities and atmosphere. Josh F. reports, "The Pine Woods area has no electricity, is a 24-hour quiet area and no pets allowed. The sites in this area generally have long driveways, more 'privacy' than I've seen in many State Parks campgrounds and generous space between sites."
Seasonal campers: Private campgrounds often have permanent residents. "This campground is HUGE! Well maintained & beautiful. Bathrooms are extremely clean," notes Stacy C. about Scenic Ridge Campground, which maintains a mix of weekend and seasonal sites.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Supervised swimming areas with varying amenities by location. "The beach and lake was incredibly clean (they had a triathlon there the weekend we stayed). Scuppernong Springs was also a treat for the kiddos although I highly recommended planning for a solid 2 mile hike if you're with kids," advises Linda N.
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas to monitor children easily. At Milton-Madison SE KOA, Chris H. found that "They have a ton of things to do for the family like a baseball backstop, sand volleyball, horse shoes, a playground etc."
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs available seasonally at state parks. "Pick Up the activity book for kids it is a great adventure lots to do at the lake!!!" recommends Jill G. at Kettle Moraine, referring to the Junior Ranger-type programs offered.
Noise considerations: Designated quiet areas exist at several campgrounds. "We liked this site because it was on the 'quiet loop.' No radios or pets allowed... it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend," notes one camper about the specialized camping sections.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Preparation needed at some locations with uneven terrain. Steven P. explains, "Fairly large sites, problem is getting into them. Our site was downhill so that presented quite the challenge to level out."
Electric options: Amperage varies by campground and specific site. "There are lots of things to do here, but tent camping is not one of them," warns Josh F. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, indicating its focus on RVs and cabins with electrical amenities.
Water access: Not universal at all sites or during all seasons. As Michael R. from Pilgrims Campground notes, "We were located on the end of the row and had lots of grass to enjoy. Owner was very friendly and helpful," highlighting the importance of checking site specifications.
Shower proximity: Consider distance when selecting sites at larger campgrounds. "To access the shower, you will need to go back to the main road and hike it down the road with your towel and toiletries," warns Stuart K. about certain campground loops where bathroom buildings may be quite distant from campsites.