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Kettle Moraine State Forest's Southern Unit Horseriders Campground offers equestrian-specific sites with electric hookups and trailer parking. Located in Palmyra, this 5-star rated campground provides drinking water and includes access to trails designed for horseback riding throughout the Southern Unit. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs with ample space for horse trailers. The campground maintains toilets, showers, and trash facilities while keeping the equestrian experience central to its design. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings where fires are permitted. Trail riders notice the well-maintained pathways connecting directly to the campground, making morning rides convenient without having to trailer horses to trailheads.
The extensive trail system throughout Kettle Moraine State Forest provides varied terrain for riders of all experience levels. Horse trails connect to the campground and wind through the forest's distinctive glacial features. Water is available for horses near the campsites, though riders should bring portable water buckets for convenience. The campground operates seasonally from April through November, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for equestrian camping due to moderate temperatures and fewer insects on the trails. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends and fall color season when the campground frequently reaches capacity. The park requires a state park admission sticker in addition to camping fees for all vehicles entering the property.
"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."
"Red Trail, Paradise Trail,Rice Lake are all great hikes. Great views of Lake Ottawa. The close by town of Oconomowoc has a nice place to eat, Burkes Lakeside."
from $21 - $39 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $21 - $90 / night
Check Availability"There are miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I’m sure I’m missing more."
"The park has a lot of trails for hiking, biking and some horse trails. The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking."
"Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that."
"I live very close to this park and camp here often. It is a nice family type campground with a nice swimming beach and playground for children."
"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
from $21 - $39 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."
"This is one of the most popular State Parks in Wisconsin because it's on Lake Geneva. In fact, it's the only state park within town's limits."
from $19 - $37 / night
Check Availability"Driving on country roads to this campground, I drove past many many horse ranches. So it's no surprise that there is a dedicated campground for horseback riding in this state park. "
from $21 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn, EAHS, and the horse areana. You might even be able to catch a show or two on site at the fair grounds, depending on the time of year."
"Easy access to electric and/or water. If unsure, contact office. Site, restrooms, and showers were clean. There are a lot of sites but still felt like there was ample space."
"Good hiking around the lake and mostly dog friendly. Nice play ground with horse she pits."
"Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."
from $26 - $50 / night
Check Availability"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"Trails were geared more towards horses and bikes, but there are plenty of walking paths, and we were able to find some hidden trails along the lake (read: unofficial)."
ScoutThis campground charges both a site reservation fee ($33 for a primitive mosquito infested tent site) AND an additional day use fee on top of that - a $16 fee on top of that! $49????? For a no hook up single tent site???? Of course the fees aren’t actually published anywhere so you have to reserve it to actually know what you’ll be paying. It’s nothing special so these fees aren’t actually warranted for this place. 👎
TravelerVery friendly and very clean. 1 swimming pond 2 fishing ponds volleyball courts and 2 off leash dog areas. Showers are free and they have a huge kid play area along with a seasonal swimming pool and hot tub.
ScoutMy family has been camping at Mauthe Lake for decades, and every year we have to deal with camp hosts and rangers constantly monitoring us. We follow the rules and do not cause disruptions, and yet they constantly chew us out for very minor things. It makes me feel as if we’re not welcome on these grounds.
TravelerFirst time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
ScoutThis is a nice getaway for camping, picnics, hiking, fishing and in the summer swimming! They only offer swimming with lifeguards in the summer months. They have great open spaces for group camping.
TravelerThis is such a good spot, it’s not just an RV parking lot. Each site is its own little site just far enough from its neighbor to feel alone. Super nice and well kept
GuideAwesome campground in the north unit of Kettle Moraine. Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!
ScoutEscape 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
GuideWe'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.
Southern Unit Horseriders Campground provides electric hookups, trailer parking, and specialized facilities for equestrians. The trails connect directly to the campground with varied terrain throughout Kettle Moraine State Forest. Water is available for horses near the sites, though portable buckets are recommended. The campground operates from April through November, with spring and fall offering moderate temperatures and fewer insects. Reservations are advised, especially during peak times, as the campground frequently reaches capacity. Wisconsin state park admission stickers are required in addition to camping fees.
Hiking forest trails: The Kettle Moraine South Camping area offers extensive hiking options through varied terrain. "There are plenty of camp sites here! All different types. Electric, non-electric, primitive, walk-in, etc. Also, there's a small beach on a lake within the park near camping areas," notes Jessica Jazz B. The Ice Age Trail passes through several campgrounds, providing connectivity for longer treks.
Mountain biking: Dedicated single-track trails can be found throughout the forest's southern unit. Bruce G. describes the area as having "awesome single-track mountain bike trails" with "something for everyone" across the "huge expanse of land." Trail difficulty ranges from beginner-friendly routes to more technical sections for experienced riders.
Swimming and boating: Several lakes in the region offer swimming beaches and boat launches. At Menomonee Park, campers enjoy "a nice beach with life guards" where the quarry is "good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing," according to Matt N. Many lakes prohibit motorized boats, creating quiet environments for paddlers.
Secluded wooded sites: Campsites throughout the Kettle Moraine system offer good separation and privacy. At Pinewoods Campground, Abbe W. found that "sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain. Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight." The natural buffers between sites create personal space even during busy periods.
Seasonal beauty: Fall foliage draws many visitors to the area. Cathy L. notes that Kettle Moraine is "so pretty in the fall. Red Trail, Paradise Trail, Rice Lake are all great hikes." Winter camping options exist at several parks for cold-weather enthusiasts. Tim H. mentions that at Ottawa Lake Campground "you can camp year around" and finds winter offers "solitude" with "no rowdies."
Proximity to urban areas: The region provides natural settings within easy driving distance from Milwaukee and surrounding suburbs. GA J. describes the area as "within an hour of major suburbs of Milwaukee but out of the way," making it ideal for weekend getaways without extensive travel time.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking. "Please reserve especially on weekends," advises GA J. about Kettle Moraine Southern Unit. Popular sites and electric hookups are often booked months in advance, especially during summer and fall color season.
Vehicle permits: Wisconsin State Park admission stickers are required for entry to state properties in addition to camping fees. These can be purchased online or at entrance stations, with annual and daily options available.
Wildlife considerations: While generally mild, wildlife encounters do occur. Abbe W. notes "There was a posting about black bear sightings in the area. We did not experience that, just chipmunks and birds." Proper food storage is advised even in established campgrounds.
Insects: Bug protection is essential, particularly during warmer months. Amanda F. emphasizes to "definitely make sure to bring your bug spray for this location!" Some areas experience heavy mosquito activity during summer evenings.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Matt N. mentions that Harnischfeger County Park "has a 9 hole mini golf course that cost $1 a person" along with "trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking." These activities provide entertainment beyond standard campsite activities.
Quiet camping sections: For families seeking peaceful settings, designated quiet areas exist in certain campgrounds. Wendy Z. appreciated that at Pinewoods Campground, they "liked this site because it was on the 'quiet loop.' No radios or pets allowed." These areas enforce stricter noise regulations.
Activity programs: Many parks offer ranger-led programs during peak season. Art S. recommends: "We asked the ranger about hiking and she gave us a map to a trail system that connects to this campground between the group sites and loop 3. We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail."
Site selection considerations: When booking RV sites, pay attention to specific features and limitations. At Lake Kegonsa State Park, Ted W. cautions that "the sites we were in were a little narrow to back in a 30ft camper. The pictures of the site did not show this." Checking campground maps and reading reviews can help identify suitable locations.
Electric service details: Most electric sites in the area offer 30-amp service, with some providing 50-amp connections. Glenn S. notes that campsites are "roomy" but warns that after rain "most of the site was mud" due to limited grassy areas at some locations.
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer pull-through sites for easier access. Josh F. recommends the equestrian campground has "a series of pull-through sites that would make it easier for those who don't care to back trailers in or out of the site. These include electric sites 405, 404, 403, 402, and 401."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Pewaukee, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pewaukee, WI is Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Pewaukee, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Pewaukee, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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