Cabin accommodations near Saint Francis, Wisconsin offer alternatives to traditional tent camping in a region characterized by glacial landforms and kettle lakes. Located in southeastern Wisconsin with elevations ranging from 580-850 feet above sea level, the area experiences warm summers and cold winters. Most cabin camping options remain open from late April through mid-October, with select properties offering winter cabin accommodations.
What to do
Hiking near quarries and dunes: At Harrington Beach State Park Campground, visitors can explore unique geological features. "Hiking in the area is always nice, as it is part of the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit," notes one camper. Another mentions the "great hiking trails, a quarry, and a historical element" that make this spot special.
Winter cabin camping: For cold-weather enthusiasts, cabins provide shelter during snow season. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports one visitor about Ottawa Lake Campground. The campground offers year-round access with several reviewers noting its winter appeal: "This is a great campground. I have camped at Richard Bong State Park numerous times and this campground is very similar."
Astronomy viewing: Cabins provide dark sky opportunities away from city lights. "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," shares a camper at Richard Bong Recreation Area. The open spaces and minimal light pollution create ideal stargazing conditions on clear nights.
What campers like
Heated pool access: During cooler weather, heated pools extend swimming season. "The pool was great and thankful it was heated as the weather was cool," mentions a visitor at Happy Acres Kampground. Another notes: "the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there's a neat walking trail in the woods."
Privacy between sites: Kettle Moraine Southern Unit receives praise for site separation. "The campsites are large with lots of foliage for privacy. It's so pretty in the fall," shares one reviewer. Another points out that "there are several camping areas in this state park, I found the most appealing sites in the Pine Woods area because it has no electricity, is a 24-hour quiet area and no pets allowed."
Beach and lake access: Many cabin locations offer water recreation. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size," notes a visitor about Ottawa Lake. Another camper appreciates the "nice little lake to swim or paddle on" that provides relief during hot weather.
What you should know
Tick and mosquito precautions: Insects can be prevalent in wooded cabin areas. "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it," explains a camper at Sunset Campground. They continue: "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."
Raccoon activity: Secure food storage is essential. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," warns a visitor at Chain O' Lakes State Park. They recommend: "eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down."
Price considerations: Cabin fees vary significantly. "Yogi Bear campground is a nice, clean campground. Rental options and the big pool are wonderful. I can't afford to go there often though because it is pricey," shares a camper about Jellystone Park Caledonia. Budget-conscious travelers should research options thoroughly.
Tips for camping with families
Theme weekends: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers special events. "We booked a site here for Halloween and had a great time. My kids love Halloween Weekend camping at the various JellyStone Campgrounds," shares one parent. Another mentions: "You can pay $6 to have Yogi, Boo Boo or Cindy come visit your site and bring juice and a cookie."
Nature activities: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound. "If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go," notes a visitor to Richard Bong Recreation Area. "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."
Multiple playground options: Some properties feature various play areas. "There are a ton of activities here to include two bouncy pillows, three play grounds, a pool, water slides, a kids water activity area, beach, water obstacle course, inflatable slide, RC car track, laser tag, mini golf, giant chess," details one parent about Jellystone Park Caledonia.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, placement can be challenging. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad," warns a camper. They suggest: "Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance."
Site selection for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have tight spots. "We originally booked 96 but could not extend our slide because of large trees on either side of the pad and then the electric was about 50 feet away," notes an RVer at Chain O' Lakes. Always check site dimensions when booking cabins or RV sites near Saint Francis.
