Milwaukee County's Saint Francis area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level along Lake Michigan's western shore, offering camping options within a 25-mile radius. The region experiences humid continental climate with warm summers reaching into the 80s and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the prime camping season. Sites typically range from wooded inland locations to shoreline settings.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Kettle Moraine State Forest features extensive trail systems for outdoor enthusiasts. "Nice little lake to swim or paddle on. 20 minute drive to the awesome Kettle Moraine biking trails. Yee haw!" notes Heather H. The trails accommodate various skill levels with terrain shaped by glacial deposits.
Archery practice: Muskego Park offers dedicated archery facilities for target practice. "The park has a lot of amenities including a beachy pond area and an archery area where you can practice shooting from a blind above - great for hunters looking to brush up skills before the season starts," explains Laura B.
Swimming in quarry waters: The man-made swimming areas provide alternatives to Lake Michigan beaches. At Menomonee Park, visitors find "a great beach for kids" according to Kyle B., while Muskego Park features "a nice little concessions stand, a little sand area, and a small pier to jump off of" as described by Darren L.
What campers like
Natural surroundings: Richard Bong State Recreation Area provides wildlife viewing opportunities in its wetland habitat. "If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go," says Tim H., adding "Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private."
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the spaciousness and privacy at certain parks. At Cliffside Park Campground, campers find "generously sized sites in wooded surroundings" according to Judy W., while Sharon B. notes that "All sites are spacious with their own power and water."
Group camping options: Several parks offer dedicated group camping areas separate from standard sites. At Muskego Park, "There are 3-4 large group sites" as Laura B. mentions, while Kara G. describes Pinewoods Campground's group sites as "much larger and aren't patrolled by the rangers as much."
What you should know
Campground noise levels: Sound considerations vary significantly between parks. At Pinewoods Campground, Teresa D. explains "There are 3 separate loops, 1 quiet zone, one group, one family," providing options based on noise preference. Kendal R. adds that even in the quiet loop, "someone randomly started playing a flute" at 11:30 pm.
Mosquito preparation: Wetland areas require extra insect protection. Tim H. warns about Richard Bong Recreation Area: "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."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and maintenance vary between parks. At Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, "Bathrooms could have been cleaner, but I mostly blame guests for not picking up after themselves," mentions Kara W., while at Menomonee Park, Kim states "Pit toilets and metros desperately need to be cleaned more often."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming beaches: Menomonee Park offers family-friendly swimming options. Matt N. explains, "The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards," making it suitable for families with children of various ages.
Kid-friendly entertainment: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Caledonia provides organized activities for children. Ginny B. notes there are "Plenty of things to do all day with the rec dept staff and lots of sightings of Yogi, Boo Boo, and Cindy Bear!" Carol W. adds it's "Great campground for families! Tons to do!"
Short hiking routes: For families with young children, shorter trails accommodate various abilities. At Illinois Beach State Park, visitors find "Easy access to the beach" according to Chrissy E., while at Richard Bong Recreation Area, Cora M. describes "many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike."
Tips from RVers
Urban RV setup: Wisconsin State Fair RV Park offers convenience for metropolitan access. Mary G. calls it "Perfect for what it is! Big paved parking lot with full hookups. Very close to downtown, right off of interstate," while Jeff and Linda L. note "1.7 miles on bike path to Brewer Baseball field."
Extended-stay options: Some parks accommodate longer visits. Anna and Michael G. report "We stayed at State Fair RV Park in Milwaukee for two months while waiting to retire and work out bugs in our new RV," adding "The park was all cement, it was clean and quiet."
Hook-up considerations: Understanding electrical and water connection details helps prevent surprises. At Cliffside Park, Nancy S. mentions "Level sites with electric and water at each site," though Sharon B. cautions "to reach some of the spigots you would need more than a 50' water hose so choose your site with that in mind."
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