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The Milwaukee area offers multiple established campgrounds for visitors near Shorewood, Wisconsin. Most camping options cluster within a 25-mile radius of the city, including Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, which serves as the only designated RV park within Milwaukee proper. Several county park campgrounds provide alternatives, such as Menomonee Park with tent sites and Cliffside Park Campground in Caledonia. The camping landscape includes both primitive tent areas and full-hookup RV sites, with select locations offering cabin rentals and glamping accommodations. Kettle Moraine State Forest, with several campground units within driving distance, provides more natural surroundings compared to the urban-adjacent camping found closer to Milwaukee.
Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter availability. "The park was all cement, it was clean and quiet. Laundry and shower facilities were kept very clean as well," noted one visitor about the State Fair RV Park. Reservation requirements vary, with Wisconsin State Fair RV Park requiring two-night minimum stays during peak season. County parks like Menomonee feature pit toilets and shower buildings, though some reviewers mention cleanliness issues. Campground amenities range significantly—Jellystone Park in Caledonia offers extensive recreational facilities while state forest campgrounds provide more basic services. Price points reflect amenity levels, with urban sites generally commanding higher rates than those in outlying areas.
Campers seeking natural settings gravitate toward the Kettle Moraine State Forest campgrounds, which receive consistently positive reviews for their wooded sites and trail access. County parks like Menomonee offer a middle ground with natural settings relatively close to urban amenities. "We have been to Menomonee park several times. It is one of the kids favorites. The sites are just about all wooded," a reviewer mentioned. Family-oriented campgrounds like Jellystone Park feature extensive recreational facilities but at premium prices. Urban campers primarily use the Wisconsin State Fair RV Park as a convenient base for exploring Milwaukee attractions despite its parking lot setting. Noise considerations vary significantly, with some campgrounds struggling to enforce quiet hours while others maintain a more peaceful atmosphere.
"So we just use that because no one was there. 1.7 miles on bike path to Brewer Baseball field. It was raining to we used Uber to the game and walked back for an afternoon game."
"They work with you every step of the way and show you around the area if you wanted! Plus they have a dump station and water fill up station even if you’re not staying here or book here."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"We were also pleasantly surprise when found out about the close by trail - short trail beginner friendly ravine geography. Very beautiful view of the lake from the top of the cliff."
"Month Stayed: September Site: gravel and level Spacing: very close to others Cleanliness: very clean Surrounding: trees throughout, playgrounds, nice bathrooms Noise: some noise due to closeness Access"
from $32 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This location did not dissapoint. We have not gone to this location during the warmer months but looks to be a great campground"
"Live nearby. We go there a lot over the summer. Fun park to ride bikes through. Many trails to walk or hike. The pond has a great beach for kids."
"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."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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 $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area."
"I did not stay at this park, but did drive and walk through it to get a feel for it. There are a number of sites I'd love to tent camp in. This park is bounded by a lake with a nice beach."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"North Kettle Moraine, Pike Lake Unit was an easy choice given it's proximity to the city- about 40 minutes."
"A last minute decision to camp for a night led my son and I to the often visited Pike Lake unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Its a beautiful park and within 30 minutes of our home."
from $20 - $38 / 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 $20 - $90 / night
Check Availability"This was our first time camping in Wisconsin and we got to say we absolutely love this park. Most of the sites are pretty secluded so if you enjoy your privacy I will love this place."
"There is something deeply calming about waking up just steps from Lake Michigan at the Harrington Beach State Park Family Campground, where our little crew found the perfect balance of nature and comfort"
from $23 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
"Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!"
from $20 - $38 / night
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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.
ScoutWe have been seasonal campers for many years! When we first started, everyone was very nice and we always had a great time. Each years the rules change a bit which is common.The last three years have been horrible! We have had nothing but issues that I brought up to the staff many times. I have had the workers ask me if I was f***in stupid, people stealing stuff off our lot, telling our guest we don’t camp there( even tho they knew they were coming for my daughters birthday party), and much more. They are extremely Strict on the 5 mph. They will scream at you if they see Gravel dust as you drive. The campground is not well maintained. I wish things would not have ended the way it has. I’m happy we found a better family friendly campground to be at where my kids are not scared to be playing in our lot!
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
GuideSites are large, well-spaced, many shaded by wonderful large trees. The woods are very open with little understory, and much of the area facing the road is graveled, so you will still see your neighbors. So many hiking options - the Ice Age Trail connects to the campground only a few minutes walk away. Many hiking options, the walk to the Powder Hill Lookout tower is a must. Picnic area and waterfront are a short drive away. Bathrooms were clean and showers free, hot, and strong. Some traffic noise from highway nearby but quiet at night.
GuideFor a primitive campground, this was a nice-enough experience.
Pros:
- The sites we stayed in and the others that we noticed seemed sizeable and had nice tree-cover
- Having access to the Ice Age Trail was really neat
- Lake access nearby
Cons:
- On the continuum of vault toilet quality, these were on the less-desirable end. We joked about whether it was scarier to visit them when they were dark or when the lights were on. If you love having fly friends keep you company when nature calls, then these are the bathrooms for you! The bathrooms did get cleaned on Sunday morning, but this didn't help the situation very much.
- No showers
TravelerIt’s a lot bigger than I expected it to be. Our site is great the bathrooms are well maintained. There’s plenty of things to do here. Getting wood is great and easy the only downside is paying $8 a bundle. Otherwise great campgrounds. Would definitely come back.
TravelerStayed in Sunrise campground. Minimal amenities available. Most sites seem geared towards tents and small units. Sunfall camp ground especially so.
Camping near Shorewood, Wisconsin primarily occurs in the 25-50 mile radius surrounding Milwaukee, with distinct seasonal patterns affecting accessibility. The region's glacial topography creates unique camping environments ranging from lakefront settings to inland forests. Water levels on Lake Michigan can fluctuate significantly, with high water conditions sometimes limiting beach access at lakeside campgrounds during summer months.
Hiking the Ice Age Trail: Pike Lake Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest offers excellent access to this historic trail. "The iconic Ice Age Trail runs right through all three campsites for the most convenient hiking access. While you may see some other hikers on the trail from your site, this seems to be a less-frequented part of the trail so the foot traffic is light," notes one visitor.
Swimming in quarries: Several campgrounds feature swimming in former quarries rather than natural lakes. "The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards," reports a camper at Menomonee Park, noting these alternative swimming options often have cleaner water than some lakes in the region.
Water activities without motors: Mauthe Lake Campground offers peaceful water experiences. "The lake itself is great for canoeing or kayaking... No motor boats so nice and quiet," shares one reviewer. Another adds, "Nice clean swimming and lots of hiking and biking options."
Astronomy observations: Some campgrounds offer stargazing opportunities. Pike Lake has an "interpretive astronomy trail" according to one camper, who recommends to "take the walk up Powder Hill to the tower!" These designated areas provide better visibility away from city lights.
Secluded backpacking sites: Ottawa Lake features walk-in sites that create a more remote camping experience. "If I had to guess I think it was about a quarter mile hike to the site. There are a few back there but once there it feels secluded. Kids had a great time exploring climbing on a little rock wall that was back there," shares a visitor.
Pine forest environments: Pinewoods Campground offers a distinctive forest setting. "The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion," explains one camper. Another states it has "Lots of Pine, hence the name. There are 3 separate loops, 1 quiet zone, one group, one family."
Clean shower facilities: Many campers note the cleanliness of facilities as a highlight. At Cliffside Park Campground, a visitor observed: "Level sites with electric and water at each site. Well taken care of grounds. Nice bathrooms with clean showers."
Winter camping options: Not all campgrounds close completely in winter. At Ottawa Lake, a camper mentioned: "No showers in winter but awesome," showing that some sites remain operational for cold-weather enthusiasts who want to camp near Shorewood during off-season months.
Site reservation logistics: Many campgrounds have split reservation systems. At Muskego Park, "The campground takes reservations 7 days out or drive up," explains a camper, while at another park: "Sites 1-41 are available for first come if not previously reserved."
Processing fees apply: Several county parks charge additional reservation fees. At Cliffside Park, "The fee is $30/night plus $12 if you choose to reserve a site," making walk-up camping sometimes more economical for spontaneous trips.
Noise considerations: Road and racing noise affects some campgrounds. Pike Lake campers report hearing nearby Slinger Speedway: "Also close to Slinger Speedway, which on Sundays on the weekend can be loud with the races and they can run kinda late (about 10PM)." Check campground locations relative to highways and entertainment venues.
Mosquito preparation: Bug protection is essential at most campgrounds. As one Harrington Beach State Park camper noted: "Bugs weren't an issue yet, but i could imagine it getting bad depending on the season." Consider timing your visit to minimize insect encounters.
Look for dedicated quiet zones: Families with early sleepers benefit from designated quiet areas. Pinewoods Campground has "3 separate loops, 1 quiet zone, one group, one family." However, enforcement varies as one camper noted: "What good are quiet hours if they are not enforced? The people across from us were playing music and being loud well past 1:00 am."
Water features for kids: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive water activities. "Plenty of things to do all day with the rec dept staff and lots of sightings of Yogi, Boo Boo, and Cindy Bear! Pool and Bear Paw beach are both nice, the kids had a blast at both," reports a family camper.
Weekday camping for fewer crowds: Most campgrounds near Shorewood experience heavy weekend use. "We stayed during the week so it was not crowded and we didn't have a problem getting a walk-up site," notes one camper. Another reports: "Gets very busy on the weekends!" at Mauthe Lake.
Consider firewood needs: Many campsites sell firewood, but prices and availability vary. "The Ranger will come by often with wood to buy," notes a Menomonee Park visitor, while another campground was criticized for wood being "too high" in price.
Urban RV options limited: Wisconsin State Fair RV Park remains the main option in Milwaukee proper. "This is the only RV site in the Milwaukee metro area. It was nice, clean, showers and laundry. Staff is friendly," reports one RVer, though they noted the "high price of $60 per night."
Minimum stay requirements: Some RV parks enforce multi-night minimums during peak times. "Summer months May through April you do have to book 2 nights minimum. That was a little annoying as it already seemed high price," notes one RVer about the State Fair RV Park.
Water hookup length considerations: At some sites, standard hose lengths don't reach. "Each site has water but in order to reach some of the spigots you would need more than a 50' water hose so choose your site with that in mind," advises a camper at Cliffside Park.
Check specific site dimensions: Many campgrounds have varied site sizes even within the same loop. "Each of the 32 sites is unique in their own way. Some are large and flat perfect for a class A (#2 #4, #29 #31 is okay, but smaller)," explains a Pike Lake camper, adding there's "a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Shorewood, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shorewood, WI is Wisconsin State Fair RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 10 reviews.
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