Kettle Moraine State Forest spans 30,000 acres near Slinger, Wisconsin, with campgrounds scattered throughout its northern and southern units. The forest contains glacial landforms with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet, creating diverse terrain for hiking and horseback riding. Winters see average temperatures around 25°F while summers average 70°F, allowing for an extended camping season from April through November.
What to do
Hiking on the Ice Age Trail: Access segments of the 1,200-mile National Scenic Trail from Mauthe Lake Campground in the Northern Unit. "Nice clean swimming and lots of hiking and biking options," notes Noreen T. in her review of Mauthe Lake Campground.
Mini golf at county parks: Harnischfeger County Park offers affordable activities beyond camping. "The campground has alot of great amenities. Theirs a mini gulf course that we had alot of fun with. Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that," shares Taylor C. about Harnischfeger County Park.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Southern Unit trails provide extensive options for cyclists of all skill levels. "Great natural and historical sites. Awesome single-track mountain bike trails. Multiple campgrounds. Something for everyone," writes Bruce G. about the trails at Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
Horseback riding on designated trails: The Southern Unit Horseriders Campground connects to an extensive network specifically designed for equestrians. "There are also nice touches, such as a small stair-step for beginners or young people to mount their horse," notes Josh F. about the Southern Unit Horseriders Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Pinewoods Campground offers secluded camping spots with natural separation. "The 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," writes Abbe W. about Pinewoods Campground.
Motor-free lake access: Mauthe Lake provides peaceful water recreation without motorized disruptions. "We've been camping here for years and love the beautiful lake for swimming and watersports. No motor boats so nice and quiet. Also great trail running opportunities on the Ice Age," shares Sarah L.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained amenities across the region. "Very nice, clean and quiet campground. The showers are a bit of a hike from most sites but they are private/individual rooms. Sites aren't too small," reports Graisyn S.
Proximity to urban areas: Many campgrounds provide wilderness experiences despite being relatively close to cities. "Mauthe has several great wooded sites. You can't go wrong with how close the park is to Milwaukee," notes Caroline K.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the region require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Making reservations at the group site was easy and ensured no other campers were near us," shares Juliya R. about Kettle Moraine South Camping.
Loop designations: Some campgrounds have specialized loops with different rules. "We liked this site because it was on the 'quiet loop.' No radios or pets allowed," explains Wendy Z.
Site variations: Campsite quality and features vary significantly within each campground. "Some of the campsites seems very shallow but if you looked closer they have a path or another site to put a tent," advises Charles M.
Weather preparedness: Wisconsin weather can change rapidly, especially in spring and fall. "Our sire was nice for a inside loop. However we got rained out and having a five year old little girl, a 14wk old puppy, and a newbie camper almost four others we could only take so much rain," reports Nina T.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids. Also the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July," recommends Kaylyn C.
Consider quiet loops: Family-friendly atmospheres often correlate with designated quiet areas. "The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion. The quiet Loop was a wonderful idea," shares Kendal R.
Check campground activities: Some parks offer specialized programs or facilities. "Pick Up the activity book for kids it is a great adventure lots to do at the lake!!!" suggests Jill G. at Menomonee Park.
Research site proximity to facilities: Consider location relative to bathrooms and showers when camping with children. "The pit toilets are about 3 sites away, a short walk. There is room for two tents," notes Josh F.
Tips from RVers
Electric service variations: RV sites offer different amperage options across campgrounds. "Campground facilities are clean, 30 amp at the electrical site worked perfectly. Other campers amazingly friendly," reports Elizabeth S.
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds accommodate larger rigs better than others. "There are also 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," advises Josh F. regarding horse campgrounds near Slinger, Wisconsin.
Limited full hookups: Most campgrounds offer electric and water, but sewer connections are less common. "We were reserved, but unable to stay due to having a trailer with a car in it and not being able to unhitch to back into a site," warns angie G. about Elkhorn Campgrounds.
Off-season options: Some campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced services. "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping. No host so buying wood is an issue, but pick a site on the edge and there is more than enough free. Bring a saw," advises Tim H.
