Slinger, Wisconsin sits on the Kettle Moraine region, formed by glacial deposits that created unique terrain with hills, depressions, and abundant lakes. Camping options range from fully-equipped RV resorts to primitive tent sites within a 30-minute drive. Fall temperatures often drop below 45°F at night, requiring campers to pack appropriate cold-weather gear even during autumn camping trips.
What to do
Hiking on Ice Age Trail: Multiple campgrounds near Slinger provide direct access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. At Pike Lake Campground, "There are three backpacking sites off the IAT - one prairie, two wooded. B2 and B3 are large," notes a camper. The trails are beginner-friendly with connections to longer routes for experienced hikers.
Beach swimming: Naga-Waukee Park offers clean beaches for swimming. "The beach on the shores of Lake Nagawicka is well-groomed, clean, has a seasonal lifeguard and a playground within earshot," reports one visitor. Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with seasonal lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Fishing opportunities: Local lakes contain diverse fish populations for anglers. "Good fishing!" reports a camper at Mauthe Lake. Rice Lake at Hickory Hills Campground provides "direct access to Rice Lake, where you'll catch no shortage of blue gills, small and large mouthed bass, bullheads and crappie." Most fishing areas don't require special permits beyond a Wisconsin fishing license.
What campers like
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds often organize weekend events throughout camping season. At Hickory Hills, "Every weekend there are activities planned from wine tasting to Halloween trick or treating." Another visitor noted they "have a live band playing on the beach, people were dancing, cheering and having the best time of their lives."
Forest campsites: Many campers appreciate the wooded sites that create natural barriers between campsites. Mauthe Lake Campground features "big campsites, not too close to neighbors," and "the sites are well separated for privacy." Another visitor described the campground as having "several great wooded sites. You can't go wrong with how close the park is to Milwaukee."
Accessible amenities: Family-friendly facilities make extended stays comfortable. "The bathrooms were clean, the attendants were really nice, they borrowed us an extension cord so we could set up a bit further back," mentioned a visitor to Ledge County Park. Another camper praised the "clean showers and toilets and really friendly attendants."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or attractions. A visitor to Naga-Waukee Park reported, "It is quite nice and pretty out here. A lot of amenities you'll find at other campgrounds. It is very close to main roads as I heard traffic all day and sometimes sirens." Similarly, campers at Plymouth Rock Camping Resort noted it is "close to a racetrack" with "noise annoying early in the morning."
Uneven terrain: Several campgrounds feature sloped sites that can challenge setup. At Ledge County Park, "We originally were to be at site G but it was way too small to fit our cars, tents, etc." Always research specific sites before booking, as terrain varies significantly across campgrounds in the Kettle Moraine region.
Reservation policies: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for summer weekends. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park has specific requirements: "Summer months May through April you do have to book 2 nights minimum. That was a little annoying as it already seemed high price of $60 per night." Reserve 2-3 months ahead for weekend stays during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and beaches: Multiple family-oriented amenities keep children entertained. At Naga-Waukee Park, one visitor highlighted "covered picnic areas, winding trails, a boat-ramp, and much more to do in the area - from hiking to boating to golfing." Mauthe Lake offers a "nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids."
Family programming: Organized activities provide structured entertainment options. Hickory Hills features "a jumping pad mini golf basketball hoops and water launchers. The store is awesome anything you would need." Another camper mentioned they have "build your own donut and sundaes" activities for children.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites away from main thoroughfares for a quieter experience. At Pike Lake, "The family sites are small - and there are only toilets available - but there is a main building down a steep hill to get to nicer facilities and showers." Research individual site dimensions before booking to ensure adequate space for your equipment.
Tips from RVers
Urban access options: Fairgrounds RV Park provides reliable hookups close to town amenities. "20/30/50 amp service, most sites have water hook-up, restrooms, dump station, campfires in above ground fire pits supplied by you," reported one RVer. Sites with more privacy are available: "The site I'm at has plenty of space for them to run around my site without disturbing other campers."
Hookup reliability: Not all campgrounds maintain consistent utility services. At Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, one camper noted it offers "full hookups. Very close to downtown, right off of interstate. Clean facilities." The park provides "big paved parking lot with full hookups" making it popular for urban access despite limited natural features.
Maneuverability challenges: Some campground roads pose challenges for larger rigs. Pike Lake Campground has "a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers." Several campers recommend calling ahead to discuss specific RV dimensions before attempting to navigate campground roads, especially in heavily wooded areas.
