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Best Campgrounds near South Milwaukee, WI

449 Reviews

State parks and county campgrounds surround South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, providing a range of camping experiences within an hour's drive of the city. Kettle Moraine State Forest's Southern Unit offers several highly-rated campgrounds, including Ottawa Lake and Pinewoods, where campers find wooded sites with varying levels of privacy. Cliffside Park Campground in Caledonia provides 92 sites with modern amenities just 15 miles south of the city. For those seeking family-oriented camping with activities, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Caledonia offers cabin rentals and glamping options alongside traditional tent and RV sites. Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Wisconsin's largest recreation area, features both Sunrise and Sunset Campgrounds with diverse recreational opportunities.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with limited year-round options like Wisconsin State Fair RV Park. Reservations become essential during summer weekends, particularly at lakeside locations. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop into the 30s at night. As one camper noted about Ottawa Lake, "It got cold, but nothing you can't prepare for. The proximity to the Ice Age Trail is a bonus." Road noise affects several campgrounds in the area, with multiple reviewers mentioning highway sounds at Ottawa Lake and Richard Bong. Sites farther from main roads generally provide a quieter experience.

The Ice Age Trail connects many camping areas, offering hiking opportunities through glacial terrain. Campers frequently mention the privacy of sites as a key factor in their experience. "The campsites feel very private with thick brush between each site," noted one visitor to Harrington Beach State Park. Lake access represents another important feature, with Ottawa Lake, Pike Lake, and Big Foot Beach State Park providing swimming and boating opportunities. Fall camping receives particular praise, with one reviewer stating, "It's so pretty in the fall. Red Trail, Paradise Trail, Rice Lake are all great hikes." Wildlife viewing opportunities include cranes, wild turkeys, and deer, especially in the quieter sections of Kettle Moraine State Forest.

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Best Camping Sites Near South Milwaukee, Wisconsin (51)

    1. Cliffside Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Caledonia, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 886-8440

    $32 - $35 / night

    "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"

    2. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Caledonia

    12 Reviews
    Oak Creek, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 835-2565

    "This location did not dissapoint. We have not gone to this location during the warmer months but looks to be a great campground"

    3. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Wauwatosa, WI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (414) 266-7035

    $55 / night

    "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."

    "Very close to downtown, right off of interstate. Clean facilities. We were visiting family downtown and it was very convenient."

    4. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    23 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    23 miles
    Website

    "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"

    "Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."

    5. Muskego Park by Waukesha County Parks

    8 Reviews
    Muskego, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "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."

    6. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Burlington, WI
    23 miles
    Website

    "Rocket launch (bring your own,) atv (no rentals-bring your own), water fowl hunting (during season), fishing, wildlife watching, swimming at the beach, playground for kids, and my favorite- nice trails"

    "the property is HUGE and most things are about a 10 to 15 min walk from the campsites. lots of hiking, boating, swimming fishing and more! a great place for anyone!"

    7. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    "We didn't have problems finding a spot and set up late at night as close to the lake as we could. The lake really can't be seen from any site but it's a 2 minute walk on a path to the lake."

    8. Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    39 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 594-6200

    "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."

    "Made my first visit to Ottawa Lake on a mid-March weekend. The facilities were still under their winter setup (only vault toilet, no shower available, pay in an envelope)."

    9. Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    22 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    30 miles
    +1 (262) 626-2116

    $18 - $30 / night

    "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."

    10. Happy Acres Kampground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, WI
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 857-7373

    "we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"

    "Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."

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Recent Camping Photos near South Milwaukee, WI

158 Photos of 51 South Milwaukee Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near South Milwaukee, WI

449 Reviews of 51 South Milwaukee Campgrounds

  • Mark D.
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    We had such an enjoyable time at Ottawa Lake Campground.

    Escape the everyday and immerse yourself in nature at Ottawa Lake Campground. Nestled in the heart of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, this welcoming retreat offers lakeside fun, scenic hiking trails, the quiet beauty of a true Northwoods experience, all without a long drive.

    We have visited the Campground 5 times this year already, we love hiking all the trails in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.

    https://youtu.be/xl4uAtNWclM

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Close to "home" beautiful sites

    We've been full time RVers for 4 years and this is a beautiful campground close to "home". We stay here a couple of times each year for doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family and friends, and general relaxation.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Circle K Campground

    Horrid management, bad experience

    Management (owners Ed and Coleen) are two of the rudest people I have ever met, with Ed fabricating outrageous, completely inaccurate stories highlighting either his "heroics" (like when his personal fire truck he has was working people would call him before 911) but more often how he has been slighted because of other's inadequacies (local grocery store doesn't like him because "his campers buy all their food leaving none for the locals), and also falsities behind his rules (the U.S. Postmaster does not allow anyone else's packages/mail to be delivered to the campground).  They are completely intolerant of kids/teenagers (and, heresay from conversations with seasonal residents, special needs kids) - rules for use of the pool is that it is open after a certain time and if the air temp is above a certain level - we personally witnessed 3 young teens ask to get into the pool an hour after the pool should've been open and it was 5 degrees over Ed's stated temp, but no one else was using the pool and Ed turned them away - told them to swim in the cesspool... I mean, pond.

    Ed constantly creates new rules on a whim and is exceedingly selective (read: biased) for whom those rules are enforced. If you have a problem with the campsite (water, electricity, dead trees, ground hornets, you name it) - it is because YOU did something wrong, and if you disagree he will harass you to no end and may even kick you out. Some of the seasonal campers are nice, others (those "in" with the owners) are not. I would not recommend this campground to anyone unless/until it is under new ownership.

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but 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. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. 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. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    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.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.

  • Kaitlin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    Relaxing but no water hook up

    We love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It’s always quiet and the view is beautiful. Bugs were awful this stay. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly.

  • Taylor C.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Harnischfeger County Park

    Harnischfeger Campground

    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.

Guide to South Milwaukee

Camping near South Milwaukee offers a great escape into nature, with several campgrounds that cater to different preferences. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are options that fit the bill.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Kohler-Andrae State Park. One visitor mentioned, "There are nice trails around the campground, and some of them even allow dogs."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Mauthe Lake Campground. A reviewer shared, "Great fishing and day-camping experiences too."
  • Beach Activities: Spend a day at the beach at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park. One camper noted, "I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Kohler-Andrae State Park said, "The amenities were very clean and well taken care of."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites. A reviewer at Cliffside Park Campground mentioned, "The sites were clean, grass was trimmed, plenty of trees for shade."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Ottawa Lake Campground remarked, "Rangers and hosts are super friendly and helpful as well."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park noted, "Always full on weekends. Popular destination for locals and people from Illinois."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or markets. A camper at Harrington Beach State Park mentioned, "The campground does not have a store, but sells firewood."
  • Water Quality: Some lakes may not be suitable for swimming. A reviewer at Sunrise Campground said, "The water remained pretty shallow so it was more of a place for kids to splash around in than for swimming."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and kid-friendly activities. One camper at Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pinewoods said, "There’s a playground for the kiddos."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A family at Mauthe Lake Campground enjoyed their time fishing and playing by the lake.
  • Check for Pet Policies: If you’re bringing pets, ensure the campground is pet-friendly. A visitor at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park mentioned, "Staff were very friendly and helpful."

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for Electric Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with electric hookups. A camper at Kohler-Andrae State Park shared, "We paid $40/night for an electric (30amp) site."
  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the site can accommodate your RV size. A reviewer at Cliffside Park Campground noted, "The sites were clean, grass was trimmed, plenty of trees for shade."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park mentioned, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."

Camping near South Milwaukee offers a variety of experiences, from family-friendly spots to peaceful retreats. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available in South Milwaukee?

South Milwaukee area offers several camping options within a reasonable driving distance. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park provides urban camping with RV hookups close to Milwaukee attractions. For those seeking a more natural setting, Cliffside Park Campground near Caledonia offers drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities. Families might enjoy Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Caledonia, which features numerous amenities and activities. These campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer months.

How does South Milwaukee camping compare to other Southern Wisconsin campgrounds?

South Milwaukee camping tends to be more urban-focused compared to the diverse natural settings found elsewhere in Southern Wisconsin. Harrington Beach State Park Campground offers secluded, private sites with clean facilities and Lake Michigan access. The Kettle Moraine State Forest provides a more immersive woodland experience with extensive hiking options, spacious sites, and beautiful fall colors. Unlike South Milwaukee's limited options, Southern Wisconsin features numerous state parks with varying landscapes, from Big Foot Beach State Park on Lake Geneva to the glacial terrain at Pike Lake. Most Southern Wisconsin campgrounds offer more privacy, nature access, and recreational opportunities than what's immediately available in South Milwaukee.

Which is the most popular campground near South Milwaukee, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Milwaukee, WI is Cliffside Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.

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