Best Tent Camping near Sturtevant, WI

Tent campsites near Sturtevant, Wisconsin include several established options with varying amenities and settings. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site offers a primitive backpacking experience with walk-in access, while Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake in Delavan provides lakeside tent camping with more developed facilities. These locations represent the range of tent camping experiences available within driving distance of Sturtevant, from rustic to relatively comfortable.

KMSF Shelter 1 requires hikers to traverse moderate terrain to reach the secluded site, making it suitable for more experienced campers seeking solitude. The site includes basic amenities like a picnic table, fire pit, and an outhouse, though campers report the latter is not recommended for use. Visitors need to gather their own firewood from the surrounding area. One camper noted, "There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside," highlighting the site's flexibility for different camping styles. In contrast, Snug Harbor offers tent sites with electrical hookups, drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities, making it appropriate for those seeking more creature comforts.

The tent camping experience varies significantly between these locations. At KMSF Shelter 1, campers enjoy complete privacy in a forested setting. A visitor described it as "very secluded for privacy" with a "decent walk and terrain to get to the site." This backpacking destination appeals to those seeking a genuine wilderness experience without the sounds of vehicles or neighboring campers. Snug Harbor's tent sites, while more developed, still offer natural surroundings with lake views. The campground is designed with three terraced levels ensuring most sites have views of Turtle Lake. Some tent sites are elevated and set back from the main areas, providing a buffer from the RV section of the campground and creating a more tent-focused experience.

Best Tent Sites Near Sturtevant, Wisconsin (4)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Sturtevant, WI

477 Reviews of 4 Sturtevant Campgrounds


  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2020

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Well maintained and clean

    Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

    There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

    Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

  • Josh F.
    Dec. 3, 2020

    Hebron Campground

    Small, Tidy with Lots of Waterworks

    This is a relatively small, private campground mostly for RVs though there are some very nice sites that would be lovely for tents. There are a dozen tent sites that back up to a very charming river, each one has a picnic table and fire pit. The view of the river from these sites is lovely. Adding to the waterworks, there is a cute pond with a charming fountain in the center of the RV sites, and a nice horseshoes pit. There are a number of RV sites with full hookups. 

    I spoke with the owner and they did not have tent camping in 2020. They were worried about people in too close proximity in the restroom. In 2020 they only allowed RVs that had their own restroom facilities. The owner told me that maybe there will be tent camping in 2021.

  • Scott N.
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Thomas Woods Campground

    Great trails, loud neighbors, lots of bugs

    Thomas Woods campground has some great sites, particularly the tent sites. Many of them are set off a short distance from the parking area. I stayed at site 30 which was less than a tenth mile from the parking spot. There are no trash cans at the site, the dumpsite is near the entrance. Most of the roads are one way so after dropping the trash off you must drive all through the campground to get back to your site. The site itself had plenty of room and privacy. The woods are dense and block all views of the neighboring sites. Unfortunately, I think some people think if they can’t see you, you can’t hear them. Every site has a raised pad for a tent. This was very nice. I did track in some of the small gravel into the tent, though. It looks like kitty litter. Not a big deal. It was nice sleeping flat and not sliding off my sleep pad.

    Near Marengo Ridge is a bike trail called H.U.M. Trail. It is only 3.5 miles long. From what I understand is they lost funding for the project. The path is paved and offers a scenic forested view. The hiking trails of Marengo Ridge are the true stars of the area. I walked for almost two hours and still didn’t see them all. Some of the trails have wide paths of grass while others are single-track dirt. 

    As other reviewers have written, the mosquitoes are insane.  Bring plenty of bug spray!

    My website:  https://www.lost13.com/camping/2020/7/13/marengo-ridge

    My video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4TzLzf\_PY&t=1s

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2019

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Amazing hiking and beautifully kept but a bit pricey

    This campground is in a populated area but the nature preserve is big. We rarely saw traffic once here. A train goes by a couple times but it was always during the day. 

    It’s pricey if you are from out of the county. We were hoping to camp at the primitive sites but they are walk-in only. Our teardrop wasn’t allowed. We settled at site 37 and enjoyed our stay. There are vault toilets but the large number of big RVs meant they were not used often leaving them almost like our private restrooms. Each site has water and electric. Trees are around the outside with few on the inside sites. All the sites have paved pads. 

    The highlight of our experience is the hiking. There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn’t hiked all of them. 

    If the price was more reasonable we would certainly be back. If you need the water/electric then this is a great choice.

  • Meg
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Good For families, a few downsides

    *** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren’t very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best.

    Pros- easy pull in sites and lots of walk-in availability. Sites are almost all flat thankfully, so no weird slopes to sleep on and easy for babies/toddlers to stay safe. Also seemed pretty respectful in the evenings with people toning down the noise.

    Lots of electric sites, deep enough for 2 tents, 2 cars (although close to neighbors and no trees between sites), picnic table and fire pit.

    Bathroom shower houses were decent (we usually just have toddler use her travel potty, but this one was fine).

    Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks.

    Cons - SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people! Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair.

    Also - the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it’s dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s’mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down.

  • Mel C.
    Jul. 9, 2019

    Pike Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit

    Great lake and hiking

    We had a great time swimming and hiking At Pike Lake State Park. There is a nice observation tower with beautiful views of Holy Hill. The beach is large and there is a designated area for dogs, which we loved. Our campsite was large and grassy and had good privacy. The only issue we had was that our site was in a divot and had lots of low spots and therefore flooded badly, like 3 inches in our tent bad. Overall great camping, just watch for low sites in the non-electric area.

  • Robert K.
    Mar. 21, 2018

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Cold night, but a pleasant park

    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). It was a very nice campsite that I stayed at. The grounds were quiet, however there were only a handful of people staying there at the time. The sites look to have enough space between the to make you feel a little more spread out and not sitting on top of each other. It got cold (cloudless late winter nights in Wisconsin can do that), but nothing you can’t prepare for. The proximity to the Ice Age Trail is a bonus, because it made for an easy activity without much fuss. Will visit again when warmer.


Guide to Sturtevant

Tent camping near Sturtevant, Wisconsin presents opportunities in the glaciated landscape of southeastern Wisconsin, with sites situated among kettle moraines, glacial lakes, and wooded areas. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during the day and dropping to 50-65°F at night. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 750-900 feet above sea level, creating moderate terrain with occasional hills and depressions formed by glacial activity.

What to do

Fishing at local lakes: Turtle Lake at Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake provides accessible fishing opportunities. "They also have tent sites. This season there will be new owners so I hope they keep some of the annual activities," notes Kevin C., suggesting activities may vary by season.

Explore hiking trails: The backpacking site at KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site connects to surrounding trails. The site requires "Decent walk and terrain to get to the site," according to Erin Z., making it suitable for those seeking physical activity as part of their camping experience.

Boat rentals: Several campgrounds offer equipment rentals for water activities. A visitor at Snug Harbor notes, "The campground sells ice, firewood and rents boats," making it convenient for campers to enjoy water recreation without bringing their own equipment.

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: Despite popular weekends, campers appreciate the peaceful environment. As Jeffery S. describes their Labor Day experience at Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake: "Full weekend but very quiet and relaxing. Staff very nice."

Lake views: The tiered design at certain campgrounds maximizes scenic views. James W. shares, "The view was nice overlooking Turtle lake. Like the design of 3 levels so everyone gets a view," highlighting how the campground layout enhances the camping experience.

Privacy options: Some sites offer seclusion for those seeking a more remote experience. Josh F. notes some tent sites at Snug Harbor are "elevated and a short distance from the loop road, and has a nice view of the lake," providing a balance of amenities and privacy.

What you should know

Site selection matters: Not all tent sites are created equal, and research pays off. Josh F. recommends specific sites at Melody Park Campground: "Snapper 4, 5, 6 and 7 would be nice for group camping because they are all very close to one another and a bit more private, set away from the rest of the campsites."

Weather impacts: Be prepared for rain and insects during summer months. Carole X. shares, "Will come back again, hopefully no rain next time!" after an otherwise positive experience at Snug Harbor.

Facilities vary widely: Amenities range from primitive to fully developed. At KMSF Shelter 1, "There is an outhouse, but I wouldn't recommend using it," cautions Erin Z., while other campgrounds offer full bathroom facilities with showers.

Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for potential insect interactions. One camper reports, "My husband got stung twice when we went to plug-in our electric. But the staff came out immediately to spray and remove the nest," indicating responsive management but highlighting the need for awareness.

Tips for camping with families

Convenience considerations: First-time campers appreciate campgrounds near towns. As James W. notes about camping near Delavan: "Nice place in the country but close enough to town to grab all those things we forgot, like coffee and cups. What a dummy."

Camp kitchen planning: Consider on-site dining options at some campgrounds. Alix M. mentions Kishwaukee Valley Farms has a "pub/restaurant with good food," providing backup when cooking plans go awry.

Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "Lots to do! Definitely a do again!" shares Alix M. about their stay, indicating sufficient entertainment for family members of different ages and interests.

Tips from RVers

Electrical hookups: Most tent sites near Sturtevant with electricity accommodate various camping styles. Kevin C. describes the amenities at one location: "Electric, water and sewer hookups. They also have tent sites," showing the hybrid nature of many campgrounds.

Setup assistance: Staff at some campgrounds help with site setup. James W. appreciates this during his "Maiden Voyage" camping trip: "Staff was great, helped me back in," which can be particularly valuable for those new to camping.

Proximity to services: Consider staying at campgrounds within easy reach of necessities. One camper notes the convenience of being "close enough to town to grab all those things we forgot," making the camping experience less stressful when supplies run low.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sturtevant, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sturtevant, WI is Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Sturtevant, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Sturtevant, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.