Camping options near Oconomowoc, Wisconsin include multiple sites within short driving distance that remain accessible throughout most seasons. Winter camping is available at several locations in Kettle Moraine State Forest, though with reduced amenities. The area's glacial topography creates varied terrain for camping, with elevations ranging from 800-1,100 feet. Several campgrounds feature direct access to the Ice Age Trail, allowing hikers to explore the region's unique geological features.
What to do
Hiking at Scuppernong Springs: Pike Lake Campground provides access to numerous trails within a short distance. "We hiked and stayed for 2 nights in early October 2017. It was really cold and we blew through 4 bundles of firewood each day! Our site was close enough to the vault toilets and the flush toilets/showers weren't too far off," explains Joyce B.
Mini golf at Harnischfeger Park: This smaller county park features unexpected recreation options beyond standard 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," notes Taylor C.
Bird watching at Mukwonago Park: The varied ecosystems at this county park create excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "Great landscape and wildlife. We were lucky enough to have a couple of Sandhill Cranes walk through our camp early one morning," shares Abbe W.
Swimming in quarry waters: Menomonee Park offers unique swimming options different from the lake swimming at other area campgrounds. "The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards," explains Matt N.
What campers like
Winter camping opportunities: Several campgrounds in the region remain open for cold-weather camping with specific amenities. "No showers in winter but awesome," says David H. about Ottawa Lake Campground. For winter campers, proper preparation is essential since facilities are limited.
Wooded privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention the separation between campsites as a key feature at certain locations. "The campsites are nicely sized and sufficiently shady. The lake is great for swimming, though they do have e coli warnings frequently in the heat of summer," notes Jimmy P.
Spring water access: Natural springs provide unique features at several campgrounds. "Beautiful campground (Ottawa Lake campsites) Great Lake, hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" shares Autumn S.
Proximity to mountain biking: For cyclists, several campgrounds provide access to dedicated biking trails. "Nice, clean, well-run campground with some electric sites and several bathroom/shower buildings if needed. Nice little lake to swim or paddle on. 20 minute drive to the awesome Kettle Moraine biking trails. Yee haw!" explains Heather H.
What you should know
Road noise varies by location: Campgrounds near highways experience variable traffic sound levels. "The road noise is absolutely noticeable. It was incredibly loud when we drove through the loop closest to the highway and was significantly better even just one section over," reports Linda N. about Ottawa Lake Campground.
Site selection matters for weather: Some campgrounds have drainage issues during wet weather. "One thing that I didn't like as well as Bong State Park was that there was very little grassy area in the site. When it rained the first night, most of the site was mud," explains Glenn S. about Kettle Moraine South Camping.
Lake water quality fluctuates: Swimming conditions at certain lakes can change throughout summer. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" notes Neysha R.
Varied quiet hour enforcement: Campgrounds differ in how strictly they regulate evening noise. "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," reports Jon at Menomonee Park.
Tips for camping with families
Choose correct loop for dogs: Pet policies vary by specific camping loop even within the same campground. "Firstly- don't reserve a spot in loop 1 if you have a dog. It was easy enough to change but now we know to aim for loop 2 or 3," advises Art S. about Pinewoods Campground.
Select quiet zones for peaceful stays: Some campgrounds designate specific areas for families wanting less noise. "We liked this site because it was on the 'quiet loop.' No radios or pets allowed. I'm not sure about children! The sites are fairly close together and the trees are sparse, but it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend over the 4th of July," explains Wendy Z.
Look for activity variety: Parks with multiple recreation options keep children engaged. "The park has a lot of trails for hiking, biking and some horse trails. The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards," notes Matt N. about Menomonee Park.
Prepare for bugs: Insect activity increases during summer months. "A beautiful campground that caters to families. There are hiking trails incorporated into the campground with access to the kettle morraine Forrest. Bringing bikes is a great idea for getting around to bathrooms/the camp store. Definitely make sure to bring your bug spray for this location!" advises Amanda F.
Tips from RVers
Tight turns in campground loops: Some campgrounds have challenging driving conditions for larger rigs. "There is a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers," warns Sugar Maple S. about Pike Lake Campground.
Best sites for larger RVs: Specific campsites accommodate different vehicle sizes better than others. "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), some incorporate the geography into the site (#23 & #17 - very much tent sites, #15 great for a small trailer)," explains Sugar Maple S.
Full-time RV considerations: Some campers use these grounds as base camps while visiting nearby areas. "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," shares Steve K. about Kettle Moraine State Forest.
