13 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Kettle Moraine State Forest surrounding Oconomowoc, Wisconsin offers several secluded tent camping options, including the highly-rated KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site accessible only by hiking trails. Sandhill Station State Campground in the Lake Mills Wildlife Area, about 20 miles west of Oconomowoc, provides walk-in tent-only camping in an oak savanna setting. For tent campers seeking lakeside views, Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake features elevated tent sites with lake vistas, while Cappie's Landing offers boat-in and walk-in tent camping opportunities. Little Turtle Lake and Purplehaze Acres provide additional primitive tent camping options within a 30-mile radius of Oconomowoc.
Many tent-only sites in the region require campers to carry gear from parking areas to their campsites, with distances ranging from 100 to 500 yards at Sandhill Station. Pit toilets are common at most locations, though flush toilets and showers are limited to larger facilities. Fire rings are provided at most sites, but firewood availability varies significantly. According to reviews, campers should pack light when visiting walk-in sites and consider seasonal conditions, as summer camping can bring heavy mosquito activity near wetlands. Fall and spring typically offer more comfortable tent camping conditions with fewer insects and moderate temperatures.
In early fall, tent campers at Sandhill Station enjoy spacious, private sites with oak trees providing mixed shade. One visitor noted the campground is "a nice choice if you want a private, quiet getaway into the oak savanna of southern Wisconsin." At KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site, campers reported finding "a decent walk and terrain to get to the site" with "an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer" and described it as "very secluded for privacy." The Greenbush Group Campground in the northern unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest offers large grassy sites surrounded by trees, with some sites able to accommodate up to 20 backpacking tents, making it ideal for group backcountry tent camping experiences approximately 45 miles north of Oconomowoc.
"You can rent backpacking shelters, at the ranger station in Eagle. The shelter is basically a barn without a front door. It comes with a fire ring, table, and an outhouse!"
"Reservable backpacking sites about 45-60min away from nearest parking. Fire pit, shelter, and picnic table at site.
Really enjoyed the hike through forest to get to this site."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"Great backpack camp site. Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside."
from $19 / night
Check Availability"Sandill Station is right outside Lake Mills, WI, right off the Glacial Drumlin bike trail. It features 15 campsites and 1 group campsite in an oak savanna, with varying degrees of shade."
from $19 - $70 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $160 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $80 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $21 / night
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ScoutThis campground charges both a site reservation fee ($33 for a primitive mosquito infested tent site) AND an additional day use fee on top of that - a $16 fee on top of that! $49????? For a no hook up single tent site???? Of course the fees aren’t actually published anywhere so you have to reserve it to actually know what you’ll be paying. It’s nothing special so these fees aren’t actually warranted for this place. 👎
TravelerVery friendly and very clean. 1 swimming pond 2 fishing ponds volleyball courts and 2 off leash dog areas. Showers are free and they have a huge kid play area along with a seasonal swimming pool and hot tub.
ScoutWe have been seasonal campers for many years! When we first started, everyone was very nice and we always had a great time. Each years the rules change a bit which is common.The last three years have been horrible! We have had nothing but issues that I brought up to the staff many times. I have had the workers ask me if I was f***in stupid, people stealing stuff off our lot, telling our guest we don’t camp there( even tho they knew they were coming for my daughters birthday party), and much more. They are extremely Strict on the 5 mph. They will scream at you if they see Gravel dust as you drive. The campground is not well maintained. I wish things would not have ended the way it has. I’m happy we found a better family friendly campground to be at where my kids are not scared to be playing in our lot!
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
GuideSites are large, well-spaced, many shaded by wonderful large trees. The woods are very open with little understory, and much of the area facing the road is graveled, so you will still see your neighbors. So many hiking options - the Ice Age Trail connects to the campground only a few minutes walk away. Many hiking options, the walk to the Powder Hill Lookout tower is a must. Picnic area and waterfront are a short drive away. Bathrooms were clean and showers free, hot, and strong. Some traffic noise from highway nearby but quiet at night.
GuideFor a primitive campground, this was a nice-enough experience.
Pros:
- The sites we stayed in and the others that we noticed seemed sizeable and had nice tree-cover
- Having access to the Ice Age Trail was really neat
- Lake access nearby
Cons:
- On the continuum of vault toilet quality, these were on the less-desirable end. We joked about whether it was scarier to visit them when they were dark or when the lights were on. If you love having fly friends keep you company when nature calls, then these are the bathrooms for you! The bathrooms did get cleaned on Sunday morning, but this didn't help the situation very much.
- No showers
Traveler⭐ 1/5— Not a Family-Friendly Experience We have traveled by motorhome for many years and stayed at numerous KOA campgrounds. For many years ! Sadly, this is the first negative review we have ever written. Milton KOA is beautiful and clean, although the sites are somewhat crowded. Most staff members were polite and helpful. Unfortunately, the conduct of one employee was completely unacceptable. Our group included six families with children ages 3–18. This employee used profanity, including the“F-word,” toward the children and behaved in a verbally abusive and threatening manner. When one mother calmly tried to address the situation, the employee moved toward her aggressively, causing her to fear she might be struck, and shouted,“I’m sick and tired of this.” At approximately 9:45 p.m., the 18-year-olds in our group were ordered back to their campsite, even though they were simply walking around and were not being loud or disruptive. Adults were allowed to drink in the pool area, while our children were treated with hostility and disrespect just for being there. No food no drinks.No child or parent should experience profanity, intimidation, or threatening behavior from a campground employee. The campground may be enjoyable for adults traveling without children. However, based on what our six families experienced, we cannot recommend Milton KOA to families with children. We are submitting a formal complaint to KOA Corporate and requesting a thorough investigation. Also, wasp infestation beware if you have allergies .
TravelerWonderful family spirt. Great clean showers and bathroom. Pool. Large campstore with lots of amenities.
Tent camping near Oconomowoc, Wisconsin centers around the glacial terrain of the Kettle Moraine region, characterized by rolling hills, kettles, and drumlins formed during the last ice age. Primitive sites in the area typically sit at elevations between 800-1,000 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping season. Proximity to numerous small lakes creates variable camping conditions with higher humidity levels than surrounding areas.
Bike the Glacial Drumlin Trail: Sandhill Station State Campground provides strategic access to the Glacial Drumlin bike trail. "Sandill Station is right outside Lake Mills, WI, right off the Glacial Drumlin bike trail," notes reviewer Jimmy P., who recommends visiting the nearby Aztalan State Park where "the state park is beautiful grassland and prairie, and the Crawfish River flows along side the park."
Explore local museums: While camping at Sandhill Station State Campground, visit the Aztalan Museum. Jimmy P. reports, "The museum has a small fee, but is a collection of Native American artifacts as well as things from local residents and their ancestors."
Paddle on Turtle Lake: Rent a boat from Snug Harbor Inn Campground for lake access. "The campground sells ice, firewood and rents boats," says Josh F., who walked through the property and noted its terraced layout provides "decent views of the lake" from the tent sites positioned above the RV areas.
Secluded backpacking experience: KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site offers true isolation. Erin Z. describes it as "a great backpack camp site" with "an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer" and notes that "there is a fire pit, but we found our own wood around the site. (Bring a small axe)."
Tiered camping with lake views: Campers appreciate the layout at Snug Harbor Inn. "Great three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views," reports Alix M., while Jeffery S. found it to be a "great campground" that, despite being full on Labor Day weekend, remained "very quiet and relaxing."
Oak savanna landscape: The native Wisconsin oak savanna setting creates a distinctive camping environment. Tawnie T. found the Sandhill Station sites to be "beautiful walk in sites" though she cautions about mosquitoes in summer, suggesting "these would be lovely sites in the fall or Spring."
Season impacts comfort: Summer heat and insects can affect camping quality. At Sandhill Station State Campground, Tawnie T. reports their June trip coincided with "one of the hottest weekends of the year" and "we were massacred the second we walked into the site" by mosquitoes from nearby stagnant water.
Pack-in requirements: Many tent sites require carrying gear from parking areas. Tawnie T. advises campers at Sandhill Station to "pack light" as there are "no carts to haul gear" to the walk-in sites, which can be between 100-500 yards from parking.
Facilities vary widely: Bathroom and water access differ significantly between campgrounds. The Shelter 1 site has "an outhouse, but I wouldn't recommend using it," according to Erin Z., while other reviewers note that many sites have only pit toilets with no showers.
Park amenities for kids: When biking with children, plan rest stops at parks along trails. Kim L. recommends the "Wild Goose bike trail leads to this park in Juneau. It's a good place to stop and have a break. There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain. Plenty of space to spread out for a picnic when you're biking through."
Group camping options: For family reunions or large gatherings, consider Greenbush Group Campground. Amber R. notes the "large sites great for groups. Sites 2 and 9 are the largest. Those can each fit over 20 backpacking tents at the same time."
Site spacing considerations: With children, be aware of noise transfer between sites. Hilary S. found that at Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp, "The nine sites are visually separated, but not far enough away from each other to block louder noise - we could hear loud music from the site 4 late into the night."
Leveling challenges: The hillside terrain at some campgrounds requires careful setup. At Snug Harbor Inn Campground, James W. reports from his "Maiden Voyage" that "Staff was great, helped me back in" and the "view was nice overlooking Turtle lake."
Limited full-hookup options: Reserve early for sites with complete services. Kevin C., a frequent visitor to Snug Harbor Inn, mentions they have "Electric, water and sewer hookups" but such amenities are uncommon at other tent camping areas near Oconomowoc.
Smaller RVs preferred: Many local campgrounds cannot accommodate large rigs. Waubedonia County Park is described by Kevin S. as "a nice little campground near the river" with "inexpensive and comfortable" sites, though he notes "there aren't as many amenities that a larger campground would have."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Oconomowoc, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Oconomowoc, WI is Backpack Sites — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Oconomowoc, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Oconomowoc, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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