Best Campgrounds near Wales, WI

The glacial terrain surrounding Wales, Wisconsin features several established campgrounds within the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, offering diverse camping experiences within a 30-minute drive. Ottawa Lake Campground and Pinewoods Campground stand as popular destinations, with Ottawa Lake providing year-round access and Pinewoods operating seasonally from May through October. Both campgrounds accommodate tent and RV camping with electric hookups, while Ottawa Lake also offers cabin options. The Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest encompasses multiple camping areas with varying levels of privacy and amenities, from primitive backpacking sites to developed family campgrounds. Several Waukesha County Parks, including Naga-Waukee, Mukwonago, and Muskego, provide additional camping options within a short drive of Wales.

Reservations are essential during summer months when campgrounds frequently reach capacity, especially on weekends. Most sites in the region require advance booking through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reservation system, with booking windows opening 11 months in advance. Weather conditions vary dramatically by season, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and winter lows often below freezing. As one camper noted, "It got cold (cloudless late winter nights in Wisconsin can do that), but nothing you can't prepare for." Spring camping may encounter muddy conditions, while fall offers spectacular foliage. The Ice Age Trail passes through several campgrounds, providing hiking opportunities directly from campsites. Most campgrounds offer basic amenities including drinking water, vault or flush toilets, and fire rings.

Campers consistently praise the wooded privacy of sites throughout the Kettle Moraine system. "The campsites are large with lots of foliage for privacy. It's so pretty in the fall," reports one regular visitor to the Southern Unit. The proximity to lakes and hiking trails ranks as a primary attraction, with Ottawa Lake offering swimming and fishing opportunities. The Ice Age Trail connection receives frequent mention in reviews, with one camper noting it "made for an easy activity without much fuss." Quiet camping areas are available at Pinewoods Campground, where sites 1-36 are designated as 24-hour quiet zones with no music allowed. While most campgrounds provide showers and modern restrooms during peak season, facilities may be limited during winter months when only vault toilets remain available at year-round locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Wales, Wisconsin (90)

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

    39 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    7 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)."

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

    22 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    5 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 LakeNearby 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."

    3. Kettle Moraine Southern Unit — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    10 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    5 miles
    Website

    $28 / night

    "You can walk over to an area that has hiking trails right out of the campsite. State park mountain biking trails are also close by, but you would need to drive to them."

    "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."

    4. Naga-Waukee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    9 Reviews
    Delafield, WI
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "Nestled in the heart of lake country (Waukesha County) and accessible from the Lake Country Trail and Ice Age Trail, this county park is perfect for those just passing through or families looking for a"

    "Very windy weekend but I imagine during the summer it’s a great spot to camp near their big beach and lake access."

    5. Kettle Moraine South Camping — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    12 Reviews
    Eagle, WI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 594-6220

    "Red Trail, Paradise Trail,Rice Lake are all great hikes. Great views of Lake Ottawa. The close by town of Oconomowoc has a nice place to eat, Burkes Lakeside."

    "Whether you're in a tent or in a camper you can find just as much comfort as you're looking for. there's a lake with a swimming area if that's what you're looking for, not to mention a dock with great"

    6. Mukwonago Park by Waukesha County Parks

    6 Reviews
    Mukwonago, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "The rangers drive through regularly and will deliver wood to your site if requested."

    "Swim or fish in the lake, archery or huge picnic sites."

    7. Muskego Park by Waukesha County Parks

    8 Reviews
    Muskego, WI
    13 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."

    8. Menomonee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    7 Reviews
    Menomonee Falls, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 548-7801

    $25 - $80 / night

    "Live nearby. We go there a lot over the summer. Fun park to ride bikes through. Many trails to walk or hike. The pond has a great beach for kids."

    "There are miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I’m sure I’m missing more."

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

    18 Reviews
    Slinger, WI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 670-3400

    "North Kettle Moraine, Pike Lake Unit was an easy choice given it's proximity to the city- about 40 minutes."

    "A last minute decision to camp for a night led my son and I to the often visited Pike Lake unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Its a beautiful park and within 30 minutes of our home."

    10. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site

    1 Review
    Eagle, WI
    7 miles
    Website

    "Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside. There is a fire pit, but we found our own wood around the site. (Bring a small axe)."

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Recent Reviews near Wales, WI

715 Reviews of 90 Wales Campgrounds


  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Derge County Park

    Beautiful mature oaks

    The campground is near Beaver Dam lake and you get a pass to the boat landing with the camping fee. The sites are clearly marked and level. Some have more shade than others, the descriptions at reservation are accurate. Site 4 has nice grass and plenty of trees along the back. The site sizes are adequate but there isn’t much room between sites. Overall the campground was quiet, except for a few RVs running things all night. It was not dark, the RVs keep their lights on all night and there isn’t enough foliage to block it. We are the only pop up here, there are no tents. The space certainly allows grass for tents, I think the culture is just a little different. The shower house is clean, but showers only have a curtain and a central drain in the building means the toilet stall floors get wet too. There is a small playground and a GaGa ball pit. Overall, this is a well kept campground and perfect for spending a night on the way to somewhere. There isn’t much draw for a longer stay.

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Naga-Waukee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    Nagawaukee County Park

    Site was clean and flat enough for my two person tent. Restrooms were porta-johns, but very clean. Plenty of free wood available for the fire.

  • MarkDaShark99
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Long Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit-Iansr

    Beach test positive for ecoli 2x this year.

    If you stay here do not swim.  They have 2 beaches, they test one for ecoli and close it but leave the other one open because they don't have to test both. It's 50 feet away.  If you don't test, it can't be bad.  How stupid.  They rake goose dumplings into the sand.  Who is managing this place? Camping is fine.  Stay off the beach it's not safe.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Pilgrims Campground

    Nice enough grounds, poorly maintained electric panels

    To be honest I thought this stay was going to be easy and the first couple days were. They didn’t have full hook up sites and we have a 50 amp rig… we used a dogbone to connect to the 30 amp site. It was fine for a bit but then we started to get surges. Our EMS protected the rig but ultimately we couldn’t use the power. Even with only running the fridge it continued to trip. We tried the one next to us and it gave us the reverse polarity code so we decided it would be best to just leave the following day. The grounds are well maintained and the owners are friendly… they mentioned some of their 30 amp sites will get converted to 50 next year so hopefully that helps but definitely frustrating to need to book another site and forfeit money on this one.

  • Operation_Fun ..
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    Could be better

    This seemed like it could be a really great campground, but it's not taken care of very well and felt a bit unsafe. 

    It's a huge park, yet the sites aren't very private. The mosquitoes and ticks are the worst I've experienced thus far, and the abandoned buildings by the beach feel like crack dens.

    We brought chairs and relaxed by the beach for a while, which was very peaceful and really made the trip.

    It's worth checking out if you're interested. I now understand why there are always sites available here when it seems every other campground is fully booked.

  • 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

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Fon du Lac County Waupun Park

    Oak/hickory forest

    The campground is in a beautiful oak/hickory forest with many birds, chipmunks and skeeters(pack protection). We stayed on site 22 which was a nine minute walk from the toilet and had a street light. There are water spigots throughout. Site 21 or 23 would be better. The sites are large and the ones on the outside of the loop are very private. The campground was quiet, especially after dark! There is a train horn occasionally, but it’s distant. The showers were hot and clean. The playground was fun. There is a pickle ball court, so bring paddles. There is also a walking trail.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pettits Lakeview Campground & Bar

    Family Friendly Lakeside Campground

    Pettit’s Lakeview Campground & Bar is the kind of place where family camping meets lakeside fun with a lively twist, sitting right on Lake Koshkonong with beautiful sunset views and easy boat access. My kids loved the playground while the adults enjoyed Friday fish fries, live music and the laid-back bar that doubles as a social hub, creating a strong community vibe with theme weekends and plenty of laughter. That said, it’s definitely more “festival” than “quiet forest” with sites being closing together, weekends can get noisy with karaoke and bar traffic, and shade is limited, so if you’re looking for peace and birdwatching, this isn’t it, but for families who don’t mind a little bustle, it’s a fun and memorable spot.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pilgrims Campground

    Simple Campground

    With a small family to mind, while out enjoying a short weekend of camping, I appreciated Pilgrim’s Campground in Wisconsin for its quiet, family-oriented atmosphere that made our stay both relaxing and memorable. The sites were clean, level and easy to settle into, with plenty of shade and enough space for the kids to play safely nearby. While the campground doesn’t have the flashy resort-style amenities of some bigger parks, it makes up for it with well-kept facilities, a friendly, welcoming staff, and a slower pace that let us truly enjoy time together outdoors. My kids loved riding their bikes around the loops, roasting marshmallows at night and spotting wildlife along the nature trails, while I valued the sense of safety and the community feel among fellow campers. Conveniently located near local attractions yet peaceful enough to feel tucked away, Pilgrim’s offered the perfect balance of simplicity, comfort, and wholesome family camping.


Guide to Wales

Camping options near Wales, Wisconsin center around the glacial Kettle Moraine landscape with its distinctive hills and depressions formed thousands of years ago. The region contains multiple campgrounds across Waukesha County and the Kettle Moraine State Forest system, with most sites situated between 800-1,000 feet elevation. Winter camping opportunities exist at select locations where temperatures regularly drop into single digits during January and February.

What to do

Explore natural springs: At Ottawa Lake Campground, visitors can hike to natural springs for a unique water feature. "Beautiful campground (Ottawa Lake campsites) Great Lake, hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" shares Autumn S.

Mountain biking access: The campgrounds provide convenient access to dedicated biking trails. "20 minute drive to the awesome Kettle Moraine biking trails. Yee haw!" notes Heather H. about Ottawa Lake Campground.

Hiking diversity: The terrain offers varied trail experiences from prairie to forested sections. "We asked the ranger about hiking and she gave us a map to a trail system that connects to this campground between the group sites and loop 3. We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail," reports Art S. from Pinewoods Campground.

Archery practice: Some county parks feature dedicated archery facilities. At Muskego Park, "the park has a lot of amenities including a beachy pond area and an archery area where you can practice shooting from a blind above - great for hunters looking to brush up skills before the season starts," explains Laura B.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room between campsites. "The site was well wooded and very spacious! It had a decent clearing for some sun and the driveway was longer setting it back from the loop road. One of the best sites in loop 3," shares Jack D. about Pinewoods Campground.

Swimming options: The quarry at Menomonee Park offers unique swimming. "The quarry is good for swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There is a beach with life guards," notes Matt N.

Winter camping availability: Cold-weather camping enthusiasts have options. "No showers in winter but awesome," says David H. about winter camping at Ottawa Lake, one of the few year-round sites in the area.

Backpacking shelters: For those seeking more remote experiences, Kettle Moraine Southern Unit offers backpacking sites with amenities. "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," explains Andrew S.

What you should know

Quiet loop options: Pinewoods Campground features dedicated quiet areas. "We were in loop 1 which actually was very quiet. Everyone was respectful of the rules," reports Abbe W. Loop 1 is a 24-hour quiet area with no radios or pets allowed.

Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through the Wisconsin DNR system for state properties.

Road noise proximity: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. "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," notes Linda N. from Ottawa Lake.

Facility closures: Off-season camping has limited amenities. Vault toilets remain available at year-round locations, but shower buildings typically close during winter months.

Tips for camping with families

Lake activities: Pike Lake Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "Many amenities including: dog beach, kayak launch, fishing pier, general campground, observation tower," lists Eric S.

Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. At Muskego Park, "There's a nice little concessions stand, a little sand area, and a small pier to jump off of," explains Darren L.

Wildlife viewing: Morning hours provide opportunities to see local fauna. "We were lucky enough to have a couple of Sandhill Cranes walk through our camp early one morning," shares Abbe W. about Mukwonago Park.

Educational trails: Some parks feature interpretive paths. "Be sure to check out the interpretive astronomy trail and take the walk up Powder Hill to the tower!" recommends Susan S. about Pike Lake.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: Specific sites accommodate bigger vehicles. "Some are large and flat perfect for a class A (#2 #4, #29 #31 is okay, but smaller)," advises Sugar Maple S. about Pike Lake Campground.

Tight turns warning: Campground layouts may challenge larger vehicles. "There is a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers," cautions the same Pike Lake reviewer.

Electric hookup locations: Most campgrounds have designated electric areas. "Generally, the inner ring is electric (except #23) and the outer ring is non-electric," notes Sugar Maple S., providing useful layout information for RVers.

Proximity to services: For RVers needing supplies or repairs, certain campgrounds offer convenience. Pike Lake is "Close to all of the troubleshooting options for new campers (Walmart, grocery, fast food, vegan grocery store & coffee shop)," according to Sugar Maple S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Wales, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wales, WI is Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 39 reviews.