Waterford, Wisconsin sits in the southeastern part of the state about 25 miles southwest of Milwaukee. The area features rolling hills and numerous lakes with elevations ranging from 750 to 850 feet above sea level. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months due to snowfall that averages 40 inches annually.
What to do
Water activities on Fox River: Campers staying near Waterford can access the Fox River for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. River Bend RV Resort offers watercraft options for visitors. "This place has everything I could want. Great pool with water slides. Plenty of amenities. Clean sites and lots of fun," notes one visitor about the water-based recreation.
Lake recreation: The numerous lakes in the region provide swimming and boating opportunities. Blackhawk Camping Resort on Clear Lake offers direct lake access. "While a small body of water, it's fairly deep and perfect for some light sailing and excellent for a great day of fishing," reports one camper who enjoyed the water access.
Golf courses: Several golf courses surround the Waterford area, making it easy to combine camping with golf outings. Naga-Waukee Park has an 18-hole golf course within the county park that houses its campground. "The campground is part of a larger county park that has covered picnic areas, winding trails, a boat-ramp, and much more to do in the area - from hiking to boating to golfing," mentions one visitor.
What campers like
Clean shower facilities: Multiple campgrounds near Waterford maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "Bathrooms were super clean and showers are free. Very impressed and satisfied," writes one visitor to Cliffside Park Campground, noting the attention to cleanliness.
Spacious sites: Many campsites in the region offer room to spread out. "Level sites with electric and water at each site. Well taken care of grounds," shares a camper about Cliffside Park Campground. Another mentions, "All sites are spacious with their own power and water."
Family activities: Campgrounds in the area frequently include organized recreation for children. "This is a young kids heaven. Tons of activities! All included with admission... four wheel bikes to take out, jumping balloon, pool with multiple water slides, pond with blow up floating slides and climbing activities, canoes, a bar and restaurant, mini golf, frisbee golf, live music some weekends, a kids barn with crafts," describes a visitor to River Bend RV Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most rv parks near Waterford operate from April through October. Naga-Waukee Park runs "April 1st through November 4th," according to one reviewer, which is typical for the region. Call ahead during shoulder seasons to confirm opening dates.
Road noise: Some campgrounds in the area experience traffic noise due to proximity to highways. "It is quite nice and pretty out here. A lot of amenities you'll find at other campgrounds. It is very close to main roads as I heard traffic all day and sometimes sirens," notes one camper about Naga-Waukee Park.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds offer both reservation and walk-up camping options. "The campground takes reservations 7 days out or drive up. We saw a lot of bigger rigs but so much space between sites it didn't feel like we were crowded," reports a Cliffside Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Lake Koshkonong activities: Families often enjoy the structured activities available at certain campgrounds. Lakeland Camping Resort on Lake Koshkonong offers extensive recreation options. "The kids had endless options to keep them busy from 2 swimming pools, a sandy beach, playgrounds, mini golf, sports courts, and even planned activities and themed weekends," notes one parent.
Playgrounds and sports facilities: Many campgrounds include playgrounds and sports areas for children. "It has a playground as well as a baseball field. There are unmarked trails through the woods which can get a little dicey," mentions a visitor to Cliffside Park when describing family-friendly amenities.
Beach access: Several campgrounds near Waterford offer beach access for swimming. "Nice quiet place to take kids to swim. Beach is clean and there are trees for shade and grills to cook," reports a visitor about Naga-Waukee Park's swimming options.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: While several rv parks Waterford Wisconsin area offer full hookups, availability varies by campground. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park provides complete services year-round. "Perfect campground for what it is! Big paved parking lot with full hookups. Very close to downtown, right off of interstate. Clean facilities," notes one RVer.
Site dimensions: RV site sizes differ significantly between parks. "We took an electric only site on the far right and were backed up against a band of grass. Full hookup sites are all blacktop," mentions an RV owner about Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, highlighting how site surfaces can differ even within a single campground.
Drainage considerations: RV owners report varying conditions after rain. "We stayed at Cliffside Park for a short visit to break up a long drive and were pleased with what we found with this county campground. All sites are the same having 50/30/20 amp electric, water, gravel pads, a grassy patio, picnic table, and a fire pit but no sewer."
