16 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit Horseriders Campground provides equestrian-specific campsites with multiple corrals shared between every four to five sites. The campground offers electric and non-electric sites, each featuring picnic tables and fire rings. Mounting blocks for beginners and younger riders help with horse access. Animal waste collection areas are positioned throughout the grounds for proper manure disposal. The campground includes a large shelter with roll-up sides to protect riders during inclement weather, plus a central fire pit with fixed seating for gatherings. Clean shower facilities and flush toilets are available in a newer building, with additional pit toilets dispersed throughout the camping area. Pull-through sites (401-405) accommodate horse trailers more easily than back-in spots.
The trail system connects directly to extensive horse paths throughout Kettle Moraine State Forest. Sites positioned along the pine forest area (409-413) offer more seclusion while maintaining access to riding trails. Horse owners will find the group campsite accommodates six units with a centrally located fire pit and fixed seating. The campground layout facilitates large gatherings of equestrians, with ample space for trailer parking. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed, the shared corral system and bridle areas throughout the grounds provide sufficient accommodation for horses. The Northern Unit of Kettle Moraine also features the New Prospect Horseriders Campground with well-maintained trails and excellent riding facilities. Reservations are recommended as these specialized equestrian campgrounds are popular destinations for horse camping enthusiasts throughout the Watertown region.
"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."
"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."
from $21 - $39 / night
Check Availability"It is close to the Ice Age trail and the Scuppernong trail, and a short drive from Ottawa Lake. Nearby 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."
from $21 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking."
"Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that."
"Good hiking around the lake and mostly dog friendly. Nice play ground with horse she pits."
"Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."
from $26 - $50 / night
Check Availability"I live very close to this park and camp here often. It is a nice family type campground with a nice swimming beach and playground for children."
"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
from $21 - $39 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Driving on country roads to this campground, I drove past many many horse ranches. So it's no surprise that there is a dedicated campground for horseback riding in this state park. "
from $21 - $70 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."
"This is one of the most popular State Parks in Wisconsin because it's on Lake Geneva. In fact, it's the only state park within town's limits."
from $19 - $37 / night
Check Availability"As this place didn’t have much for reviews I wasn’t sure what to think but it’s a great location with good service."
"In 2024 just before Memorial Day, I needed to leave the campground I was in and started calling around for openings at private campgrounds."
"Behind the office was a large pond with a sand beach, lots of blow up pool toys, a bar, and volleyball, plus there are trikes and bikes available after you play mini-golf."
"For anyone planning a visit, I recommend checking out the driving directions—they’re super helpful to avoid any hiccups on your way there. Happy camping!"
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.
TravelerNot a place for camping. We booked 2 nights site red 12. Streets were very narrow getting to site. The site was literally a dirt island. We had to drive over a curb. The site was so small. There were campers everywhere. We ended up leaving right away and booked a different campground
ScoutMy family has been camping at Mauthe Lake for decades, and every year we have to deal with camp hosts and rangers constantly monitoring us. We follow the rules and do not cause disruptions, and yet they constantly chew us out for very minor things. It makes me feel as if we’re not welcome on these grounds.
TravelerFirst time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
ScoutI love Smokey Hollow Campground! The scenery is stunning, and the friendly staff really make a difference. For anyone planning a visit, I recommend checking out the driving directions—they’re super helpful to avoid any hiccups on your way there. Happy camping!
ScoutThis is a nice getaway for camping, picnics, hiking, fishing and in the summer swimming! They only offer swimming with lifeguards in the summer months. They have great open spaces for group camping.
TravelerThis is such a good spot, it’s not just an RV parking lot. Each site is its own little site just far enough from its neighbor to feel alone. Super nice and well kept
GuideAwesome campground in the north unit of Kettle Moraine. Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!
Watertown, Wisconsin camping sites range from shaded forest settings to waterfront options, all within 30 miles of the city center. The region features glacial kettles and moraines formed during the last ice age, creating a distinctive landscape for outdoor exploration. Summer temperatures average between 60-80°F, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler nights requiring extra layers.
Horseback riding trails: At Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit Horseriders Campground there are dedicated trails for equestrians with facilities designed for riders. "There are a number of pull-through sites that would make it easier for those who don't care to back trailers in or out of the site. These include electric sites 405, 404, 403, 402, and 401," notes Josh F.
Beach swimming: Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground offers swimming areas for both people and pets. "There is a great beach for people and another really nice one for dogs. The campsites are a descent size with most of them offering pretty good privacy," says Emilie D.
Mountain biking: Access mountain biking trails near Watertown at Kettle Moraine Southern Unit. "Awesome single-track mountain bike trails. Multiple campgrounds. Something for everyone," according to Bruce G., making this a top destination for cyclists camping near Watertown.
Quiet camping zones: Pinewoods Campground features a 24-hour quiet area in sites 1-36 where no music or pets are allowed. "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," shares Wendy Z.
Secluded tent sites: Campers appreciate the privacy at Kettle Moraine South Camping. "The sites here are VERY private. You only get glimpses of your neighbors through the thick foliage. Doesn't get much more private than this in a campground with hookups!" writes Sarah N.
Year-round accessibility: Some parks near Watertown remain open throughout winter. "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping. No host so buying wood is an issue, but pick a site on the edge and there is more than enough free. Bring a saw," recommends Tim H.
Train noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience railroad disruptions. "The park is somewhat close to the interstate and rural highway roads so there is some traffic noise but relatively quiet by night time. What was NOT quiet on Thursday night was the freight train that came through around midnight and then again at 2 am," warns Lisa S. about Lake Kegonsa.
Bug protection essential: Mosquitoes can be intense, particularly in early summer. "I managed to find a few caches before calling it quits and retreating back to my campsite. Realizing I was fighting a loosing battle with the mosquitos, I retreated to my tent," reports Melissa K.
Algae blooms: Lake water quality varies seasonally at several parks. "The lake was 'closed' in late summer due to algae blooms, which was disappointing, but we were able to drive a short distance to access water in other places," mentions Jen E. about her experience camping near Watertown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Watertown, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Watertown, WI is Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Watertown, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 equestrian camping locations near Watertown, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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