1 campground with availability this weekend
Kettle Moraine State Forest offers several cabin camping options within an hour's drive of Waukesha. The Southern Unit features rustic cabins at Ottawa Lake Campground and Kettle Moraine Southern Unit locations with electrical hookups and basic furnishings. Most cabins include fire pits, picnic tables, and access to shared bathroom facilities with showers. A recent review noted, "We liked this site because it was on the 'quiet loop.' The sites are fairly close together and the trees are sparse, but it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend."
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Ottawa Lake provides year-round cabin rentals while other properties like Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Caledonia and Milton-Madison SE KOA offer more furnished cabin options with added amenities during their seasonal operations from spring through fall. Most KOA-style cabins include beds, electricity, and sometimes kitchenettes. Pets are permitted at many cabin sites, though restrictions vary by location. One camper shared, "We stayed at site 353. Close to showers and bathrooms. Campsites were secluded in the trees away from others."
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Cooking facilities vary widely - from simple fire rings with grates to furnished kitchenettes in more deluxe log cabins. Firewood is typically available for purchase at camp offices or from hosts, though availability may be limited during winter months. Restroom and shower facilities are generally well-maintained throughout the year at larger campgrounds like Ottawa Lake, where laundry services are also available. General stores at campgrounds like Jellystone provide basic supplies and ice, while more extensive groceries require a short drive to nearby towns.
"Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Ours had a grill the folded in and out, not sure if all have it."
"Some have a beautiful view of lake. Some water fountains did not work, however sinks were always working. So many little trails all throughout the campsite."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $39 / night
"There are a ton of activities here to include two bouncy pillows, three play grounds, a pool, water slides, a kids water activity area, beach, water obstacle course, inflatable slide, RC car track, laser"
"We booked a site here for Halloween and had a great time. My kids love Halloween Weekend camping at the various JellyStone Campgrounds. This location did not dissapoint."
"The sites are rustic but nicely groomed with a tree line between most campsites, although almost none of the spots had occupants."
"The only issue was that generators aren't allowed, so we were kind of suffering in the oppressive heat with no reprieve of the AC in our camper."
from $21 - $39 / night
"Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."
"we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"
"You are in walking distance of the lake with boat ramp, kayaking and water inflatables. I loved it! Also, there is a store with full kitchen."
"The tent non-electric campsites are fantastic. We had a nice private campsite that was completely wooded all around it. The campsite had a fire pit and picnic table that were both in great condition."
"Very nice State park and campsite. Campsite had plenty of space, nice fire pit, and picnic table. The showers on site were the cleanest I have experienced while camping, this was much appreciated."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 - $43 / night
"Big fire pits, they pick up your garbage. Lots of stuff for kids to do"
"There are 2 playgrounds, a nice pool, games and activities for the kids over weekends, and the rv sites are well spaced. We had a back in spot right up to a field. Very pretty and peaceful."
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"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"
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
"So I think my impression of this campground mostly has to do with the fact that although it’s an actual campground unlike what we usually do (dispersed camping), it was completely secluded."
"We were located on the end of the row and had lots of grass to enjoy. Owner was very friendly and helpful"
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.
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.
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.
TravelerIt’s a lot bigger than I expected it to be. Our site is great the bathrooms are well maintained. There’s plenty of things to do here. Getting wood is great and easy the only downside is paying $8 a bundle. Otherwise great campgrounds. Would definitely come back.
ScoutStaff is friendly and attentive. Well maintained sites. Definitely family friendly. Lots of kids. Nice pool and clubhouse. We will come back.
TravelerStayed in Sunrise campground. Minimal amenities available. Most sites seem geared towards tents and small units. Sunfall camp ground especially so.
GuideOur friends have a permanent camper here so we joined them for the weekend. I’ve never experienced a place like this. It’s not what I would consider camping. It’s basically people’s second trailer park home. The frog pond that was turned into a swimming hole with ridiculous inflatables completely ruined the peaceful atmosphere in that area of the park. If you enjoy being surrounded by people, noise, and teens cruising in golf carts, you’ll love this place. We do have fun when we are with our friends here, but it is definitely not a typical peaceful camp.
TravelerThis is my second time camping here (June / July). This campground is the best of both worlds. By that, I mean there’s is peace and solitude, while also family fun activities for kids and adults. You can rent kayaks and canoes, for the lake. Fishing pier, nice size beach with the inflatable obstacle course. On the weekend they have activity’s on the beach such as sand castle building competitions, obstacle races and then they have beach bubbles. It’s is fun to watch all the little kids running around like little marshmallows.
The golf carts are all newer with long lasting batteries. The campsites have lots of tree shade. On our arrival, our site appears to be cleaned. Even our fire ring was cleaned out. Golf cart was there waiting for us fully charged. They bring firewood out to you when you buy it from the store. The store has a nice array of items such as food, ice cream, clothing, little toys an such. The mini golf course is new and some obstacles are made from an artist with recycled tires that are painted.
There is lots or grass at our campsite (mud too if you’re here when it rains). The roads are a VERY hard packed gravel that electrical scooters can ride on. So yes, electric scooters appear to be permitted here. Be careful tho as there are quite a few pot holes and dips.
There is a heated pool that goes to 9ft. A balloon launching area, jumping pillow and I’m sure others that I’m missing. By the store, they have picnic tables in shade with activities on each one with little blocks. Karaoke on the weekends. And if you like to socialize, you might run into the “booze cruise”. This is a group of seasonal people that ride their golf carts around playing music trying to get more people to join the ride. They’re entertaining to watch as they stop and start dancing like they’re 12yrs lol.
Great place to camp. Quiet when you want it, fun when you need it, great free WiFi, activities, shade, well maintained campground with staff that will literally help anyway they can if it’s within their power. Hope all this helps someone make their next camping trip as well as ours have been!
Kettle Moraine State Forest offers cabin camping year-round at multiple locations within 30 miles of Waukesha. The forest's glacial terrain features 30,000 acres of rolling hills, lakes, and woodlands at elevations between 900-1,200 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer camping typically ranges from 55-85°F with high humidity levels during July and August.
Natural springs exploration: At Ottawa Lake Campground, visitors can hike to see natural springs. "Beautiful campground (Ottawa Lake campsites) Great Lake, hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" notes camper Autumn S.
Winter camping experiences: Ottawa Lake provides year-round access including winter cabin options. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports David H., making it one of the few cabin camping destinations near Waukesha with winter accessibility.
Water recreation options: The Kettle Moraine South Camping area provides lake access for swimming and fishing. One visitor mentioned, "There's swimming, access to almost all of the hiking trails available in kettle Moraine, and all within walking distance of where you park your tent or vehicle."
Backpacking adventures: For more adventurous cabin campers, backpacker shelters are available. "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!" according to Chuck W.
Private camping loops: Kettle Moraine Southern Unit offers quiet camping areas with specific rules. One camper noted, "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."
Beach and water activities: Lakeside fun is popular at multiple locations. At Harrington Beach, "The huge sandy beach spans the entire length of the park - which features plenty of trails, a quarry, and a historical element," according to Ross K.
Well-maintained shower facilities: Harrington Beach State Park receives praise for clean bathrooms. "Everything was clean and updated including the bathrooms," reports one camper, while another mentioned "The restroom and showers were very well maintained."
Secluded campsites: Many visitors appreciate privacy. "Most of the sites are pretty secluded so if you enjoy your privacy I will love this place," notes a visitor to Harrington Beach, while Kettle Moraine Southern Unit features sites that "generally have long driveways, more 'privacy' than I've seen in many State Parks campgrounds and generous space between sites."
Seasonal variations: Summer weekends fill quickly at most locations. "Busiest days are after memorial day weekend and to labor day weekend," advises a camper at Ottawa Lake.
Bug preparation: Several parks require insect protection. At Honeysuckle Hollow, "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns one camper, while another advises, "DO NOT FORGET your bug spray the files are huge."
Wildlife encounters: Nighttime visitors are common. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched," notes a Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Road noise considerations: Some cabins 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," shares a Kettle Moraine camper.
Kid-friendly features: Milton-Madison SE KOA offers extensive family amenities. "The kids were thrilled with the heated pool that even has a waterfall, the playgrounds, gaga ball, arcade, and weekend rides like the barrel train and hayrack. In short, there was always something to keep them entertained while I could actually relax," explains a visitor.
Activity books: Special programs enhance children's visits. One camper recommends, "Pick Up the activity book for kids it is a great adventure lots to do at the lake!!!"
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience. At Honeysuckle Hollow, some campers "chose the loop because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms" and suggest avoiding "the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep."
Halloween camping: Several campgrounds offer special seasonal events. "We booked a site here for Halloween and had a great time. My kids love Halloween Weekend camping at the various JellyStone Campgrounds," shares one visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Site selection strategy: At cabin camping destinations near Waukesha, choosing the right site matters. "I would recommend viewing their map and comparing to google maps. They do allow you to pick your site if your willing to pay $10 extra," advises a Milton KOA visitor.
Electric access: Plan for power needs when booking. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad," warns a Honeysuckle Hollow camper.
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require planning. "We used a lot [of firewood] because this was a cold windy weekend," notes a visitor at Happy Acres Kampground.
Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers unique benefits. "No rowdies in winter. Close to hiking. 10 minutes from a town if needed," shares a Kettle Moraine visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Waukesha, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Waukesha, 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 cabin camping near Waukesha, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 cabin camping locations near Waukesha, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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