1 campground with availability this weekend
Ottawa Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Caledonia provide upscale glamping accommodations near Waukesha, Wisconsin. These locations feature comfortable canvas tents and yurts equipped with real beds, electricity, and climate control systems. The glamping sites at Jellystone Park include luxury safari-style accommodations with private decks and premium linens, while Ottawa Lake offers more nature-immersive options with stunning lake views. One guest shared, "The cabin was exactly how it was described and thankfully so! Since it had air-conditioning we all slept great." Both locations maintain well-appointed bathhouses with hot showers, and many glamping units include private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and outdoor living spaces with fire pits and comfortable seating areas.
Hiking trails throughout Kettle Moraine State Forest provide glamping guests with immediate access to scenic woodland paths and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Scuppernong Trail on the Ice Age Trail connects directly to glamping areas, allowing visitors to explore without driving. Water activities dominate summer experiences, with Ottawa Lake offering a sandy beach area perfect for swimming and paddling. According to a camper, "The beach is great, open and lots of room to set up for the day either on the grass or sand." Jellystone Park features water-based recreation including splash pools and water slides. Most glamping accommodations require reservations well in advance, particularly for summer weekends and fall color season. Winter glamping options with heating systems remain available at select locations, providing year-round boutique camping experiences regardless of Wisconsin's changing seasons.
"Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. Ours had a grill the folded in and out, not sure if all have it."
"The campground is well kept with several bathrooms and showers. We have a 30ft travel trailer, and it was easy to maneuver around the campground."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $39 / 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."
from $25 - $80 / night
"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."
"We stayed with a group of people here with no electricity but was able to use my generator during the day while camping in my pop-up. Hot shower, public lake to go kayaking in."
from $25 - $80 / night
"Plenty of things to do all day with the rec dept staff and lots of sightings of Yogi, Boo Boo, and Cindy Bear! Pool and Bear Paw beach are both nice, the kids had a blast at both."
"Bathrooms/showers are good. Comfortable stay."
"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)."
"Lots of noise. Lots of kids. Lots of dogs. It's park area is very nice. Nice playground for kids. Volleyball nets. Lots of picnic tables and grills available. Dogs not welcome in most of the park."
"Nice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn’t very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric. this was the first time"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $19 - $37 / night
"Wanted someplace close to home. Familiar with the Delavan area so was excited to find Snug Harbor. Set up went well, didn’t blow anything up! Yea! Staff was great, helped me back in."
"I did not stay here, but I spend some time walking through to get a feel for the place."
from $15 - $45 / night
"We camped at the Whitewater Lake Campground and it was well maintained. It was very quiet and peaceful."
"The on-site host was super friendly and helpful with firewood and ice. Pit toilets, no showers. Easy access to Ice Age Trail from the campground. Nice hike to Rice Lake."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $21 - $90 / night
"Nothing crazy fancy but hook-ups and fire pits available if needed. Within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn, EAHS, and the horse areana."
"Easy access to electric and/or water. If unsure, contact office. Site, restrooms, and showers were clean. There are a lot of sites but still felt like there was ample space."
"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."
"Bathrooms are extremely clean"
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.
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.
ScoutStaff is friendly and attentive. Well maintained sites. Definitely family friendly. Lots of kids. Nice pool and clubhouse. We will come back.
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.
Ottawa Lake Campground offers year-round camping in the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest near Waukesha, Wisconsin. The campground features 100 sites with 30 electric hookups across an accessible terrain of glacial hills and kettles. Winter campers can access heated showers and flush toilets even during colder months, making it popular for off-season outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking on the Ice Age Trail: Scuppernong Trail connects directly to camping areas at Ottawa Lake Campground, allowing exploration of natural springs. "There are wonderful water toys at a beach with a pier. There is a small doggie beach. There is a fishing spot," notes a visitor to Scenic Ridge Campground about nearby water activities.
Paddling and swimming: The clean lakes throughout the region provide multiple swimming options. At Naga-Waukee Park, "The beach on the shores of Lake Nagawicka is well-groomed, clean, has a seasonal lifeguard and a playground within earshot," according to a camper. Both natural and developed swimming areas exist throughout the region.
Winter camping: Cold weather doesn't stop camping opportunities in the area. One camper at Ottawa Lake noted, "No showers in winter but awesome." Several campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced services, providing opportunities for winter hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the extensive trail systems.
Family-oriented water activities: Jellystone Park at Caledonia receives praise for its water attractions beyond natural lakes. "The sites were spacious and clean, complete with the basics (fire ring, flushing toilets, showers, drinking water)," reports a camper at another local campground about the standard amenities.
Well-maintained facilities: The region's campgrounds typically feature clean, modern facilities. "It's a nice campground. They have everything from just electrical hook up to full hookup to drive through spots. The pool and bath house is very nice," explains a visitor to Milton KOA.
Access to Lake Geneva: Visitors appreciate the proximity to Lake Geneva without resort prices. One camper observed that Big Foot Beach State Park provides "Nice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn't very big."
Seasonal popularity: Summer draws large crowds to many campgrounds. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" cautions a reviewer at Ottawa Lake Campground.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds are affected by highway proximity. At Menomonee Park, "The sites are just about all wooded. Not huge but a good size for a country park. Most offer decent separation from your neighbor," says a repeat visitor.
Reservation requirements: Plan well ahead, especially for electric sites and weekend stays. "We were able to grab a nonelectric site and transfer to an electric site when one cancelled last minute," reported one lucky camper about securing a spot during peak season.
Beach options for children: Lake swimming areas with designated children's sections provide safe water play. A visitor to Snug Harbor Inn Campground found "Great three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views. Has a pub/restaurant with good food. Lots to do!"
Activity-focused campgrounds: Some campgrounds offer structured recreation programs. "Great place to bring our three boys. There are 2 playgrounds, a nice pool, games and activities for the kids over weekends," explains a family at Milton KOA about their experience.
Quieter camping sections: For families needing earlier bedtimes, request sites away from main roads. "We've stayed here twice. Nice, clean, well-run campground with some electric sites and several bathroom/shower buildings if needed. Nice little lake to swim or paddle on," reports an Ottawa Lake camper.
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer accessible pull-through sites. "The pull through space was level and allowed staying hooked up to truck. Full hook ups was nice for the last stop before parking til next trip," notes a visitor to Milton KOA.
Electric hookups: Most campgrounds offer limited electric sites that book quickly. A camper at Big Foot Beach State Park noted, "nice campsite with newer bathrooms and showers," highlighting the improved facilities many parks now feature.
Dump station access: Position can affect convenience when leaving. "We've been full time RVers for 4 years and this is a beautiful campground close to 'home'. We stay here a couple of times each year for doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family and friends, and general relaxation," shares a seasonal visitor to Ottawa Lake Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Waukesha, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping 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 glamping camping near Waukesha, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 glamping camping locations near Waukesha, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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