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Best Campgrounds near Wauwatosa, WI

613 Reviews

Camping options near Wauwatosa, Wisconsin include several established campgrounds within driving distance of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park stands as the only RV park directly in Milwaukee, offering full hookups and convenient access to urban attractions. Surrounding the city, county parks such as Menomonee Park and Muskego Park provide more natural settings for tent and RV camping. The Kettle Moraine State Forest, with multiple units including Ottawa Lake Campground and Pinewoods Campground, offers additional camping opportunities within 30-45 minutes of Wauwatosa.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October or November, with limited year-round options. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park remains open throughout the year, while many county parks close for winter. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Electric hookups are available at several locations including Muskego Park, though primitive tent-only sites without utilities can be found at Menomonee Park. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with hot, humid summers and cold winters that typically end the camping season by late fall. A camper noted, "This park had it all. A spring fed pond for swimming and fishing. Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view."

Facilities and amenities differ considerably between camping areas. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park provides urban convenience with laundry facilities and reliable hookups but offers limited natural surroundings. According to one visitor, it's "basically a parking lot with full hookups" but "perfect for quick access to downtown Milwaukee." County parks like Menomonee feature more wooded sites, hiking trails, and recreational opportunities including swimming beaches and fishing. Campers frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere at these parks, with activities such as kayaking, archery, and biking available. Site privacy varies significantly, with some county park campsites offering decent tree cover while others provide minimal separation between neighbors. Visitors consistently rate the Kettle Moraine State Forest campgrounds highest for natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (71)

    1. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Wauwatosa, WI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (414) 266-7035

    $55 / night

    "So we just use that because no one was there. 1.7 miles on bike path to Brewer Baseball field. It was raining to we used Uber to the game and walked back for an afternoon game."

    "Very close to downtown, right off of interstate. Clean facilities. We were visiting family downtown and it was very convenient."

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

    39 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    24 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)."

    3. Menomonee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    7 Reviews
    Menomonee Falls, WI
    10 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."

    4. Cliffside Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Caledonia, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 886-8440

    $32 - $35 / night

    "We were also pleasantly surprise when found out about the close by trail - short trail beginner friendly ravine geography. Very beautiful view of the lake from the top of the cliff."

    "Month Stayed: September Site: gravel and level Spacing: very close to others Cleanliness: very clean Surrounding: trees throughout, playgrounds, nice bathrooms Noise: some noise due to closeness Access"

    5. Muskego Park by Waukesha County Parks

    8 Reviews
    Muskego, WI
    14 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."

    6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Caledonia

    12 Reviews
    Oak Creek, WI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 835-2565

    "This location did not dissapoint. We have not gone to this location during the warmer months but looks to be a great campground"

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

    22 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    22 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 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."

    8. 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."

    9. Naga-Waukee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    9 Reviews
    Delafield, WI
    18 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."

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

    10 Reviews
    North Prairie, WI
    23 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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Wauwatosa, WI

225 Photos of 71 Wauwatosa Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Wauwatosa, WI

613 Reviews of 71 Wauwatosa Campgrounds

  • 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

  • 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.

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

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Fort Atkinson

    Nostalgic Campground

    As a mom, I can honestly say that Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Fort Atkinson is one of those rare campgrounds where the kids are entertained from morning till night and parents can actually relax a little too. The whole place feels designed with families in mind: colorful playgrounds, themed weekends, wagon rides, character visits from Yogi and Boo Boo, and a pool with splash zones that keep little ones happy for hours. Our campsite was clean and level, with options for full hookups or cozy cabins if you’d rather skip the RV, and the bathhouses were spotless, which is something I always look for. What I appreciated most was the balance: the kids could run from the jumping pillow to the mini golf course to the craft barn without ever getting bored, while my husband and I enjoyed sitting by the campfire or joining in on family activities like outdoor 'movies under the stars.' The campground store was well-stocked with snacks, s’mores supplies, and those 'oops, we forgot it' supplies, which saved us more than once. And while there’s plenty to do onsite, being near Lake Koshkonong and Fort Atkinson means you can easily slip away for a day of fishing, boating, or exploring. For me, the best part was watching my kids’ faces light up during the evening hayride, sticky with marshmallow, waving at Yogi like he was a celebrity that felt like the kind of wholesome, memory-making trip I hope they’ll look back on for years.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Close to "home" beautiful sites

    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.

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Circle K Campground

    Horrid management, bad experience

    Management (owners Ed and Coleen) are two of the rudest people I have ever met, with Ed fabricating outrageous, completely inaccurate stories highlighting either his "heroics" (like when his personal fire truck he has was working people would call him before 911) but more often how he has been slighted because of other's inadequacies (local grocery store doesn't like him because "his campers buy all their food leaving none for the locals), and also falsities behind his rules (the U.S. Postmaster does not allow anyone else's packages/mail to be delivered to the campground).  They are completely intolerant of kids/teenagers (and, heresay from conversations with seasonal residents, special needs kids) - rules for use of the pool is that it is open after a certain time and if the air temp is above a certain level - we personally witnessed 3 young teens ask to get into the pool an hour after the pool should've been open and it was 5 degrees over Ed's stated temp, but no one else was using the pool and Ed turned them away - told them to swim in the cesspool... I mean, pond.

    Ed constantly creates new rules on a whim and is exceedingly selective (read: biased) for whom those rules are enforced. If you have a problem with the campsite (water, electricity, dead trees, ground hornets, you name it) - it is because YOU did something wrong, and if you disagree he will harass you to no end and may even kick you out. Some of the seasonal campers are nice, others (those "in" with the owners) are not. I would not recommend this campground to anyone unless/until it is under new ownership.

Guide to Wauwatosa

Camping near Wauwatosa, WI, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds, like Kohler-Andrae State Park, have beautiful trails. One visitor mentioned, "There are nice trails around the campground, and some of them even allow dogs."
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Mauthe Lake Campground is a great spot. A reviewer noted, "Great fishing and day-camping experiences too."
  • Beach Access: For those who love the water, Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park offers a beach area. One camper shared, "We found ourselves walking around and encountering an abandoned hotel... made for some interesting pictures!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Kohler-Andrae State Park said, "The amenities were very clean and well taken care of."
  • Seclusion: Many sites provide a sense of privacy. A reviewer from Ottawa Lake Campground mentioned, "Sites are not too secluded, but they’re clean and well taken care of."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Harrington Beach State Park noted, "This is a nice park with very friendly staff."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Big Foot Beach State Park said, "Always full on weekends... Lots of noise. Lots of kids."
  • Water Quality: Be cautious about water quality at certain parks. A reviewer at Sunrise Campground mentioned, "The water remained pretty shallow so it was more of a place for kids to splash around in than for swimming."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Lake Kegonsa State Park advised, "The way to get a site is through their website or calling."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and family-friendly amenities. One camper at Kettle Moraine State Forest mentioned, "There’s a playground for the kiddos."
  • Plan for Bugs: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in summer. A visitor at Sunset Campground noted, "It was also super buggy with mosquitoes."
  • Bring Games: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games. A camper at Mauthe Lake Campground shared, "We had room to sit around the fire and barely enough room to play some other frisbee games."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Kohler-Andrae State Park mentioned, "Sites vary in levelness and amount of privacy from your neighbor."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A camper at Lake Kegonsa State Park noted, "Electricity on site and water nearby."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure the campground has a dump station available. A visitor at Harrington Beach State Park mentioned, "No water or sewer but does have a dump station."

Camping near Wauwatosa, WI, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the campgrounds near Wauwatosa, Wisconsin?

While there are no campgrounds directly in Wauwatosa, several excellent options exist within an hour's drive. Wisconsin State Fair RV Park is the closest at just 10 minutes away in West Allis. For nature-focused camping, the Kettle Moraine State Forest offers multiple campgrounds within 30-45 minutes of Wauwatosa, featuring glacial terrain and hiking trails. Other nearby options include Menomonee Park (25 minutes north) and Muskego Park (20 minutes southwest), both operated by Waukesha County Parks and offering water access and basic facilities.

What camping options are available for tent campers in Wauwatosa?

Tent campers near Wauwatosa have several excellent options within a short drive. Ottawa Lake Campground in the Southern Kettle Moraine offers spacious tent sites with nearby water access, clean facilities, and access to hiking trails. Pinewoods Campground provides a serene pine forest setting ideal for tents, located close to the Ice Age and Scuppernong trails. Both campgrounds are approximately 30-40 minutes from Wauwatosa and require reservations during peak season. These locations offer the perfect balance of natural surroundings while remaining accessible from the city.

Are there RV parks or RV-friendly campgrounds in the Wauwatosa area?

Yes, RV campers have several good options near Wauwatosa. The closest is Wisconsin State Fair RV Park, just minutes away with full hookups and big-rig-friendly sites. For those seeking more natural surroundings, The Playful Goose Campground offers large RV lots that back up to forested areas, providing a balance of amenities and nature. About 30-40 minutes away, Harrington Beach State Park features updated facilities and relatively private sites with access to Lake Michigan, though with more limited hookups.

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