Camping sites near Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin span beyond the Kettle Moraine region to include several county parks within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at elevations ranging from 580 to 1,050 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and occasional 90°F+ days. Winter camping options are limited but several sites maintain access through the colder months with temperatures regularly dropping into the single digits.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: At Mauthe Lake Campground, visitors enjoy a designated swimming beach without motorized boats. "Nice clean swimming and lots of hiking and biking options," notes one camper, while another adds, "The lake was beautiful and the beach area is very nice and clean. There are many picnic tables and a playground."
Hiking on diverse terrain: Pike Lake Campground connects to numerous trails including the Ice Age Trail. A backpacker mentioned, "For my five-year-old son's first backpacking experience, we hiked about 3 miles on the Ice Age Trail, into Pike Lake campground." The campground features "many hiking trails of varying lengths, and all are very well maintained."
Spring water exploration: Near Ottawa Lake Campground, visitors can hike to natural springs. A camper described the experience: "There are hiking trails to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" The spring water trails provide a unique natural attraction not available at other area campgrounds.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many campsites at Pinewoods Campground offer secluded spots. "The site was actually really lovely and I appreciated the thick brush creating some real seclusion," shares one visitor. Another camper notes, "Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight."
Lake access for fishing: Mauthe Lake earns praise for its fishing opportunities. Reviewers mention "good fishing!" multiple times, with one adding that "the lake itself is great for canoeing or kayaking." The no-motor restriction keeps the lake quiet for anglers and paddlers alike.
Clean facilities: Cliffside Park Campground consistently receives praise for maintenance. A visitor reported, "The park was really well-maintained with a camp host on site. The grass was mowed, there was no trash, and the restrooms were super clean and heated." Another noted, "Bathrooms were super clean and showers are free. Very impressed and satisfied."
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: County parks like Cliffside have different rules than state parks. "The campground is a mix of those you can reserve or as walk-up sites. The price when we stayed there was $28/night, but if you make an online reservation, a $12 processing fee is assessed."
Bear awareness needed: At Harrington Beach State Park, campers should prepare for wildlife. "There was a posting about black bear sightings in the area. We did not experience that, just chipmunks and birds," mentioned a camper at a nearby park. Wildlife sightings are part of the camping experience throughout the region.
Urban noise factors: Some campgrounds have highway proximity issues. A visitor to Wisconsin State Fair RV Park described it as "really a parking lot for RV camping off an interstate. very loud and not family place but good for over night." At Pike Lake, campers reported, "Proximity to highway means more noise. Also close to Slinger Speedway, which on Sundays on the weekend can be loud."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Menomonee Park offers family-friendly amenities. A camper shared, "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." Another mentions, "Fun park to ride bikes through. Many trails to walk or hike. The pond has a great beach for kids."
Campsite selection for children: At several parks, specific loops are more suitable for families. At Pinewoods Campground, "We were in the quiet loop, Loop 1, which actually was very quiet. Everyone was respectful of the rules. We did walk over to the other loops where there was more of a party atmosphere at some sites with larger groups, music, and kids."
Off-season opportunities: Family campers note better experiences in shoulder seasons. "We took my 2 year old for first time tent camping, we were at site 231, which was huge and very nice. There is so much to do we couldn't do everything we wanted in the one night we stayed," shared a visitor to Harrington Beach State Park in September.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Ottawa Lake Campground provides specific electric options. "Not all sites here have electricity so be mindful of that while booking," noted a camper. At Cliffside Park, "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."
Winter accessibility: For year-round camping access, Ottawa Lake remains open. "No showers in winter but awesome," states a camper who visited during colder months. This makes it one of the few viable options for off-season camping when temperatures can drop significantly.
Water connection considerations: At county parks like Cliffside, "Each site has water but in order to reach some of the spigots you would need more than a 50' water hose so choose your site with that in mind." RVers should plan accordingly with appropriate hose lengths or additional water storage.
