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The best camping near Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Northern Unit adventure.

The best camping near Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Northern Unit adventure.

Camping near Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

97% (19 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Northern Unit adventure.

One of Wisconsin’s best lake camping destinations also has a curious glacial history.  

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Stay at a public campground in Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

Top-rated campgrounds near Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

100%
(215)

Cricket Ranch

5 sites ¡ Tents53 acres ¡ Cascade, WI
We are very excited to be named a Best Of Hipcamp 2023 Runner-up! Frankly, it was a goal. We figured if we won then so did our guests. Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews and helpful suggestions! Learn more about this land: The property was a farm until 30 years ago. It's been virtually untouched since then. Chambers Creek runs thru the west side. And you'll find fossils in the rock walls. Off the Beaten Path @ Cricket Ranch provides a true back to nature environment for campers, sometimes called "backcountry camping". Located on 50 acres of private forest, field, and valley, our campsites are very secluded and separated by acres of woodland. Each layout is unique, embracing what nature has provided. Backpacking (or wagoning) to your camp from the parking area is necessary as the 5' wide paths do not accommodate cars/trucks. Hiking distance from parking area: (1) Camp Cricket is 600 Ft. (2) Haen Hollow is 250 ft. (3) Rocky Top is 700 ft. (4) Grapeline is 1000 ft.  Feel fee to explore the land! We are located near the Niagara Escarpment so you might even find a 460 million year old fossil on one of the field rock walls. Keep it! So we can keep a count of how many are found, and out of an overabundance of curiosity, please let us know and send some pics of your find.   Chambers Creek (small trout stream on the headwaters of the Milwaukee River-North Branch) winds through the valley on the west side of Cricket Ranch, providing a spot to cool your feet, stone step, or just listen to the relaxing sound of a babbling brook. The creek is overgrown with brush so access is limited to a couple spots at this time. We intend to clear some of the underbrush in the near future to allow for better enjoyment and management of this invaluable natural resource. Near by: Kettle Moraine National Forest is a 10 minute drive, boasting great hiking and the can't-miss-it view from atop Parnell Tower. Lake Ellen has a nice no-fee public boat landing just 2 miles away. The lake has clear water and is stocked periodically with Pike and Walleye. It is surprising how un-busy this lake is so bring your boat, kayak, paddle board, and/or assorted flotation devices and check it out. Our parking area can accommodate boat trailers during your stay. Top Upcoming Local Events (distance): Autumn 2021 (everywhere): It is a MAJOR event!
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from 
$40
 / night
98%
(46)

A Vegetable & Flower Farm

1 site ¡ Tent8 acres ¡ Fredonia, WI
Our little chunk of paradise is about 8 acres. It is a diverse piece of land allowing for micro environments. A hilltop with an orchard a few terraced garden beds, about an acre or so of wooded area with a waterway down below, and another 1.5 acre of garden, intermixed with pasture, out buildings and our home. The land is surrounded by 120 acres of adjacent farmland. Across our street is wetlands and woods. Adjacent to the 120 acres of farmland is another 80 acres of public hunting land. We are blessed to live so close to nature without a view of a neighbors house. Stars, crickets, frogs, woodcocks in spring, hummingbirds and sandhill cranes in summer, and more all in abundance at our Willoway Farm. We bought our home in 2006. Before then it was in the same family that settled there in 1840s-1850s. At one time there was a log cabin, then they built our cream city brick farmhouse in 1893. The farm in the 1980s and before was a dairy farm. When we bought it half of where you see the garden was either grass or part of the conventional farm adjacent to our property. Our farm logo is taken from the builder of the barn-many pioneer barn builders often signed their barn work with a symbol. We liked the symbol and kept it to use as our own yet honor the builder of our barn. We have great appreciation for those that built with such beautiful large trees and all by hand. The Produce Wash Building is a timber frame built by Dan our farm owner and farm doer. The timber frame was made from reclaimed timbers and reclaimed barn siding, the shingles were made from scratch by Dan also. Learn more about this land: Willoway Farm is a small scale organic vegetable &and flower farm established in 2007, located 35 minutes north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It's situated upon a glacial hill over looking a Milwaukee river flowage to the south and the kettle moraine state forest to the northwest. Our 8 acre land with cut flower & heirloom vegetable garden is surrounded by over 200 acres of uninhabited land, ( Farmland & state wild land). We are just 5 minutes from hiking trails into the state forest, which is beautiful all times of the year! A 55 acre secluded lake with public access is only 1.5 miles from Willoway - we hear the fishing is good. New now is across the street is a 283 acre land trust- Biehl Nature Preserve on Lake Twelve. The roads near the farm traverse through mixed forest and farm land with only slight traffic offering exceptional bicycling! The camp space is primitive and private yet offers gentle vistas upon the surrounding landscape with often both amazing sunrises and sunsets - situated upon the high point of the farm nestled in a young apple orchard. We have a spacious outhouse on site. We feel so fortunate live and farm where we do & love offering the natural beauty it offers to others. Our garden is lush with flowers, herbs and vegetables great for observing our plethora of pollinators. There are so many places to visit within 10 miles of our Campsite. A favorite is Riveredge Nature Center only 9.6 miles offering 3 miles of trails including 1 mile along Milwaukee River. Riveredge Nature Center has vast landscapes with so many lovely native wild flowers.
Potable water
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from 
$55
 / night
98%
(823)

Purplehaze Acres

9 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents60 acres ¡ Rubicon, WI
Purplehaze Acres is a 60-acre organic rustic farm in Rubicon, WI and resides at the beginning of the approx. 650-mile Niagara Escarpment--known locally as "The Ledge". We are in close proximity to the Ice Age Trail, and the natural treasures of the great Horicon Marsh, Lake Sinnissipi/Rock River with canoeing/kayaking/fishing, Ledges County Park, and the world-renowned Holy Hill Shrine. Nearby Hustisford ("Husti") offers unique shopping and dining experiences, such as the Mercantile and Mocha Vino. Need a few organic groceries? Make sure to visit Back To The Best Organic grocer only 3 miles away, featuring food raised on local organic farms including Purplehaze Acres. Potable water, charcoal grills, firepit grates, eggs and available for purchase--firewood. COMING SOON: Did you forget something? If so, check out our Camp Cupboard Store. Your approach via 1/2-mile dirt drive up the hills and through the woods . . . to not your grandmother's typical house you go. You'll find wonderful vistas, wildflowers, berries, trails up into the woods, a 900' grass runway for aviators on an overall great "peace" of earth. ☎
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$40
 / night
100%
(20)

Pondfront RV Site near Road America

1 site ¡ RV, Tent1 acre ¡ Glenbeulah, WI
Our pond front RV site is located on the northern tip of the Kettle Moraine Forest within 300 yards of the hiking trails. Near Road America, Elkhart Lake WI with swimming, biking trails and great restaurants. 30 Amp power and water hook ups for RV's are available. Road America is just 2.5 miles away. The Kettle Moraine Ice AgeTrail is just across the pond. The Glenbeulah Millpond offers fishing and kayaking and we provide free use of our kayak and paddleboat. We usually have a bunch of firewood for the included firepit and a nice table and chairs for your picnics. Swimming is near by at Elkhart Lake and the mountain biking trails in the Kettle Moraine Forest are wonderful. There is WiFi. We have a dog that is overly friendly and will hang out near your camper. If you want to bring your pets we ask that you talk with us first to make sure they will all get along. We do not have a sewer connection for your black and grey water tanks but there is a dump station just 4 miles away. There are no toilet facilities on site.
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from 
$40
 / night
97%
(50)

Leon's Lakeview Campground

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents25 acres ¡ Stockbridge, WI
This site is a 25-acre parcel of land which is part of the "Niagara Escarpment" and offers breathtaking views of Lake Winnebago along with beautiful sunsets. Consists of approximately 20 acres of wildflowers and prairie grasses and 5 acres of woodlands. There are grass walking trails around the entire perimeter and three spacious campsites to choose from. Conveniently located, just minutes away from High Cliff State Park, Calumet County Park, Columbia Park, Mulberry Lane Farm, LaClare Creamery, Ziegler Winery, shopping, restaurants, supper clubs, live music venues and much more.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night
Booked 3 times

Hattie Sherwood Campground

36 sites ¡ RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Green Lake, WI
Hattie Sherwood Campground includes amenities such as. This campground is located at 451 S Lawson Drive in Green Lake, WI, and is open May 1 - Oct 15. Open Dates: May 15 to October 20
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from 
$36
 / night

The best camping near Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit) guide

Overview

About

In the Northern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest (the first of this Wisconsin forest triad) are over a dozen lakes and ponds within 30,000 acres of diverse terrain carved by colossal glaciers 20,000 years ago. Scan the horizon from the Parnell Tower, or jump on a section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail to hike through the Kettle Moraine Red Oaks, a second-growth forest of red oak, basswood, white ash, and sugar maple. Campers have four campgrounds to choose from, while numerous Kettle Moraine lakes offer supreme fishing, paddling and swimming in summer. Head out during fall for the chance to catch colorful autumn foliage.

Notable campgrounds

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Reservations at all Kettle Moraine campgrounds are available 11 months in advance.
  • Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) 947-2757.
  • Summer weekends are the most competitive times at Kettle Moraine campgrounds, so book well in advance.

When to go

Many Wisconsinites flock to Kettle Moraine for summer lake days, meaning Memorial Day to Labor Day is peak season. And for good reason—the days are long, temperatures are warm, the lakes make for a refreshing plunge, and kayak rentals are available at Mauthe Lake. Fall is another popular time thanks to leaf peeping, though lows in the 40s in October and 30s in November mean campers should come prepared with cold-weather gear. The park is open during winter for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing, while visitors can also hit the slopes at the Sunburst Ski area just south of the park near West Bend. Mauthe Lake Campground remains open for winters, too.

Know before you go

  • Brush up on your kames, eskers, drumlins, and moraines at the park’s Ice Age Visitor Center, an educational site dedicated to the park’s unique glacial history. There’s children’s programming and a gift shop too. 
  • The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, a 115-mile driving route through the park complex and surrounding region, is an awesome way to view fall foliage or discover hidden gems.

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