Nicole G.

My husband, our pittie and I took a mini road trip to Kettle Moraine State Forest this past weekend and can't wait to go back already! There are various trails to choose from based on experience and length. This State forest is only about an hour and 45 minutes from Chicago! We were camping at the Ottawa Lake Campground so we chose a pet-friendly trail close by (in the Southern part) that was a moderate level to hike. The trail is called Scuppernong and it has three different loops you can choose from. The green loop was the easiest, the orange (which we hiked) was moderate, and the red was advanced. The trails often times overlapped each other and there was color coding along the way to make sure we stayed on the right path. The moderate path definitely had some steep uphill and downhills moments as well as rocks, gravel, and sand. We wore trail running shoes that worked fine for the hike. The paths we noticed aren't very wide. It makes passing large families difficult especially with a dog. We recommend skipping the "observation lookout" because the vegetation was overgrown and you couldn't see much. They had a picnic area off the trails and various benches to sit at along the way too. Make sure you print out your parking pass and put it in your window to avoid a ticket. There was no one at the front gate to buy a pass from so you have to order it online. We couldn't buy a daily pass so our only option online was the annual pass for $38 as a non-Wisconsin resident. We saw a few tickets on car windows so there was definitely someone patrolling the lot. A good thing about our annual pass is that we can use it at any Wisconsin state park, including campsites! The grass area off the parking lot was large and open with a bunch of picnic tables. They had restrooms close-by also that were in pretty good shape. Two thumbs up!

Amber L.

We stayed at this park the weekend before Labor Day. This review is for the Whitewater Lake Campground, there are several campground areas in this park. Just know, this particular area is considered "primitive" because there are no showers and only pit toilets. If that bothers you, head north to the Ottawa area within the park. The closest shower is about a 15 minute drive northeast in the horse camping area. The park is huge so the campgrounds are very spread out. The park itself is nice, I mean it's the Kettle Moraine Forrest so it's old and beautiful. There's are lots of trails to check out and the Ice Age Trail runs very close to this campground. Whitewater and Rice Lake are nearby too. I read that a lot of raccoons and skunks are around but we never saw any in the camping area. Millipedes...yes there were a ton at the end of August. So many in fact, that at night they were EVERYWHERE in the campsite and in the bathrooms. The second night there were less because we were walking around the site, shuffling the dirt and "dead matter" that they feed on. Still, something I had never experienced and it put a damper on the first night! The mosquitoes weren't bad all, surprisingly. No ticks on us either. Site 757 (non-electric) looked more private in the online picture but in reality, was sort of open to the neighboring sites but at the same time not close to them. Perhaps some trees have been cleared over the years. It's setback from the road so that gave it a more private feel. Right behind the site is a fence which I figured was to keep the critters out but then realized there's a horse trail that runs behind the site. The ranger who worked all weekend (didn't catch his name) was very friendly and helpful. You could tell he had been working in the park system for years and really knew his stuff. Wood bundles are $6 in the park, at the office you can use a credit card but at the camp host site, cash only. As with most or all state parks, dogs are allowed but must be kept on a 6 foot or less leash at all times. Even when we try to plan ahead, we always end up needing to make a stop in town for something. It's a quick 10 minute drive to Whitewater and they have several liquor and convenience stores nearby. As far as being quiet goes, it seems like a laidback park in general. There was a very loud group camping near the bathrooms, up very late, and it didn't seem like anyone cared. Not that you should be partying and not expect to be talked to, but that weekend it didn't seem like a problem to be loud. It was a fun camping trip and a nice park. I might want to check out another area next time but I'm glad we stayed here! They also have huge group sites that looked secluded and would be great for a trip with friends or family.

Ottawa Lake Recreation Area. Beautiful park! Clean, spacious, private sites. Great hiking locations throughout. That among others are the pros... Cons: There are no sites with water hook ups; okay can live with that! Major Drawback; and this has everything to do with the Wiscondon State Park System: when you make your reservation on-line: they do not inform you of the parking fee! This is a campground!!! For crying out loud! How do they charge you an extra fee to park your vehicle! Whether it be an RV, Mini Van or car!!!! Then to top that! If you're a resident the fee is $3 a day! If you 're an out of Stater; $11 a day! Fore warned us fore armed! Had we known this, we would have gone to a private camp ground to the tune of $47 dollars a night! I guess they are trying to discourage tourism! It's not like we are day use folks...

Marilyn B.

Whitewater Lake Campground & Hickory Woods Group Camp, Site 607: Near the bathrooms, which were clean and well-maintained, never ran out of TP or hand sanitizer. Friendly people camping throughout the park, low level of noisy kids, some barking dogs, but nothing that made it a bad place to stay. The sites are far enough away from each other that only a little boombox music makes it over to where you are. Street noise was the most noticeable, loud trucks going by was annoying at times. Nice that it's only an hour away from Milwaukee. Whitewater Beach is a great place to play bocce or pickleball. We even had fun playing badminton in the driveway at our site, trying to get the birdie out of the trees the many times we hit it too high. We walked through our loop at night with our Jellyfish Lights to give the other campers a nice show. Firewood is available nearby, but the volunteer host was away all of Labor Day weekend so we had to go into town to get ice. All in all, a very nice getaway.

Eda X.

This was my very first camping experience. According to my more experienced friends, Kettle Moraine - Pinewood Campgrounds are well isolated from other party's campgrounds. The layout of the park is like a spiraling tree where each ground is secluded from others. I'd advise to pick a site close to the Shower Building as its the best potty and running water shower situation in the park. Don't fall into the smelly holes of the other bathroom!

Lauren E.

Did you know.. Kettle Moraine South is less than an hour outside of Milwaukee and contains 160 miles of hiking trails Including 30 miles of Wisconsin's thousand mile Ice Age trail? I'm going for the classic book report intro here because I learned a lot last weekend when I went camping at Kettle Moraine South for the first time. I am a camping lover and not altogether familiar with the camping options in this part of the state. My friends and I chose Kettle Moraine because it was convenient to both Milwaukee and Chicago and did not have an alcohol ban like at Big Foot Beach. Unfortunately it was raining and a little cold the afternoon we arrived at Kettle Moraine. However, we were determined to get our camping fix in so after we checked in at Ottawa lake we found a nearby pavilion and waited out the rain. There is not a pavilion in the Pinewoods campground. Luckily the camping gods smiled on our persistence and the rain stopped after a beer or two. We drove over to the Pinewoods campground and found our site. Then of course we took a loop around the mostly deserted sites to scope out our options. I, like many campers, am willing to go through a little hassle for a great site and in this case not directly across from a wholesome boy scout troop. Unfortunately, the headquarters made us drive back to the Ottawa Lake to change sites which is a 10 minute drive one way. In my opinion, this could easily have happened over the phone if the Pinewoods site host was given the reservation slips to swap out. Once we were settled into our new, less wholesome site, we happily set up camp and got our campfire going. The sites are nestled into the woods so you really have a feeling of privacy and being surrounded by nature. I included the numbers of some of the neater sites in our loop below as you reserve by site number. Some of them even have walk-ups to get farther into the woods, super awesome sites if you don't mind carrying your gear up a short path from the car. Sunday morning we woke up to a clear blue sky and headed out for a hike on the Ice Age trail. The trail options are many so if you want to go on multiple hikes you'd have no problems. We chose the Ice Age because of it's proximity to our campground and I loved hiking on what I know is a much longer trail, we found a shelter used by thru -hikers with a great view. We left Kettle Moraine, our camping itch temporarily satiated despite the rainy beginning. The short drive back was slight disrupted by a quest for Taco John's without the aid of our battery dead smart phones. Like I said, I'm still getting to know the local parks so shoot me a message if you have suggestions for my future camping adventures! Pinewoods Campground Site Recommendations (Loop 150-180) 154 159 162 180 150&151 if you want private sites together, hike-up

Melissa G.

Finally back home from camping, but I'm having some major withdrawals now! I think this was my third time camping at this location, and it's always a good time. It's around an hour and thirty minutes away from home - not too far from home but far enough. The campsites aren't incredibly stunning but they are nice. Twice, we've gotten a group site and one time a regular site. The last two times I've been here, we stayed at the Hickory Woods location. We try to choose the prettiest spots secluded with trees. The last site we stayed at had benches around the fire pit. It also had more than a couple picnic benches for eating. At the group sites, you can have more than two cars and more than three tents which is why we try to pick it up. There's an over-the-fire grill on the fire pit which you can swing on or off - very convenient. In Hickory Woods, the toilets are no-flush and there aren't any showers. Luckily, our team is always prepared. There are hiking trails all around the campsite, which are beautiful. The Ice Age trail stretches the length of the state! Last time we were here, we were looking forward to the bike trails. Since it rained, we weren't allowed to bike but there is a trail located near Alpine. It's really cool because in the winter, I go snowboarding down that mountain. It's so cool seeing it in the summer without all the snow! There's a lake nearby where you can go canoeing or kayaking; it has a sand beach where swimming is allowed. Anyways, I always have a fun time camping here. The rangers are really cool and as long as you aren't making too much noise, they won't bother you. Take note that there are "quiet hours." They don't have a problem with you drinking at their campsite either - open container! I really enjoy camping here! I always have fun and there's always something to do or something cool to check out. On top of everything else, it's really beautiful.

Brian G.

When you've hiked through redwoods (yes!) and mountains (ehh...I've done some serious hills?) then it's hard to get enthused for trails in the Midwest. However, the Nordic Trail in Kettle Moraine State Forest is solid fun, and if you live in northern Illinois then I can't imagine there's a better alternative around. My girlfriend and I set out on the blue loop of the Nordic Trail on a lovely Sunday, and we had 9.2 miles of peaceful fun. Seriously, we didn't encounter more than a jogger or two our entire hike. I get the feeling that this trail is severely underutilized, and that's just a shame because it's got to be one of the best hikes around. Then again that's good news if you need to bury a body or just want to get away for a bit. Benches very rarely dot the landscape throughout the hike, and they're not often in the best condition. Also, some of them aren't placed in the most scenic of spots even though that's what they're allegedly for: a spot to rest and soak in some pretty sights. If you're looking for big, beautiful vistas of lakes and wildlife then you're in the wrong place. There ARE vistas but they're more of the prairie grass or patch of trees variety. Not bad but didn't really set my world on fire. Here's a tip: If you're from Illinois then do what you can to get someone with Wisconsin license plates to drive you to the trailhead. Out of state plates will cost you ten dollars for a parking permit, and I'm pretty sure Wisconsin residents don't have to pay. (That's a guess. I don't really know.) YET ANOTHER MINDBLOWING TIP: This is common sense for trailgoers but be sure to wear long sleeves and pants. It was like Starship Troopers in that forest with the insects flitting about like mad trying to suck our brains for the wealth of knowledge within. We were eaten alive, and, to cap off the day, I found a meddlesome wood tick stuck to my calf when I got back to my car. I got it out almost immediately, and it was even kinda fun disengaging the thing, but let's all be sensible and dress appropriately from now on, okay?

Christopher H.

There hasn't been a review in awhile, so here goes. We decided on a weekend not too far away and the southern unit of Kettle Moraine is about 2 hours from the NW burbs of Chicago, which makes it possible to get to on a Friday after work. I researched the various campground options and reservations can be done online. The reservation site provides maps, pictures of the sites and a brief description. Because we like the feeling of being out in the woods, we selected a site at Pinewoods in the 24 hour quiet zone loop. That means no pets, radios and things that would annoy neighbors. There are many other loops and campgrounds for those not wanting that peace and quiet, but it was fantastic to hear only crickets. Check in is at Ottawa and then Pinewoods is less than 10 minutes away. Firewood can be purchased at Ottawa or from the camp host at Pinewoods when he is there (ice too). The sites in this loop are not right on top of each other, like at Ottawa. There are 2 pit toilet facilities within the loop and the flush toilets/shower facility is about a 1/3 mile walk. Within walking distance is one of the intersections of the Scutternong trail system that also has access to the Ice Age Trail. We hiked some of the green trail, had lunch at an overlook and then made our way back and we did about a 5 mile loop. No bugs, not many people and a variety of scenery. The guides give good descriptions on the terrain and level of difficulty. Because this campground has so many older trees, it took a little later in the morning for the sun to shine down on the campsite. It rained overnight on Friday and the campsite drained well and there were no lingering puddles. Because it's a state park, there is a vehicle fee that applies to everyone. Wisconsites just pay a little less than others. You can pay a daily fee ($11 for Illinois) or pay an annual amount ($38) which gets you into any state park in Wisconsin for a year. Camping fees are an additional amount ($18 + reservation fee) as well as ice and firewood ($2.50, $5.50 respectively). Just two hours away is an oasis with a terrain completely different than flat Illinois with the ability to camp in quiet among the trees. Camp coffee (french press worked great), some biscuits and gravy from the dutch oven, it is the perfect getaway from urban life. And if you do have kids and/or want to party, Ottawa has beaches and playgrounds. If you're ever there and see our special tent attached to our car (a Honda accessory), stop in for a beer.

Dave S.

Let's start with I am no outdoorsman. I haven't hiked here or hunted. What I do here is ride. If you love motorcycles, then chances are you love twisties. And kettle moraine is chock full of twists and turns and elevation change. It's also one of the most scenic places in SE Wisconsin (to me at least). Shade in the heat of summer, beautiful foliage in fall. Wide open expanses with deer, coyote and fox. Hawk's galore (sorry no AJ). Great paved roads. This is my weekly ride of about 100 miles. Clears the head and feeds the spirit.

Ben S.

A few things to know... Mosquito population is booming this year. And last year. And the year before last. And the year before that. Jimmy John's doesn't deliver to the place where we play wiffle ball. Not that big of a deal but I did just see a Jimmy John's commercial before writing this review so it sticks in my mind that we called but they wouldn't make the trip even though it was only about 4 miles. Everything (trails, crappers, camping sites) seems to be well maintained.

Kymberly J.

After you get past the grumpy lady at the welcome center you'll find a most beautiful piece of nature. And BTW the welcome center (the only free parking spot) has washrooms, a museum, and a gift shop. The scenery changes every 5 minutes. Lakes, sand, train tracks, open fields, hills, a million different types of tress - this forest has it all.