Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit
Frequently Asked Questions About Camping

We often get questions from campers on the topics listed below.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages are allowed at your campsite. The forest enforces a zero-tolerance policy on underage drinking.

Bathroom / Shower Facilities

Long Lake Campground has shower buildings, with flush toilets and electrical outlets, in each of the campground loops.

Mauthe Lake has a flush toilet/shower building in the 300 loop and several vault toilets throughout the campground. Water is turned off and the showers/flush toilet buildings are closed when there is a threat of freezing.

Greenbush Group and the New Prospect Horseriders campgrounds have vault toilets and do not have shower facilities.

Camping Units

Only one wheeled camping unit is allowed per site. Exception will be made if a truck camper or motor home tows in a trailer as part of the camping unit. Multiple tents allowed on any site, as room allows.

Campground Hosts

Campground hosts stay on host sites at Mauthe Lake (Site 103) and Long Lake (Site 601), and Horse Camp (Site #9) campgrounds during the summer. They help to maintain campground facilities and grounds, help campers comply with rules, and provide visitor information and help.

Canoe / Boat Rentals

A concessionaire provides a fleet of rowboats and canoes to rent for fishing or just paddling.

Carry In / Carry Out

Day-use visitors must take their garbage and recyclables home. We removed multiple garbage and recyclables containers to eliminate smells, mess and pests. More...

Check In / Check Out Times

Check in / check out time is 3 p.m. Earlier occupation may be possible if the site was not occupied the night before. If you are unable to leave by 3 p.m., contact forest staff immediately.

Dumping Stations

Dumping stations for camper units are available at Mauthe Lake and Long Lake recreation areas. The dump station at Mauthe Lake is open year-round; however, the rinse water is turned off when there is a threat of freezing. Dump stations are free to use by all registered campers.

There is a $3 fee for others to use our dump station. The dumping fee is in addition to the regular forest entrance fee. If you do not have a vehicle admission sticker, you must buy one in addition to paying the dumping fee.

Eviction

If you or your guests violate any state laws or Department of Natural Resources rules, you may be evicted from the park, have your camping permit revoked, and lose any fees you have paid.

Extending Stay / Switching Sites

Any extensions must be requested the day before the expiration date on the camping permit -- subject to site availability. Campers may not switch sites without prior approval.

Fees

Camping fees only cover camping. Vehicle admission stickers are also required. Daily stickers sold to registered campers expire at 11 p.m. the day after the date of issue. In other words, only one daily sticker is required for one night of camping. The day of departure does not require an additional fee.

Fires / Firewood Sales

Fires are allowed in fire rings and grills only. Do not leave fires unattended. Put out all fires before leaving your campsite. Do not burn garbage, plastic, glass, cans or other recyclable items.

Firewood Notice: Due to the potential of carrying harmful tree pests and diseases, firewood from out of state or from more than 25 miles away is not allowed on Wisconsin State Park or Forest properties. Also, firewood that has been in the Wisconsin emerald ash borer quarantined area [PDF 102KB] is not allowed on properties outside of the quarantined area. Please buy firewood at or near the park or forest where you are going. Call the DNR toll-free Firewood Hotline, (877) 303-WOOD ((877) 303-9663) for information before packing for a trip.

Firewood is available next to the Mauthe Lake and Long Lake Recreation entrance station parking lots. Firewood is sold whenever the entrance stations are open.

Fireworks

Fireworks are illegal. Anything that flies or explodes is considered a firework. "Snakes" and sparklers are allowed. Always ask a ranger before using anything that may be questionable.

First-come, First-served Camping

There are a limited number of first-come, first-served (nonreservable) family campsites. Call ahead to better determine the need for reservations depending upon the time of year, day of week, and where you plan to camp.

Food and Camping Supplies

Vending machines provide beverages and snack items at the Mauthe Lake and Long Lake beach areas. Several vendors nearby the Mauthe and Long Lake Recreation areas provide food, as well as camping and fishing supplies. The nearest grocery stores are located in Kewaskum, Campbellsport, and Plymouth.

Garbage and Recycling

Garbage and recycling bins are provided for campers only. There is one garbage/recycling station per campground. Removal of garbage and recyclables from your campsite helps eliminate smells and mess, and discourages unwanted pests.

Generators

Generator use in the campgrounds is prohibited. If you have a health concern, call the Forest Headquarters before making your reservation, or traveling to camp.

Gift Shop

You may purchase nature related books, T shirts, sweatshirts, hats, novelty items, etc. at the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center, 1/2 mile west of Dundee on Highway 67. Purchases support the Friends of the Kettle Moraine Group, which funds programs and special projects in the state forest.

Wisconsin Explorers

Wisconsin Explorer booklets are available at the Mauthe and Long Lake Entrance Stations. When your child has finished the required tasks, stop back to pick up his or her patch. When the entrance stations are closed, stop at the Ice Age Visitor Center.

Length of Stay

No person may camp and no camping unit may remain longer than 14 days in any 3-week period in the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit. After 14 days, the camping unit and camping party must be removed from the state forest for at least 7 days before being eligible to return.

Motor Vehicles

Vehicle admission stickers are required. This fee is in addition to the camping fee. Vehicles are restricted to the designated parking area on each campsite. No more than 2 motor vehicles (6 motorcycles) allowed per campsite unless otherwise stated. Stickers must be purchased in advance or upon arrival.

Naturalist Programs

Campers are welcome to attend any of many public programs throughout the forest. Call ahead or check on the web to see if there is a program you'd like to attend during your camping stay.

Occupants

A camping party is defined as any individual, family or non-family group occupying a campsite. A "non-family group" may not exceed 6 persons. Family is limited to parent or parents with their dependent children and not more than 2 guests.

Exceptions: Greenbush Group Campground sites allow up to 60 occupants each, the tepee site and backpack shelters up to 10 occupants, and the Horse camp group sites up to 20 occupants.

Occupation of Site

All registrants without an advance camping reservation must occupy the site with a camping unit each night of the registration. All reserved campsites must be occupied by 3 p.m. on the second day of the reservation, or risk forfeiting the site. Please contact the campground or headquarters office if you have a reservation and experience a significant delay.

One-Night Reservations

One day family campsite reservations may be made starting May 15 and ending October 15 each year for any time between those dates.

Park Hours

The park is closed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. All visitors must leave the park by 11 p.m. During closed hours, campers must be in or en route to their registered campsite. No camping party may set up or take down a camping unit during closed hours.

Pets

Pets are permitted in the campgrounds, but must not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the area by other visitors. Pets must be kept on a leash and attended at all times. A list of area veterinarians is available at the Mauthe and Long Lake entrance stations, your campground host, Forest Headquarters, or the Ice Age Visitors Center.

Picnic Shelters

Enclosed shelters are reservable at the Mauthe Lake and Greenbush campgrounds, and an open-air shelter is reservable at Long Lake. Incoming reservations are posted on each shelter. When not reserved, they are available for use by all visitors. Reservable shelters within the Forest.

Playground Equipment

Playground equipment is available only at the Mauthe Lake and Long Lake recreation areas.

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy can be found throughout the forest, including the campground areas. Identification information is available at campground entrance stations, Forest Headquarters and the Ice Age Visitor Center.

Quiet Hours

Noise on a campsite may not interfere with others' enjoyment of the park at any time.

Raccoons and Other Animals

Bears are not known to inhabit the Kettle Moraine State Forest, but don't be surprised if you see a raccoon or skunk. These furry critters have been seen on numerous occasions, particularly in the campground. At times they can be bold and come very close to you, your camping unit, and your food!

Do not feed them. Feeding conditions them to expect food and causes future problems. Always remove garbage and recyclables from your site daily to discourage raccoons' nighttime visits.

Reservations

Reservations are recommended for weekend camping from late spring through early fall and for any sites with electrical hookups. Availability depends upon the time of year, day of week, and where you plan to camp. Call the campgrounds if you are not sure if reservations will be needed.

Reserve a site using the Web or call (888) 947-2757, TTY (800) 274-7275. If you have difficulties making reservations online, call Reserve America's help line at (800) 372-3607. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours before the site is to be occupied. If you try to make on-line reservations within the 48-hour period, it will appear that all sites are taken. Call the campgrounds directly to determine if any sites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Also see first-come, first-served sites.

Campground Roads

State Statute defines all roads in State Forests as highways and all traffic laws apply. The use of playthings, such as scooters/coasters, big wheels, skateboards, and roller skates are prohibited on campground roads and parking lots. These toys can be used on the paved pathways near the Mauthe Lake and Long Lake beaches.

Bicycles, in-line skates, and registered motorized scooters (mopeds) are allowed on campground roads.  Motorized scooters must have valid registration, be operated by a licensed driver, and display a state park sticker. When a scooter is towed into the park, you may request a courtesy vehicle pass at the entrance station.

Self-Registration

Self-registration is available for first-come, first-served sites when the family campgrounds are open for camping and the entrance stations are closed. To self-register for a campsite:

1. Get a camping self-registration envelope at the self-registration pay station as you enter the Recreation Area.
2. Fill in requested information. Tag any untagged non-reservable site with the white copy of the multi-part form.
3. Immediately return to the self-registration pay station to deposit the appropriate camping fees.
4. Do not set up on any campsite before paying.

Severe Weather

In the event of severe weather, if staffing allows, rangers will try to warn the campground and recreation area with a steady siren wail. Campers should seek cover immediately in a concrete block or stone building. Campers are reminded to stay out of trailers, vehicles, and tents; and stay away from the beaches, lakes or tall trees since these areas may be struck by lightning.

Listen to one the following radio stations for weather information for the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest:

Site Descriptions

Partial site descriptions for Mauthe Lake, Long Lake, and other Kettle Moraine North campsites are available on the Web. Descriptions may include the maximum vehicle length, driveway length, back-in or pull-through, paved or gravel, and shady or open.

If you have personal preferences not listed, i.e. multiple tents, more privacy, lake view, or "adjoining" campsites, etc. call forest staff for suggestions. Likewise, if you call for a reservation and there are only a few sites to choose from, don't hesitate to call forest staff before you make the reservation.

Tackle Loan Program

Rods, reels and basic tackle are available at Mauthe Lake and Long Lake entrance stations, and at the Ice Age Visitor Center. There is no cost to borrow the equipment. You will need to provide your own bait. Anyone 16 or older will need a Wisconsin Fishing License.

Transfer List

The transfer list is for registered campers who wish to change sites either due to personal preference or an incoming reservation on their site. Being on a transfer list does not guarantee a site to transfer to the next day.

The transfer list for the next day begins when the previous day's transfer list is processed. Campers who have placed their name on the transfer list, and are present at the time the transfer list is processed (10 a.m.), will be given the opportunity (in the order in which their names appear on the list) to accept or decline potential transfer sites.

If a camper declines all available sites, he/she will be given the first opportunity to be placed on the next day's transfer list. Campers are not automatically placed on the next day's transfer list. To be placed on the next day's transfer list, a camper must make this request.

For potential openings over a day away, it is in the camper's best interest to place his/her name on each day's transfer list and be present the next morning at 10 a.m. to be placed immediately back on the subsequent day's transfer list. This insures the camper the same (or higher) spot on the transfer list.

NOTE: Registered campers who are physically present in the entrance station will be given priority over campers who choose to phone in a request to be placed on the next day's transfer list.

Waiting List

The waiting list is for individuals who are not registered campers, and who are interested in obtaining a site. A waiting list will only be started once the campground is completely filled. On the following day, sites are given out to individuals (in the order that their names appear) on the waiting list after the transfer list is completed.

Water Availability

Wells, water fountains and water at the dump stations are turned on and off depending upon the threat of freezing. If you plan to camp during the off-season, call ahead to determine if the water is still on in the campground where you plan to camp. No campgrounds offer water hookups.

All wells and pumps along the Ice Age Trail are available year-round for backpackers and day-users. This includes the well adjacent to the Entrance Station at Mauthe Lake.

Winter Camping

Camping is available year-round at the Mauthe Lake 100s and 200s loops, and the 5 shelters on the Ice Age Trail. Trail shelters are reservable, while the Mauthe Lake sites are first-come, first-served. Showers and flush toilet facilities are not available in the winter.