3.336 reviewsSelect a month, then check for open campsites
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
138 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
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Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
138 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
42.8731, -88.5276
First-time backpackers or families wanting an easy overnight: the hike from Forest Headquarters to Shelter 2 is short and shaded, and October color across the kettles and moraines is genuinely worth the trip. Fish Paradise Springs for trout or swim at Ottawa Lake the next day.
No showers, no flush toilets, no potable water on site. If self-sufficiency isn't your thing, the drive-in campgrounds elsewhere in the Southern Unit draw complaints about road noise and strict host enforcement, and the backcountry shelter offers even less comfort.
Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.
Fall brings the best conditions: daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F, nights in the 30s and 40s°F, and peak foliage in the mixed hardwoods. Trails stay scenic for hiking and photography, with moderate crowds (weekends are busier). Summer offers shade on the forested trail but brings bugs; spring and fall reduce insect pressure. Pack layers for cool nights year-round. Deer hunting runs through November. Wear blaze orange during those periods. Midwest weather changes fast, so expect occasional thunderstorms in summer and crisp, variable conditions in shoulder seasons.
Fall cited as best season: peak foliage and ideal hiking temps mid-50s to 60s°F.
Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.
Shelter #2 is a backcountry Adirondack shelter with no developed campground amenities; backpackers must be self‑sufficient.
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Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.
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