Labor Day Campgrounds Near Franklin

FRANKLIN, WI — Labor Day weekend is just around the corner. If camping is on your agenda and you’re like the many others who wait until the last minute, you’ll want to make those reservations at your favorite state park or local campground soon.

Labor Day is Sept. 6 this year. While it might be too late to snag the prime locations, plenty of spots still are available at nearby parks and campgrounds. If you're looking to stay close to home but still in nature, check out these spots near Franklin:

Kettle Moraine Southern Unit

There are several campgrounds within an hour drive of Franklin at Kettle Moraine south. Ottowa Lake Campground, Pinewoods Campground, and Whitewater Lake campground all offer numerous sites and amenities. Reserve your spot

Cliffside Park Campground, Caledonia

This 92 site campground in the northern part of Racine County is stationed just off Lake Michigan, 7320 Michna Road, Caledonia. Reserve your spot

Sanders Campground, Racine

Another Racine County campground, Sanders Park has 18 campgrounds in a woodland setting. Reserve your spot.

Jellystone Park, Caledonia

Jellystone Park offers cabins and campsites and is a resort as well. The campground also hosts activities for kids. Reserve your spot

Not sure where to go? Check out CampgroundReviews.com to see photos, which spots earned the highest marks for amenities and tips from fellow campers.

If you’re among those who like to wait until the last minute, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) Check out a smaller park.

If your favorite state park or campground is fully booked, try a regional or municipal park. These spots often fill up less quickly than their larger camping counterparts.

2) Rough it.

If you’re not afraid to spend the weekend without electricity or running water, head for the forest. Most national forests have campgrounds that don’t require advance reservations. The same goes for Bureau of Land Management parks.

Wisconsin's national forests are up north, of course. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest takes up 1.5 million acres of forests. The land is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is used for recreation, industry and residential, but most of the land is forest.

In some parts of these national forests, people may camp for free. There's no facilities whatsoever and oftentimes rough roads, but it's a possibility. Contact rangers in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest here to learn more.

3) Hope for a cancellation.

Have your heart set on a specific state park and campground? You can always head there, wait patiently and hope another camper doesn’t show up to claim their spot.