2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Tent camping opportunities around Altoona, Wisconsin include several established campgrounds with varying levels of amenities and natural settings. Coon Fork Campground, located in Augusta, offers tent campers spacious sites with lake access and natural privacy buffers. The campground features both lakeside and non-lakeside tent sites, with prices ranging from $17-20 per night. Other options include primitive backcountry tent camping at Northside Lake Eleven Campsite and Wazee Lake Recreation Area, both within reasonable driving distance of Altoona.
Most tent sites in the region feature natural forest settings with dirt or pine needle surfaces and adequate tree cover for shade and hammock setup. Coon Fork provides fire rings, picnic tables, and benches at all sites, along with clean bathroom facilities and hot showers. Tent campers should note that some primitive sites like those at Lake Eleven require filtering water from nearby lakes, while established campgrounds typically offer potable drinking water. For backcountry tent camping, pit toilets may be available, but campers should be prepared with proper waste disposal methods where facilities are absent.
The tent camping experience near Altoona tends to focus on peaceful lake access and wooded privacy. Areas like Coon Fork feature generous spacing between sites that enhances the natural camping experience. According to one visitor, "The sites are very generous with a lot of green between spaces. You are not on top of your neighbor." Walk-in tent sites at locations like Hok-Si-La provide a more secluded experience as vehicles remain in designated parking areas rather than at campsites. This arrangement creates a quieter atmosphere without vehicles driving through at all hours. Several campgrounds in the region restrict or prohibit motorized boats on their lakes, creating peaceful conditions for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating directly from tent camping areas.
"The campground is lovely considering it's only $20 for lakeside ($17 non lakeside). It has a shower house, bathroom, dump station, wood for sale ($6/bundle), ice for sale and is non electric."
"Coon Forks is a county campground with a nice lake with two beaches and a boat landing, but only non-motorized crafts allowed. Campsites are private with waterfront and electric sites."
from $17 - $20 / night
from $35 - $135 / night
"The campground was very full that weekend but the group sites are spacious and well spaced out, (if you can I would recommend G4 or G5 right on the lake for group sites) you definitely don't feel like"
"It is only 1 1/2 hours away from the TwinCities which makes it an ideal getaway. The campsites are wooded and have enough distance between them that noise is minimal."
from $22 - $132 / night
from $45 - $65 / night
Available next weekend
from $19 / night
"They are technically “hike-in” or “cart-in” but have a very short hike to get to. They are large and have a fire ring and picnic table at each of the on the water sites. Very nice in my opinion!"
"We have always reserved an Island site, since they offer the best privacy from neighbors in southern camp along the Mississippi backwaters on Fountain City Bay. "
from $19 - $110 / night
"Campground Review: Lake Eleven campsite is a back country site located within the Chequamegon National Forest in Taylor County, Wisconsin."
RangerFantastic little park in the forest, and can't be beat for $7 per night! Camped here in October last in 43-ft motorhome and found a spot which had good sun for our solar. UTV trail entrances at campground, as well as hiking up and around the beautiful rock formations. No elec or water =no problem if you're used to dispersed camping anyway!
ScoutWe selected "best available" site and showed up two hours later to a disgusting mess. There was a pile of garbage in our site. There was a busy railroad track right next the the site not shown in the campground map. They offered other sites but they were not any better.
ScoutElectric back in site. No water. Well shaded adequate space
GuideSpent 3 months July-Oct has just what you need 3 free hot showers stalls, flushing toilet, convenient dump station, potable water, all situated on what seems like an island, with the water on 3 sides of the campground $500 a month for long term
ScoutGreat campground with waterfront and well treed sites. We’re hammockers and found plenty of suitable trees. Firewood was available via vending machine. $6.50 bought a wheelbarrow load of wood. Caretaker was friendly. Only downside was you could hear noise from distant highway and from neighboring private properties but it quieted down during quiet hours. We hiked a section of the Ice Age Trail during our visit. We recommend the campground and the trail.
TravelerI really like this campground, I feel safe as a single person camping with my pups here. The owners are super friendly and the price is very reasonable. There are mostly seasonal here which helps cut back the noise and the crowds.
GuideThe East Fork part of the campground is a beautiful area along the river. The sites are nicely spaced and there are pit toilets located throughout. The animals came alive at night and we could hear coyote packs howling to each other, owls hunting, and the crickets and frogs are still going. September makes for hot days and pretty cold nights, but there was good tree cover, that still allowed to see the ALL the stars. There was plenty of room for the 2 allowed cars. Site 124 is located at the end of a loop with dumpsters nearby, that were empty and clean. A very nice place to spend a couple nights!
LegendClean bathrooms, nice showers but they're a dollar for 6 minutes.
TravelerFHU campground right on the edge of town. Nice level sites. Sprinklers come on every morning and soak the center area. If you come here don’t take a site in the center or you will get sprayed. Grass and weeds are over grown and mosquitos are bad.
Tent campsites near Altoona, Wisconsin provide quieter alternatives to traditional campgrounds with motorized vehicle restrictions. Most locations sit within a 45-minute drive of Altoona in forested settings with pine or mixed hardwood cover. Winter camping options exist at several locations including Wazee Lake Rec Area, though water access points typically close from November through April.
Swimming in clear lakes: Wazee Lake Rec Area offers swimming in Wisconsin's clearest and deepest inland lake. The water clarity attracts both casual swimmers and scuba divers. "The water is so clear, the trout fishing is great and so is the beach!" notes camper Luc S.
Canoeing on motor-restricted waters: At Coon Fork Campground, no outboard motors are permitted on the lake. "No outboard motors allowed on this lake. Canoe and rowboat rentals are available at the office," reports Brook Jorgensen. This restriction creates excellent conditions for paddling sports.
Hiking forest trails: Black River State Forest offers primitive tent camping with nearby hiking trails. The maintained sites provide basic accommodations for hikers. "Canoe/kayak in only with a steep bank up to the sites. No water, no facilities. Just two fire rings and two picnic tables about 100 ft apart. But the grass is mowed and well kept," writes Brian O.
Privacy between sites: The spacing between tent sites receives consistent praise from campers visiting the area. Coon Fork Campground earns high marks for this feature. "Favorite place to camp as a kid. Nice lake with plenty of hiking and biking trails. Great private sites where you're not on top of your neighbor," explains Sawyer R.
Vehicle-free camping areas: Hok-Si-La City Park creates a peaceful environment by restricting vehicle access to loading/unloading times. "The sites are semi-walk-in sites, where your car stays in the main parking lot, but they do allow for drive-up loading and unloading. It limits traffic driving through the campground, and is really nice to not have vehicles driving through at all hours," explains Emily H.
Clean facilities: Despite rustic locations, many tent sites maintain clean restroom facilities. "The campground is lovely considering it's only $20 for lakeside ($17 non lakeside). It has a shower house, bathroom, dump station, wood for sale ($6/bundle), ice for sale and is non electric," reports Amy G. about Coon Fork Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping exists but with limited amenities. The summer tent camping season generally runs May through October, with peak crowds in July and August. At Northside Lake Eleven Campsite, fall camping requires preparation for changing weather. "Our late October backpacking trip skirted hunting season in Wisconsin and it appeared a few groups were getting a head start on the weekend," notes Steph H.
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons and other wildlife frequent many campgrounds in the region. Coon Fork Campground provides trash bags specifically for wildlife management. "Raccoons frequent the park, hence the name, so they will give you trash bags at check in to keep them at bay. That's a great way to help control the problem," reports Amy G.
Water access issues: Several primitive campsites require water filtration from lakes or bringing your own supply. At Lake Eleven, "Located next to the lake, it provided ease of access to water that was drinkable with a filtration system." Many backcountry tent sites lack potable water sources.
Age-appropriate swimming areas: Hok-Si-La City Park offers protected swimming areas suitable for younger children. Campers note the family-friendly atmosphere justifies the slightly higher fees. "This campground is a bit more spendy than state parks and regional campgrounds, but the security and family friendly atmosphere make it worth the extra cash," notes Emily H.
Enforced quiet hours: Parents appreciate designated quiet times for better sleep with children. "Quiet hours are reinforced early at night but it's an excellent campground for small children," reports a visitor about Coon Fork Campground. Several area campgrounds have on-site rangers who actively enforce quiet hours.
Multiple recreation options: Families need activity variety during longer stays. "I have stayed here multiple times. Always a blast. The kids love swimming, kayaking, fishing, and bike trails," shares Kristen W. about her family's experience at Coon Fork Campground.
Loop-specific camping: At Coon Fork Campground, RVers should note the separate camping loops for different vehicle types. "There is a totally separate loop (Loop D) for units that are self contained," advises Amy G. This separation creates better camping experiences for both tent and RV campers.
Limited hookup availability: Many campgrounds near Altoona have limited or no hookup sites. "Some loops better suited for tents, some for large RVs. Canoe, kayak and paddle boat rentals with ice and firewood available for purchase," explains a reviewer about facilities at Coon Fork.
Dump station locations: Comprehensive dump station facilities exist at select locations only. RVers staying at primitive sites should plan accordingly and identify dump stations before arrival as many smaller campgrounds lack this amenity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Altoona, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Altoona, WI is Coon Fork Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Altoona, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Altoona, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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