99 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds around Appleton, Wisconsin are primarily established facilities rather than remote wilderness settings, with most sites located within an hour's drive of the city. High Cliff State Park Campground in Sherwood offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with well-maintained sites in a wooded setting along Lake Winnebago. Other developed options include Apple Creek Campground in De Pere, which provides glamping and yurt options, and Hickory Oaks Campground in Oshkosh, where cabin rentals and tent sites coexist within established camping areas.
Seasonal operations govern most camping areas near Appleton, with the majority of campgrounds operating from April through October or early November. High Cliff State Park remains open year-round, though water availability in early spring can be unpredictable. Facilities at Calumet County Park, Apple Creek, and other developed campgrounds typically include electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary dumping stations, though amenities vary by location. Several locations accommodate larger RVs, with many offering both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service. A review noted, "High cliff is a nice place with lots of hiking trails to choose from and a big lake. Camp ground had nice wooded spots and is very dog friendly."
Mixed-use campgrounds dominate the landscape, with many facilities supporting multiple recreation types. The hiking trail system at High Cliff State Park receives particular praise, with limestone formations and lake views providing scenic backdrops. Wildlife encounters are common, with raccoons frequently mentioned in visitor accounts. According to one camper, "Make sure to store your food correctly! The two sites beside us were ransacked by raccoons all night long because they left their supplies out." Most developed campgrounds feature shower facilities, flush toilets, and trash service, though primitive camping options are limited in the immediate Appleton vicinity. Water recreation opportunities abound at many sites, with Lake Winnebago access at several campgrounds, though water conditions can deteriorate with algae growth in mid-to-late summer.
"Another spacious Wisconsin State Park site. #2 is level and listed as full shade but we had enough sun to recharge our Jackery everyday. It helps that it was blue skies each day!"
"High Cliff State Park is close to Appleton and Green Bay and is situated along the Niagara Escarpment on Lake Winnebago."
from $26 - $51 / night
Check Availability"On lake Winnebago w boat landing, can canoe or kayak shoreline if not too windy, hiking trails, kids play area, close to town. No entrance fee."
"Very spacious campsites close to or on the water. There is a marina if you have a boat, and the fishing is supposedly excellent. Expensive playground areas with picnic, grills, and fire pits."
"We camped here because it was close to an event we needed to attend. We enjoyed our stay here and felt very welcome. "
"We liked being on the hill away from the pool ect. Quite except for a little hiway noise(about like you’d expect) good water pressure and power worked great."
from $41 / night
Check Availability"On the edge of the city and close to everything."
"All the other campgrounds in OshKosh are near the airport, which makes sense since the biggest event each year is the EVAA air show. None of them have trees."
"It is on lake partridge for fishing and boating activities, also connected to the Waupaca chain of lakes, fishing pond w in park, canoe rental. "
"Had to dock a star for the tight spot though. way too difficult to back in and super close to other campers. But other than that, it was great!"
"but the manager is incredibly helpfull and his positive friendly manner will have us stop in again if we find ourselves in the area."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"About 10 minute drive to Oshkosh. We were here during the air show."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
"Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!"
from $26 - $41 / night
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GuideThe campsitw and park are excellent. The staff we encountered were helpful and kind. The beach, hiking trails and lighthouse are outstanding. I can't find anything to say negative. A wonderful place and experience.
ScoutWe have been annuals here for now our 12th year and it’s been a horrible experience ever since Thousand Trails bought it 4 years ago! Today is July 5, 2026 and the pool is closed again, it’s only been opened for 6 days this year! The hours are 11 to 5 pm and closed from 1:00 to 1:30, 2:30 to 3:00 when it is open! This is only the beginning of the horrible campground! If we didn’t have a Park-Model with a large patio and pavers that are grouted we would leave now and never come back!
LegendPoint Beach State Forest sits on the Eastern side of Wisconsin along the 5 miles of shores on lake Michigan.
This is a wonderful Park. It can be very busy especially during peak times, so be prepared for crowds! The park offers plenty to do from trails to swimming, and obviously camping.
The park offers two beautiful beaches. One of them being for pets, both of them right on Lake Michigan.
This park has excellent and typically clean shower and bathroom buildings. It offers 127 campsites with 70 of them offering electricity. All of these campgrounds are in walking distance from Lake Michigan but none offering a view of the lake. This park also offers indoor group and outdoor group camp sites! The park also offers two rustic sites. One being for the Ice Age National Scenic trail and one being a kayak campsite which is only accessible from Lake Michigan. Both of these sites are only about a half a mile south of the forest office! The forest office building is beautiful with plenty on display in the clean restrooms. Firewood is also available at the forest office!
There are plenty of amenities near the park as it sits right outside the city of Two Rivers and also not too far from the city of Manitowoc. Being close to the city, there's a grocery store not too far from the park as well as gas stations and shops near the downtown.
Let it be known you do not have to escape the park on weekends for a good meal if you're not in the mood for cooking, this park offers fish fry on Fridays and Saturdays and the food is delicious. It also offers concession stands with snacks and ice cream during the rest of the week.
Be aware of ticks in this park, especially deer ticks. I have personally had a very bad experience during the early fall. I won't go into detail as it was quite a disgusting experience! Despite that, this is a wonderful Park and think it should be on everyone's list for places to camp
ScoutShowers, pool, a general store, arcade/game room, stocked fishing pond. We rent a deluxe site monthly and we love it here! Being long term, they pump us out twice a week! Which is great! They take really good care of their guests!
ScoutReally nice place we have been here before but after this trip we learned to stay away from the main park area unless you want to hear kids screaming at 10-11pm and drunk parents cheering them on. Our first visit on the hill was really nice and had a lot of room from neighbors.
GuideIts Thursday so I havent hit the weekend traffic yet but it is such a clean and relaxed site. Dog friendly, and kid friendly! HUGE park
ScoutThis State Park is located along the Niagara Escarpment. The campground is near the bluff and gives a great view of Lake Winnebago. The vault bathrooms are open year-round as is half the campground. During the summer, the store at the marina offers camping gear and there is a restaurant near the golf course outside the park. I camp here regularly, rock climb, and run the trails.
RangerLocated south of Oconto along the bay, across the road from the Oconto city Park. One of 3 campgrounds in the area.
Oconto is a great small city offering recreation year round along the Oconto River and Bay of Green Bay.
RangerSmall pond with fish for kids. Muggy location in the summer. Just off the highway in Stiles. Good location to sleep free if spending time fishing in the area.
Camping sites near Appleton, Wisconsin range from small family-run operations to larger recreational facilities, typically located within a 30-60 minute drive from the city. The region sits at approximately 790 feet above sea level and experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F from June through August. Most Appleton area campgrounds operate seasonally with the primary camping season running May through October when overnight temperatures remain above freezing.
Hiking opportunities: At Mauthe Lake Campground, trails connect to the larger Ice Age Trail system. "We've been camping here for years and love the beautiful lake for swimming and watersports. No motor boats so nice and quiet. There is a crushed gravel trail running from here to Long Lake that is great for running/walking/biking," notes camper Sarah L.
Fishing access: Several local lakes offer good fishing prospects without traveling far from camp. According to a visitor at Calumet County Park, "There is a marina if you have a boat, and the fishing is supposedly excellent. Lots of bird life to observe on the water and deer in the wooded areas." The park provides both shoreline access and boat launch facilities.
Water recreation: Beyond swimming, paddling opportunities exist at multiple campgrounds. At Wolf River Campgrounds, tubing is particularly popular. "The river is fantastic for tubing and kayaking with your family. This is a fun social campground," explains Nathan K., highlighting the organized river trips available.
Clean facilities: Many reviews emphasize well-maintained bathroom and shower facilities. One Hickory Oaks visitor noted, "Bathrooms are well maintained, showers are free, and there is ice cream and some camping stuff for sale in the office." This attention to cleanliness appears consistent across multiple campgrounds in the region.
Spacious sites: Calumet County Park receives praise for its site layout. According to Susannah B., "Excellent county campground with some of the largest sites we've come across. Things we look for in a campground: space from neighbors, shade, and quiet. This park checked all the boxes!" She specifically recommends sites in the upper campground area.
Wildlife viewing: Many campers report wildlife sightings as a highlight. At Hickory Oaks Campground, Hannah H. shared, "We saw so much wildlife! Chipmunks, ducks, a great horned owl, and countless birds to name a few." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Weather considerations: Spring camping can involve uncertain water availability. At High Cliff State Park Campground, "Only gripe is the uncertain schedule they have for turning on water for the season. First week or two of may is a safe bet, but no promises. They have pit toilets open year round whatever the case," advises Brandl B.
Site selection matters: Not all sites are created equal, even within the same campground. At Calumet County Park, Susannah B. specifically recommends: "Harbor area: sites are well spaced, lovely trimmed grass sites with fire pits - but mixed shade. Site 10 would be the best/most private in this section since it backs up to the forest and is HUGE."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Appleton require advance bookings, especially for weekend stays from May through September. Sites with electrical hookups often book several weeks ahead during peak summer months, with holiday weekends filling months in advance.
Lake activities: Fremont RV Campground provides organized water activities. "Great waterfront camping. Great outdoor waterpark. Fun dance for kids on Saturday night," shares Lucas S. These structured activities can help keep children entertained throughout your stay.
Playground access: Many campgrounds include playground equipment. At Hickory Oaks, one camper mentioned, "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids." Similarly, High Cliff State Park has "two playgrounds for the kids as well," according to Kaylyn C.
Food storage: Proper food storage is essential when camping with children who might leave snacks unattended. One Kettle Moraine camper warned about raccoons being "a pest and beg for food!" Wildlife encounters are common, requiring secure food storage practices throughout your stay.
Site leveling: At Osh Vegas Palms, RVers appreciate the level sites. Carol W. reports, "Grass Sites with easy entry for our 42 ft motor home without disconnecting our tow vehicle. 50 amp, water. And this small campground has great WiFi!" The level sites eliminate the need for extensive blocking.
Power options: Most campgrounds offer either 30-amp or 50-amp service, but rarely both. At Omro RV Park, "Is 30 and 50 amp available," notes Doug S., making it suitable for various RV electrical systems. However, many smaller campgrounds offer only 30-amp connections.
Dump station access: While full hookups are limited, dump stations are widely available. Doug S. explains that at Omro RV Park, "Dump station and water available, but not at your site." This arrangement is common throughout the Appleton area, with most campgrounds providing central dump stations rather than individual sewer connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical cost for camping in Appleton, WI?
Camping costs near Appleton typically range from $20-35 per night for state park campgrounds like Mauthe Lake Campground in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest. Private facilities such as Scheffel's Hideaway Campground generally run $35-50 per night depending on amenities and hookups. Wisconsin state parks also require a vehicle admission sticker ($8-10 daily or $28-38 annual for Wisconsin residents, higher for non-residents). Most campgrounds offer both reservable sites with booking fees and some walk-in sites at slightly lower rates.
What are the best campgrounds near Appleton, WI?
High Cliff State Park Campground is the most popular option near Appleton, situated on Lake Winnebago just 20 minutes from the city. This spacious state park offers level sites with varying amounts of shade and is known for its Indian burial mounds, hiking trails, and observation deck. Another excellent choice is Calumet County Park near Hilbert, offering drive-in sites with water access, toilets, and is accommodating for larger RVs. Both parks provide a natural retreat while keeping you close to Appleton's amenities.
What activities are available at campgrounds near Appleton, Wisconsin?
Campgrounds near Appleton offer diverse recreational opportunities. Kettle Moraine State Forest features extensive hiking and bicycling trails through unique glacial terrain. Water activities are popular at Waupun Park Campground, which provides access to swimming, fishing, and boating. Many area campgrounds offer nature programs, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. In winter, activities shift to sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Cultural attractions include exploring Indian burial mounds, historical sites, and old limestone kilns. Most campgrounds are within easy driving distance to Appleton's urban amenities for day trips.
Are there any RV parks near Appleton, Wisconsin with full hookups?
Apple Creek Campground near De Pere offers RV sites with full hookups approximately 20 minutes from Appleton. The campground is big-rig friendly with water, electric, and sewer connections. Omro RV Park is another option with full hookup sites, located about 25 minutes from Appleton. While state parks in the area typically don't offer full hookups, they do provide electric sites and dump stations. Most private RV parks in the region are open from May through October, with some offering seasonal and monthly rates for longer stays.
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