Near Appleton, Wisconsin, camping options span beyond the RV parks and glamping sites, with elevations ranging from 790 to 850 feet above sea level throughout the Fox River Valley. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F from June through August, making it ideal for outdoor recreation. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with peak season falling between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
What to Do
Swimming options: Apple Creek Campground offers a well-maintained pool for guests looking to cool off during summer visits. "Nice pool, friendly staff. Only downside, there is nothing to do at this campground, and you have to drive 30 minutes to the city," notes reviewer Lynn N.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds near Appleton feature fishing ponds for catch-and-release fishing. At S'Mores Campground, visitors can access the lake directly from their sites. According to Christopher S., "The site we had was along the lake and very flat, but we were too close to our neighbors and the lake view was less than amazing."
River activities: The Wolf River provides excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities near Fremont. Devils River Campground offers unique river access with small wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper mentioned, "It is fun to go down by the river and explore. One year we caught about 60 crayfish and cooked them on the campstove and ate them."
What Campers Like
Quieter camping experiences: Several campgrounds in the region offer more secluded options away from larger resort-style parks. A visitor to Devils River Campground shared, "Awesome campground! We stayed here for 2 weeks in our 2021 Keystone Hideout 250BH. The weekdays are extremely quiet but the weekends get a little busy due to the seasonal sites."
Recreational variety: Family-oriented campgrounds feature multiple recreation options beyond swimming. Pine Grove Campground includes "mini-golf, outdoor movies, arcade, park, and bounce house area that our group of kids loved," according to Andrew C., who added, "We had a great time with our group but were able to have fun while still being relatively quiet."
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites with views of lakes or ponds. Evergreen Campsites and Resort provides pontoon boat rentals for guests wanting to explore the water. One visitor noted, "Our group rented a pontoon boat for a day and floating around the lake absolutely made the trip. So much so, that we booked 2021 before even leaving the campground."
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited off-season availability. Several have specific opening dates, like Devils River Campground which operates from "May 1 - Oct 1," and Evergreen Campsites from "April 15 to October 15."
Site spacing variations: Many reviewers note the proximity of campsites to each other, particularly at more developed campgrounds. A camper at Plymouth Rock Camping Resort observed, "I didn't like our site no trees I felt like I was in my front yard," while another mentioned, "campsites are small."
Cell service limitations: Some campgrounds have limited connectivity despite their proximity to Appleton. A visitor to Evergreen Campsites noted, "The only cell service available in the area is AT&T. As a Verizon subscriber, we were completely off grid the entire weekend, unless we used our car as a hotspot."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to their location. Scott D. from Apple Creek Campground mentioned, "What wasn't so great was the proximity to the interstate, unfortunately, there is no changing that."
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity planning: Family-friendly campgrounds near Appleton offer structured weekend events. Jellystone Park/Fremont RV Campground provides organized activities throughout the summer. One visitor shared, "Tons of activities for kids and adults. Water parks, mini golf, playgrounds, arcade, train rides. During Father's Day weekend they have a car show."
Budget considerations: Some campgrounds charge extra fees for amenities and activities beyond basic camping. A visitor to Pine Grove Campground advised, "To rent a paddle board it was $15 per hour. By the time you got them, got in the water, it cost us $45 for 3 kids for way less than an hour. $50 to rent a golf cart."
Kid-friendly accommodations: Several campgrounds offer cabin rentals ideal for families new to glamping in Appleton, Wisconsin. Waupaca S'more Fun Campground provides various site types from rustic to full-service. Kris W. commented, "We enjoy camping at S'more Fun and kayaking on the lake. The owners are very personable."
Wildlife opportunities: Several camping areas feature wildlife viewing opportunities. A visitor to Jellystone Park remarked, "My son was pretty enamored by all of the awesome wildlife we saw on the strip. Might've been the time of year but it was just beautiful."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RV camping near Appleton, site specifications vary widely between campgrounds. At Devils River Campground, an RVer advised, "We stayed 6 nights in our 36 ft motor home with tow. Even though we were on a hill the campsite was level. We had plenty of room for rv and tow."
Utility considerations: Water and electrical hookup availability differs between sites. Apple Creek Campground offers varying hookup options, but as one camper noted, "We wanted septic and they didn't tell us that the septic is a guy in a truck who comes by one or two times a week. There is a dump station however."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads for larger rigs. A visitor to Plymouth Rock Camping Resort warned, "The park is mostly seasonal and the short term sites are literally over a mile of tight, windy road to get to them."
