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ScoutPonderosa Pines Campground
Satisfying and simple
Relaxation at its finest. Nice small size campground. Clean spots, play equipment, showers. Beach, fishing, grills, bathroom a short walk away.
Camping near Babcock, WI
166 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Centrally located in Wisconsin's Adams County, Babcock provides access to a variety of established camping options throughout the region. Petenwell Park offers year-round camping with tent, RV, and glamping accommodations along the shores of Petenwell Lake, Wisconsin's second-largest inland lake. Nearby, Buckhorn State Park Campground features tent, RV, and cabin camping options with both drive-in and hike-in sites. The area contains several county parks and state-managed lands that provide alternatives to commercial campgrounds, with most locations offering electrical hookups and basic amenities.
Campgrounds in the Babcock area generally operate from May through October, though some remain open year-round. Most established sites require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. "The campground is super easy to get to as it is adjacent to I-90 which means you'll also deal with highway noise. The noise becomes just background after a while," noted one camper about a nearby location. Cell service varies throughout the region, with coverage spotty near lakes and in more remote areas. Many campgrounds provide drinking water, shower facilities, and sanitary dump stations, though amenities differ between state, county, and private operations. Winter camping options are limited, with fewer facilities available during the colder months.
Lakefront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with multiple sites offering direct water access. Petenwell Park campers appreciate the lake views and beach areas, with one visitor noting, "All of the tent sites are right on the edge, it is the best view of the lake." Wilderness Park and Buckhorn State Park provide more secluded options with waterfront locations that appeal to those seeking a quieter experience. Reviews frequently mention the region's natural beauty, wildlife viewing opportunities, and proximity to hiking trails. Many campgrounds balance access to outdoor recreation with reasonable proximity to basic services in nearby towns. Families appreciate the combination of natural settings with amenities like playgrounds, swimming areas, and space for outdoor activities.
Best Campgrounds near Babcock (166)
1. Petenwell Park
"I have been going to this campground for years, walking around, going to the beaches, launching the family pontoon and fishing in Lake Petenwell. Everyone is always so friendly upon arrival."
"A nice camping option with a more peaceful, spread-out lake feel."
2. Wilderness Park (Juneau County)
"A great campground with out of this world lake views. Most sites come with amazing lake views. Great for watching the sun rise up over the lake. Great swimming, fishing and playing."
"Some sites with electric can be found with lake access. Plenty of space between sites. Very quiet campground with a play area, beaches and other nice features. "
from $17 - $23 / night
Check Availability3. Buckhorn State Park Campground
"If you’re looking for a campsite that transports you away from the usual Midwest fare, this is the place to be! The site we stayed at was beyond perfect."
"Gorgeous campground in the middle of no where Wisconsin! Perfect place to camp if you like to climb at Necedah! There are a few lake entrances and at one of them we saw a couple large gorgeous cranes!"
from $18 - $90 / night
Check Availability4. Dexter Park
"It is right next to a beautiful river and lake. Very quiet and campers are very respectful. I would absolutely recommend this spot. It was $36 for one night. They also have a place to do laundry."
5. North Wood County Park
"Nice options to tent at and nice to walk around and do things"
"We stayed at site 59 which stretched down to a paved trail and then one of the lakes. We were close to the suspension bridge, which is a fun attraction."
6. Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark
from $50 - $65 / night
Check Availability7. Moonlite Trails Campground
"Very peaceful and full hookup available with sewer dump near. Ice and wood in property. Very nice hosts and helpful when we needed wood."
8. Pineland Camping Park
"Good place for 4 wheeling, plenty of trails. Home made pizza and Bloody Mary's"
9. Roche A Cri State Park Campground
"Chill and relaxing camp ground in Roche A’ Cri Wisconsin State park. Sites surrounded by old growth pines and adjacent to park’s name sake, Roche A’ Cri mound."
"Loved how the trails were located right off the campground loop. The 303 stairs to the top lookout is a workout and worth the trip for the view."
from $18 - $34 / night
Check Availability10. South Wood County Park
"Some waterfront sites on lake Wazeecha. Great hiking and biking trails. Self serve firewood available. Lake has water ski shows in the summer. Price $20 -$28."
"This is a nicely wooded and well-kept park right on the shore of Lake Wazeecha. We were lucky and snagged a lakefront site."
from $20 - $30 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 8 min from Wausau, WI
- 1 hr 12 min from La Crosse, WI
- 1 hr 26 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 1 hr 42 min from Oshkosh, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Babcock, WI
184 Photos of 166 Babcock Campgrounds
Laura B.
Petenwell Park
Jeff S.
North Wood County Park
Art S.
McMullen County Park
Justin G.
Jellystone Park Warrens
Saraj B.
Buckhorn Campground Resort
Brandon C.
Buckhorn State Park Campground
Courtney H.
Roche A Cri State Park Campground
Athan D.
Pigeon Creek Campground — Black River State Forest
Kim L.
Oakdale KOA
Lucille W.
Kennedy County Park
Lesley R.
Black River State Forest Outdoor Camp — Black River State Forest
Brian O.
East Fork Campground — Black River State Forest
Recent Reviews near Babcock, WI
437 Reviews of 166 Babcock Campgrounds
- HHannah P.
TravelerMill Bluff State Park Campground
Expensive but fine for 1-2 nights
Stayed hear on a very hot 90+degree day during a road trip, easy to reach from I90/94. Midweek, we were the only overnight guests. -Occasional loud noise from the road and train tracks. -At first was wary of paying for no showers and pit toilets for the price, but pit toilets were actually clean with no odor. -Spring fed swimming pond was good for a dip once you found a cool spot, but there are spots that felt like a hot tub. Beach is very nice sand, and there’s a playground for the kids. -Definitely check out the short hike up to Mill Bluff if you can tolerate steep rocky stairs, the view is beautiful. -Tried to check out the other trail near Camel Bluff but it was too overgrown to continue. -Electrical box is in the middle of the campsite near the picnic table, so power cables will need to be at least 30 feet long to comfortably reach your rig. -National Parks Pass is accepted for vehicle admission (separate from camping fee in WI) as this is part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve! -Sites 20/21 are great for proximity to swimming pond and toilets
Chasing RV D.ScoutBig Eau Pleine Park Campground
Big Eau Pleine RV Camp and park
I have been A South side CAMPGROUND Host for 6 years now. My review may be a BIT biased for that reason, but I'll give my take. We do everything we can to make this campsite a home away from home for all our visitors. We pride ourselves on keeping everything natural. We pick up trash and garbage anywhere we find it. We try to greet as many guests we see. We are always trying to make our pit toiĺetsas presentable as we can considering what they are. We have someone come in and do what they call deep clean every toilerepaint jobst at least once a week. Some of them are due for a painting which should happen in the next year we are hoping. We are in the process of reworking picnic tables throughout the park now. We ask campers to please let us know if they see one needing repairs. Please come give us a try. My wife and I are host's on the South Park admin sight. Stop and say hello.
- C
Caroline G.TravelerPigeon Creek Campground — Black River State Forest
Great time for the kids
We loved how well spaced out the sites were and traveled on a busy June weekend. Our kids loved taking their scooters on the campground road and to the lake swimming. The kids loved the playground and path, beach. We had one person that was blaring their music and there was no ranger around. Finally someone must have called the police and they shut off their music
- KKelly M.
GuideNorth Wood County Park
Water Everywhere!
North Wood County Park is a hidden gem. Many of the sites have a view of water and several even have water access right from your site. There are several loops that range from paved with electric to rustic and non-electric. We stayed at site 59 which stretched down to a paved trail and then one of the lakes. We were close to the suspension bridge, which is a fun attraction. There is also a low roadway that goes over the water that is absolutely beautiful and sometimes floods. There are several dams and it makes for a great kayak or fishing spot. Most of the campground is paved, which is awesome if you have an ebike or e scooter. They sell wood at a decent price ($7), but nothing else. You also have to book your site online with a $10 fee for using the online booking. It does make arrival super easy, you just pull in and set up camp. Overall I would highly recommend spending a few nights here.
- ccurtis B.Guide
North Wood County Park
Great place!
Very quiet layed back place, lots to explore and see.
Kelly S.GuideNature's Touch Campground
Maybe an off day?
First, the staff was very accommodating, and we appreciated it. We made a last minute booking over the phone and requested a late check-in, and they were wonderful about making it happen for us.
Once we arrived, everything seemed to go wrong. It appears there’s been a recent change in ownership. The campground was marked with a different name and we weren’t sure we were in the right place. Then, the sites and the hookup numbers don’t match, so again we weren’t sure we were in the right place. Once we found our spot, the site next to us had spread into our space, so we had to wait to pull in until they moved their stuff out of the way. Even so, the lots were very tight. The women’s bathroom was unkept - hair and bugs in the sink, and no toilet paper. A half-drunk bottle of Fireball was in the men’s room.
We also woke to a cracked windshield. Not necessarily the campground’s fault, but just added to the experience.
It worked for a one night stop-over, but wouldn’t have chosen it for a lengthy stay.
HollowayFamilyOutdoorsGuidePetenwell Park
Relaxed and Refreshing
We wanted to visit family in the area at the last minute, and pulled up to see if they had any spot available. They gave us a list of available options, we drove through, and picked a site with the perfect spot to watch the sun set. Amenities are clean, theres a pool table and games in the office area.
Athan D.GuidePigeon Creek Campground — Black River State Forest
Pleasant place to stop, with a few wrinkles.
If you want a stop on a drive, or a home base for exploring the local tourist attractions (look up toilet on the side of the road,) this is the place for you! Think about bringing your own drinking water, though, the water from the pumps is a dark red-brown color, either from rust or from tanin.
The bad:
- No showers/dishwashing/handwashing area.
- A bit buggy- in late May mosquitos were manageable with spray, but watch out for ticks if you venture into the woods.
- Some sites can be noisy, with a road running 20 feet behind.
- Not much to do if there's rain.
The good:
- Overall, a well maintained place.
- clean sandy beach with warm water
- beautiful trees & underbrush make sites very private and shaded
- a short drive from some nice towns, trails, lakes, rivers to enjoy.
- close to the highway, and cheap.
Guide to Babcock
Camping sites near Babcock, Wisconsin offer visitors access to Castle Rock Lake and Petenwell Lake, the second-largest inland lake in the state, with water depths ranging from 3 to 45 feet. The area sits at an elevation of approximately 940 feet and experiences typical Midwest seasonal variations, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months of June through August. Cellular coverage tends to be stronger on the eastern shores of lakes compared to western and northern camping areas.
What to do
Hiking at Buckhorn State Park Campground: Trails range from easy 0.3-mile loops to more challenging 2-mile routes through mixed forest and prairie terrain. "Hiking paths were great, the check in was seamless and we will be back!" says one Buckhorn State Park Campground visitor. The park offers free GPS units for geocaching adventures with information books for all sites.
Fishing for multiple species: Cast for walleye, bass, and panfish at multiple lakes. "Great fishing in lake for walleye," notes a camper at Wilderness Park. Water depth and clarity vary throughout the season, with late summer bringing more algae growth. Families can use free fishing poles and tackle at the kids' fishing pond at Buckhorn State Park.
Beach swimming with kids: Most lakefront campgrounds offer sandy-bottom swimming areas with gradually sloping entries. "We stayed in sight number nine which is right on Lake. Good fishing in lake for walleye," shares a visitor. Lake temperatures typically reach the mid-70s by July, though algae blooms can affect water clarity in late summer.
What campers like
Private lakefront access: Many sites at Petenwell Park offer direct water entry. "We stayed at sites right on the lake and they were hands down the most beautiful sites I've personally ever camped at! We didn't need to leave our site!" says one reviewer. Some sites include small private beaches ideal for launching kayaks or canoes without having to visit the main boat launch.
Spacious, separated campsites: "Nice separation from other campers, Great Lake view, boating, swimming, picnic area, showers clean and well kept up!" notes a Wilderness Park camper. Wooded buffers between sites provide natural privacy screens, with walk-in sites offering even more seclusion than standard drive-up locations.
Well-maintained facilities: South Wood County Park earns praise for cleanliness and infrastructure. "This is a nicely wooded and well-kept park right on the shore of Lake Wazeecha. We were lucky and snagged a lakefront site." Timed showers (7 minutes on, 5 minutes off) are standard at many county parks in the region.
What you should know
Distance to supplies: Stock up before arrival as services can be limited. "Great area, nice boat lunch, but bring what you need as the closest gas station is 15 miles away," warns a Petenwell Park visitor. Most campgrounds sell firewood and ice, but groceries require driving to nearby towns.
Insect preparation essential: Roche A Cri State Park Campground and other area camping locations can have significant insect activity. "I may be biased- because I really hate mosquitos and ticks but wow! The ticks here are so tiny they're very easy to miss so look out for those," warns one camper. Mosquitoes remain active even during light rain.
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise, particularly at night when sound carries across flat terrain. "This park is absolutely beautiful... My only gripe is one that can't be helped. Adams County is rather flat and sound carries. You will hear cars on the highway at night in the distance," notes a Roche A Cri visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Pineland Camping Park caters to younger children with specific activities. "A lot of the activities are designed for 12 and younger. The campground is extremely clean and well kept," shares a visitor. Many parks offer playgrounds, designated swimming areas, and weekend programming during summer months.
Beach safety awareness: Shallow entry points make many lake beaches suitable for children, but supervision remains essential. "The shore was not as level as the east side sites but still sandy and shallow for swimming," notes a camper. Afternoon winds can create stronger waves, especially on larger lakes like Petenwell.
Weather contingency plans: Summer thunderstorms develop quickly in this region, particularly during afternoon hours. "We took our 2 9-year-old nieces on their first tent camping adventure. We chose site 28 because it was a walk-in site and on the water," explains one visitor who recommends having indoor alternatives ready when storms approach.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Request paved sites when available for easier leveling. "Some are blacktop. 30-50 amp electrical. No sewer or water at sites but dump station and drinking water is available," explains a South Wood County Park visitor. Many campgrounds have a mix of gravel, grass, and paved sites with varying degrees of shade.
Seasonal site differences: Spring camping offers fewer crowds but can bring muddier conditions. "Prior to our stay they had excessive rain which flooded a lot of parts of the campground," notes a camper about seasonal weather impacts. Fall camping provides beautiful colors but requires planning around earlier sunsets and cooler nights.
Accessibility considerations: Campground roads vary in width and surface quality. "We parked out 36 foot RV in a wooded site. They have water from sites also," shares a Petenwell Park visitor. Many sites accommodate large rigs, but tree placement can create challenges for slide-outs on some wooded sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Babcock, WI?
Which is the most popular campground near Babcock, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Babcock, WI is Petenwell Park with a 4.4-star rating from 13 reviews.
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