Campgrounds in central Wisconsin offer diverse experiences across hardwood forests, river valleys, and lake-dotted landscapes. The Babcock area sits within the driftless region where campgrounds range from county parks to private facilities with varying amenities and terrain. Winter camping options are limited with most sites operating from April through October when temperatures average 45-75°F.
What to do
Kayaking the Kickapoo River: Access the winding Kickapoo River near Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground for a scenic paddle. "Great location for kayaking and hiking. Ontario to bridge 5 was 2.5 hours," notes John B., who recommends either bringing your own kayak or renting one locally.
Disc golf courses: Big Eau Pleine Park Campground offers a challenging course set among wooded areas. A camper mentions "you can enjoy a fun game of disc golf on the scenic wooded course," though be aware there's "a daily fee for disk golf course" according to Nicole H.
Hiking wooded trails: Explore miles of trails through mixed hardwood forests at Hartman Creek State Park Campground. "There is ample hiking opportunities in the area, some you can walk to from the campground, some requires a small amount of driving," notes Jimmy P., who enjoyed the diverse trail system.
Horseback riding: The region offers excellent equestrian trails for horseback riding near Babcock, Wisconsin. While several parks accommodate horses, ensure you check specific equestrian camping regulations before arrival as designated areas often fill quickly during summer months.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Campers value the peaceful settings at Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark near Babcock. Glenn T. reports, "Not our typical type of campground but absolutely no complaints. Very friendly atmosphere and more comfortable sized sites than we expected."
Well-maintained facilities: Wedges Creek Hideaway receives praise for exceptionally clean bathrooms. One guest described "one of the largest, cleanest bathrooms I've seen. Women's had 2 sinks with a large vanity area, about 3 stalls and two very large shower stalls with full doors - not shower curtains."
Spacious sites: Wildcat Mountain campers appreciate the room between sites. David F. noted, "The sites were spaced apart far enough so you weren't on top of the other campers," while other reviews mention the privacy provided by trees and vegetation between camping areas.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer wildlife observation opportunities. Big Eau Pleine Park Campground has "lots of wildlife" according to Walter W., while Wedges Creek Hideaway's location "off the main road, behind a field in Amish Country" provides natural habitat viewing.
What you should know
Reservation recommendations: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. Wildcat Mountain's walk-in sites may be available last-minute but Joyce B. warns, "We didn't reserve a site so the only spots left were the walk-in sites," suggesting advance booking whenever possible.
Seasonal algae issues: Big Eau Pleine Park Campground experiences water quality challenges during warmer months. Lori S. notes "the water quality suffers from green algae almost the entire season," which can impact swimming and water activities.
Rule enforcement varies: Campground management styles differ regarding rule enforcement. One camper at Big Eau Pleine Park reported, "the rangers and camp hosts will give you tickets for EVERYTHING," citing parking violations and site occupancy limits as common issues.
Water access options: Many campgrounds offer different water recreation opportunities ranging from no-wake lakes to river access points. Sites with waterfront views typically cost more, with Lori S. mentioning pricing at Big Eau Pleine Park ranges "from $18.00 for a non-electric, with no lake view to $23.00 for lake view with electric."
Tips for camping with families
Beach facilities: Hartman Creek State Park offers family-friendly swimming. Jen E. shares, "Hartman Creek is a nice small lake, with no wake. There is now a rental building available with kayaks, paddle boats, SUP, etc. to rent. We rented kayaks for an hour and a very reasonable price."
Wagon-accessible sites: Wild West Campground & Corral and others offer carts for transporting gear to walk-in sites. Joyce B. notes, "There were carts to use and parking wasn't too far so it wasn't bad at all," making these sites manageable even with children and extra equipment.
Wildlife precautions: Store food securely as wildlife encounters are common. One camper warns, "We woke up in the middle of the night to find some smart raccoon (or whatever it was) had enjoyed our breakfast. We kept it in a cooler, but it figured out how to open it!"
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer specific attractions for children. At Wild West Campground & Corral, Dave S. notes that "being able to watch the horses was very calming," providing a unique experience for young visitors interested in equestrian activities near Babcock.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have steep entrance roads that may challenge larger RVs. Joyce B. cautions about Wildcat Mountain: "We drove a truck so getting up/down the mountain wasn't a problem, but if you have a low car, the front end is going to get scraped at the bottom of the mountain."
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds, with Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark offering full hookups including water and sewer, while others like Hartman Creek provide only electric at select sites.
Dump station fees: Some parks now charge for sanitary services. Lori S. notes at Big Eau Pleine Park "You now pay to dump your waste," so factor this additional cost into your camping budget if traveling in an RV.
Site dimensions: RV site sizes vary significantly between campgrounds. Glenn T. appreciated that Lakeside Fire Campground sites were "more comfortable sized sites than we expected," though Big Eau Pleine Park offers limited big rig accommodations in certain camping loops only.
