Equestrian camping opportunities near Bangor, Wisconsin leverage the region's unique driftless topography. This unglaciated section of the upper Midwest features deeply carved river valleys, sandstone bluffs, and hardwood forests that create challenging terrain for riders. The area maintains consistent trail access from May through November, with seasonal closures during winter months when snow and ice make steep inclines hazardous.
What to do
Kayak the Kickapoo River: Wildcat Mountain State Park provides direct access to the Kickapoo River, known for its meandering path through the driftless area. "We kayaked the Kickapoo river and stayed here for a night. Ontario to bridge 5 was 2.5 hours," notes John B. at Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground.
Explore hiking trails: The region offers varied hiking difficulties across multiple parks. "We hiked a short distance into our site. We had to pass a grassy area that was always full of bunnies! The site was of good size, dark and quiet," shares Kay K. about her experience at Wildcat Mountain State Park.
Visit sandstone quarry area: The quarry in R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest provides unique camping options. "We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background. There are multiple handmade rock fire pits, some rock chairs, tables and lots of space," according to Joanna B. at Reno Horse Campground.
What campers like
Scenic overlooks: The bluffs provide panoramic views across state lines. "There are many hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River," notes Joanna B. about R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained amenities. "The facilities are well maintained and clean. Camping sites are spacious and the stars at night is amazing," writes John B. about Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground.
Site spacing: The separation between sites creates privacy not found in more crowded campgrounds. "The sites were spaced apart far enough so you weren't on top of the other campers. Very beautiful scenery, especially from the lookout. All the fire rings come with grill racks for cooking," shares David F. about Wildcat Mountain.
What you should know
Limited amenities at horse campgrounds: The equestrian-focused areas provide basic services. "Small campground, usually no one here except during hunting season. Not much to this place," explains Michael V. about Oak Ridge / Wet Bark Recreation Area in R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. "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," warns Joyce B. about Wildcat Mountain.
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife may interact with improperly stored items. "It was recommended that we keep all food in our car, but we were drinking and too lazy/drunk to take back all our food to the car... so we woke up in the middle of the night to find some smart raccoon (or whatever it was) had enjoyed our breakfast," admits Joyce B.
Tips for camping with families
Check trail difficulty levels: Some trails may challenge younger children. "We were hoping for some more rock faces and challenging/longer distance hiking. We'd love to come back and see the ice cave when it's cold enough for ice," mentions Kristina K. about Pietrek County Park.
Consider walk-in site logistics: Some sites require short hikes from parking. "We didn't reserve a site so the only spots left were the walk-in sites. There were carts to use and parking wasn't too far so it wasn't bad at all," notes Joyce B. about her experience at Wildcat Mountain.
Visit during summer for wildlife viewing: Seasonal wildlife adds interest for children. "Nice big tent sites down by the river. Walking trails were nice but recommend pants as the grass was long in spots. Plenty of wildlife and could not hear the cars from the highway," shares Justin S. about Pietrek County Park.
Tips from RVers
Check site configurations: Some RV sites lack privacy compared to tent areas. "Some of these sites are set up back to back in an open field, which is not very appealing. The grass had been let to grow very long before the recent cutting, so it was like walking through freshly mown hay," cautions Annie C. about Money Creek & Vinegar Ridge.
Limited electrical options: Many sites offer basic electrical connections only. "There are 8 sites. There is no water or electricity. One pit toilet for the site. 5 miles from Rushford MN. Access to Root River trail close by," explains Scott S. about Money Creek & Vinegar Ridge campground.
Consider seasonal timing: Hunting seasons affect campground availability and atmosphere. "Stayed here multiple times throughout the years, not much to it. Put toilets, usually slow except during hunting season. Camp sites are decent but primitive," notes Michael V.
