Southern Wisconsin's driftless region surrounding Blanchardville features a diverse range of camping experiences within a 30-minute drive. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground, located directly in Blanchardville, serves as a central option with both RV and tent sites in a wooded setting around a 455-acre lake. McKeller City Park offers basic camping within the town limits, while more developed options extend to Blue Mound State Park Campground and Governor Dodge State Park, which contains both Cox Hollow and Twin Valley campgrounds. These state parks provide a mix of drive-in sites with electrical hookups and more secluded walk-in tent sites for those seeking greater privacy.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter camping options. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. According to camper Brian O., "Yellowstone Lake State Park is a very large state park located halfway between Mineral Point and New Glarus, with sites more secluded from each other than you'll find at most parks." The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal patterns with humid summers and occasional severe thunderstorms. Mosquitoes can be problematic in certain areas, particularly near marshy sections of lakes and rivers. Cell service remains reliable near larger towns but can become spotty in more remote camping areas.
Campers frequently mention the fishing opportunities as a highlight of the region. Yellowstone Lake is known for panfish, bass, and northern pike, with boat rentals available during peak season. Road noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those near highways. As one reviewer noted about nearby New Glarus Woods State Park, "The downside to the walk-in sites is their proximity to a major highway." Brigham Park receives praise for its scenic overlooks of the driftless area and consistent breezes that help keep insects at bay. The Blanchardville area offers both developed and more primitive campgrounds that showcase the region's rolling topography, from lakeside sites to elevated positions with panoramic views of the distinctive unglaciated landscape that characterizes this part of Wisconsin.
"It has a large lake with three boat launches, a main one with a motor ramp, a canoe launch near the marshy end, and a fishing pier."
"The hiking is amazing , particularly the Oakgrove trail, plenty to see with beautiful views. There is boating, canoeing, etc."
$18 / night
"Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water."
"Go to Blue Mounds Grocery on the way in. easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and running trails - including Military Ridge Trail. Camped here with 2 friends during a cross country road trip."
$15 - $25 / night
"New Glarus Woods is a small State Park tucked away in the Southern Wisconsin countryside. Drive-in sites come with nice amenities."
"The park itself isn't that interesting, but it is worth noting that it is located across the road from New Glarus Brewery. The brewery is an easy walk or bike ride from the walk-in campsites."
"The sites on the "inside" of the loop are rather close to one another. 21 has a nice view of the lake, and you can walk back to the fence to look over the bluff 24 is quite private and very large 26,"
"Had to set our tent up right next to the fire ring, as that was the only spot that wasn’t muddy, so we couldn’t have a decent fire. During the rain the water was ankle deep under the picnic table."
"Lakes, trails, kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, fishing. Hidden gem of Wisconsin. The campsites are pretty private, nestled in trees. Some shaded, some have sun and shade."
"Great park in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin. Not far from the house on the rock and Taliesin. Great open hiking trail. Well laid out sites with lots of space."
"It's up on a hill, so there's good views of the driftless area of Wisconsin. Plenty of open walk up camp sites, but it might be more full in the summer."
"The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay.
- Well-kept vault toilets.
- Close to a many points of interest."
"Pit toilets/shelter/playground near the entrance. Two boat launches.
Variable availability for firewood; the Cenex on the west end of Argyle reliably sells it if there isn't any at the park."
"We needed a place after visiting the House on the Rock and couldn't find anything with hookups nearby. We stumbled upon Tom's Campground hoping to find a site."
"Lots of access to pit toilets and water fountains from primary camping sites!"
"Great hike threw out the state park. 2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus. Lots to do for the whole family"
ScoutBrand new campground with a large Sandy beach swimming pond, fishing pond and a large lodge building with farm shop and excellent restrooms and showers. Planned activities on the weekends and a short drive to Devils Lake State Park and city of Baraboo.
ScoutThe park has a peaceful, natural atmosphere and the wooded sites give a nice sense of privacy compared to many larger campgrounds. It’s a great spot if you’re looking for a quiet outdoor experience with simple amenities and access to scenic hiking and biking trails. Being close to the town of New Glarus is also a nice bonus if you want to explore the area during your stay.
speed run
TravelerOne of my favorites. Right on the water. Nice shower house and close to bike trail that leads to Bellevue
GuideTo be honest I thought this stay was going to be easy and the first couple days were. They didn’t have full hook up sites and we have a 50 amp rig… we used a dogbone to connect to the 30 amp site. It was fine for a bit but then we started to get surges. Our EMS protected the rig but ultimately we couldn’t use the power. Even with only running the fridge it continued to trip. We tried the one next to us and it gave us the reverse polarity code so we decided it would be best to just leave the following day. The grounds are well maintained and the owners are friendly… they mentioned some of their 30 amp sites will get converted to 50 next year so hopefully that helps but definitely frustrating to need to book another site and forfeit money on this one.
Travelercost at end of september, sunday night was $76/night PLUS $16 parking fee so $92 for a night at a mediocre campground with no privacy. i rarely write negative reviews, but ive been camping for a while now, and never experienced this high of a cost for just a regular campground.
LegendPettit’s Lakeview Campground & Bar is the kind of place where family camping meets lakeside fun with a lively twist, sitting right on Lake Koshkonong with beautiful sunset views and easy boat access. My kids loved the playground while the adults enjoyed Friday fish fries, live music and the laid-back bar that doubles as a social hub, creating a strong community vibe with theme weekends and plenty of laughter. That said, it’s definitely more “festival” than “quiet forest” with sites being closing together, weekends can get noisy with karaoke and bar traffic, and shade is limited, so if you’re looking for peace and birdwatching, this isn’t it, but for families who don’t mind a little bustle, it’s a fun and memorable spot.
LegendWith a small family to mind, while out enjoying a short weekend of camping, I appreciated Pilgrim’s Campground in Wisconsin for its quiet, family-oriented atmosphere that made our stay both relaxing and memorable. The sites were clean, level and easy to settle into, with plenty of shade and enough space for the kids to play safely nearby. While the campground doesn’t have the flashy resort-style amenities of some bigger parks, it makes up for it with well-kept facilities, a friendly, welcoming staff, and a slower pace that let us truly enjoy time together outdoors. My kids loved riding their bikes around the loops, roasting marshmallows at night and spotting wildlife along the nature trails, while I valued the sense of safety and the community feel among fellow campers. Conveniently located near local attractions yet peaceful enough to feel tucked away, Pilgrim’s offered the perfect balance of simplicity, comfort, and wholesome family camping.
LegendWith 2 kids to mind, I found the Milton-Madison SE KOA to be one of the most family-friendly campgrounds we’ve visited, with something for everyone to enjoy. With over 200 sites, the campground is clearly geared toward RVs and fifth wheels, but it also offers a few cabins and tent sites, giving families different ways to stay. The kids were thrilled with the heated pool that even has a waterfall, the playgrounds, gaga ball, arcade, and weekend rides like the barrel train and hayrack. In short, there was always something to keep them entertained while I could actually relax. I appreciated the practical touches like clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, a well-stocked market and a clubhouse with plenty of space to gather. My husband loved that Lake Koshkonong was right nearby for fishing and paddling, and we all enjoyed exploring Milton’s small-town restaurants with Mary’s Café for biscuits and gravy that was a huge hit and Frederick’s Supper Club, both of which made for a special night out. The Riggio family, who run the campground, were some of the kindest hosts we’ve met, which made the whole experience feel extra welcoming. While I do think the tent sites and cabins are a bit pricey for what you get, the number of activities, amenities, and nearby conveniences made it worth it for the memories we created together. For families looking for a lively, activity-packed camping trip, this KOA is a great choice.
LegendAs a mom, I found Lakeland RV Campground in Milton to be the kind of place where the whole family can truly unwind and have fun together. Set along Lake Koshkonong this place was bursting with energy and feels more like a summer resort than a traditional campground with over 270 full-hookup sites and cozy cabins for families who don’t have an RV. The kids had endless options to keep them busy from 2 swimming pools, a sandy beach, playgrounds, mini golf, sports courts, and even planned activities and themed weekends and I loved the convenience of the camp store, laundry, fitness center and clean facilities. In the evenings, we enjoyed gathering around the campfire under the stars, and during the day we ventured onto the lake for kayaking and fishing, which felt like a little adventure just steps from our site. It was also nice knowing that if we wanted a change of pace, Milton and Janesville offered small-town charm and great dining and Madison wasn’t far for a day trip. My mom tips? Book a site away from the pools if you want peace and quiet, treat yourself to dinner at Fredrick’s Supper Club, sneak out early for a serene paddle on the lake, and don’t worry if you forgot gear as nearby shops have you covered. Lakeland made it easy for me to relax while my kids had a blast, and that combination is what makes it such a special family getaway.
Blanchardville, Wisconsin features several established campgrounds within a short drive of town, including Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground and McKeller City Park. Developed campgrounds offer a range of accommodation options for tent and RV campers, with varying levels of amenities and services. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground provides electric hookups, showers, and drinking water with both tent and RV sites available. Most campgrounds in the region maintain picnic tables and fire rings at individual sites. The surrounding state parks, including Governor Dodge and Blue Mound, expand camping possibilities with additional tent and RV sites, some offering cabins for those seeking more shelter.
Seasonal considerations affect campground operations throughout the area. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground typically operates from April to November, while some facilities like McKeller City Park may have more limited seasonal availability. Several campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Electric hookups are common but not universal across area campgrounds, with water and sewer connections varying by location. Vault toilets serve many campgrounds, though shower buildings are concentrated in larger state park facilities. A visitor noted, "This is a rather large state park. Some of the sites have nice buffers around them others do not. There are a lot of bigger rigs but some of the sites would be too small for them."
Campers report high satisfaction with water access at Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground, which features a beach area and boat launch facilities. Site privacy varies considerably across the region's campgrounds, with some offering secluded wooded sites while others provide more open layouts. Wildlife viewing opportunities enhance camping experiences in the area, particularly at state parks with established trail systems. According to one visitor, "We had an owl friend spend two days with us in a tree! Beautiful sites and the paved roads are great for biking!" Mosquitoes can be prevalent during summer months, especially near water bodies. Campground terrain often includes sloped sites that may present challenges for tent placement. The region's campgrounds generally provide good access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and other outdoor recreation activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Blanchardville, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Blanchardville, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 campgrounds and RV parks near Blanchardville, WI and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Blanchardville, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Blanchardville, WI is Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Blanchardville, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Blanchardville, WI.
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