Tent campsites near Briggsville, Wisconsin offer access to central Wisconsin's glacially carved landscape characterized by sandstone bluffs and numerous lakes. The area experiences distinct seasons with warm summers reaching 80°F, cold winters with temperatures often below freezing, and colorful fall foliage typically peaking in early October. Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through October, with limited winter accommodations.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Devils Lake State Park features challenging rock formations along East Bluff trail, rewarding hikers with panoramic views. One camper reported, "Spent about 5 hours hiking the East Bluff, it was challenging for some of our younger hikers... Everyone was impressed by Devils Doorway."
Water recreation opportunities: Camp Shin-Go-Beek provides a private beach with swimming access in a secluded setting. A visitor noted, "Being able to swim and float in the lake is an added bonus," and appreciated the "short walk to the private beach at the lake."
Trail biking excursions: Wild Goose City Park serves as a convenient rest stop along the Wild Goose bike trail with facilities for cyclists. A reviewer mentioned, "It's a good place to stop and have a break. There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain. Plenty of space to spread out for a picnic when you're biking through."
Adventure activities: The outdoor obstacle course at Camp Wilderness provides structured activities especially suitable for youth groups. According to one visitor, "There's primarily tent sites with trails, a lake, an obstacle course and more right nearby. Camp Wilderness is a good place to initiate your kids with the outdoors and teach them fun skills."
What campers like
Group camping spaces: Group sites at Devils Lake offer sufficient room for multiple families or larger gatherings. A camper shared, "Reserved the group camp for three families, cost was $40 a night for a secluded, spacious, clean group site. We had a great time and will definitely return."
Natural bird watching: Wildlife observation opportunities abound near camping areas, particularly for bird enthusiasts. One reviewer at Devils Lake noted, "The birds near the group camp are cool, but can also sound like a large pack of dinosaurs squawking at each other...very loud."
Sheltered swimming areas: Hickory Ridge Group Camp at Governor Dodge State Park provides easy access to swimming. A camper commented, "Spacious sites, lots of availability to swim and hike. Will definitely come back."
Dutch oven cooking conditions: Fire rings at several campgrounds accommodate Dutch oven cooking. A Devils Lake visitor shared, "Camp life was awesome, we ate very well since we brought two Dutch ovens. We ate Cowboy Casserole, Mountain Man breakfast, peach cobbler, 7 can soup, hobo dinner and apple sausage casserole."
What you should know
Primitive facilities: Camp Shin-Go-Beek offers basic amenities with some limitations. A camper explained, "It's a semi-primitive with pit toilets and a potable water spigot."
Weather preparedness: Sudden storms can impact camping experiences in the Briggsville region, though campgrounds may offer shelter options. One reviewer at Camp Shin-Go-Beek appreciated that the "host even checked on us to offer shelter in the admin building before a storm rolled through."
Weekend crowding: Popular tent camping areas become significantly more congested on weekends compared to weekdays. A Devils Lake visitor observed, "Weekends are pack with campers. The beaches have hard pebbles and rocks."
Varying shower availability: Shower facilities differ substantially between campgrounds, with some offering none and others providing full facilities. At Devils Lake, a reviewer noted "full bathroom facilities with sinks, toilets and showers within walking distance from all sites. You can even drive to the bathrooms as there is a small parking area next to them."
Tips for camping with families
Youth-focused options: Camp Wilderness specializes in kid-friendly outdoor activities near tent sites. A parent shared, "If you have kids looking for adventure, this is a great place to be. The camp is primarily used for a program similar to Boy Scouts called Royal Rangers."
Beach surface considerations: Rocky beaches at some lakes require appropriate footwear for children. A Devils Lake visitor warned, "The beaches have hard pebbles and rocks."
Playground accessibility: Some camping areas near Briggsville feature playgrounds for younger children. One visitor to Wild Goose City Park mentioned, "There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain."
Cell service reliability: Communication remains possible at many campgrounds despite their wooded settings. A Devils Lake camper reported, "Decent cell reception" despite being in a heavily forested area.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup sites: Few campgrounds near Briggsville offer full RV hookups, though some provide partial services. Devils Lake State Park includes some water hookups but limited electrical options.
Campsite surface conditions: The predominantly wooded environment creates specific ground conditions. A Devils Lake camper observed, "The sites are heavily wooded which protects from rain but also means they are dirt with a ton of leaves."
Store accessibility issues: Devils Lake State Park Group Campground has inconsistent camp store hours that may require longer drives for supplies. A visitor noted, "I found during our stay that this store was not always open which means you have to drive to the North one. This is a 20 minute drive."
