1 campground with availability this weekend
Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground offers equestrian trails within a 3,603-acre natural area in the Kickapoo Valley. The campground features extensive horseback riding trails shared with hikers throughout the driftless region. Sites accommodate both horse trailers and overnight camping equipment with adequate spacing between neighboring campsites. The park's trail system connects riders directly to scenic limestone bluff overlooks and valley views. While the campground does not have designated horse corrals, riders may set up portable corral panels or use highlines at their sites. Showers, drinking water, and clean restroom facilities support extended stays for equestrians and their animals.
Horse trails throughout the park traverse varied terrain with significant elevation changes typical of the driftless area landscape. The Kickapoo River runs through the lower portion of the park, providing water access for horses at designated points. Riders frequently note the well-maintained trail conditions even after rainfall, with proper drainage preventing most mud issues. White Mound County Campground, located approximately 24 miles south, offers an alternative horse-friendly camping destination with spring-fed lake access. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months when equestrian camping reaches capacity. The area's network of horse trails connects to additional riding opportunities in nearby public lands, creating multi-day riding possibilities for visitors bringing horses to Camp Douglas and surrounding recreational areas.
"NOTE; Google maps makes it look like the campground and landing are near each other. They are not."
"Proximity to potable water, vault or modern toilets and designated parking are all within 400 yards of all sites. "
Available this weekend
from $19 - $110 / night
from $50 - $65 / night
"Most of the time, the pay envelopes are outside and you have to duck into your car, fill it out, and dart back into the dark to the drop box."
"The campsites are tucked away and private. There are bathrooms and a small playground. The lake is gorgeous and clean. The only downfall is the lake is spring-fed so it’s a bit cold for swimming."
"It’s located right by Devils lake. Firewood for sale, great wifi, clean bathhouses/rooms"
"Lake full of all kinds of floats the kids can climb and jump on. Clean pool to cool off in. Sand volleyball, ga ga ball, huge park. Has so many different accomadtions to choose from!"
from $35 / night
TravelerVery nice grounds with gorgeous tree covered sites, electric hookup on most of them. They have toilet facilities on each end of the grounds. They have shower facilities with potable water fill station next to the showers and water fountains in several locations. For those with kids they have a very nice playground area.
RangerTraveling along the road from Ontario to Wildcat gave a little Appalachia feel. The park is situated above the Kickapoo River valley and is a great base for trout fishing.
If you are in the driftless region looking for camping, this is the spot.
LegendWe 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. The shower house was close and clean.
TravelerVery cool secluded walk in sites, pet friendly, awesome trails.
GuideThis is a smaller campground but makes up for it with all the access around it. Ice Cave trail was a neat, quick walk. The trails around have gorgeous views of the driftless area and Kickapoo river. I stayed at site 1. While it is right next to the campground road and a trail, trees block the views from people looking in and there was not that much traffic. It is a tent only site and can fit one tent. Was a good site for just me and would stay at this site again as most of the other sites are very explored.
LegendNice campground, quiet would come back! It was our first time to WI so the scenery to the park was just beautiful.
Our campsite was nice. Spaced out enough from neighbors that we were comfortable. Do not like the nickel and diming of WI state parks. Charge the site fee which is reasonable enough but then a $8 reservation fee that gets you to $40 and then another $11 to NR's for the vehicle pass. You can get an annual pass for $38 but when you are just passing through it's not worth it. Brought us to $51 for the stay and it was worth it since we needed a place to camp, but I've stayed in better places for less. This park was much better than Rocky Arbor.
Bathrooms were super clean for a campground. Good shower with directions on wall, which was a nice touch. The cement in shower is stained so it looks dirty but it's really pretty clean. Enjoyed my hot shower here.
Hiked the Old Settlers Trail. It was nice, some elevation changes that get you attention. It was muggy and hot as I hiked right after the rain, so temperature was miserable at times, but it is July! The entire trail was about 3 miles round trip from the campground. Definitely check out observation point! Beautiful view!!!
LegendThis was our second visit to this park. On both occasions we wanted to canoe the scenic Kickapoo river. Our first trip was five years ago and we got portage service for our canoe from Titanic Rentals in Ontario. We went from there (bridge 1) to bridge 12 Which took nearly all day, but we were able to have lunch at the park's Wildcat landing, the only real and equipped picnic site along the river. NOTE; Google maps makes it look like the campground and landing are near each other. They are not. It's three miles of very steep roads, so don't think you're going to fetch anything you left behind.
The campground is on top of the ridge, which means in the morning you will look out over a fog shrouded valley through the trees. The views from the overlooks, which are a short hike, are worth checking out. Campsite 15 is the only one with a clear view.
There are walk in sites and the paths are wide and clear. The park provides large carts for your stuff so you can really pack stuff in and get away from it all. But the family tent and RV sites generally well spaced, check the map as some are more private than others.
Our second trip was in August, 2023 and we canoed from bridge 12 to LaFarge (bridge 21). It was later in the season than our previous trip, and in the slightly less scenic stretch of the river. As a result, we didn't see any other boaters.
Campsites have basic fire ring, and there are pit toilets as well as one Full facility with running water and hot showers. Firewood is available at the Ranger station.
There's also Equestrian camping elsewhere in the park and lots of trails for both hikers and horses.
The town of Ontario has a good general store and a couple bars, but this is pretty much wilderness and small farms. Two unique places however are Wild Things Furrier near bridge twelve. Want a coonskin cap or some smoked trout? This is the place.
More unique than that if you want to treat yourselves, go 34 miles south to the St. Frances Hermitage restaurant. It's run by a small order of French Monks and Nuns who raise their own animals and grow the vegetables they serve. Their bakery is also delicious. This is not fast food, this is a gastronomic experience.
ScoutPretty cool state park. Campground is located on the top of the hill. Wish there were more hiking trails. You can also hike on the horse trails if you want. Would highly recommend canoeing or kayaking the Kickapoo River if you are spending a weekend there.
TravelerNot our typical type of campground but absolutely no complaints. Very friendly atmosphere and more comfortable sized sites than we expected considering what we typically look for. All amenities are very nice.
Wildcat Mountain State Park provides equestrian camping opportunities within Wisconsin's distinctive driftless area, characterized by steep ridges and deep valleys untouched by glaciers. The park's elevation changes from 720 feet to 1,220 feet above sea level, creating challenging trail terrain for riders. Trail systems typically remain open from May through October, weather conditions permitting.
Kayak the Kickapoo River: Wildcat Mountain State Park offers direct access to the Kickapoo River. "We kayaked the Kickapoo river and stayed here for a night," notes Joyce B. "Ontario to bridge 5 was 2.5 hours," adds John B. who found the park a "great location for kayaking and hiking."
Explore Ice Cave Trail: This accessible hiking path provides a unique geological feature. "Ice Cave trail was a neat, quick walk," reports Steph. Kristina K. adds, "We'd love to come back and see the ice cave when it's cold enough for ice," highlighting the seasonal variation of this natural formation.
Visit scenic overlooks: The driftless region features limestone bluff viewpoints throughout White Mound County Campground. "The trails around have gorgeous views of the driftless area and Kickapoo river," notes Steph who appreciated the distinctive landscape formations unique to this region.
Walk-in camping options: Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground offers secluded walk-in sites with convenient transport assistance. "We hiked a short distance into our site. We had to pass a grassy area that was always full of bunnies!" shares Kay K. Emily H. adds, "My site was hike in but the distance was pretty short. There were wagons available for transporting things to sites."
Spacious, private sites: The campground design prioritizes camper privacy. "The sites were spaced apart far enough so you weren't on top of the other campers," notes David F. Todd M. agrees: "Sites for tents are spacious and the group camps are awesome."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive consistent praise from visitors. "The shower house was close and clean," according to Kay K. John B. confirms, "The facilities are well maintained and clean," making extended stays more comfortable for equestrian campers and regular visitors alike.
Steep terrain considerations: The mountainous landscape impacts both driving and hiking experiences. Joyce B. warns, "If you have a low car, the front end is going to get scraped at the bottom of the mountain." She also notes, "Hiking trails were pretty close and we had quite the exercise going up/down the mountain."
Wildlife precautions: Food storage practices matter in this woodland setting. "It was recommended that we keep all food in our car," explains Joyce B., who learned this lesson firsthand: "We woke up in the middle of the night to find some smart raccoon had enjoyed our breakfast. We kept it in a cooler, but it figured out how to open it!"
Spring-fed lake temperatures: White Mound County Campground features a natural lake with notably cool water. Jaime L. advises, "The lake is gorgeous and clean. The only downfall is the lake is spring-fed so it's a bit cold for swimming," which may affect seasonal water recreation plans.
Equestrian-friendly activities: For families with horses, Merry Mac's Campground offers additional recreational opportunities when taking breaks from trail riding. Danelle C. reports it's "a wonderful little get away for our group. Plenty of activities for the children and spacious sites!"
Playground access: Multiple recreation areas accommodate younger visitors. "There are bathrooms and a small playground," notes Jaime L. about White Mound Park. David H. adds that at Merry Mac's, "plenty of things to do here to keep the kids engaged and busy."
Swimming options: Water activities provide cooling recreation during summer trail rides. "Swimming Pond was clean and plenty of fun things to climb on and slide down," reports David H. Michael D. describes "a huge pond with inflatables" at Merry Mac's, creating additional recreation options for families with horses.
Driveway considerations: RVers should evaluate access routes carefully when planning equestrian camping trips. Holly W. cautions, "The driveway leading to the campground is a bit daunting (especially if pulling a camper), but its well worth it!"
Hookup availability: Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark provides full-service options for equestrians with RVs. Glenn T. notes the property has "absolutely no complaints. Very friendly atmosphere and more comfortable sized sites than we expected considering what we typically look for."
Seasonal access limitations: Plan equestrian camping trips according to regional weather patterns. Amy G. reports that at White Mound County Campground, "the equestrian camp was closed because of mud," highlighting the importance of checking trail conditions before arrival, particularly during spring and fall seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Camp Douglas, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Camp Douglas, WI is Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Camp Douglas, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Camp Douglas, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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