Campgrounds in the Rice Lake vicinity offer a range of facilities across several county and municipal parks. Barron County Veterans Memorial Park and Barron County Southworth Memorial Park provide established camping with electric hookups, drinking water, and facilities for both tent and RV campers. Country Quiet RV Park and Campground stands out as one of the few properties offering cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping options. Most campgrounds in this northern Wisconsin region sit near lakes or flowages, with Murphy Flowage Park and Eagle Point Park providing waterfront access just minutes from Rice Lake's town center.
The camping season in the Rice Lake area typically runs from May through October, with most developed campgrounds closing by mid-October. Reservations are recommended for summer weekends, particularly at popular waterfront locations. Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, with amperage varying from site to site. Bathroom facilities range from pit toilets to shower buildings depending on the campground. Several parks like Veterans Memorial and Eagle Point offer dump stations for RVs. One visitor noted Audie Lake County Park provides a true disconnect experience: "Truly a campground to disconnect, 0 cell service and your alarm clock is a beaver slapping its tail or a loon calling it's mate."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the Rice Lake region. Murphy Flowage Park receives praise for its well-designed sites, with one camper noting it as "clean and the sites are few but very nicely laid out." Prairie Lake access at Veterans Memorial Park offers good fishing opportunities, while Eagle Point Park provides both camping and a public swimming beach within walking distance. Audie Lake County Park, though slightly more remote, delivers exceptional privacy and natural experiences. Campsites throughout the region vary in size and privacy, with some parks like Country Quiet offering more open settings while others like Audie Lake feature heavily wooded sites. For those seeking more modern amenities, several private campgrounds offer full hookup sites with sewer connections, though these tend to fill quickly during peak season.
"Nice sites overlooking Prairie lake. Nice boat launch if you have a boat. Fishing is good! Great camp hosts. Clean bathrooms. Reasonable price a night."
"It’s fairly isolated, contained within very rural Rusk County in Wisconsin. The camping spots are well wooded and provide plenty of space and privacy. The photo have shared is of the remote campsite."
"Perfect lake for kayaking."
"There are three sites up on a ridge “overlooking” the lake. I use that word lightly as there is a lot of underbrush so it’s not super easy to see the lake."
$45 / night
"Quiet and surrounded by water, it’s a pretty cool spot. Public beaches and hiking trails, boat launch. It is small and fills up fast so I would make reservations."
$0 - $18 / night
"Fishing is very good on the Big Chetac Chain of Lakes approx.1700acres. Reservations can be made through the Village of Birchwood by calling 715-354-3300."
"Close to trails and fishing. Nice beach in shell lake."
TravelerStaying here currently & they have been very accommodating, friendly & flexible. Water & electric hookup but no sewer however there is a dump station, a bathhouse with real toilets & nice showers. Pretty quiet for being so close to the main highway. My cats are able to free roam the property & my dog can be tied up outside. Usually pretty nice neighbors too.
ScoutFound this spot pretty late at night, pulled in to see a sign that says No Camping. Had to backtrack to the highway and found a truck stop for the night.
TravelerThis state park is beautiful and well kept. They put in a new road 2 summers ago and have started doing some more forest maintenance. Campgrounds are usually clean and well maintained. Lots of invasive species around unfortunately.
TravelerElectric hookup, dump station on site. Sites are a little close together. $25/night with a 7 day max stay.
LegendInterstate Park in Wisconsin is just south of HWY 8 on HWY 35. The entrance is located on the west side of HWY 35 in the town of St. Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is a small town with a nice downtown on the river with plenty of restaurants (Dalles House Restaurant and Lounge is a favorite) and places for necessities. There are coffee shops, hotels and even a Wal-Mart nearby. There is also a casino in the town of Turtle Lake about 30 mins away.
The park is home to the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that covers 1200 miles through Wisconsin. The park also offers a Ice Age Interpretive Center which boasts interactive activities and displays of the last Ice Age. The park is also home to several other trails worth discovering.
There are two campgrounds in the park, a North and South campground as well as two group campsites. The South is a bit more rustic. The showers are located at the North campground.
For amenities there are flush toilets and showers. There is a sandy swimming area available as well as boat launch and other water activities.
This park is beautiful especially being on the cliffs of the St. Croix River offering spectacular views through out the park and the area. You can even take the bridge over to Taylor Falls Park Minnesota for more spectacular views as well as other shopping options. If you take this trip, Taylor Falls Park will be on the South and your shopping options will be to your North.
Even being in such a wonderful location with plenty of activities and amenities, I find the camping hard to enjoy at this park for all the noise that generates from the hwy crossing over the river. The sound especially of the semi trucks and their brakes that go all night long. This is the big reason for the average rating for this campground.
ScoutThe sites are VERY close to each other.
ScoutMany sites with lake access! Clean as I've ever seen a campground!
TravelerClean and well-kept, this is a very small park with mowed lawn but no separation between the campsites, and close to a highway. Quiet at night. We stayed there off-season, and had it mostly to ourselves. It's convenient for an overnight stay while hiking the Ice Age Trail road connection nearby.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
The Rice Lake region of northern Wisconsin offers numerous camping options within a 20-mile radius of town. Most campgrounds in the area are situated near water bodies including lakes, flowages, and rivers, providing access to recreational activities. Several county parks maintain campgrounds that combine natural settings with basic amenities, while private establishments offer more developed facilities.
Fishing opportunities: At Barron County Veterans Memorial Park, Prairie Lake provides reliable fishing. One camper notes, "Fishing is good! Great camp hosts. Clean bathrooms." The park features a boat launch for anglers bringing their own watercraft.
Water recreation: Eagle Point Park provides swimming access within walking distance of campsites. "There is a public swimming beach less than a 10 minute walk from the park," reports one visitor. The park also maintains boat launches for those wanting to explore the water.
Kayaking and paddling: The protected waters at Audie Lake County Park create ideal conditions for non-motorized watercraft. "Perfect lake for kayaking," notes one camper. The flowage's calm waters and natural shorelines attract paddlers looking for wildlife viewing opportunities.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion available at certain campgrounds. At Audie Lake County Park, visitors enjoy "camping spots are well wooded and provide plenty of space and privacy." The remote locations create a more immersive outdoor experience.
Night sky viewing: Rural locations away from light pollution provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. One camper at Audie Lake reports, "If you are lucky enough to camp with clear skies you will see more stars than you ever have!"
Clean facilities: Barron County Southworth Memorial Park receives consistent praise for maintenance. A visitor notes it's "Quiet and clean, with pit toilets, coin showers, and a dump station. Sites were large with gravel pads, water, and electric."
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds in the Rice Lake area have limited or no cellular connectivity. Nathan J. describes Audie Lake as "Beautiful out of the way country campground," while another visitor notes it's a place "to disconnect, 0 cell service."
Reservation systems: Most county parks in the region require advance booking, especially during summer months. Southworth Memorial Park offers "Easy to make a reservation online" according to one camper.
Season length variations: The camping season varies slightly between campgrounds, with most open from May through October. Whitetail Ridge Campground operates "May 1 to mid October," which is typical for the area, while some parks extend slightly later into fall.
Beach access: Doolittle Park in Birchwood offers family-friendly water recreation. One visitor calls it an "Awesome place to go swimming. Very kid friendly, and pet friendly."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. Doolittle Park is described as "family friendly with many amenities. There is a public beach, playground, picnic area, boat launch, fish cleaning house, and pavilion."
Berry picking opportunities: Seasonal wild berries provide a natural activity for children at some campgrounds. One camper at Veterans Memorial Park found "a lot of black and red raspberries all over," which can become an entertaining foraging activity.
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the region require some effort to level RVs. At Eagle Point Park, a visitor notes "All sites require some leveling. Some of the sites have water hookups."
Size restrictions: Large RVs may face access challenges at certain campgrounds. "You might be able to get a large rig into the first few spots. But if you try to drive the loop around to the other sites, you might not make it," reports an RVer about Eagle Point, though they "did not have trouble in my 25 foot motor home."
Seasonal site availability: For extended stays, some campgrounds offer monthly or seasonal options. At Doolittle Park, there are "monthly ($500.00+75.00 for electric) and seasonal sites available ($1800.00+ electric fee at the end of the year)," providing options for those wanting a longer-term base in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available near Rice Lake, Wisconsin?
The Rice Lake area offers diverse camping options within a short drive. Murphy Flowage Park provides drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities right near Rice Lake. For RV enthusiasts, Country Quiet RV Park and Campground near Cumberland offers reservable sites with amenities for big rigs. The region also features several county parks like Barron County Veterans Memorial Park and Southworth Memorial Park with basic facilities. Within a reasonable driving distance, you'll find additional state parks and private campgrounds offering everything from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups. Most campgrounds in the area are open from May through October, with some extending their season depending on weather conditions.
What are the best campgrounds in Rice Lake, WI?
Campers seeking top options near Rice Lake should consider Brunet Island State Park Campground, which earns high marks for its quiet, shady sites adjacent to the Chippewa River. The park offers excellent kayaking opportunities around its islands and connects to the 20-mile paved Old Abe bike trail. Another standout is Lake Wissota State Park Campground, which features large, private sites surrounded by trees. The lakeside non-electric sites are particularly spacious, perfect for extended families, and the park includes a beach area. Both parks provide clean facilities and offer a more peaceful alternative to busier Wisconsin destinations. For those preferring RV camping, Whitetail Ridge Campground offers convenient amenities and spacious sites.
What recreational activities can I do while camping in Rice Lake, WI?
The Rice Lake area is a recreational paradise with abundant water activities including fishing, swimming, and boating on Rice Lake itself and nearby waterways. Interstate State Park offers spectacular hiking trails along the St. Croix River with unique glacial potholes formations and rock climbing opportunities. Straight Lake State Park Campground features access to the Ice Age Trail for hiking enthusiasts. Cycling options abound with paved trails connecting various parks and communities. Wildlife viewing and photography are excellent year-round, with opportunities to spot deer, eagles, and waterfowl. The area also offers seasonal hunting in designated areas, mushroom foraging in spring, and berry picking in summer. Winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing when conditions permit.
Are there any cabin rentals at campgrounds near Rice Lake?
Yes, several campgrounds near Rice Lake offer cabin rental options for those seeking a camping experience without tents or RVs. Wolf's Den RV Campground Resort & Tavern near Cameron provides cabin accommodations alongside their traditional campsites. Lily Springs Regenerative Farm, within driving distance of Rice Lake, offers unique farm-stay accommodations that combine rustic charm with modern amenities. Many cabins in the area range from basic (sleeping platforms with electricity) to full-service options with kitchenettes and bathrooms. Most cabin rentals require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months. Prices typically range from $50-150 per night depending on amenities and season. Many cabin rentals have minimum stay requirements during weekends and holidays.
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