2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground features equestrian camping within a dedicated area separate from the family campground section. The trail system offers extensive horseback riding opportunities with well-maintained paths through the driftless region landscape. Park facilities include pit toilets near the equestrian sites, and horses can access the Kickapoo River for water. The equestrian camping area allows riders direct access to the park's network of horse trails without needing to trailer between camp and trailheads.
Direct access to the equestrian trail system makes Wildcat Mountain particularly appealing for horse campers seeking extended riding opportunities. Riders enjoy well-maintained trails through varied terrain that showcases the unique driftless region topography with limestone bluffs and valley views. Wild West Campground & Corral in Amherst provides another option for horse enthusiasts, with corrals available for overnight horse accommodations. The property features access to nearby trails and allows campers to watch horses grazing on the grounds, creating a peaceful camping experience. Both locations require reservations during the primary camping season from April through October.
from $50 - $65 / night
"This Beach is perfect, horse trails, biking trails. Right along the ice age trail!"
"Large private site surrounded by trees, with several options for positioning the trailer. The nearby chain of small lakes connected by narrows is ideal for kayaking."
Available next weekend
from $21 - $70 / night
"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 next weekend
from $19 - $110 / night
"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
"Behind the office was a large pond with a sand beach, lots of blow up pool toys, a bar, and volleyball, plus there are trikes and bikes available after you play mini-golf."
"For anyone planning a visit, I recommend checking out the driving directions—they’re super helpful to avoid any hiccups on your way there. Happy camping!"
"Being able to watch the horses was very calming. We would recomend this place to others and we would go back."
Available next weekend
from $35 - $50 / 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."
"As this place didn’t have much for reviews I wasn’t sure what to think but it’s a great location with good service."
"In 2024 just before Memorial Day, I needed to leave the campground I was in and started calling around for openings at private campgrounds."
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.
TravelerNot a place for camping. We booked 2 nights site red 12. Streets were very narrow getting to site. The site was literally a dirt island. We had to drive over a curb. The site was so small. There were campers everywhere. We ended up leaving right away and booked a different campground
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.
ScoutI love Smokey Hollow Campground! The scenery is stunning, and the friendly staff really make a difference. For anyone planning a visit, I recommend checking out the driving directions—they’re super helpful to avoid any hiccups on your way there. Happy camping!
TravelerIn 2024 just before Memorial Day, I needed to leave the campground I was in and started calling around for openings at private campgrounds. I was getting worried that it was not possible for me to find a site. I remembered ( light bulb moment) that Sleepy Dragon Campground may have openings. I called and was shocked to hear they still had openings for that weekend. Drove to the campground and set my sights on a pull through site. I enjoyed it so much decided to stay permanently. My original site was 120, then moved to 114, it’s a corner site. Has shade and sun at different times of the day. Large to medium camp sites, grassy, concreted if that’s what you like, plus electric and water at each site. Sewer at selected sites. Personally I came here as a child, back in the later 60’s to early 70’s. Changed owners a couple of times, now it is veteran owned, upgrades are being completed as time allows.
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.
ScoutPretty full, but also pretty quiet place. Clean bathrooms with showers. Most sites don’t have hookups. There’s an upcharge for out-of-staters. Easy access to trails, lakes, and a short jaunt to beautiful downtown Waupaca. Would stay again!
ScoutThe First thing you see when you pull in is a rundown trailer and buildings, over grown grass, dog kennels filled with chickens, it looks abandoned. As you keep driving it opens up into a cute little camp ground with a pretty little pond.
BUT…. There’s hardly ever anyone in the store. You sometimes even have to call to get someone to come down. There’s no staff after 9pm so well if something happens no one’s answering the phone you crap outta luck.
We check in they were nice but everything in the store looks like it’s from the dollar store and they $5 for it. We’re Andes a map that’s INACCURATE it’s got not only old tore down buildings that haven’t been there in years but also future planned buildings 🤦🏼♀️ We head to our camp site turns out there’s no actual bath just porta potty’s which I’m fine with if they we’re filthy and completely full. Also the showers there’s 4 down by the office for the entire camp ground to share. They are filled with bugs they stink oh and the whole time we stayed no one cleaned them one time.
To added to that there’s a seasonal group of campers that keep you up tell 4:30am and when you say something to staff they respind with well I live here and slept fine btw there’s no refunds. Ummm I didn’t ask for one I asked for you to speak to them because my sons autistic and has a harder with lack of sleep. Oh also we got asked to leave and take our tent down immediately because it flooded during a horrible storm that literally took trees down and neighbor took us in but we were not following the rules. And staying in someone else’s site is not allowed because that’s $10 a person extra which they charged us for too.
TravelerCampground is adequate, it has a functioning shower house and private spots. I used a primitive campsite and it cost me $30 ($15 if your from WI). That was on top of the $11 non resident park entrance fee. So $41 for a primitive tent site, $47.50 if you count the bundle of firewood I bought from them. So yeah, keep that in mind if coming here as a non resident. I’m sure there are cheaper places nearby.
Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground provides two distinct camping areas with different trail access. The main family campground section offers standard sites with electric hookups, while the equestrian camping area is designed specifically for horse owners. Located in Wisconsin's driftless region, the park sits at elevations between 950-1,220 feet with limestone bluffs formed by ancient glacial activity. Winter camping remains available when other seasonal parks close.
Kayaking the Kickapoo River: Wildcat Mountain offers direct access to the Kickapoo River for paddling adventures. "We kayaked the Kickapoo river and stayed here for a night," notes one camper at Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground, who adds that "hiking trails were pretty close and we had quite the exercise going up/down the mountain."
Lake recreation: The nearby Hartman Creek State Park features multiple water activities on its small, no-wake lake. A visitor shares: "There is now a rental building available with kayaks, paddle boats, SUP, etc. to rent. We rented kayaks for an hour and a very reasonable price. Small lake so we were able to explore—saw about 3 dozen turtles which was super fun for the kids."
Horseback riding trails: Beyond Wildcat Mountain, Wild West Campground & Corral in Amherst (about 35 miles from Friendship) offers additional equestrian camping options. "Being able to watch the horses was very calming. We would recommend this place to others and we would go back," notes a recent visitor.
Private, spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generous spacing between sites at Wildcat Mountain. "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," reports one visitor.
Dark night skies: The remote location provides excellent stargazing opportunities. According to a Hartman Creek State Park Campground visitor, "We loved the quietness at night. Not entirely sure, but I believe there is a quite policy after 10pm. Gorgeous to look up and see the amazing stars at night."
Ice Cave Trail: This unique geological feature at Wildcat Mountain draws hikers throughout the year. "Ice Cave trail was a neat, quick walk. The trails around have gorgeous views of the driftless area and Kickapoo river," notes a visitor who appreciated the compact but scenic trail experience.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds in the area operate on limited schedules. White Mound County Campground sometimes restricts equestrian camping during wet periods: "The equestrian camp was closed because of mud," reports one visitor at White Mound County Campground.
Terrain challenges: The driftless region's steep terrain can present driving challenges. A Wildcat Mountain visitor cautions: "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."
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secure from wildlife, especially at night. One camper at Wildcat Mountain learned this lesson: "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 had enjoyed our breakfast."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Friendship, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Friendship, WI is Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Friendship, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Friendship, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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