Glamping near Friendship, Wisconsin offers outdoor experiences in central Wisconsin's unique terrain, characterized by sandstone formations and nearby lakes. Situated on flat, sandy terrain with an elevation around 1,100 feet, the area experiences warm summers and cold winters with peak camping season running May through October. Most glamping sites require advance reservations, especially for premium waterfront locations.
What to do
Hiking trails and rock formations: Roche A Cri State Park features prehistoric petroglyphs on a natural monolith and a viewing tower that offers expansive views. According to Shane E., "Roche a cree State Park as beautiful outlooks there's a lot of scenic sites goes from trees and Forest to rocks and scenic views if you like hiking and wilderness camping this is the place."
Kayaking on Mirror Lake: The calm waters at Sandstone Ridge Campground — Mirror Lake State Park provide excellent paddling opportunities among sandstone cliffs. "The lake is great for kayaking. Lots of sandstone cliffs," notes Julia B., who visited the area.
Fishing opportunities: Petenwell Lake offers fishing for walleye and other species. A camper at Petenwell Park shared, "We reserved spot 16 knowing it had lake access (not all spots do)... Good fishing in lake for walleye. Campground is clean and has showers."
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Many campers praise the lakeside sites available in the Friendship area. At Petenwell Park, Ginny B. mentioned, "We stayed at sites right on the lake and they were hands down the most beautiful sites I've personally ever camped at! We didn't need to leave our site!"
Natural privacy between sites: Wilderness Park (Juneau County) offers good separation from other campers. Dawn A. noted, "This is a very nice campground for those that don't require resort like amenities... Plenty of space between sites. Very quiet campground with a play area, beaches and other nice features."
Family-friendly amenities: Many luxury glamping sites include recreational facilities for families. A visitor to Holiday Shores Campground wrote, "From renting boats to go out on the river, to swimming in the pool! This Campground is a great place to go to! You can rent jet ski's, pontoons, pleasure boats, you name it!"
What you should know
Highway noise at some locations: Some campsites in the area can have road noise, particularly those closest to major roads. At Roche A Cri State Park, Stephen T. mentioned, "Adams County is rather flat and sound carries. You will hear cars on the highway at night in the distance. The sky is amazing with no light pollution."
Distance to services: Many camping areas are relatively remote. As one camper at Petenwell Park pointed out, "But bring what you need as the closest gas station is 15 miles away."
Seasonal challenges: Weather conditions can affect your glamping experience. According to Emily F. who visited Castle Rock County Park: "I wish it was nicer out when we went because it was such a peaceful and beautiful campground. We ended up cutting our trip short because we weren't prepared for the weather and rain."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with water activities: Sites with access to swimming areas can keep kids entertained. Laura B. shared about Castle Rock County Park: "We had site A11, and just loved the location. The A loop is overlooking the lake and close to the beach. Big pine trees so your campsite is really flexible."
Consider sites with planned activities: During peak season, some campgrounds offer organized events. At Arrowhead RV Campground, one visitor mentioned, "Great campground for families with kids and teens. Tons of activities all around the campground. There were outdoor movies, put-put, corn hole, two pools, huge trampoline, volleyball nets, disc golf, and a Christmas in July festival."
Book early for the best sites: Premium family-friendly locations fill quickly. Amber C. advised about Holiday Shores Campground: "This campground fills up fast due to how close it is to the Dells so plan ahead. Also, the spots seem to be mostly seasonal spots so that makes it harder to get in as well."
Tips from RVers
Extension cords and hoses: Some RV sites have unusual utility placement. At Arrowhead RV Campground, Travis I. noted, "Make sure you bring 50 ft of electrical cord and water hose. They do offer to barrow their extension cords."
Water quality considerations: Water composition varies across the region. At Ho-Chunk RV Resort & Campground, a camper advised, "Make sure to use a water filter outside your camper. The water left an orange residue in our dog bowls, sinks and pipes."
Site leveling preparation: Terrain can be uneven at some locations. Dave P. shared about Arrowhead RV Campground: "Beautiful area, sites are situated with the terrain which can make them interesting to get into. They're gravel and mostly level."
