Camping near Cross Plains, WI

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    Campgrounds near Cross Plains, Wisconsin range from county parks to state recreational areas offering varied accommodations. Blue Mound State Park Campground, approximately 10 miles west of Cross Plains, provides tent, RV, and cabin options with hiking trails connecting to the broader park system. Other notable options include Brigham Park, situated on the smaller mound of Blue Mounds with scenic overlooks, and Mendota County Park on Lake Mendota about 15 miles east. These established campgrounds maintain electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings with most supporting both tent and RV camping.

    Reservations are required for most campgrounds in the region and can be made through county reservation systems or the Wisconsin state park website. Seasonal availability varies significantly, with many facilities operating from May through October. Mendota County Park maintains year-round access while Brigham Park typically operates from May 15 to October 1. The area experiences hot summers and cold winters with occasional severe weather, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for camping. Electrical hookups are common but water hookups are limited at some locations. Several visitors mentioned the need for extension cords at certain sites. As one camper noted, "Some sites electric is close by, others not so much! Everything from huge class A's to little tents here this weekend."

    Campers frequently highlight the region's natural features in their reviews, particularly the water access and elevated views. At Brigham Park, the higher elevation provides distinctive advantages. "The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay," according to one visitor. Lake Mendota sites offer swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities, with some campgrounds providing kayak rentals. Cedar Hills Campground, a clothing-optional adult facility, sits atop a bluff with panoramic vistas. Privacy between sites varies considerably across campgrounds, with some offering secluded woodland settings while others feature more open layouts. Proximity to Madison provides convenient access to urban amenities while still enjoying outdoor recreation, making these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for both locals and travelers.

    Best Campgrounds near Cross Plains (145)

      1. Blue Mound State Park Campground

      4.6(29)12mi from Cross Plains91 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water."

      "This is another Wisconsin gym sitting in Southern West Wisconsin."

      from $18 - $50 / night

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      2. Mendota County Park

      4.2(14)9mi from Cross Plains1 site

      "Like other reviewers have stated, be prepared to be close to others. We didn’t mind at all and found everyone to be super nice."

      "Nice little campground right on Lake Mendota. 29 sites available with electric, but bring an extension cords!! Some sites electric is close by, others not so much!"

      from $28 / night

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      3. Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park

      4.5(47)22mi from Cross Plains109 sitesRVs, Tents

      "There is something for everyone at Devils Lake State Park."

      "The new warden situation is interesting. Things have gotten a lot more strict in some areas (ex."

      from $26 - $51 / night

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      4. Cedar Hills Campground - Clothing Optional

      5.0(10)10mi from Cross PlainsRVs, Cabins

      "Cedar hill Wisconsin is a clothing optional campground so I enjoy it very much. The entire campground is located at the top of a 1000 ft.high bluff."

      "River right behind our campsite. Some sites were a bit small but we managed to reserve one big enough for a trailer and a tent. Somewhat closed in with a lot of vegetation. Kids loved the river!"

      5. Brigham Park

      4.3(11)10mi from Cross PlainsRVs, Tents

      "It's up on a hill, so there's good views of the driftless area of Wisconsin. Plenty of open walk up camp sites, but it might be more full in the summer."

      "The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay.

      - Well-kept vault toilets.

      - Close to a many points of interest."

      6. Ice Age Campground — Devils Lake State Park

      4.3(43)22mi from Cross Plains184 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Much to do at Devil's Lake and surrounding area. features multiple campgrounds and multiple areas for swimming. A beach at the North and South of the lake."

      "It is up and away from the rest of the park a bit and typically almost every site has full shade. This is important in the summer months."

      from $26 - $51 / night

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      7. Northern Lights Campground — Devils Lake State Park

      4.4(35)22mi from Cross Plains120 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Views like these are hard to beat in Wisconsin, or anywhere really. The cliffs on the side of the lake are phenomenal."

      "Aside from some of the windy paths, this place is really nice and peaceful to stay. You can go to Devils Lake and kayak or canoe and swim. Overall a beautiful place in Wisconsin!"

      from $26 - $51 / night

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      8. William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground (Dane County Park)

      3.8(18)17mi from Cross Plains2 sites

      "With the rain and the proliferation of mosquitoes, we were wandering around southern Wisconsin without a plan when we stumbled across this county park. 50 sites, many with electric and very reasonably"

      "No water on sites but spigots located throughout the park. Dump station right at the entrance but there's plenty of room to maneuver around there. Could get congested if busy."

      from $18 - $28 / night

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      9. Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

      4.2(28)25mi from Cross Plains116 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "The sites on the "inside" of the loop are rather close to one another. 21 has a nice view of the lake, and you can walk back to the fence to look over the bluff 24 is quite private and very large 26,"

      "Had to set our tent up right next to the fire ring, as that was the only spot that wasn’t muddy, so we couldn’t have a decent fire. During the rain the water was ankle deep under the picnic table."

      from $20 - $38 / night

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      10. Token Creek County Park

      3.6(11)17mi from Cross PlainsRVs, Tents

      "Small campground, but you play disc golf and lovely trails! So close to get away from the city."

      "Near the highway and airport makes for quick access but it can get noisy. It can also get very quiet and peaceful. Lots of hiking trails and a boardwalk."

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    Recent Reviews near Cross Plains, WI

    901 Reviews of 145 Cross Plains Campgrounds

    • KThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 19, 2026

      Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

      This campground charges both a site reservation fee ($33 for a primitive mosquito infested tent site) AND an additional day use fee on top of that - a $16 fee on top of that! $49????? For a no hook up single tent site???? Of course the fees aren’t actually published anywhere so you have to reserve it to actually know what you’ll be paying. It’s nothing special so these fees aren’t actually warranted for this place. 👎

    • Zach G.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 18, 2026

      New Glarus State Park Campground

      Smaller campground with decent sized campsites with picnic table and fire ring pit. Although my site and quite a bit of unleveled ground which made for limit options to pitch a tent. Pretty good cell service with T- mobile.

    • Zach G.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

      Great campground nice drive.

      Campground is nice spacious and we’re well divided. The drive from the entrance of Governor Dodge to cox hollow was a good 2-3 miles but was very scenic.

    • Maria W.
      Oct. 13, 2026

      New Glarus State Park Campground

      Rustic but nice trails and close to town

      Campground is small with only 18 car camping sites. Vault toilets, no showers. No electricity or dump station. Group camping sites and walk-in or bike-sites also available. I don't mind vault toilets but they were very low to the ground without any grab bar.  I found it odd that this campground has many sites for cyclists using the sugar river bike trail and there isn't any showers. Being close to town is nice. There is a paved path that takes you right into New Glarus and past the New Glarus Brewery. After a day of cycling or hiking, one really needs a shower before heading into town!!

    • Cheryl  S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 6, 2026

      Mendota County Park

      Quiet urban park campground

      The beauty of this campground was to Madison venues. We stayed here twice recently and took Uber rides too and from Camp Randall. It’s a very clean and friendly campground ground. Very nice pavilion for events. I loved the walking path and benches along the lake.

    • pThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 27, 2026

      Brigham Park

      Fall camping

      LOTS of acorns and walnuts dropping on the camper all day and night

    • Keith P.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 25, 2026

      Northern Lights Campground — Devils Lake State Park

      Great State Park

      Stay here for a long weekend. The weather finally cooled down. Great hiking and beautiful views. There’s a lake for swimming and boating without motors. Very hilly area. We stayed at a double site and met relatives.

    • Hailey Adriana O.
      Sep. 7, 2026

      Milton-Madison SE KOA

      Notable bad news

      ⭐ 1/5— Not a Family-Friendly Experience We have traveled by motorhome for many years and stayed at numerous KOA campgrounds. For many years ! Sadly, this is the first negative review we have ever written. Milton KOA is beautiful and clean, although the sites are somewhat crowded. Most staff members were polite and helpful. Unfortunately, the conduct of one employee was completely unacceptable. Our group included six families with children ages 3–18. This employee used profanity, including the“F-word,” toward the children and behaved in a verbally abusive and threatening manner. When one mother calmly tried to address the situation, the employee moved toward her aggressively, causing her to fear she might be struck, and shouted,“I’m sick and tired of this.” At approximately 9:45 p.m., the 18-year-olds in our group were ordered back to their campsite, even though they were simply walking around and were not being loud or disruptive. Adults were allowed to drink in the pool area, while our children were treated with hostility and disrespect just for being there. No food no drinks.No child or parent should experience profanity, intimidation, or threatening behavior from a campground employee. The campground may be enjoyable for adults traveling without children. However, based on what our six families experienced, we cannot recommend Milton KOA to families with children. We are submitting a formal complaint to KOA Corporate and requesting a thorough investigation. Also, wasp infestation beware if you have allergies .

    Guide to Cross Plains

    Camping spots near Cross Plains, Wisconsin encompass areas with elevations ranging from 900-1,300 feet in the Driftless Area. The region features a four-season climate with July average temperatures reaching 82°F and January lows dipping to 11°F. Summer thunderstorms can develop rapidly between May and September, particularly in the higher elevation locations west of Cross Plains.

    What to do

    Hike the bluffs at Blue Mound State Park Campground: The park offers trails for various skill levels with a 1.3-mile connection to observation towers. "The park offers nice wooded sites. Some larger than others so be sure to watch the site listing on ReserveAmerica to see how deep the site it. It also has bike in / hike in sites," notes one camper about Blue Mound State Park Campground.

    Visit caves and geological features: Several locations near Cross Plains provide access to unique rock formations. At Quartzite Campground in Devil's Lake State Park, visitors can explore multiple trails. A camper shares, "Beautiful bluffs surround Devils Lake that allow campers to hike up and see greats views of the lake." Cave tours are available for families: "The caves are incredibly well maintained and organized with fun themed tours."

    Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Several parks maintain separate mountain biking trails designed for different skill levels. Blue Mound State Park features mountain bike specific trails through wooded areas. According to a visitor, "There are a lot of trails for hiking and mountain biking. A swimming pool and picnic area."

    What campers like

    Privacy at certain sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spots than others. At Brigham Park, one camper reports, "On the other side of the loop, however, campsites are much more secluded with under-story between sites. These also back up to the woods, which makes for a much nicer overall camp experience." For optimal privacy, sites 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 20 are recommended.

    Natural cooling effects: The higher elevation sites benefit from improved airflow. A Brigham Park visitor explains, "The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay." This natural cooling is particularly valuable during July and August when temperatures typically reach the 80s.

    Fall camping colors: The hardwood forests transform from late September through October. A camper at Ice Age Campground shares, "Beautiful campground with amazing views for Fall. The hike to the caves is about 3 miles with gorgeous landscapes/colors in October."

    What you should know

    Limited water hookups: While most campgrounds provide electrical service, water access varies. At Mendota County Park, a visitor notes, "30 amp hookups no water at the sites." Some locations require extension cords: "Some sites electric is close by, others not so much! Everything from huge class A's to little tents here this weekend."

    Seasonal operation differences: Operating schedules vary widely between locations. Several campgrounds close after October 1st until spring, while others remain open year-round. Brigham Park, for instance, is "Only Dane Co. Park open year round," according to one camper's report.

    Insect activity varies by elevation: Campgrounds at higher elevations typically have fewer mosquito issues. Sites in lower areas or near water bodies experience more insects, especially after rainfall. One camper noted about Blue Mound State Park, "The raccoons are a bit gutsier than most, though," indicating wildlife management may be necessary.

    Tips for camping with families

    Swimming facilities: Several parks provide dedicated swimming areas during summer months. At Blue Mound State Park, one visitor reports, "The pool is very nice and very clean. There is a pool section and a splash section. There are chairs and lounges around both and shade awnings. The cost is $3 for and adult and $2 for child."

    Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds have playground equipment and specific family-oriented features. Blue Mound State Park gets high marks from parents: "It is a beautiful park with tons of trees. Beautiful hiking trails everywhere for different levels of hiker. The pool is awesome, and the splash pad is absolutely incredible. This is a great place to camp with little kids."

    Cave exploration with children: Specific caves in the area offer child-oriented tours and activities. According to a visitor at Northern Lights Campground, "There's also a biking camp ground right off the Ice Age Trail, which makes it a great stop for an overnight or just a break. You're also close enough to drive to Mt. Horeb if you need more action or beer."

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection for large rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate bigger recreational vehicles. A camper at Blue Mound State Park advises, "For RVs, be sure to select a bigger site than you think you need. Sometime's it's tricky to maneuver your camper so big rigs may want to stay elsewhere. Our 30 ft. travel trailer fit fine, with some skilled driving."

    Electrical considerations: Placement of electrical hookups varies significantly between sites. As one Mendota County Park visitor notes, "The power box is located at the very end of the camper pad, but extension cords are available from the camp host." This tip is especially important for those with fixed cord lengths.

    Bathroom and shower access: Facilities differ between campgrounds with varying cleanliness and features. According to an RVer at William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground, "Bathrooms/showers were warm and clean, and the vault toilets were not bad although there were a few spiders. The Stevens Falls and Canyon Trails were the highlight of the trip- even in the rain!"

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Cross Plains, WI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Cross Plains, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 145 campgrounds and RV parks near Cross Plains, WI and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

    Which is the most popular campground near Cross Plains, WI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cross Plains, WI is Blue Mound State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cross Plains, WI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Cross Plains, WI.