Wisconsin's Cross Plains area sits at the convergence of glacial till plains and the Driftless Area, creating a diverse landscape of rolling hills and valleys roughly 850-1000 feet above sea level. The region receives approximately 34 inches of annual rainfall, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F, ideal for camping from late April through October. Winter camping options remain limited, with most campgrounds closing after the first frost.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Crystal Lake Campground provides excellent water access for kayakers and canoers. "Love this campground! Great facilities and a dumping station. No hookups but the area cannot be beat. This is our favorite boondock spot. The lake is perfect for paddling and the trails are amazing," notes one visitor to Crystal Lake Campground.
Hiking trails: Governor Dodge State Park offers numerous well-maintained trails suitable for various skill levels. "We stayed at a hike in site in May and had great hanging options for our hammocks, excellent privacy in the hike-in sites, and beautiful options for hiking, fishing, and photography. Plus- so close to home (Madison area)," explains a camper.
Water recreation: Mirror Lake State Park features distinctive sandstone cliffs surrounding calm waters. "The lake is great for kayaking. Lots of sandstone cliffs. We only did 2 hiking trails but they were well maintained. The site was good," shares a Sandstone Ridge Campground visitor.
What campers like
Private camping spaces: Lake Kegonsa State Park offers secluded sites with good tree coverage. A camper reports, "large private sites with good space between them in a lovely wooded setting. Very nice hiking trails right from campground. Lake & pet swim area."
Family-friendly amenities: Fox Hill RV Park includes numerous activities for children. "The kids loved the blow ops in the pond. The pool was nice, but a bit colder than the pond. It's heated with a solar cover. There are well kept large outdoor games like chess, connect 4, and checkers," explains a reviewer.
Yurt options near Cross Plains: For those seeking yurt camping near Cross Plains, Wisconsin, Merry Mac's Campground offers comfortable structures. "My family and I love the yurts and the giant pool/pond. The park model rentals are nice now that my grandma is getting older," shares a satisfied guest. Their yurts provide an alternative glamping experience with solid structures.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Prepare for potential temperature changes when yurt camping in Cross Plains area locations. "We stayed during the first weekend in October can sometimes be a little iffy weather wise, but we lucked out with pretty warm temperatures. We got quite a bit of rain on Saturday, but none of the sites had issues with flooding," explains a Governor Dodge State Park visitor.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. "Peak season reservations are a definite (weeks to months in advance for weekends). Picnic table and fire ring standard at all campsites."
Wildlife awareness: Various wildlife may visit your campsite. "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" warns a camper. Another adds, "The raccoons were brutal. They broke into our crates twice. Smart enough to figure out the clip mechanism."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and recreational facilities. "Nice playground with a basketball court and tennis and still plenty of space to play your own game, like frisbee."
Swimming areas: Wisconsin Riverside Resort offers water recreation options for all ages. "There is a decent sized pool that is clean and well-maintained with a smaller kiddie pool with a slide. There is also a man-made lake with a beach for swimming and bigger kids to enjoy the large inflatable slides and swim platforms."
Group sites: For family reunions or multi-family trips, consider dedicated group areas. "Stayed here last year with a group of friends! Had 2 different group sites and both were awesome! A lot of space and not close to other group sites so it was nice to not have to worry about surrounding people!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for level sites to avoid setup challenges. "We stayed in site #4 it was nice sized and quiet. We had full hook up, a picnic table & fire pit, our friends camped next to us in #5."
Low clearance areas: Some parks have height restrictions or obstacles. "Major CAUTION for RVs: there is an oak tree near entry with low branches and it took the AC off our friend's fifth wheel. There is also a low hanging overpass and it took the roofs off TWO fifth wheels while we were staying there."
Hookup availability: Wisconsin Dells KOA provides convenient access to utilities. "We stayed at KOA in Wisconsin dells, which was about a mile away from everything. Finding are ticket and spot also a breeze which ended up being late in the night. Hookups for everything."
