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Best Tent Camping near Cross Plains, WI

785 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

State parks and county-managed lands surrounding Cross Plains, Wisconsin provide several options for tent camping within a 30-mile radius. Governor Dodge State Park offers backcountry tent campsites that require a half-mile to one-mile hike from designated parking areas. Devils Lake State Park features group tent camping areas with well-spaced sites in heavily wooded settings. New Glarus Woods State Park, located about 20 miles south of Cross Plains, includes both drive-in and walk-in tent sites along wooded trails. Sandhill Station State Campground near Lake Mills provides carry-in tent-only camping in an oak savanna setting.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Walk-in tent sites at New Glarus Woods require carrying gear between 40 and 1,000 feet from loading zones, with carts available to transport equipment. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets centrally located. The backpack campsites at Governor Dodge State Park have rougher, less level ground but offer greater seclusion. Campers should note that many primitive tent camping areas lack showers, with only pit toilets available. Water access varies by location, with some campgrounds providing pumps or spigots while others require bringing your own supply.

In early fall, tent campers frequently find more comfortable conditions with fewer insects at sites throughout the region. According to reviews, the walk-in tent sites at New Glarus Woods are "spaced out well and heavily wooded," though highway noise is audible at most locations. One camper noted that site #19 offers good privacy: "You have to take a short foot-path off the main trail to get to the site and the site itself can't actually be seen from the trail or the parking lot." At Governor Dodge State Park, backpackers appreciate the "great views and plenty of privacy" despite some sites having rough, uneven terrain. Tent-only sites at Sandhill Station are described as "spacious, private and beautiful" with oak trees providing mixed shade, making it "a nice choice if you want a private, quiet getaway into the oak savanna of southern Wisconsin."

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Best Tent Sites Near Cross Plains, Wisconsin (10)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cross Plains, WI

12 Photos of 10 Cross Plains Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Cross Plains, WI

785 Reviews of 10 Cross Plains Campgrounds

  • Alex H.
    Sep. 26, 2022

    Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    No Flat Spots

    Very nice park. Well marked and maintained trails. A large lake with boat launch and beach area. Separate pet area.

    We spent the weekend at site 101, which is a tent site. I wouldn't recommend this site. based on a quick walkaround, it seemed a bit smaller than other sites. That's not really a deal-breaker, but it didn't really have any flat spots to pitch the tent. We ended up pitching it up on the parking area, but it was still a bit slanted and we could feel the tire divot a little through the air mattresses. Aside from that, it was great. The site had a picnic table and fire ring that we used a lot. It was secluded from the surrounding sites.

    We hiked the Windy Ridge trail and the Prairie Loop trail. both were well maintained and enjoyable trails. We also spent some time on the beach.

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    Def do not recommend for summer 2024!

    I wanted so badly to love this campground experience, but just didn't. Site 19 was an easy walk-in that theoretically had nearby vault toilets, parking, and water.

    Each site only had space for one car to park before walking in. Not a huge deal, but annoying as there were 2 of us who drove separate and we had to problem solve. When we got to the site I was shocked to see that what was labeled as a tent site had literally NO flat space to actually set up a tent. Spacious site, but fully sloped.

    Also, what I would have loved to know, is that the vault toilets are closed because they are doing construction to build something new in that space. Construction that starts loudly each day at 7am. Honestly every site from about #35 down was affected by the noise because the construction is happening in the middle of the loop (and actually blocking some of the one-way road as well).

    The park in general was okay. Per the usual, the pet areas were lacking. No beach at all, just grass covered in goose poop and one cut out on the raised shore between tall grasses and foliage where a dog could potentially jump in. Certainly nowhere for a human to enjoy the water with their pups unfortunately.

  • Cristina S.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Blue Mound State Park Campground

    Clean and Modern

    Campsites, trails and facilities were immaculate. Staff was friendly. drive in and hike in sites available. great for families; trails have info markers to educate hikers on geology and flora of area. Drive in campsites had fire rings and picnic tables, vault toilets available.

  • Josh F.
    Sep. 21, 2020

    Blue Mound State Park Campground

    Close to Madison, near Military Ridge Trail, Some sites are Far, Far Away

    I spent two nights in the campground at Blue Mound State Park. Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water. Both tent and RV/camper sites are on a typical one-way road pattern with a couple of loops there are plenty of sites with and without electricity. At the time I was there, the camp host sold high-quality hard wood for $5/bundle from a trailer on the honor system, so if you run out in the middle of the night, wood was easy to replenish. One of the park's highlights are lookout towers with views above the treetops, Unfortunately in 2020 both were closed, presumably because it would be difficult to keep a safe distance from others when on the stairs or while at the top. Pity, it'll be a reason to return. Still, there are several observation areas that are maintained well enough to keep the undergrowth from blocking the view of the Wisconsin River Valley nearly 15 miles to the north. This is where the "Blue Mound" name must come from, the hills at that distance did have a bluish cast to them.

    If you've read any of my other reviews you know what's next, my list of the best campsites. While I've visited several parks now that have "walk in" sites, with cars parked a minute or two from the campsite, about a dozen sites in Blue Mound State Park take "walk in" to a new level. Cars can drive to a barrier across the road, and the sites are a 10-15 minute walk downhill, The park provides ONE medium-sized cart (250 lb weight limit, 20-minute use limit) that I guess would be in high demand during load in and load out. (NOTE TO SELF, camp Thursday through Monday if going here, or arrive EARLY to get a cart). Most of these sites are quite sunny; 105 is nice and shady and private, 106 slightly shaded 109 and 110 are shaded, very close to one another and would be good for a group camp setup 111 is quite shady. There's water and toilets in the walk-in camp ground. You'd want to sip wood for campfires and cooking, the nearest source is a 15-minute walk uphill and back, and then if using the cart, you have to return it for another round trip.

    Back in the family campground where mortals and RVs park, I think the following are the nicest in terms of shade, level, size and privacy.

    42, 45, 47, 51, 64, 66, 69, 71, 73

  • Josh F.
    Dec. 29, 2020

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Small, close to 2 busy roads - there are nicer options in Southern Wis.

    Throughout the summer of 2020, I camped at a number of Wisconsin state parks in the southern part of the state but hadn't gotten to camp at this one yet. While driving through the area I visited the park in December- photos won't show its summertime beauty but my walk through the park identified some ideal spots for camping. 

    The state park is open year-round, camping open May - October. The first thing I visited were the walk-in campsites. There is a loading zone parking lot with limited time parking. Access to the 14 walk-in sites is via a single trail with campsites on either side of the trail. There is a decrepit but functional pit toilet. All the walk-in sites have a picnic table and each is tucked off the trail into the woods.

    The downside to the walk-in sites is their proximity to a major highway. While walking through the campground I could easily hear the road noise. If I were looking to get away from civilization, or at least pretend to be far away from it all, that road noise would be a constant reminder that I wasn't. The further down the walk-in site trail I got, the closer I got to the highway and in fact, car headlights showed right up the trail as I was approaching the last set of campsites.

    When looking at a map and choosing a site, the walk-in campsites on the same side of the trail as the toilet are a little more private and secluded, and back up to expansive woods. The sites on the other side of the trail are nice but they are a little closer to the freeway and don't have as much forest coverage behind the campsites. The furthest walk-in site is at least a 4-minute (slightly downhill) walk from the parking lot. The centrally-located restroom is no more than 2 minutes from any of the walk-in campsites. Sites are between 40 and 1,000 feet from the walk-in loading zone.

    If walking to your campsite isn't your thing there is also a family campground with 17 drive-in (not drive through) sites located along a typical one-way paved road system. Unfortunately, this side of the state park is bordered by a different and only slightly less traveled road than the walk-in sites. Some campsites are sandwiched between the loop road and the main road, are lit by nighttime traffic headlights lights. As the campground road continues toward the group campground it veers away from the main road and offers a bit more privacy. These are the sites I'd select if I were to camp here.

    Of the group campsites, 55 and 56 are in a nicely wooded area with shade. 52 53 and 54 are in an open area with no shade. The family campground is serviced by two pit toilets centrally located to the campsites.

    Due to the very small size of this state park, lack of much to do except one hiking trail through it, and proximity to two main roads, I would not recommend the state park. There are many others in southern Wisconsin that have far more to offer. 

    Seriously, if you're looking for a Wisconsin state park in this neck of the woods, check out Yellowstone Lake or Blue Mound State Park instead. See my review of the latter for specific spots that would be awesome for tent camping.

  • Alex S.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Red Oak Campgrounds

    Great for car camping!

    This is our favorite campground for when we want to take trips to Devil’s Lake State Park! The campgrounds all vary in size, and many have a good amount of tree cover so you have some privacy from your neighbors. Every campsite has at least one picnic table and fire-pit. You can pull your car right up to the campsite. There is a store where you check in and you can buy fire wood and little odds and ends like bug spray or tent stakes. There is a pool that is really clean along with bathrooms and showers.

  • John W.
    Jul. 4, 2020

    Apple River Canyon

    Great first camping experience

    We tent camped at site 37. This site has a nice mix of shade and sun and the back had a water faucet. There is a trail that works it’s way through the back of the sites. The sites are a bit close together and separation is sometimes sparse. Restrooms are pits and well maintained stocked with TP. No showers on site. One loop of the tent sites are able to be reserved and the other loop is first come, first served. There are short trails with some steep climbs, not wide paths so bring bug spray and tick tools! The river that cuts through is small but picturesque. Picnic areas are plentiful near the water. Caught two tiny bass and a trout. No firewood on site, but multiple homes on the drive in had $5 self serve bundles for sale. This site is a dark skies site, so if it’s not overcast or full moon there is some good stargazing. AT&T cell service is mostly nonexistent in camp, but kicks in as you head out, so plan your research ahead of time. Attached are some shots of some sites from the road

  • Sarah W.
    Nov. 26, 2018

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Nice weekend in the woods near Madison

    Note - this review is for the walk-up sites only This is our go-to campground when we decide we want to go camping with short notice. The park itself is neither very popular nor very interesting, so there are usually still sites available for reservation only a few days before your intended camping trip. The park itself isn't that interesting, but it is worth noting that it is located across the road from New Glarus Brewery. The brewery is an easy walk or bike ride from the walk-in campsites.

    We have camped at several of the walk-in sites. The sites are all located along the bike trail, and carts are available for transporting your gear which means you can bring more gear than you would bring backpacking. The walk-in sites have a good amount of space between each site, however the sites on the east side of the bike trail get less level the further you get from the parking lot. All sites are shaded and have fire pits and picnic tables. The sites on the west side of the trail are more level but closer to the trail, so you have less privacy from passers-by. Our personal favorite site is #19. It is the closest site to the parking lot on the east side of the trail, but you have to take a short foot-path off the main trail to get to the site and the site itself can't actually be seen from the trail or the parking lot. This makes it very quiet and private, but still not too far from your car. The campgrounds do have a lot of raccoons so it is nice to be within an easy walk of your vehicle if you would prefer to secure your food. Site 19 is also very level and spacious, with plenty of room for at least two good sized tents. You can hear some road noise in all of the walk-in sites due to the highway being near by, but it's buffered a bit by the woods so it is more of a white noise.

    The walk-ins have a vault toilet centrally located along the trail, and it has always been clean whenever we've camped there. A water spigot is also located centrally among the walk-in sites. You can take a short hike to the park's ampitheater from the walk-in sites, but they do not have programs very often.

  • Meg S.
    Aug. 1, 2015

    Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

    Great Campground in Wisconsin

    Great state park for a family camping vacation, tons of stuff to do. Lakes, trails, kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, fishing. Hidden gem of Wisconsin. The campsites are pretty private, nestled in trees. Some shaded, some have sun and shade. They even have horse sites, so you can bring your horse, and stroll through the park horseback riding. Vault toilets, and regular toilets with ok showers. Water faucets scattered around for easy water access. Twin Valley has tent sites and RV/electric sites.

Guide to Cross Plains

Tent campsites near Cross Plains, Wisconsin range from oak savanna settings to wooded areas with varying degrees of privacy. The area sits at the edge of the Driftless Region where elevations range from 900-1200 feet above sea level. Fall camping offers cooler temperatures with daytime highs in the 60s, fewer insects, and colorful foliage from mid-September through October.

What to do

Bike the Sugar River Trail: Access this converted railway path directly from New Glarus State Park Campground for cycling adventures. "With direct access to the Sugar River Trail and the town of New Glarus, it is a great location as an overnight stop or home base to explore," notes Phillip J.

Explore Swiss heritage: Visit the nearby town of New Glarus, just 20 miles south of Cross Plains. "We spent the day exploring our Swiss heritage in New Glarus," reports Kay K., who stayed at the park's wooded sites.

Hike challenging trails: The East Bluff trail at Devils Lake State Park Group Campground offers rocky terrain and scenic viewpoints. "Spent about 5 hours hiking the East Bluff, it was challenging for some of our younger hikers," shares Charles M., who camped with a scout group in November.

Paddle on the lakes: Governor Dodge State Park features two lakes where visitors can fish and enjoy water activities. "Back packing sites are 1/2-1 mile hike from parking lot. Great hike threw out the state park. 2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus," says Nick C.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Sandhill Station State Campground, tent sites offer significant separation. "The campsite we were on was spacious, private, and beautiful. We had two large oak trees on either side of our site, giving us a good amount of mixed shade," Jimmy P. reports.

Secluded backpack sites: Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites provide backcountry camping with limited crowds. "Great backpack base camp! Great views, plenty of privacy and an easy hike. We stayed at 806," writes Erin Z.

Group camping options: For larger gatherings, Hickory Ridge Group Camp at Governor Dodge State Park provides spacious areas. "Spacious sites, lots of availability to swim and hike. Will definitely come back," Matthew O. mentions about the group camping experience.

Off-grid experience: Some campers appreciate the primitive nature of sites like Blackhawk Memorial Park. "Quiet, off the grid! Very pleasant!" notes Christie B. about this less-developed camping option.

What you should know

Seasonal mosquito issues: Stagnant water near some sites creates insect problems in summer months. At Sandhill Station State Campground, one camper noted: "The sites are really near some stagnant water, though, so WAY too many mosquitoes, even with the really intense bug spray."

Highway noise: Highway proximity affects some campsites. At New Glarus Woods, Katie K. reported: "These sites are right next to the highway and are subject to continuous, round the clock highway noise. The highway seems to be a regular truck route, with lots of semis driving by at all hours."

Vault toilet conditions: Several campgrounds rely on pit toilets rather than flush facilities. Dana B. observed at New Glarus Woods: "The only thing I cant get over is the vault toilets. I would have thought they updated these by now. Creaky wood doors, BRIGHT lights, and always buggy."

Uneven terrain: Some backpacking sites have rougher ground. At Governor Dodge State Park, a reviewer mentioned: "Small spot on rough ground not to level for tents but still feaseable."

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites near playgrounds: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. At New Glarus Woods, Kay K. shared: "The playground was great. We hiked in a bit to a wooded quiet site."

Pack light for walk-in sites: For carry-in camping at Sandhill Station, Tawnie T. advises: "no carts to haul gear so pack light! The sites are really near some stagnant water, though, so WAY too many mosquitoes."

Try Dutch oven cooking: Enhance camping meals with portable cookware. "Camp life was awesome, we ate very well since we brought two Dutch ovens. We are Cowboy Casserole, Mountain Man breakfast, peach cobbler, 7 can soup, hobo dinner and apple sausage casserole," reported Charles M. at Devils Lake.

Consider group camping: For scout troops or multiple families, group sites provide ample space. Jon D. mentioned his experience at Devils Lake: "Reserved the group camp for three families, cost was $40 a night for a secluded, spacious, clean group site."

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Most state parks have restricted services for RVs. "This is a small, rustic campground with water and vault toilets," Kate B. noted about New Glarus Woods State Park.

Site selection for privacy: At New Glarus Woods, Sarah W. advised: "The sites on the west side of the trail are more level but closer to the trail, so you have less privacy from passers-by. Our personal favorite site is #19."

Know bathroom access: RV campers should check shower availability. "Drive-up sites come with nice amenities," Danielle A. mentioned about New Glarus Woods, though many sites throughout the region have limited facilities.

Plan for water access: Not all campgrounds have direct hookups. At New Glarus Woods, "A water spigot is also located centrally among the walk-in sites," according to one reviewer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cross Plains, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cross Plains, WI is New Glarus State Park Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 18 reviews.

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