Danbury, Wisconsin sits in a region marked by glacial lakes and pine forests at approximately 1,050 feet elevation. The area experiences warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall, making camping seasons distinctly different. Campsites near Danbury typically feature sandy soil which drains quickly after rainfall but can create dusty conditions during dry periods.
What to do
Hiking at St. Croix State Park: The park offers numerous well-maintained trails with varied terrain. "This is Minnesota's largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them," notes Justin R. from Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park.
Climbing fire towers: Several parks in the region provide fire tower access for panoramic views. "There is also a 100' fire tower you can climb up and get an epic view," reports Scott G. from Old Logging Trail. The towers offer visibility across miles of forested terrain.
Water activities on local rivers: The St. Croix and Kettle Rivers provide excellent opportunities for paddling. "Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer. A great way to spend a weekend," writes Tony J. about Old Logging Trail. Water levels are typically highest in spring and early summer.
ATV trail access: Direct trail connections exist from several campgrounds. "Great ATV campground or looking for a campground under $1500, this is the place to go! Lots to do near by Legion 1.3 miles away and a great cafe as well across the street," says Shelli A. about Pardun's Jack Pine Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between campsites. "The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy. Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent," explains Ari A. from Old Logging Trail.
Lake access for swimming: Waterfront locations provide direct swimming opportunities. "It's on a beautiful lake with a swimming area. You can rent a pontoon or take out a canoe or rowboat for free," writes Chelsea T. about Wilderness Way.
Quiet environment: Many sites offer peaceful settings away from crowds. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," reports Stephanie H. about Wild River State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain good hygiene standards. "The men's bathroom/showers were designed and built well and is very clean. Bath building has a large 'family/handicap' bathroom shower room," notes Tom from Paint Rock Springs Campground.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Bug populations vary by season and location. "St. Croix SP: was quite buggy due to a lot of recent rain. Highly recommend fogging your site or having a bug enclosure to help ward of the mosquitos," advises Tori K. about Old Logging Trail.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is restricted in many areas. "Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting-- don't think about using the web or social media or getting any work done while you're here," warns Ari A. about Old Logging Trail.
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railway disturbance. "One of the only things that was obnoxious about this park is that there is a frequently used train track nearby- and the trains really lay on whistle. I slept with earplugs in because of this, but I was still woken up around 4 times that night," shares Krista T. from Jay Cooke State Park Campground.
Seasonal timing: Weather affects campsite conditions dramatically. "Do Not Camp In June... Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster. It was also a very hot weekend," cautions Lili R. about Old Logging Trail.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly play areas. "There is a playground and volleyball area. Flush toilets showers and wood sold on site... everything you need. Swimming boating and fishing are all available too," mentions Janelle M. about Totogatic Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers frequent animal sightings. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," reports Kate H. about Wild River State Park Campground. Morning and evening provide best viewing times.
Water safety considerations: River and lake conditions require attention. "The beach is on the river and is very slimy bc of years of artificial beach making. Some of the other parts of the river are nicer and enjoyable," notes Amanda R. about Paint Rock Springs Campground.
Glamping options for families: Luxury camping close to Danbury, Wisconsin offers more comfortable arrangements. "Pardun's also offers canoe and tube rentals in town and also at St. Croix State Park - which sounds wonderful on hot summer days," explains Joanna B. about Pardun's Jack Pine Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup accessibility: Water connections at some sites require preparation. "We were quick to learn that water hookups were shared with other sites and required 'y' connections at the spigots... Ours source ended up being 75' plus from our RV," explains Sam C. from Banning RV Park and Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Ground conditions affect stabilization. "Campground was very dark in the area of campsites which made setting up a bit difficult. Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants. This made getting leveling a little difficult," shares Sam C. about Banning RV Park.
First-timer friendly options: Some sites offer easier access for beginning RVers. "This was our first time out, we stayed with our RV and really enjoyed this place. The staff was great and willing to help with any questions or concerns we as rookies had! They have pull through sites that made our first time that much easier," recommends Matt P. about Banning RV Park.
