Tent camping options near Dane, Wisconsin extend beyond established campgrounds to include backpacking sites and group camping areas within a 35-mile radius. The region features oak savannas and mixed hardwood forests typical of Wisconsin's Driftless Area, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels making spring and fall more comfortable for camping.
What to do
Hiking and rock climbing: Devils Lake State Park Group Campground offers extensive trail options with varying difficulty levels. A camper reported, "The Park offers a lot of hiking trails with amazing views," while another mentioned taking "the East Bluff trail to do some rock climbing with the kids."
Brewery visits: The proximity of New Glarus State Park Campground to local breweries makes it ideal for beer enthusiasts. As one camper noted, "It's about a mile and half away. The park is simple." Another visitor recommended, "The brewery is an easy walk or bike ride from the walk-in campsites."
Water activities: Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites provide access to two lakes with fishing opportunities. A reviewer mentioned, "2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus. Lots to do for the whole family."
What campers like
Private walk-in sites: At Governor Dodge State Park, backpacking campsites offer seclusion while remaining accessible. One camper appreciated that these sites have "great views, plenty of privacy and an easy hike."
Group camping options: Devils Lake State Park Group Campground provides spacious group sites with necessary amenities. A reviewer noted, "The group sites are well spaced out from each other and offer pit toilets and full bathroom facilities with sinks, toilets and showers within walking distance from all sites."
Proximity to trails: Many campgrounds connect directly to regional trail systems. At New Glarus State Park, campers appreciate the "direct access to the Sugar River Trail and the town of New Glarus," making it "a great location as an overnight stop or home base to explore."
What you should know
Highway noise: Road noise affects some campgrounds significantly. One camper at New Glarus noted, "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."
Bug pressure: Most campgrounds experience heavy insect activity during summer months. A camper at Sandhill Station State Campground warned, "The sites are really near some stagnant water, though, so WAY too many mosquitoes, even with the really intense bug spray."
Bathroom conditions: Facility quality varies between campgrounds. At New Glarus, a camper mentioned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Scout-friendly locations: Hickory Ridge Group Camp works well for organized youth groups. One visitor called it a "nice family campground" with "a lot of amenities including shower."
Wildlife opportunities: Kids often enjoy animal sightings at Devils Lake. A camper mentioned, "The birds near the group camp are cool, but can also sound like a large pack of dinosaurs squawking at each other...very loud."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Wild Goose City Park, a visitor noted, "There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain. Plenty of space to spread out for a picnic."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Blackhawk Memorial Park, primitive camping with limited amenities means careful site selection is important. A camper described it as "quiet, off the grid" and "very pleasant" but noted it's for "people that aren't afraid of bugs."
Water access considerations: Water sources vary between campgrounds. At Devils Lake, a camper mentioned, "Next to the bathrooms is a water pump where you can collect water and haul it back to your site."
Off-season advantages: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides a better experience. At New Glarus, one camper noted it's their "go-to campground when we decide we want to go camping with short notice" because "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."
