Dog-Friendly Camping near Elmwood, WI

Woodsy camping retreats surround Elmwood, Wisconsin, where the terrain ranges from river valleys to highland ridges. Many sites sit within the St. Croix River watershed, with elevations varying from 700 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during peak camping season, with nighttime lows often dropping to 55-65°F.

What to do

Paddle the reservoir: Lake George at Highland Ridge Campground offers calm waters ideal for kayaking. "There are no amenities (rentals, etc.) offered at the lake but it is small and beautiful, and we enjoyed a peaceful paddle. We saw a couple of people fishing on the lake and there is a small swimming area," notes Lee D.

Hike the bluffs: The trails around Frontenac State Park Campground feature spectacular river valley views. "Frontenac is a quiet campground right outside of Redwing. Great hiking trails but very steep along the river. Can also take part in birding walks," shares Tegan C., highlighting the varied terrain.

Visit the waterfall: A short hike from Willow River State Park Campground leads to an impressive cascade. "Willow River falls is definitely a beautiful site to see. Definitely a place to camp if you like to be active and explore the trails. Winter, summer or fall!" explains Jessica B.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious layouts at Nugget Lake County Park. "This park had lots of old tree coverage. The site we had was secluded enough from others. But they had sites available that were open to each other good for groups," reports Ames.

Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high on campers' satisfaction. "This was one of The cleanest campgrounds I have ever stayed at. The sites are large and very well shaded for privacy. Great playground and hiking area," notes Courtney C. about Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir.

Fall colors: The region shines during autumn. "This is a beautiful, densely wooded campground with fairly well spaced sites," writes Deb M. about Highland Ridge, adding "Site 20 has an absolutely outstanding view of Lake Pepin and fall colors," according to another reviewer at Frontenac State Park.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Highland Ridge operates from April through November. "Stayed middle of the week found local firewood from farms nearby. Also a creamery is a short drive from camp," mentions Benjamin about Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir.

Insects can be problematic: Summer brings bugs to the region. "Beautiful but buggy!" warns Lee D. about Highland Ridge, suggesting spring or fall visits might be more comfortable.

Reservation strategies: Most campgrounds require advance planning. "We accidentally selected a site without electric, but if we had taken more time to use the website and enter search criteria, we could have found one with electric," shares Laurel about Highland Ridge.

Cell service varies: Coverage depends on carrier and location. "Cell service with Verizon was ok," reports Jeff F. about Highland Ridge, while another camper notes that "AT&T service is spotty throughout the park with either 1 or 2 bars."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Willow River State Park Campground offers recreation for kids. "Looked like a decent playground," mentions Ames about Nugget Lake County Park, while Lee D. notes Highland Ridge has "a nice, modern playground."

Camper cabins for comfort: Families seeking more shelter have options. "The camper cabins are really nice. They have two rooms, a sleeping room and a front room. The sleeping room has 2 bunk beds (4 beds). The front room has a mini fridge, coffeemaker, toaster, microwave, and a futon," explains Shelly E. about Nugget Lake County Park.

Dog-friendly considerations: Many campgrounds welcome pets but enforce leash rules. "The firepits are well taken care of. It is usually empty when you arrive. There is no swim beach. The trails and playgrounds are really nice," adds Shelly E., which allows families to bring their dogs along.

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Some sites require equipment to level RVs. "Many sites are placed on on incline. They got the sites are pretty flat, but it's still on a hill," cautions John W. about Highland Ridge.

Electric site selection: Glen Hills Park Campground offers powered sites in specific areas. "There are three campgrounds in this park. Peninsula is the one with electric and is good and bad. The site really matters," advises Mike R., suggesting advance planning for best results.

Size limitations: Larger RVs face constraints at some campgrounds. "Sites are small and can be difficult to get into with large rigs," warns Kristin F. about Glen Hills Park, making site research essential before booking.

Dump station access: Highland Ridge provides dumping facilities. "There is a little dump station near the entrance where we got potable water and will dump on the way out," notes Laurel, which is particularly valuable for self-contained camping.