Tent camping near Elmwood, Wisconsin offers diverse experiences across three counties with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,100 feet. The area experiences warm summers with average highs of 83°F in July and cold winters with lows averaging 5°F in January. Seasonal campers should note that spring thaws can create muddy conditions on many of the region's hiking trails, particularly at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking trout streams: Apple River County Park Campground provides access to class 1 trout streams along wooded trails. "This is a good spot for fishing, and canoeing or kayaking and there are other activities in and around the nearby town of Amery," notes a camper.
Beach swimming: At Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground, campers can enjoy Lake Pepin's shoreline. "The campground is very green and luscious, full of beautiful trees, plants and wildlife, we heard bullfrogs, owls, woodpeckers and more," writes one visitor who appreciated the natural setting.
Winter camping: For cold-weather adventures, try William O'Brien State Park Campground. "We walked some trail through a frozen marsh landscape and happened upon a railroad that passed above our trail with a beautiful tunnel-overpass," recalls a winter camper who had several deer encounters.
What campers like
Primitive camping simplicity: The tent sites at Apple River County Park Campground offer basic accommodations in a wooded setting. "This is a small county campground with 15 simple campsites geared towards tent camping, though 5 of the sites are equipped with electricity," notes a reviewer who appreciated the simplicity.
Goat watching: Lily Springs Regenerative Farm offers a unique camping experience with resident animals. "Both the White Pine Meadow and the Lakeside Serenity sites are amazing and large. We wound up staying at the Lakeside site, which has a nice view of Mud Lake and one of the herds of goats," writes a camper.
Secluded group sites: Group camping options provide privacy for larger gatherings. "We stayed on one of the group sites, G6 on the Tour De Pepin weekend. The campground was very full that weekend but the group sites are spacious and well spaced out," explains a Hok-Si-La visitor who recommended sites G4 and G5 for lakefront access.
What you should know
Tent site challenges: Steep terrain can make access difficult at some locations. At Afton State Park Campground, "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites," reports a camper who found the terrain provided natural privacy.
Water availability: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "This may be an ongoing issue but none of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center," warned one visitor during a July weekend.
Car restrictions: Several campgrounds limit vehicle access to camping areas. "The sites are semi-walk-in sites where your car stays in the main parking lot, but they do allow for drive-up loading and unloading, so don't feel like you need to pack extra light," explains a reviewer about Hok-Si-La's vehicle policies.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple tent sites: William O'Brien State Park accommodates family groups with varied site options. "You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite," writes a visitor to the Savanna Campground section.
Low-traffic camping: Car-free camping areas can be safer for children. At Hok-Si-La, "It limits traffic driving through the campground, and is really nice to not have vehicles driving through at all hours," notes a family camper who recommends site N1 for privacy and Lake Pepin views.
Wildlife viewing: Aefintyr offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities for children. "I was able to stay in the cabin for a couple nights with two friends. The cabin was cozy even during winter. The space was perfect for us," reports a visitor who enjoyed socializing around the shared fire pit.
Tips for RVers
Electric site options: Several campgrounds offer limited electric hookups for smaller RVs. "Though 5 of the sites are equipped with electricity so folks with vans or small trailers might be comfortable here," notes a reviewer about Apple River County Park.
Size restrictions: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Elmwood have strict size limitations. William O'Brien's Savanna Campground can accommodate some smaller RVs, but according to visitors, "the sites are very close in there and were small."
Alternative accommodations: When tent camping isn't practical, consider cabin options. "Camper Cabin (Eastern Bluebird) - Perfect little cabin nestled in the southern half of the park! Screened in porch, heated with electricity, and two double bunk beds!" describes an Afton State Park visitor who chose this alternative.
