The campgrounds near Evansville, Wisconsin sit amid the rolling glacial terrain of southern Wisconsin, where the elevation ranges from 800-900 feet above sea level. This region experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging in the 80s and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Seasonal operation typically runs mid-April through mid-October, with many RV sites near Evansville, Wisconsin closing before the first heavy snowfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pierce Lake at Rock Cut State Park offers 40 miles of hiking trails alongside fishing. "Got bird watching on your mind? Well, you're in luck, because here at Rock Cut SP you can spot an amazing array of foul including bald eagles, American robins, northern cardinals, barn owls, mourning doves, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, Canadian geese, red-bellied woodpeckers," notes Stuart K.
Water activities: Explore the floating obstacle course at River Bend RV Resort during summer months. "This place is a young kids heaven. Tons of activities! All included with admission... four wheel bikes to take out, jumping balloon, pool with multiple water slides, pond with blow up floating slides and climbing activities, canoes," describes Darren L.
Biking trails: Access Madison's bike network from Lake Farm County Park campground. "There are trails right through the campground that are on Madison's trail system. There is a daily fee for the trails but I think it was $5 for the day," explains Melissa K. The Capital City Trail connects directly to downtown Madison, making it possible to bike to the farmers market on Saturdays.
What campers like
Organized activities: Weekend events at Hickory Hills Campground include themed weekends and entertainment. "On Saturday there was a live band playing on the beach, people were dancing, cheering and having the best time of their lives," writes Magda D. The campground schedules regular weekend programming throughout the camping season.
Recreational amenities: Pool facilities with waterfall features can be found at Milton-Madison SE KOA. "The kids had endless options to keep them busy from 2 swimming pools, a sandy beach, playgrounds, mini golf, sports courts, and even planned activities and themed weekends," shares Maria Mercedes M., highlighting the range of options available.
Fishing access: Direct lake access at Blackhawk Camping Resort provides fishing opportunities without leaving the property. "The biggest attraction here though hasn't changed, which is the quick and EZ access to Clear Lake, which is actually a combination of 3 different lakes: Mud Lake, Clear Lake and Duck Lake, which basically surrounds the entirety of Blackhawk Camping Resort and offers up endless fishing, kayaking and boating opportunities," notes Stuart K.
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Flooding can affect campground access in low-lying areas near water. "Half of camping sites closed due to flooding. Big sites, not a lot of bugs or critters, electric available, pool but was closed at our visit," reports Annabelle G. from Lakeland Camping Resort.
Utility reliability: Older electrical systems in some parks may struggle with high-demand periods. "We called the Rangers and asked them to look at our site breaker since it kept tripping. They came, told us the park was old and not updated... we ended up having to go back to camping world to get an adapter to use the 50 amp," explains Rebecca C. about Rock Cut State Park.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity at Creekview RV Park creates background noise. "The campground is very close to the freeway and there is a constant din of traffic noise that remind you how close you are to the highway," reports Josh F. Sites furthest from main roads typically offer more peace and quiet.
Tips for camping with families
Book kid-friendly sites away from water: Choose sites with playground access but at a safe distance from water features. "My mom tips? Book a site away from the pools if you want peace and quiet, treat yourself to dinner at Fredrick's Supper Club, sneak out early for a serene paddle on the lake," advises Maria Mercedes M. from Lakeland Camping Resort.
Plan for varied weather: Bring both swimming gear and rainy day activities as weather can change quickly in the region. "We had rain all of our first day, and our site didn't flood just a few puddles here and there and the ground was mushy for about another day and a half," explains Nikki G., noting how quickly conditions can change.
Verify activity schedules before arrival: Not all amenities operate continuously throughout the season. "For Memorial Day weekend the pool wasn't open, porta-potties near the lake and lodge were still padlocked/closed, and non stop golf cart traffic," reports Michael T. about a stay at Hickory Hills Campground. Early and late season campers should call ahead to confirm which amenities will be available.
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: Look for recently graded sites with stable parking pads. "Sites are very very close, better like your neighbors being in your business. Sites are expensive but full hook up," reports Mike W. about Sugar Shores RV Resort.
Internet connectivity solutions: Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "No cell carrier works well here at all, so non-functional WiFi areas can be a deal-breaker for connected campers unless you get a spot where WiFi is really good. There are several areas of great coverage, the dead spots just need some work. Starlink works in many areas, though the heavily wooded sites will need an elevated 'dishy' to make it work," advises J T S.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times at shared facilities, particularly during peak checkout periods. "We reserved a water/electric site and utilized the dump station on our way out. Lines were not too bad for the dump station which was good," notes Marc W., suggesting mid-morning on non-checkout days as optimal timing for using dump stations.
