Camping near Frederic, Wisconsin offers access to the St. Croix River watershed, which contains over 200 miles of rivers and streams. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet above sea level with clay-rich soil that can affect drainage during wet seasons. Mosquito activity peaks from late May through July, making early fall an ideal time for visitors seeking fewer insects.
What to do
Hiking river trails: Wild River State Park features miles of scenic trails along the St. Croix. "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," shares Joanna B., who camped there in February.
Water activities: St. Croix State Park offers access to multiple water recreation areas. According to Tony J., "Clean, fairly private sites. Easy to get in and out. Walk in sites available. Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer. A great way to spend a weekend."
Night sky viewing: Several campgrounds maintain designated areas for stargazing without light pollution. Katherine T. at Wild River State Park mentions, "Bathrooms were your basic state park situation. Clean with warm showers so no complaints from me. The star gazing area was great!"
Wildlife observation: The region hosts diverse wildlife including deer, various bird species, and small mammals. Kate H. from Wild River State Park notes, "This campground is massive! Our campsite was on the farthest loop and was very private! We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls."
What campers like
Private campsites: Wild River State Park Campground receives consistent praise for site spacing. "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.
Off-grid feeling: Despite relatively close proximity to towns, many campsites maintain a remote atmosphere. Brian C. describes his Wild River State Park site as a "Beautiful, Secluded Spot! Right on the main loop of the campground, but without having the neighbors right on top of you! Was a little bit rambunctious during the day, but utterly silent at night."
Seasonal variety: The region offers distinct camping experiences across seasons. "Wild River State Park is my go-to campground since it is within an hour of my home. I make it my first place to camp every season. Love the scenic trails and all the park has to offer," shares Jeff L.
Campsite terrain: Paint Rock Springs Campground at St. Croix State Park features varied site layouts. Tom observes, "The prairie was beautiful this fall with all the native grasses and plants. There is a flat, brand new 5 mile paved bicycle path that goes from the campground to the beach."
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Bug activity can significantly impact camping enjoyment. Tori K. notes about St. Croix State Park: "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 off the mosquitos."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely throughout the region. Ari A. reports about Old Logging Trail: "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."
Shower facilities: Amenities vary by location with some offering better facilities than others. Joanna B. notes about Pardun's Jack Pine Campground: "The shower takes quarters $1.25 for 10 minutes and they sell wood on site for $5 a bundle."
Winter camping options: While many sites close seasonally, some remain open for cold-weather camping. Erik R. from Wild River State Park shares his March experience: "It snowed in late March. I stayed in the campground in late March. This is a big park with a diversity of hiking, equestrian, and canoeing options."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible glamping close to Frederic, Wisconsin: Kozy Oaks Kamp provides family-friendly glamping accommodations. Kelly E. notes, "Family friendly getaway for a quick camping fix. Nice pool and a lake. Room between campsites and some tree coverage."
Activity options: Several campgrounds offer structured recreation beyond typical camping. Nate M. describes Kozy Oaks Kamp: "This place lacks in amenities it makes up for in open space and quality management. Great for a quick weekend getaway."
Safety considerations: Look for campgrounds with good oversight. Arielle P. mentions about Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park: "The facilities are well kept, the park is patrolled by rangers and the local sheriff after closing hours. Very safe place to camp."
Group camping setups: When traveling with multiple families, specific sites work better than others. Barb M. shares about her Kozy Oaks experience: "They overbooked so allowed us to stay on the group site. It was huge."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup distances: Banning RV Park and Campground has some logistical challenges. Sam C. advises, "Our water source ended up being 75' plus from our RV. Thankfully I just happened to be carrying the extra hose for several years but never had to use it before."
Site selection for leveling: Terrain varies significantly between sites. Matt P. shares, "We decided to come back for a 2nd visit and our 1st visit was great but this time was even better! We love this campground, our spot was spacious and had plenty of room to enjoy."
Pet-friendly options for glamping near Frederic: Several campgrounds offer dedicated pet areas. Janet R. observes about Banning RV Park, "In addition to playgrounds for children in different places around the campground, there was a huge dog walking and play area that was grassy and beautifully clean—and included a complete 'dog playground' with all the standards elements of a dog agility course!"
Pull-through site availability: First-time RVers should consider specific site types. Matt P. notes about Banning RV Park, "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."
