Located in northwestern Wisconsin, Frederic sits at an elevation of about 1,220 feet in Polk County, about 70 miles northeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The area features a mix of hardwood forests, prairie remnants, and numerous lakes and rivers. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with evening lows in the 50s, creating significant temperature swings campers should prepare for.
What to Do
Stargazing spots: Wild River State Park Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. Katherine T. notes, "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance."
Paddling routes: Snake River County Park provides direct river access with excellent kayaking opportunities. According to Chrystina G., "Beautiful site, wish the river was higher for fishing. Just a mile or so walk to the Saint Croix River." Many campers recommend bringing your own watercraft as rental options can be limited.
Rock formations: Interstate State Park in Wisconsin features unique geological attractions with hiking trails. Beth D. explains, "Hiking on the WI side is incredible—there are a ton of trails. The main ones are North of Lake O' the Dalles, and are all well marked. Definitely spend some time there too! It's fun to see the cliffs both from the water, and also from above up top."
What Campers Like
Secluded sites: At Interstate State Park, many campers appreciate the more private spots. Lindsay T. reports, "Nice campground with good separation between most sites. A couple sites have views of the river. If you are tenting the walk in sites look stellar!"
Waterfront options: Camp Waub-O-Jeeg offers water access that visitors frequently mention. Clayton S. describes it as "Beautiful, Secluded, Well-maintained" and many visitors appreciate its proximity to the St. Croix River for fishing and swimming.
Woodland camping: Straight Lake State Park provides rustic hike-in sites surrounded by nature. Loren S. highlights, "There are two parking lots. On by the stream connecting straight lake and Rainbow Trout lake. Path good condition. Fire ring and picnic table with private site 10 total)."
What You Should Know
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations can be significant at William O'Brien State Park, requiring appropriate gear. Dani K. advises, "Bring exact change since you'll be paying by envelope" and notes "Cell reception for T-Mobile was minimal to non-existent. Wifi is available in the visitor center parking lot."
Bug protection: Several campgrounds experience heavy mosquito populations, especially in June and July. Tiffany K. observes at Straight Lake State Park, "The amount of mosquitos seemed higher than other Wisconsin locations."
Seasonal impacts: Water levels vary significantly throughout the camping season. Beth D. shares about Interstate State Park Wisconsin, "The creek shown on some maps was too dry in 2021 to be even present, let alone to access Lake O' the Dalles."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: James N McNally City Campground offers family-friendly amenities. Hannah mentions, "There is a playground for the kids. There are many return campers here."
Wildlife viewing: Opportunities to see diverse wildlife abound at several dog friendly campgrounds near Frederic. Joanna B. from Wild River State Park notes, "The park is huge and beautiful. We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise."
Easy hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer trail networks suitable for younger hikers. Kate H. shares about Wild River State Park, "We spent an entire day hiking and it was decent hiking along the river, some of the trails where a little confusing and trying to figure out where we at, but we made it just hiked a little further than we wanted to!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Old Logging Trail at St. Croix State Park offers RV-compatible sites with varying levels of privacy. Ari A. advises, "This park has a ton of camping available, particularly if you don't need electricity and have a smaller rig because then you can get into more of the campground loops."
Leveling requirements: Many sites throughout the region require leveling blocks. Beth D. notes about Interstate State Park Wisconsin, "smallish but adequate, sloped down on (South) passenger side on backing in—needed leveling blocks for our squaredrop."
Utility access: Dongola Campground is popular with RVers seeking full hookup capabilities. Chad & rated it 5 stars, mentioning, "There are groomed/mowed trails that wind through the beautiful 40 acre property, great for walking, bicycling, or golf carts."
Traveler
