Friendship, Wisconsin sits at an elevation of about 910 feet in the Central Sands region where forests meet wetlands. The area experiences warm summers with highs around 80°F and cold winters dropping to single digits. Many campgrounds near Friendship offer sandy shoreline access to Castle Rock Lake, Wisconsin's fourth largest inland lake, covering over 16,000 acres.
What to do
Geocaching adventures: At Buckhorn State Park Campground, families can borrow GPS units for free treasure hunts. "We grabbed one of their pre-loaded GPS units for Geocaching; It's something the park offers for free. They give you a bag, GPS and information book on all the Geocaching sites," explains camper Liz M.
Fishing opportunities: Fish for multiple species in the area's lakes and rivers. Castle Rock Lake provides excellent catches for anglers of all skill levels. "The fishing is fantastic with Striped, Largemouth, and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Musky, and all kinds of panfish," notes Stephen T. about his experience at Buckhorn.
Hiking the rock formations: The distinctive 300-foot tall Roche-A-Cri rock formation provides unique hiking opportunities with prehistoric petroglyphs. "A must do for every camper is to camp here. Roche A Cri jumps out of the Earth soaring skyward," shares Thomas F. The 303-step staircase to the summit offers panoramic views worth the climb.
What campers like
Lakefront campsites: At Castle Rock County Park, sites along the water are particularly valued. "We had site A11, and just loved the location. The A loop is overlooking the lake and close to the beach. Big pine trees so your campsite is really flexible," reports Kim L.
Private beach access: Many walk-in sites at Petenwell Park offer direct lake access. "We stayed at sites right on the lake and they were hands down the most beautiful sites I've personally ever camped at! We didn't need to leave our site!" shares Ginny B. These sites allow campers to enjoy their own slice of shoreline.
Spacious wooded sites: The mature pine forests provide natural separation between campsites. "The sites are huge and flat with a river running along side," notes Linz D. about Kennedy County Park. Most sites feature repositionable fire rings and picnic tables, allowing customization of your camping space.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Biting insects can be intense, especially during summer months. "The mosquitos here are so tiny they're very easy to miss so look out for those. Also the mosquitos never let up - even in the rain," warns Kalene H. about Wilderness Park. Pack strong insect repellent with high DEET concentration.
Water conditions: Castle Rock Lake sometimes experiences algae blooms during warm weather. "The algae was in bloom so the water was caked green! However, it doesn't do any harm so we made our way out into the more clear portion of the water and had a blast!" reports Liz M.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise during daytime hours. "You will hear cars on the highway at night in the distance," explains Stephen T. about Roche-A-Cri State Park. Most campers report the noise diminishes significantly after dark.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: The shallow, sandy shorelines at many lakefront campgrounds make ideal areas for children. "There is a small trail leading to the water with an extremely small beach front but it was enough to keep the girls entertained," shares a camper about their experience at Pineland Camping Park.
Free fishing equipment: Some parks offer complimentary fishing poles for young anglers. "The park also offers free poles and tackle," notes Liz M. about her family trip with nieces. This eliminates the need to pack or purchase gear for children who want to try fishing.
Transportation assistance: For families using walk-in sites, cart rentals make gear transportation manageable. "We drove to the site and started loading up the cart to walk in," explains a visitor about the convenient equipment available for moving camping supplies to more remote sites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Choose carefully when bringing bigger rigs to the area. "We rode our boat across the lake from the east side so the kiddos could play in the water," mentions Laura B. about Kennedy County Park. Some sites can accommodate larger RVs while others are better suited for smaller units.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups or dump stations. "There are 2 dump and fill stations for RVs," reports Kim L. about Castle Rock County Park. Check campground amenities before arrival if traveling with an RV requiring these services.
Levelness considerations: Site terrain varies across campgrounds. "Great Place; Central to many key places with very low rates. Clean and Friendly Next to a huge restaurant and bar that have the lowest prices for above average food. Overnight sites easy to get into and large sites," shares Michele B. about her experience at The Reel Inn RV Campground.
