Genoa City, Wisconsin provides access to several established campgrounds within a short drive, including Big Foot Beach State Park and Richard Bong State Recreation Area. These areas feature a mix of tent sites, RV camping, and cabin accommodations across both Wisconsin and Illinois state lands. The Lake Geneva region, approximately 5 miles north of Genoa City, serves as a popular destination offering water-based recreation alongside camping opportunities. Most developed camping areas provide electric hookups, while several sites also accommodate larger RVs and feature amenities like showers, toilets, and picnic tables. Genoa City's campgrounds are strategically located between Wisconsin and Illinois, making them convenient base camps for exploring the natural attractions of both states.
Reservations are strongly recommended for camping in the area, particularly during the peak season from May through October. Many campgrounds fill quickly on summer weekends, with electric sites being especially sought after. Big Foot Beach State Park offers approximately 100 total sites with only 30 featuring electrical service, creating competition for these amenities. The Chain O' Lakes State Park area in nearby Illinois presents additional camping options with multiple campground loops. Weather conditions remain mild during the primary camping season, though spring can bring occasional heavy rainfall. A visitor commented, "We love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities."
Families frequently mention the convenience of facilities at these established campgrounds. Several visitors highlighted the improved bathroom and shower facilities at Big Foot Beach State Park, with one noting the "lovely new bathhouse" as a significant upgrade. The proximity to Lake Geneva allows campers to enjoy both natural settings and access to town amenities within a short distance. Sites vary considerably in privacy and shade coverage, with campers reporting that locations further from bathhouses often provide more seclusion. Wildlife sightings are common, particularly in Chain O' Lakes State Park, though reviews note that raccoons can be problematic after dusk, requiring careful food storage. Ticks represent another consideration in wooded areas, especially during spring and early summer camping trips.
"We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."
"This is one of the most popular State Parks in Wisconsin because it's on Lake Geneva. In fact, it's the only state park within town's limits."
"I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"
"Had some cool amenities like the off road park and multiple fishing spots. Has a winery and cool dive bars all within 10 min. Only downside is all the noise from the road and the drag strip near by."
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
"Rocket launch (bring your own,) atv (no rentals-bring your own), water fowl hunting (during season), fishing, wildlife watching, swimming at the beach, playground for kids, and my favorite- nice trails"
"Plenty of space & foliage between sites and a nice network of trails surrounding the campground. Close to some small towns and the interstate as well, but not close enough to hear traffic."
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"However there is plenty of space around to find a spot on your own. The campsites are a nice size and have electric hookups. Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out."
"Prairie View campground is in the Chain O Lakes State Park series. This is the no services campground. We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting."
"You could barely see the neighbors because of how overgrown the edges of the site were. We felt like we were in our own little bubble."
$25 / night
"The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."
"We didn't have problems finding a spot and set up late at night as close to the lake as we could. The lake really can't be seen from any site but it's a 2 minute walk on a path to the lake."
$12 / night
"This State Park isn't too far off the beaten path which is nice. Fairly close to gas stations, convenience stores, etc. The park is clean, and has the bathrooms and utilities that would be needed."
"There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground."
"we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"
"Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."
ScoutThis is a nice getaway for camping, picnics, hiking, fishing and in the summer swimming! They only offer swimming with lifeguards in the summer months. They have great open spaces for group camping.
LegendHickory Hills Campground is Rock Cut State Park’s more primitive, tent-only camping destination, distinct from the electric Class A and B camping areas. Located along the eastern edge near Pierce Lake, this campground offers non-electric Class B sites and are numbered from 1 to 60 and set along a wooded lake frontage small peninsula right on Lake Pierce with this CG spot making for a quieter, more rustic experience with the closest access to the lake of any of the 6 other campgrounds that exist here at Rock Cut SP.
Sites are modest and simpler than premium loops: you won’t find hookups here, but you will have nearby access to water hydrants and restrooms located just outside the loop. Central facilities cover essentials like showers, toilets and a dump station in the broader park; however, between November and April, water and dump services are unavailable, so plan accordingly.
Hickory Hills shines for its proximity to nature and lakeside access where you can cast a line, paddle around or hike the dozens of miles of forest trails. Still, be prepared for less privacy between sites as there’s virtually no ground shrubbery with many of the sites being sloped or closely spaced, so expect limited shade (in fact, you may want to bring your own shelter), and a more basic setup than other loops here.
Insider Tips? Let’s count to 5: (1) Make your reservation as EARLY as possible through ExploreMoreIL™ since Hickory Hills offers fewer, more highly desired tent-only sites that are either lakefront or lakeview; (2) Pack your shade as several sites are sloped or open wherein early setup and a sunshade or awning can help maintain comfort and / or privacy; (3) Move shiftable gear near the loop entrance as the facilities are outside the loop, so a wheeled cart or stroller comes in very handy; (4) For easier meal prep or last-minute snacks, stop at the central camp store between White Oak and Plum Grove campgrounds with this central store stocking basics like ice, firewood and snacks; and (5) Bring your kayak, canoe and / or fishing rod as Hickory Hills Campground puts you within easy reach of Pierce Lake’s quiet shore, which is great for paddle sessions or launching simple lake adventures.
Happy Camping!
ScoutIf you are looking for winter storage, look elsewhere. The Wisconsin State Fair RV Park storage is run with zero flexibility and rude service.
The Access Issues: They have extremely limited hours(10 AM- 3 PM Monday to Saturday), are closed on every minor holiday, and require you to give 24-hour notice so someone can unlock the lot. If you work a normal job or have a busy schedule, good luck getting your rig ready to leave.
The 'Money Grab': I planned to leave on 1/21, but my truck was hit, and I physically couldn't move the camper. I admitted I missed the 11 AM checkout deadline, but when they called me at 1:12 PM, I returned the call 3 minutes later to extend my storage for another 23 days. Instead of waiving the late fee since I was paying for nearly another month of storage, the rude receptionist just quoted'rules and regulations' and charged me an extra $25.
It’s completely unreasonable to charge a late checkout fee to a customer who is actively extending their stay due to an emergency. It feels like a terrible money grab. Save yourself the headache and store somewhere else.
ScoutWe had a weather change and had to pivot and camp. Found last minute and booked. In freezing temp full service cluding water hookup. Its a parking lot with laundry? Showers, vending and restrooms.
TravelerThis is such a good spot, it’s not just an RV parking lot. Each site is its own little site just far enough from its neighbor to feel alone. Super nice and well kept
GuideA "famous" spot because of it's name, Bong rec area was not amazing, but really nice. Plenty of space & foliage between sites and a nice network of trails surrounding the campground. Close to some small towns and the interstate as well, but not close enough to hear traffic.
TravelerSite was clean and flat enough for my two person tent. Restrooms were porta-johns, but very clean. Plenty of free wood available for the fire.
GuideTo be honest I thought this stay was going to be easy and the first couple days were. They didn’t have full hook up sites and we have a 50 amp rig… we used a dogbone to connect to the 30 amp site. It was fine for a bit but then we started to get surges. Our EMS protected the rig but ultimately we couldn’t use the power. Even with only running the fridge it continued to trip. We tried the one next to us and it gave us the reverse polarity code so we decided it would be best to just leave the following day. The grounds are well maintained and the owners are friendly… they mentioned some of their 30 amp sites will get converted to 50 next year so hopefully that helps but definitely frustrating to need to book another site and forfeit money on this one.
GuideThis seemed like it could be a really great campground, but it's not taken care of very well and felt a bit unsafe.
It's a huge park, yet the sites aren't very private. The mosquitoes and ticks are the worst I've experienced thus far, and the abandoned buildings by the beach feel like crack dens.
We brought chairs and relaxed by the beach for a while, which was very peaceful and really made the trip.
It's worth checking out if you're interested. I now understand why there are always sites available here when it seems every other campground is fully booked.
Camping near Genoa City, Wisconsin spans across state lines with options in both Wisconsin and Illinois. The southern Wisconsin landscape features a mix of glacial terrain with moraines and kettles, creating diverse camping environments from wooded sites to open prairie views. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring camping often requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop into the 40s.
Hiking trail variety: At Richard Bong State Recreation Area, trails accommodate different skill levels with both paved and unpaved options. According to one visitor, "There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on," while another mentioned that despite the recreation area's size, they "seldom passed anyone when we went hiking on it" showing how spacious the trails can be.
Fishing opportunities: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers multiple fishing locations with rental equipment available. "There is a boat launch with rentals and a bunch of hiking trails closer to the entrance," notes one camper, while another points out that "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy."
Paddling the Chain: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides access to multiple connected lakes via small tributaries. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," explains a visitor. For those without equipment, "There is a boat ramp and a small store and restaurant. It allows dogs and the rangers keep the site relatively quiet."
Private campsites: Turner Lake South offers more secluded sites compared to other campgrounds in the area. A camper notes, "The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East. The campsites are a little bigger in Turner Lake South, I feel, but both have campsites circled by woods with a level place to pitch a tent."
Wildlife viewing: Bong Recreation Area provides abundant wildlife sightings. "We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once," writes one camper, but they balance this with the positive: "But back to the fun part...I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two."
Improved facilities: Big Foot Beach State Park offers upgraded bathroom facilities. One visitor commented on the "nice campsite with newer bathrooms and showers" while another mentioned they were "Much improved with the new bathrooms." Campers appreciate these upgrades when spending multiple days in the area.
Reservation requirements: Peak season reservations are necessary, especially for electric sites. "We could walk to fill up with water but no electric on site. Checking in was interesting. No online reservations were allowed and their phone systems were down but we only found a few sites that were available," explains a camper at Prairie View campground.
Wildlife challenges: Prairie View Camping Area has specific wildlife concerns that require planning. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns one family. Another points out "the raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched."
Site variations: Big Foot Beach State Park has inconsistent site layouts. "More of a yard style, open camping. No privacy. Lots of kids everywhere," notes one camper, while another explains "Spaces are not consistent, some very large and shaded and some smaller and crowded." Research specific site numbers before booking.
Screen house necessity: For families with small children, bring a screen enclosure. "With a baby/toddler camp family on the go...our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!"
Playground access: Fox Den Campground provides family-friendly facilities. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms," shares a parent. Another mentions, "Multiple playgrounds, access to launch sites for kayaks, little store to buy ice cream or snacks."
Kid-friendly activities: Bong Recreation Area offers structured programs for children. "The Weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long," reports one family.
Electric hookup locations: Sunrise Campground at Bong Recreation Area has specific electric site locations. "RV sites electric are at sunrise, not sunset, with the exception of the handicapped site," advises one RVer, which is important information since the recreation area has multiple camping loops.
Dump station timing: Holiday weekends create congestion at service areas. "They needed someone to control the traffic that comes from two different directions going to the dual dump stations. There's no honor system, especially on a holiday weekend," warns one RVer, suggesting early morning or non-peak departures are best.
Site selection: Chain O' Lakes Fox Den loop offers better RV sites than other loops. "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Genoa City, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Genoa City, WI is Big Foot Beach State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 23 reviews.
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