The Haugen, Wisconsin area offers forest and lakeside camping options within a 45-minute drive radius. Summer temperatures typically range between 65-80°F, while mosquito activity peaks in June near water bodies. St. Croix State Forest and surrounding state parks provide varying levels of camping facilities from primitive sites to those with electric hookups.
What to do
Night sky viewing: Lake Wissota State Park provides excellent stargazing opportunities. "There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!" according to a visitor at Wild River State Park Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Paddle along the St. Croix River for scenic views and wildlife spotting. "We drove about fifteen minutes to get to a hiking spot along the St Croix river, worth the drive. There weren't many people on the trail and it was very pretty," reports one camper from Wild River State Park.
Hiking: Explore diverse trail systems ranging from riverside paths to woodland routes. "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!" notes a reviewer from Wild River State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping spots. "The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," mentions a camper at Wild River State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area provides excellent opportunities for spotting diverse wildlife. "We were here in Sept and back again at the end of Oct. Wonderful forests, pleasantly, quiet. Beautiful views along the Tamarack river. We like camping in state forest for the wild life experience. We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Yote's," reports a visitor at Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground.
Waterfront access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for recreation. "Lake Wissota State Park is located in and around Chippewa Falls, WI. My sisters and I came up here once growing up and had a ball. From my recollection, the grounds were fairly wooded, had an array of wildlife and there was a ton to do in terms of swimming, hiking, canoeing or just enjoying the sights," shares a camper from Lake Wissota State Park Campground.
What you should know
Limited equestrian camping facilities: While horseback riding is available near Haugen, Wisconsin, dedicated horse facilities are minimal. "This seems to be the hot spot for horses and if we go back I definitely want to do the horseback riding right outside the park!" notes a visitor to Wild River State Park Campground, one of the few places mentioning equestrian activities.
Primitive facilities at some sites: Some campgrounds offer basic amenities only. "For $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids. Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served," explains a camper at Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground.
Seasonal insect conditions: Bug activity varies throughout the camping season. "The drive into the park was absolutely beautiful!! Stayed at old logging trail campground. It was very buggy, so be prepared for that," warns a camper at Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Beaches and swimming areas provide family entertainment. "Beautiful shaded campground with semi private sites. Nice beach that is a walkable distance from the sites. Lots of walking, biking and horse trails that are full of wild berries. Several stairways down to the lake, no beach at these spots but good for taking the dog in the water since they aren't allowed on the beach," shares a visitor to Lake Wissota State Park Campground.
Educational programs: Take advantage of ranger-led activities. "We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger," notes a family who stayed at Riverview Campground.
Family-friendly fishing: Easy shore fishing is available for children. "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!" reports a family at Riverview Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on size requirements and privacy needs. "We selected site 67E online based on the campsite map and photo provided on the online reservation site. While all of the sites were very private - lots of trees and underbrush between, this one and 65E were ideally situated for dual sites," advises an RV camper at Lake Wissota State Park.
Bathroom access: Plan for bathroom facility availability. "The bathroom/shower facilities were very clean and centrally located, pit toilets were provided at much closer intervals, and there were lots of water fountains located throughout the entire park," notes a reviewer from Lake Wissota State Park Campground.
Limited hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups only. "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. (There is electricity here, but there are many more sites without)," explains a visitor to Old Logging Trail.
Ranger
