Best Campgrounds near Iola, WI

General: There is both a north and a south part to this campground with a total of 178 sites. The sites in the south part are all on a grassy field and there is a small man-made lake with an inflatable play area. The sites in the north part are a mix of full hook-up and tent sites. There are also small cabins (only one of which has a bathroom) and three “condos”. These all had air-conditioners, but I did not see the inside of them. The north unit features a pond, which I was disappointed to discover was algae-filled and completely green. 

Site Quality: Some are pull-through and some back-in. Some sites have electric and water hookups, some have picnic tables, and some have fire rings (but not all sites have all of these amenities). Only a handful have concrete pads; the rest are all on grass. 

Our impression of Sleepy Hollow was influenced in part by the fact that it poured rain for much of our overnight stay. The roads were all dirt and with the rain, became very muddy along with the campsites as well. When leaving the next day, we had some challenges backing out of our site with the amount of mud. There is no clear delineation between the sites other than where the electric and water hookups are placed. 

Bathhouse: Was very clean (in both the north and south units of the campground). Showers are available for a fee (five minutes for$1.00) but we did not use them so cannot comment on how well they worked. 

Activities/Amenities: In the south unit, there is a small manmade lake with an inflatable play structure and plenty of life jackets. The color is a beautiful Caribbean blue, but it did not look natural, and I was not sure of the source of the color. We were there on a weekday in September, and no one was using the lake. There is a small bar and grill (in the north section) and a concession (south unit) on-site, but both were closed when we were there. Firewood was available (15 pieces for $10); we asked and were granted permission to use the golf cart to bring the wood to our site. Other than the lake, there really is nothing offered for recreation. 

We chose this campground for its location; it is very close to Highway 41 in Oshkosh (you will hear road noise) and we were meeting family there. We checked in online the day before and arrived at 3:30 pm. No one was in the office when we arrived but the family members we were meeting had arranged for us to camp in the site next to them (not the original one we had selected). This campground is VERY close to EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), and I imagine it would be completely full during the annual EAA convention. For us, it was a convenient location but aside from spending time with our family, the reason we chose this campground.

Did some fall camping with friends, and there were 4 family’s. 3 of them stayed in these three sites which were fairly wide open and kind of looked over the lake. They would be great sites to book as a group, but I wouldn’t recommend them to book individually as you wouldn’t have much privacy, more so in the middle site. These three sites are E, F, and G. Bit if a corner site and you are next to some private homes.

The good Small campground clean nice walking trails,dog friendly main park across hwy free and clean showers. The bad is a lot of road noise some sites are very close together.

This was quiet and peaceful. When we needed our fire pit cleaned out theg came pretty quickly. Being able to watch the horses was very calming. We would recomend this place to others and we would go back.

We had site 18 which is right on the water and across from the shower house. It was decently spaced out from the other sites. The shore was pretty level and easy to get our kayaks in and out. The shore is shallow and mostly sand. Nice for swimming. We did catch one bass off the shore. The firepit grate was most of the bars so that made grilling a little harder. Be aware the sites to the east are higher elevation and looked like it was steep to get down to the water. Shower house was nice and clean. The first night we did hear a bunch of teens yelling at the shower house around midnight, but they either got kicked out or left because we didnt hear them again. The waterfront sites are on the main road, so you do hear all the RVs coming and going. Definitely will go back!

We loved camping here when it was farmer genes our whole family. My brother's family and my parents. Now we can't camp here. None of us because of dog discrimination.

Quiet spot not many campers. Nice rapids by dam. Some hiking and fishing. Only five campsites. there is a bar within walking distance and firewood for sale nearby.

My girlfriend and I have visited here and stayed here a few times they have many campsites for all types they have a separate campsite just for the RVs they have the main camp area where if you like to be around people you can and then they have the new expansion where it is more excluded they have and continue to make upgrades to the campground such as more electric and water at all their sites they also have put in new bathrooms and shower houses around their campground if you have any questions you should see Lisa in the office she is great

Small campground but it's nice and has a pool and playground plus a lake.

We return yearly for trick or treat weekend. We also camp during the summer as well! Had my kids double birthday party here and it was fun! I'm so glad the campground allows visitors. I hate campgrounds that are strict on that! Keeps us coming back! Lots of room for kids to bike and play while the parents enjoy the campground! This year we will be here 3x!

Reported ground bees on our sight 3 times no one came walk way to beach was broken and someone could of gotten hurt the swimming pool was dirty should of been cleaned at night for the price you pay to stay there thing should be fixed the internet horrible been going there for 29 plus years and the internet never worked this year things were not kept up

Currently in the park for 2 weeks. Good setting, situated on Shawano Lake although not directly lake side. The beach is big with a two lane boat launch.

We got a seasonal site and love it! The campground is well maintained and the service is fabulous. Love the pool and lake with inflatables. Great bar too!! Highly recommend.

We enjoyed our stay it was beautiful and clean and quiet we enjoyed the sunsets and the little store was nice very friendly staff

We enjoyed our stay it was so beautiful and clean and very quiet for the most part we loved it will definitely be going back

Went to this campground and it was a pretty nice place. We parked out 36 foot RV in a wooded site. They have water from sites also. We will be back and next time we will be doing the water site.

We came to petenwell park in just 2024. Very nice place and will be back again. Staff that we did talk to were friendly and helpful. If you want to bring a boat you can there is a landing in the park. Lots of places to park is your want wooded of water there here. Only downfall is there is no sewer hook ups.

Was great quiet and relaxing

All the other campgrounds in OshKosh are near the airport, which makes sense since the biggest event each year is the EVAA air show. None of them have trees.
Hickory Oaks has it's own airfield and lots and lots of trees. They even have a mini-lake (4 acres).
There are all types of RV sites, tenting/primitive sites and group sites, some small cabins as well. We camped in site 60 because we arrived after dark, and Cindy suggested that our first choice, #67 might be too hard to find at night. There is only one street light, and it's by site #1 and the swim area.
The map doesn't really convey what an oasis of trees this place is. To the West is the runway and beyond that, a large grassy hill (it's actually landfill). To the east in a rural road running along the lake. To the north, in the distance is a prison.  That all sounds worse than it is, it's a lovely campground.
 There are a few things for sale in the office, but you're so close to town you can get everything there. Cindy the operator is extremely nice and helpful.
Fire pits are 30" rings with no grate, Tables seem smaller than average.
If you're visiting in the summer, be sure to visit the Farmer's Market , Saturdays on Main Street, also Wagner's Market for the best meats, deli and beverages.  The Paine museum & gardens and the city museum are both worth visits as well.