M
Marlee J.
Scout
ScoutAda Lake NF Campground
Super Relaxing
The beach was amazing, water is clear, campsites are a really good size, very peaceful can’t wait to camp there again.
Best Campgrounds in Wisconsin
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Wisconsin state parks offer diverse camping experiences, from lakeside sites to forested retreats. Established campgrounds like Willow River State Park near Hudson provide amenities for both tent and RV campers, while High Cliff State Park in Sherwood features cabin options for those seeking more comfort. Kohler-Andrae State Park along Lake Michigan combines traditional camping with glamping opportunities. Many campgrounds throughout the state include electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and reservable sites, with most offering year-round access.
State park camping requires vehicle admission stickers in addition to campsite fees, with reservations strongly recommended during summer months. Most campgrounds feature a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Accessibility varies considerably, with some parks offering paved roads suitable for larger RVs while others have more rustic conditions. Wisconsin's weather can impact camping experiences significantly, with summer humidity and occasional storms, followed by spectacular fall colors and crisp temperatures. Winter camping is available at many locations for cold-weather enthusiasts. "The bathrooms, showers and sites were some of the most clean I've been to, not to mention the landscape and variety of trails is very beautiful and well cared for," noted one visitor about Governor Dodge State Park.
Waterfront camping opportunities abound throughout Wisconsin, with several state parks situated on lakes, rivers, and even Lake Michigan. Devils Lake State Park receives high marks despite occasional crowding, while the campgrounds at Kettle Moraine State Forest offer more secluded experiences with hiking and water activities nearby. Campers consistently praise the well-maintained facilities at locations like Copper Falls State Park and Peninsula State Park. A recent review highlighted that "Dexter Campgrounds was a delight to stay at. There was a private bathroom/shower room that made the experience feel luxurious. It is right next to a beautiful river and lake." Wildlife viewing opportunities are common across Wisconsin's campgrounds, with many visitors reporting sightings of deer, raccoons, and various bird species.
Best Camping Sites in Wisconsin (1,055)
1. Willow River State Park Campground
63 ReviewsHudson, WIWebsite+1 (715) 386-5931$25 - $90 / night
"There is a newly filled lake after the reconstruction of the dam. This is a non motorized lake for paddling, swimming and fishing."
"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
2. Wisconsin Ridge Campground — Wyalusing State Park
53 ReviewsPrairie du Chien, WIWebsite$23 - $40 / night
"Located on the far western edge of Wisconsin this state park offers a little of everything - hiking trails connected to the camp grounds, boat access to the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, overlook of"
"This is an amazing park on the Wisconsin/Iowa border, overlooking where the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers join. I usually try to get in at least 1 trip a year, if lucky enough 2-3."
3. Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
52 ReviewsNorth Prairie, WIWebsite+1 (262) 594-6200$23 - $38 / night
"Red Trail, Paradise Trail,Rice Lake are all great hikes. Great views of Lake Ottawa. The close by town of Oconomowoc has a nice place to eat, Burkes Lakeside."
"Site was spacious but very close to your neighbors. Lots to do in the area. Bathrooms and showers were clean. The beach was not clean and very hard to walk on, very rocky."
4. High Cliff State Park Campground
49 ReviewsSherwood, WIWebsite+1 (920) 989-1106$25 - $50 / night
"This was my first time camping in a Wisconsin state park and I thought it was great! Our site backed up to a trail along the cliff which was awesome for a family that loves to hike."
"Another spacious Wisconsin State Park site. #2 is level and listed as full shade but we had enough sun to recharge our Jackery everyday. It helps that it was blue skies each day!"
5. Kohler-Andrae State Park
47 ReviewsOostburg, WIWebsite+1 (920) 451-4080$26 - $70 / night
"We were in route to visiting Green Bay Wisconsin and found this campground on Lake Michigan."
"Nice long stretch of soft sand beach and cool board walk hikes through sand dunes. The sites are pretty typical, nice, wooded, maybe a little squeezed together but over all not bad."
6. Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park
47 ReviewsBaraboo, WIWebsite+1 (888) 947-2757$28 - $53 / night
"There is something for everyone at Devils Lake State Park."
"The new warden situation is interesting. Things have gotten a lot more strict in some areas (ex."
7. Mauthe Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit
45 ReviewsCampbellsport, WIWebsite+1 (262) 626-2116$23 - $38 / night
"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
"Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!"
8. Ice Age Campground — Devils Lake State Park
43 ReviewsBaraboo, WIWebsite+1 (608) 356-8301$28 - $53 / night
"Much to do at Devil's Lake and surrounding area. features multiple campgrounds and multiple areas for swimming. A beach at the North and South of the lake."
"It is up and away from the rest of the park a bit and typically almost every site has full shade. This is important in the summer months."
9. Copper Falls State Park Campground
37 ReviewsMellen, WIWebsite+1 (715) 274-5123$25 - $90 / night
"If your from Wisconsin this sits at the very north of the State. If your looking for areas to visit while camping here you may have a little bit of a drive."
"Wow, Copper Falls has quickly jumped to my number one state park experience in Wisconsin. I’ve lived in Wisconsin my whole life and did not expect such beauty in this northern part of the state."
10. Perrot State Park Campground
37 ReviewsTrempealeau, WIWebsite+1 (608) 534-6409$18 - $110 / night
"Located among driftless Wisconsin, Perrot SP is a great place to camp. The highlight of this park are the hiking trails created by the CCC."
"There is a rail line that runs along between the Mississippi and the park edge, campsites are away from this but still can be heard as well as motor boats on the River."
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Recent Reviews in Wisconsin
3873 Reviews of 1055 Wisconsin Campgrounds
Chasing RV D.ScoutBig Eau Pleine Park Campground
Big Eau Pleine RV Camp and park
I have been A South side CAMPGROUND Host for 6 years now. My review may be a BIT biased for that reason, but I'll give my take. We do everything we can to make this campsite a home away from home for all our visitors. We pride ourselves on keeping everything natural. We pick up trash and garbage anywhere we find it. We try to greet as many guests we see. We are always trying to make our pit toiĺetsas presentable as we can considering what they are. We have someone come in and do what they call deep clean every toilerepaint jobst at least once a week. Some of them are due for a painting which should happen in the next year we are hoping. We are in the process of reworking picnic tables throughout the park now. We ask campers to please let us know if they see one needing repairs. Please come give us a try. My wife and I are host's on the South Park admin sight. Stop and say hello.
- wwilliam
TravelerRivers Edge Campground - Birchwood
Love this campground
One of our favorite spots to camp. Bounce pillow, Swim pond and play ground for the kids. Swim spot and tubing in the river that runs through it. Every other site has a gravel pad with full hook ups. Extra parking for boats and side by sides. Would give it five stars but the back in sites can feel a little tight with our 40 foot fifth wheel. They do have some newer pull through sites with more room.
- MManny A.Traveler
Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
Simple and local
First time RV’ing with my wife and we were able to navigate pretty easily in our rented 30’. Arrived on a Monday, and as posted, there was no one so we checked in online(they sent an email to check in). Simple camp site with tons of space(almost double our RV), a long wood picnic table and a fire pit. Everything was great until we left. Dumping was straight forward, but the person in front of me was taking a little while to dump. They had came up to my RV and let me know the dump tank was backing up, which I had also experienced when I tried dumping. I called to ask for assistance on Thursday and they said they would send a ranger out. 45 minutes of waiting and a couple other RV’s after us and we ended up giving up and going to another site closer to home to dump. Great experience otherwise.
Bryan A.ScoutWisconsin State Fair RV Park
Everything you need in one place!
I love staying here from time to time. As a full time RVer, I book here frequently. Not only do they have all types of hookups stays, but they full men and women’s locker rooms with showers, and restrooms, including a laundry facility on site, shop is inside the office and ice available. The customer service is by far the best! They work with you every step of the way and show you around the area if you wanted! Plus they have a dump station and water fill up station even if you’re not staying here or book here. I recommend this site to anyone and everyone!
Logan S.ScoutPine Harbor Campground
Quiet campground
The campground is minutes from Lake Wissota, close to Lake Wissota State Park, and has very nice oversized campsites. Nice bath and shower house with plenty of hot water.
- CCaroline G.Traveler
Pigeon Creek Campground — Black River State Forest
Great time for the kids
We loved how well spaced out the sites were and traveled on a busy June weekend. Our kids loved taking their scooters on the campground road and to the lake swimming. The kids loved the playground and path, beach. We had one person that was blaring their music and there was no ranger around. Finally someone must have called the police and they shut off their music
- AAmanda O.Scout
Nugget Lake County Park
Quiet
The sites are mostly separated giving a “real wilderness “ vibe. The lake is good, the bathrooms are cleaned (ish) and amenities are satisfactory. I will stay here again!
Mindy B.TravelerBig Butternut Lake Campground
9 small grassy sites by lake, next to golf course
Very convenient location for users of the Gandy Dancer trail. This tiny campground is next to and is run by the Luck Municipal Golf Course, the clubhouse just up the road. Bathrooms are by the campground with hot water and toilets. Showers available when the clubhouse is open, one each in the restrooms. Clubhouse has a small pro shop with bar. Also small swimming beach, boat launch. Lake is right across the road, swimming beach a short walk away. Drawbacks: management seems to be minimal. No rules posted, no contact information posted. - The only trash cans were in the bathrooms, and were overflowing. The bathrooms had not been thoroughly cleaned in a long time. The young workers at the clubhouse seemed to know little about the campground. When we found someone set up in our sight, the girl told us "just camp anywhere." Registration is online.
Guide to Wisconsin
Camping in Wisconsin offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in the Badger State.
What to do
- Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds, like Buckhorn State Park Campground, have great trails. One visitor mentioned, “Plenty of hiking, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities inside the park.”
- Fishing and Water Activities: Campgrounds near lakes, such as Coon Fork Campground, are perfect for fishing. A reviewer noted, “Nice beaches and walking trails throughout!!”
- Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Hartman Creek State Park Campground shared, “The beauty of this trail is amazing!”
What campers like
- Spacious Campsites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites. A review from Big Eau Pleine Park Campground said, “Sites were large and private.”
- Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds have well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Council Grounds State Park Campground mentioned, “Decent bathrooms. Nice little beach area.”
- Friendly Atmosphere: Campers often feel welcomed. One reviewer at Pigeon Creek Campground stated, “Great overall space! New jungle gym for the kids.”
What you should know
- Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Buckhorn State Park Campground warned, “The only reason I gave this 4/5 stars is because the mosquitoes!!!”
- Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A visitor at Jordan Park noted, “They had leaf blowers going at 7 am and came right next to our tents.”
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A review for Roche A Cri State Park Campground mentioned, “Nothing too fancy, but it is worth the trip!”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One camper at Fremont RV Campground said, “Plenty of activities for the kids, nice staff, and friendly campers.”
- Pack for Bugs: Bring bug spray to keep the mosquitoes at bay. A family at Pigeon Creek Campground mentioned, “Bugs were sometimes bad but it was June in the woods in Wisconsin.”
- Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can be loud, so have a backup plan for quiet activities. A visitor at Council Grounds State Park Campground shared, “Quiet. Sites were spaced nicely.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Hartman Creek State Park Campground noted, “If you want to be surrounded by hammock-able trees, I suggest sites 94-99.”
- Look for Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric sites. A camper at Petenwell Park mentioned, “They also have put in new bathrooms and shower houses around their campground.”
- Plan for Dump Stations: Not all campgrounds have sewer hookups. A visitor at Coon Fork Campground said, “Some loops better suited for tents, some for large RVs.”
Camping in Wisconsin is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but being prepared can make all the difference!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best tent camping locations in Wisconsin?
What are the best tent camping locations in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin offers exceptional tent camping experiences, particularly at Newport State Park Campground with its hike-in sites that combine outdoor adventure with nearby attractions like wine tastings and drive-in theaters. For a secluded experience, Harrington Beach State Park Campground provides private, wooded sites with clean facilities and easy access to Lake Michigan. Other excellent tent camping options include Wyalusing State Park with its scenic river views, and Sailor Lake NF Campground in the national forest with dedicated waterside tent sites. For those seeking a more rustic experience, the walk-in sites at Kettle Moraine State Forest provide a genuine woodland immersion with basic amenities.
Where can I find campgrounds with cabins in northern Wisconsin?
Where can I find campgrounds with cabins in northern Wisconsin?
Northern Wisconsin offers several cabin options for campers. Lake of the Pines Campground in Flambeau River State Forest provides a rustic cabin experience in a remote, wooded setting near a beautiful lake. North Trout Lake Campground in the Northern Highland State Forest also offers cabin accommodations with excellent lake access. Several private campgrounds in the Minocqua and Eagle River areas provide more amenity-rich cabin options with electricity and running water. Many northern Wisconsin cabins require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months, and typically range from rustic one-room shelters to fully-equipped cabins with kitchenettes and multiple bedrooms.
What are the best family-friendly campgrounds in Wisconsin?
What are the best family-friendly campgrounds in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin boasts numerous family-friendly campgrounds with amenities perfect for children. Wyalusing State Park Campground offers a complete package with hiking trails, river access, playgrounds, and educational opportunities where the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers meet. Rocky Arbor State Park Campground provides a quiet retreat close to Wisconsin Dells attractions while escaping the tourist crowds. Devil's Lake State Park features swimming beaches, gentle hiking trails, and interpretive programs ideal for children. Kohler-Andrae State Park offers dune exploration and Lake Michigan swimming. Many family-friendly campgrounds in Wisconsin include modern bathrooms with showers, accessible playgrounds, ranger-led programs, and spacious sites that accommodate multiple tents, making them perfect for families with children of all ages.
How much does camping typically cost in Wisconsin?
How much does camping typically cost in Wisconsin?
Camping costs in Wisconsin vary based on location, amenities, and residency status. State parks like New Glarus State Park Campground charge approximately $15-30 per night for Wisconsin residents and slightly more for non-residents, plus a required vehicle admission sticker ($8-11 daily or $28-38 annual). County parks such as Mendota County Park typically range from $15-25 per night. Private campgrounds like Fox Hill RV Park have higher rates, often $30-50 for tent sites and $40-70 for full hookup RV sites. National Forest campgrounds offer more affordable options, typically $15-20 per night. Most reservable sites also include a $7.75-10 reservation fee. Discounts are often available for seniors and disabled visitors at public campgrounds.
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