Best Campgrounds near Janesville, WI

Alaska offers a diverse range of camping experiences across its vast wilderness areas, with established campgrounds like Homer Spit Campground and Eklutna Lake Campground in Chugach State Park providing amenities for tent, RV, and cabin camping. The region includes both drive-in sites with full hookups and more remote locations accessible by boat or hiking trails. Many campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities, with several sites positioned along lakes, rivers, or coastal areas.

Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping in Alaska, with most campgrounds operating from May through September. Winter camping is available at select locations like Riley Creek Campground in Denali National Park, though with limited services. Road conditions can vary significantly, with some areas requiring high-clearance vehicles to access more remote sites. Permits and reservations are recommended for popular destinations, especially during peak summer months when tourism increases. Weather patterns can change rapidly, requiring proper preparation. "In mid August the little nats were horrible but that's camping in Alaska!" noted one visitor about Tangle Lakes Campground.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with several campgrounds offering views of glaciers, mountains, and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Mendenhall Lake Campground provides views of its namesake glacier, while coastal sites like Seward City Campgrounds offer ocean access. Campers frequently mention bear activity as both a highlight and safety consideration. "Bears frequent this area and sometimes wolves too. If you are looking for that wild Alaska experience you can have it here," shared one visitor about Mendenhall Lake Campground. Facilities range from primitive sites with vault toilets to developed campgrounds with showers and electric hookups. Many campgrounds provide access to popular fishing spots, with several reviews noting proximity to salmon runs as a key attraction despite sometimes bringing increased bear activity.

Best Camping Sites Near Janesville, Wisconsin (104)

    1. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "The hiking/biking trails are many miles long.  The fishing near t he dam is great and you can always find a spot near the edge of the lake.  Bring bug spray."

    "Rock cut is only about a 50 minute drive from the far burbs of Chicago. It’s situated a few miles outside of Rockford so if you’re into exploring old industrial river towns, this is a nice one."

    2. Milton-Madison SE KOA

    17 Reviews
    Edgerton, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 868-4141

    "No enclosed dog park but plenty of area to walk your dog!"

    "Driving around, I really don't think there's a bad spot here.

    The staff is fantastic, friendly, and accommodating- as are the seasonal campers.

    We'll be back again...and again... and again!"

    3. Hickory Hills Campground

    12 Reviews
    Edgerton, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 884-6327

    $42 / night

    "Our site was nicely wooded and a decent size, but everyone was pretty close to each other.

    When we were there, the women's shower was freezing and the men's was almost uncomfortably hot."

    "Hidden from site, the entire grounds are completely surrounded by a very thick wall of tall trees that barricades this place from most of civilization."

    4. Blackhawk Camping Resort

    5 Reviews
    Milton, WI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    5. Lakeland Camping Resort

    6 Reviews
    Milton, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "We came to this area to do some genealogical work and needed to be situated between Madison and Beloit. Good location for that."

    6. Crazy Horse Campground

    15 Reviews
    Evansville, WI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 897-2207

    "Being right in front of the jumping pillow people didn’t walk around. They would cut thru our site."

    "We made this trip mid-May during the Covid social distancing. The camp ground was on point with their preparedness. Check in was simply pull into your site or a brief stop at registration."

    7. Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Stoughton, WI
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 873-9695

    "Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."

    "We didn’t have much time to explore the campground but we did have a nice walk around the outer loop of sites. This is near the main highway and a nice place to camp."

    8. Sugar River Forest Preserve

    10 Reviews
    Durand, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 877-6100

    "There are very tall trees around the entire campground giving you some respite from the sun and the heat.  The bath house is easily within walking distance from anywhere in the campground. "

    "Last time we camped in site 65, next to the path to the playground & walk-in site parking which was busy."

    10. Hononegah Forest Preserve

    7 Reviews
    Rockton, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 877-6100

    $11 - $31 / night

    "The bulk of the primitive campsites are located on the western side of the campground near the river’s edge, while those sites offering up electric and closer access to running water are located mostly"

    "Hike trail (path rather) was a great little scenic walk. Was going to upload some photos but the app wouldn't allow me to."

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Recent Reviews near Janesville, WI

768 Reviews of 104 Janesville Campgrounds



Guide to Janesville

Camping near Janesville, Wisconsin, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during weekends. A visitor at Cox Hollow Campground noted, "The vibe here wasn’t for us. Various sites had music playing loud enough for us to hear."
  • Limited Water Access: Not all campgrounds have drinking water readily available. A camper at Rock Cut State Park Campground mentioned, "The only negative is no drinkable water."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground advised, "The way to get a site is through their website or calling."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Ottawa Lake Campground, which has parks and beaches. One reviewer said, "Family friendly (parks, beach, pet friendly)."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A camper at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Nice playground for kids."
  • Stay Close to Amenities: Select sites near bathrooms and showers for convenience. A visitor at White Pines Forest State Park Campground noted, "Perfect for camping with small children because the bathrooms are always close by."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Electrical Hookups: Make sure your site has the right electrical hookups. A camper at Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground said, "We booked an RV site but decided to camp."
  • Be Prepared for Slopes: Some sites may be sloped, making it tricky for RVs. A review for Blue Mound State Park Campground warned, "Many sites drop off steeply."
  • Plan for Waste Disposal: Know where the dump stations are located. A visitor at Cox Hollow Campground mentioned, "Water, garbage and recycling are available as well as a dump station."

Camping around Janesville, Wisconsin, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Janesville, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Janesville, WI is Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground with a 4-star rating from 81 reviews.