Best Tent Camping near Jefferson, WI

Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Jefferson? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Jefferson. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Jefferson, WI (11)

    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake

    1. Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake

    6 Reviews
    18 Photos
    70 Saves
    Delavan, Wisconsin

    Snug Harbor is the place to be for Campgrounds in Wisconsin. At Snug Harbor you’ll find excellent fishing, boating and swimming on a private, clean, sandy beach.

    Our campgrounds offer three different options for today’s camping enthusiasts: Tent Sites, RV Sites, and Manufactured Housing. We have all the modern conveniences while allowing you to relax and enjoy majestic views from every site. Amenities include full hookup, laundromat, ice, firewood, bait, candy, and some fishing supplies. Rent one of our rowboats or canoes for a relaxing day on the lake, or join in a pick-up game of volleyball or horseshoes. Additionally, our RV sites have 30 and 50 AMP electric service and full sewer hookups.

    Campsite rentals include sewer hookup. Reservations are recommended. Boat slips are available for a fee. We offer affordable rates for RVs and tent campers. We also have reasonable rates for pier rental, visitors, and our four-legged friends.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents

    $15 - $45 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Sandhill Station State Campground — Lake Mills Wildlife Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Sandhill Station State Campground — Lake Mills Wildlife Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Sandhill Station State Campground — Lake Mills Wildlife Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Sandhill Station State Campground — Lake Mills Wildlife Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Sandhill Station State Campground — Lake Mills Wildlife Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Sandhill Station State Campground — Lake Mills Wildlife Area
    • No image available

      3. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site

      1 Review
      Eagle, Wisconsin

      Designated backpack campsites are available by reservation at the following properties. These campsites may be several hundred yards to a few miles away from the nearest parking area and campers need to carry all gear in and out. Campsites typically feature a fire ring, seating, and a primitive privy or wilderness latrine, which may be shared with other campsites. There are also a limited number of opportunities for very primitive, remote camping on DNR lands.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • Tents
      • Dispersed
      • Tent Cabin
      Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground

      4. New Glarus State Park Campground

      16 Reviews
      31 Photos
      48 Saves
      New Glarus, Wisconsin
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access

      $15 - $25 / night

      • No image available

        5. Wild Goose City Park

        1 Review
        1 Save
        Horicon, Wisconsin
        • Pets
        • Phone Service
        • Reservable
        • ADA Access
        • Tents
        • Trash
        • No image available
          Camper-submitted photo from Purplehaze Acres
          Camper-submitted photo from Purplehaze Acres

          7. Purplehaze Acres

          Be the first to review!
          2 Photos
          7 Saves
          Hartford, Wisconsin

          Purplehaze Acres is a 60-acre organic rustic farm in Rubicon, WI and resides at the beginning of the approx. 650-mile Niagara Escarpment--known locally as "The Ledge". We are in close proximity to the Ice Age Trail, and the natural treasures of the great Horicon Marsh, Lake Sinnissipi/Rock River with canoeing/kayaking/fishing, Ledges County Park, and the world-renowned Holy Hill Shrine.

          Nearby Hustisford ("Husti") offers unique shopping and dining experiences, such as the Mercantile and Mocha Vino. Need a few organic groceries? Make sure to visit Back To The Best Organic grocer only 3 miles away, featuring food raised on local organic farms including Purplehaze Acres.

          Potable water, charcoal grills, firepit grates, eggs and available for purchase--firewood. COMING SOON: Did you forget something? If so, check out our Camp Cupboard Store. FYI: In addition to our private individual sites, our PEACE CAMP site is a group site perfect for the rustic camp wedding, small festivals, EAA, Harley celebrations and other fun casual events. Check out the Peace Camp listing for details.

          Your approach via 1/2-mile dirt drive up the hills and through the woods . . . to not your grandmother's typical house you go. You'll find wonderful vistas, wildflowers, berries, trails up into the woods, a 900' grass runway for aviators on an overall great "peace" of earth. ☮

          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Phone Service
          • Reservable
          • Tents
          • Picnic Table

          $40 - $160 / night

          Camper-submitted photo from Little Turtle Lake
          Camper-submitted photo from Little Turtle Lake

          8. Little Turtle Lake

          Be the first to review!
          2 Photos
          Hartford, Wisconsin

          Primitive camping on private pond well maintained lawns. Clothing optional.

          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Phone Service
          • Reservable
          • Tents
          • Group

          $50 - $80 / night

          • No image available

            9. Scheidegger Forest (Dane County Parks)

            Be the first to review!
            3 Saves
            Verona, Wisconsin

            Scheidegger Forest is nearly 80 acres and offers a mile of loop of hiking trails, a reservable shelter, and restroom. The area has been restored from a former Dane County Sheriff shooting range to a managed forest of primarily oak and hickory. The shelter, kiosk, and bathroom were all built from wood harvested on-site. Water is not available at this site

            When this Group Camp is reserved, the Shelter is not available to be reserved by another party(and vice versa). Located~ 100 feet east of loop parking lot, just beyond the restroom No potable water at this time. Vault(pit) toilet. Campfire ring. No electricity. 20’ x 30’ shelter– picnic tables. Vehicle parking in parking lot

            • Pets
            • Fires
            • Reservable
            • Tents
            • Group
            • Standard (Tent/RV)

            $65 / night

            • No image available
            Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

            Recent Tent Reviews in Jefferson

            613 Reviews of 11 Jefferson Campgrounds


            • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area
              Nov. 4, 2024

              Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

              Close to family

              Recently camped here while visiting some family in the Racine area. Was nice and close to them and was a nice place to stay!

              Lost of campsites between the two campgrounds. Sunset offered electric or non-electric sites. Shower building, flush toilets, vault toilets, dump station, playground. Firewood sold at the visitor center via a vending machine, card only.

            • Addison G.
              Camper-submitted photo from Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
              Oct. 23, 2024

              Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

              Awesome choice for campers on a budget

              These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There’s some small trails around as well that are beginner. There was electricity, however those sites are $25/night. Bathrooms could’ve been cleaner but we were grateful for the facility which doubled as a storm shelter. There’s indoor showers and bathrooms. There are also cabins at this campsite, not sure on pricing tho

            • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
              Oct. 17, 2024

              Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

              Fine camping in Northern Illinois

              We stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites. Fox den and Prairie view loops are nice as well with mostly primitive sites. Be aware that the map on www.ExloreMoreIL,com(where you make your reservations) doesn't show where the restrooms are. 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. Facilities are clean and well lit. Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill. This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove, where you have access to the Fox River and Grass lake. This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood. To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border. This will put you on the Fox river with developments to the north(including a bar& grill) or to the south which is all nature. I think the distance by boat between the two launches is 4-5 miles, but I'm not sure, Halfway there you'll meet up with the Goldfinch trail which is the shortest loop and the most diverse in term of flora. There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground. Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season. We canoe, and both times we stayed there it was October, so I can't tell you how crowded, but the vast number of picnic areas must be there for a reason. An odd thing is that you can hear a Steam Train whistle quite often, this is from Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. We don't have kids so we went to Stade's Farm& Orchard(which is also large and kid friendly) because they have an orchard and vegetable market. One last thing, the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)

            • Linda N.
              Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA
              Oct. 16, 2024

              Milton-Madison SE KOA

              cant wait to go back

              I ended up here because I was going to a music festival in the area, and they turned me away because I have a service animal. I wasn't going to do all that work for nothing and just go home, so I decided to look up my nearest campground and it was KOA in Milton. they made me feel welcome. they understood my dilemma. it was a wonderful weekend. lots of amenities and I just absolutely can't wait to go back next year. I'm going to try to make it a couple times. so much fun, just me and my dog. And one last the thing, my fellow campers were more than hospitable and very nice and I appreciate that very much.

            • Linda N.
              Camper-submitted photo from Sweet Minnihaha Campground
              Oct. 16, 2024

              Sweet Minnihaha Campground

              music fest

              I originally went to this campground a couple years ago for a music festival, but I discovered how much fun it was. the people were incredible. the staff was really awesome so I continue to make it back at least once a year

            • A
              Camper-submitted photo from Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
              Oct. 11, 2024

              Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

              A bit deceptive

              So this place is much less dog friendly than is advertised. Dogs aren’t allowed in large swaths of the park nor on the (tiny tiny, bordered by loud highway) beach. Lake Geneva is very pretty, but the area is obviously very wealthy and obviously geared toward retirees without dogs or with tiny dogs they leave at the RV (to bark, constantly, at their next site neighbors. Until the owners get back.)

            • Abbe W.
              Camper-submitted photo from Mukwonago Park by Waukesha County Parks
              Oct. 10, 2024

              Mukwonago Park by Waukesha County Parks

              Prairie Grass and Wildflowers

              Sites are large and well spaced out. The campground is clean and well kept. The rangers drive through regularly and will deliver wood to your site if requested. There are pit toilets in the camp area, but there are flush toilets, running water, and showers in the picnic area near the entrance. There are a couple of hiking trails as well. Great landscape and wildlife. We were lucky enough to have a couple of Sandhill Cranes walk through our camp early one morning.

            • Abbe W.
              Camper-submitted photo from Whitewater Lake — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
              Oct. 10, 2024

              Whitewater Lake — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

              Nice Campground, Great Location for Hiking the Ice Age Trail

              The campground was clean and quiet. We were in the East Loop. The on-site host was super friendly and helpful with firewood and ice. Pit toilets, no showers. Easy access to Ice Age Trail from the campground. Nice hike to Rice Lake.

            • SThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Creekview RV Park
              Sep. 15, 2024

              Creekview RV Park

              Very close to i90

              Passing through and needed an accesible camping spot for our 19 foot travel trailer. Creekview fit the bill. Right off i90, and next to fuel and food stops. Family run campground with 40 sites that have water and electric. They are cash or check only, with no online booking. Sites are snug. Decent cell service. Other than highway noise peaceful spot. Dogs welcome!

            • Jaime P.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Badgerland Campground
              Sep. 9, 2024

              Badgerland Campground

              Great little campground

              We booked a weekend here for a soccer tournament we had in Verona, so we didn’t spend a lot of time on the property. The staff was amazing! Very friendly and helpful for us new to camping people. We booked online and they were also friendly when I messed up my reservation so thanks for that too. We booked in VIP 1, which is right next to the bath house. We wanted to be close to the showers (coin op). We figured since we’re at a sporting event that might be nice. Very quiet at night. We did have a little time to go fishing at the fishing pond. We didn’t catch anything but we had fun. The fishing pond is a ways from our camping area though. It would have been a long walk so we drove. WiFi is for a fee but it was fine. The fee wasn’t expensive (less than $5). No sewer hook up but there is a dump site so no big deal. Overall good stay.

            • Kenny P.
              Camper-submitted photo from Thomas Woods Campground
              Sep. 7, 2024

              Thomas Woods Campground

              Great place for secluded camping

              Camped here on a whim. Amazing area. Super friendly hosts. The only thing I wish was a little more accessible is the website. I didn't know what kind of site I was getting, what it looked like, or if it was a hike in site or not. Turns out mine was, but it was not an issue for me on this trip. Site 30 for anyone interested.

            • Erin Z.
              Camper-submitted photo from KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site
              Jul. 22, 2024

              KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site

              Remote backpacking Shelter 1

              Great backpack camp site. Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside. There is a fire pit, but we found our own wood around the site. (Bring a small axe). There is an outhouse, but I wouldn’t recommend using it. There is a picnic table and a bench. It’s very secluded for privacy :) we will definitely be back.

            • Julia B.
              Camper-submitted photo from Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park
              Jul. 18, 2024

              Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

              Nice lake

              The campsites are kinda small but not on top of each other. Had some raccoons at night even after we locked up everything in the car. 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. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by. This loop is best for tent camping. The other loops are basically all rvs. The boat launch to the fox river was nice too but it does get busy.

            • Abbe W.
              Camper-submitted photo from Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
              Jul. 16, 2024

              Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

              Lovely Pine Forest, Quiet, Clean Campground

              Stayed one night (Friday) and really enjoyed the location. We were in the quiet loop, Loop 1, which actually was very quiet. Everyone was respectful of the rules. We did walk over to the other loops where there was more of a party atmosphere at some sites with larger groups, music, and kids. 

              The sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain.  Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight. The pit toilets are about 3 sites away, a short walk. There is room for two tents.

              There was a posting about black bear sightings in the area. We did not experience that, just chipmunks and birds.

            • Chris P.
              Camper-submitted photo from Happy Acres Kampground
              Jul. 9, 2024

              Happy Acres Kampground

              Worse place of the trip

              Tried to stay here. Called several times. Left several messages. We were heading that way and decided to stop in and see if they had availability. Pulled in and there was a lady inside the office and it was locked. She gave me an evil look then ignored me. Called twice from the parking lot from inside my rig while staring at the woman. She ignored the call.

            • JThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Madison Campground
              Jul. 2, 2024

              Madison Campground

              Cute campground - near Madison

              We were in Site# B1. We had Full hook- up with a gravel pull-thru. We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site. My jeep though did not fit. The site was easy to level.

              Our site was shaded with lots of trees. This was a larger sized lot with our neighbors not too close (but we did choose a premium site with a patio and paid extra to be on the end).

              This specific lot comes with a concrete patio The lot comes with a picnic table and fire hole in the ground.

              They have a community Outdoor kitchen-y area with picnic tables.
              They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster.

              You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. There is really not a need to have a Golf cart because it is a smaller campground.

              They do have a Swimming pool.
              There is a Playground. They also offer horseshoes and a volleyball court.

              They have a great general store.

              The streets are gravel so not great for riding bikes but there are great places to ride bikes outside of campground, especially around Middleton and Madison.

              They have cabins for rent and tent areas.

              They have one shower house. The shower house has the typical stalls. These are kept mostly clean.

              There is a laundry facility. It is a cash only facility, but they have a change machine.

              They have a fenced in dog park and many grassy areas to walk dogs.

              There were no trails to hike in the campground.

              Some fun things to do outside of the campground are the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Madison and multitude of bike trails.

            • Rebecca C.
              Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut State Park Campground
              Jun. 30, 2024

              Rock Cut State Park Campground

              Not well maintained

              We have a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday. We called the Rangers and asked them to look at our site breaker since it kept tripping. They came, told us the park was old and not updated but then ultimately told us it was our trailer. We had to rent a motel for the night because we couldn't even pull out the slide or anything. This was after spending about 6 hours pulling apart all the electrical in the trailer. Went to camping world the next day just for us to use their plugs and it was fine. We thought maybe it was our cord so we bought a new one and still nothing. We called the Rangers again who came to look at it. Told us that the park was just so old that it probably couldn't keep up and moved us to a 50 amp sight. The 30 amp plug there would work for about 2 mins and then would keep tripping again. So we ended up having to go back to camping world to get an adapter to use the 50 amp. Wasted about 30 hours of our trip over their electrical not being updated and they knew that. Tried to reach out to get the first night reimbursed since we literally couldn't even stay there or use our trailer. Was told we had to come back the next day to speak to the head ranger, came back and he wasn't there again. Was told he would call us two different times and never got a call. Will never stay here again.

            • tThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Madison Campground
              Jun. 23, 2024

              Madison Campground

              Basic

              While the location is great for fast travels into Madison, or getting to great hiking areas. My only complaint is that not every pull through is provided with a fire ring to burn wood (they almost seem random) and that the check in building is a bit bare. Otherwise, great location, great (partial) amenities, and good customer service.

            • Kim J.
              Camper-submitted photo from Waupun Park Campground
              Jun. 21, 2024

              Waupun Park Campground

              Nice campgrounds

              We stayed there for a while very pretty and the people very friendly bring wood to your camp they have trails you can walk and county pool and golf course sites are good size we will return it's close to town as well

            • T
              Camper-submitted photo from Ledge County Park
              Jun. 9, 2024

              Ledge County Park

              Great Park!!

              It was our first time visiting Ledge Park & we would absolutely go back! The sites are natural feeling and the park is very, very clean (including the bathrooms)… the views from “The Ledge” are hard to beat.

            • H
              Camper-submitted photo from The Playful Goose Campground
              May. 26, 2024

              The Playful Goose Campground

              Insert Terrible Adjective

              The Good: Campsites along the river looked really nice. The Bad: We had a 3 day holiday weekend booked for tent camping.Unfortunately the weather did not hold up and our site was completely soaking wet- we could not even steak out our tent. The owner of the campground denied a refund due to policy. The amount of rules and regulations this camp ground has is absolutely absurd. The Ugly: When checking into our site, the woman working the desk was efficient but things took a bad turn really quick. 1. If you book on the Playful Goose website you will get charged a% service fee, which The Playful Goose Staff does not stand behind. 2. If you book on the Playful Goose website you must specify how many nights, adults and tents per site. Without too many logistics, we ended up paying over$220 for a weekend JUST TO CAMP IN HORICON. While trying to set up camp in the rain, a male(we were told he was the assistant manager) in a golf cart drove near our site yelling vulgar language, accusing our group of doing things to the grass(when the grass was a swamp to begin with due to weather) and lastly, as the man was driving away he continued to make harassing comments. The lack of professionalism, courtesy and respect from staff was unacceptable as a paying guest. Playful Goose Takeaway: I will never spend my hard earned money here. Again. And be sure to tell everyone I know to not spend their hard earned money here either. There are so many other beautiful camp grounds within a 100 mile radius and this one will be my last choice. Such a shame this wonderful campground I used to visit has gone down hill.

            • BThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Madison Campground
              May. 24, 2024

              Madison Campground

              Okay if other campgrounds are full or for just 1 night

              Easy to get to from I-90 but also a bit too close so there is road noise. The price may be a little high at $66.00 per night but the sites are all drive through and can handle large rigs. Not bad for a quick one-night stay. Many available sites even on memorial weekend 2024



            Frequently Asked Questions

            • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Jefferson, WI?

              According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jefferson, WI is Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

            • What is the best site to find tent camping near Jefferson, WI?

              TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Jefferson, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.