Camping near Lancaster, Wisconsin offers a mix of experiences across bluff-top overlooks and wooded valleys in the Driftless Area, where glaciers never flattened the landscape. This unglaciated terrain creates dramatic elevation changes ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet above sea level, with cooler temperatures in valleys and stronger winds on blufftops. Campgrounds in the region often feature dramatic terrain changes within short hiking distances.
What to do
Explore cave features: The Driftless Area's unique geology creates interesting cave formations at several campgrounds. At Wyalusing State Park Campground, visitors can hike to natural caves. "The sand caves are cool, lots of unique hiking features. The nature program was great for our son who was 2 at the time," notes Jennifer B.
Stargaze at astronomical sites: Wyalusing State Park offers astronomy-focused activities not common at other regional campgrounds. "There is an astronomical observatory on site," reports Jim J., making this one of the few campgrounds in the region with dedicated stargazing facilities.
Discover Native American heritage: Several campgrounds feature cultural history elements. At Pikes Peak State Park Campground, visitors can explore "Indian burial mounds" as Tori K. describes: "There are 63 mounds in the park, most of them conical or linear in shape," providing a historical dimension to camping trips.
Fish multiple waterways: Beyond the Mississippi, smaller rivers provide fishing opportunities. Most campgrounds sell bait or are near bait shops. "We stopped at Kate's Bait and got a nice variety of worms for a reasonable price," mentions Siobhan R. from Cox Hollow Campground, though they "never got out fishing!"
What campers like
Shower facilities with varying quality: Clean bathroom facilities receive consistent praise at several campgrounds. At Cox Hollow Campground, one camper raved about "the new bathroom/shower block. While I didn't take photos (should have) this is one of the nicest public bathrooms I've ever been in. Not just in a state park, ever. It was built in 2019."
Campsite privacy levels: Campers frequently mention privacy between sites as a key factor. At Nelson Dewey State Park Campground, Renee W. notes, "Most campsites have privacy and are quiet due to being a smaller park," providing a contrast to more developed campgrounds in the region.
Community gathering spaces: Several campgrounds offer shared recreation spaces. At Rustic Barn Campground RV Park, Lee D. describes "many activities offered, including a dog park, basketball, horseshoes, games (cornhole, large checkerboard, and others), a barn with a television, a book library, puzzles, and a pool table."
Local food options: Some campgrounds provide on-site dining. "Really good Friday night fish fries!" notes Kelsey G. about Whitetail Bluff Campground, highlighting regional food specialties available without leaving the campground.
What you should know
Train noise impacts: Railroad tracks near riverside campgrounds create noise disruptions throughout the night. At Grant River Recreation Area, Lyle B. provides specific timing: "Until midnight, trains went by about every 1/2 hour. After midnight about every other hour," helping visitors prepare for these regular interruptions.
Seasonal visitor patterns: Most campgrounds have distinct busy periods. Wyalusing State Park experiences heavier visitation in autumn, as David W. notes: "Even if you have an inside or non cliff side site, there are plenty of places to sit and watch the sunsets."
Wildlife encounters: Some campgrounds have problematic wildlife interactions. At Cox Hollow Campground, visitors warn: "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" This information helps campers properly secure food and garbage.
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. At Nelson Dewey State Park Campground, visitors using Verizon report "data VERY SLOW" while AT&T users measured "47 Mbps down, 1.3 Mbps up" at Mud Lake Park, helping visitors plan accordingly for remote work needs.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer programmed activities for children. At Wyalusing State Park, Connor M. shares that "There's some really nice trails and cool rock formations, couple this with the playground and nice bathrooms it makes for an ideal campground for families with younger children."
Safety considerations: Parents should be aware of terrain hazards. Connor M. also cautions at Wyalusing State Park that "it's on a bluff so there are some steep drop-off points that children could take a pretty nasty fall from," highlighting the need for close supervision.
Dog-friendly options: For families camping with pets, several campgrounds accommodate dogs. At Mud Lake County Park, Lindsey M. notes it's "a great park for you" if traveling with kids, though she wanted "to be a little more secluded."
Group camping logistics: For larger family gatherings, certain campgrounds better accommodate multiple sites. Amanda J. describes how Cox Hollow Campground has "a lot of space and not close to other group sites so it was nice to not have to worry about surrounding people!"
Tips from RVers
Site levelness challenges: RV campers frequently mention leveling issues. At Nelson Dewey State Park, Lee D. warns that "not all 'driveways' are level which, unfortunately, we discovered in site 33. We slept with our heads lower than our feet in our camper van."
Reservation timing: RV sites at popular campgrounds require advance planning. At Cox Hollow Campground, Jen L. advises "Peak season reservations are a definite (weeks to months in advance for weekends)."
Pad material variations: Different campgrounds offer varying surfaces for RVs. Chris S. at Rustic Barn Campground RV Park observed that "All had gravel driveways and looked level. Decent separation between sites although they are close together, as would be expected in an RV park."
Site sizing limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. Paul C. cautions that Cox Hollow Campground is a "Great campground for everything but big 5th wheelers and motorhomes," helping RVers with larger rigs avoid unsuitable locations.
