Camping sites near Arlington, Wisconsin offer a mix of county and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area sits on glacial terrain with elevations ranging from 850-1,100 feet, creating varied landscapes with rolling hills, kettle lakes, and marshland. Summer nights typically cool to the mid-60s even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s, making for comfortable tent camping conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails: Devil's Lake State Park provides extensive hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. At Quartzite Campground, "Beautiful bluffs surround Devils Lake that allow campers to hike up and see great views of the lake," according to Mark J. The Ice Age Trail also runs through Ice Age Campground, where visitors can access multiple trail connections. Art S. notes, "We headed out early on Monday and did an 8 mile loop right from our campsite. We saw beautiful overlooks and only encountered 1 person on the trail."
Water recreation: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas with different experiences. At Indian Trails Campground, campers enjoy "the swimming lake with an inflatable playground, a pond to fish, kayak/canoe/paddle boat on," according to Megan S. The campground also offers river float trips where "They will drop you off and pick you up" for kayaking or canoeing down the Fox River, as Mikala D. mentions.
Fishing opportunities: Several area campgrounds have stocked ponds or lake access. David H. found that Pride of America Camping Resort offers "plenty of campsites near the water" with fishing opportunities throughout their lake. At Duck Creek Campground, one visitor reported they "Caught some fish on the creek," noting the accessible fishing areas for campers of various skill levels.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Token Creek County Park receives consistent praise for maintenance. Tish R. notes, "The grounds are super clean and not worn down. It is small so therefore, quiet and not inundated with kids. The showers provided plenty of hot water." Similarly, at Northern Lights Campground, visitors appreciate "stunning lake surrounded by bluffs and beaches. This campground is located on the Ice Age Trail," as Rebecca B. describes.
Weekend activities: Many private campgrounds organize themed weekends throughout the camping season. At Duck Creek Campground, "They have weekend themed activities for kids and adults, a clean swimming pond with inflatables, volleyball & basketball courts and play structures for the kids," according to Heather B. Mikala D. highlights Pride of America's "countless event weekends. Halloween, chocolate craziness, wet n wild, pirates weekend, poker run!"
Extra amenities: The private campgrounds near Arlington compete with additional amenities. Sky High Camping Resort offers "Frisbee golf, mini golf, a 'mining' site, go carts, game room, showers, laundry," as Annie C. discovered on her tour. At Smokey Hollow Campground, Sarah S. notes it's "less than an hour from Madison! Awesome place to bring the kids for a day, or the whole week! Man-made pond with inflatable structures, a jumpy blob for the kids to jump on & lots of other activities!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: For popular state park campgrounds, booking far in advance is essential. At Devil's Lake, Nicole T. advises, "You need to book the 11 months in advance, especially for holiday weekends." County parks like Token Creek have somewhat better availability, with Brad noting "Many available sites even on memorial weekend."
Noise levels: Campground ambiance varies dramatically between locations. While Token Creek is described as "quiet and peaceful" by Scott P., Northern Lights Campground can be noisy due to popularity. Julie L. explains, "It makes me sad to see it so crowded and such careless people damaging things and leaving their trash, not following rules." Similarly, Sarah D. found that at Ice Age Campground, "there is very little privacy between sites, it is always packed, and there is lots of noise."
Road and transportation access: Several campgrounds have specific considerations for access. Kendall H. notes about Token Creek, "It is near I90/39/94 & HW51, and they are heard in the distance." For Lantern DeForest, Brad comments it's "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pool options: Many private campgrounds have swimming options for different weather conditions. At Lantern DeForest, Julia H. notes, "They do have a Swimming pool" along with other family-friendly amenities like a "Playground" and "volleyball court." Indian Trails Campground goes further with "outdoor & indoor pools" allowing swimming regardless of weather conditions.
Playground proximity: When selecting sites, consider proximity to playgrounds. Sarah C. appreciates that at Duck Creek Campground, "campsites are located right next to the playground so we can watch the kids from the campsite." This setup allows parents to supervise children while still enjoying their own campsite activities.
Specialized activities: Many campgrounds offer unique entertainment for children. Megan S. describes Indian Trails Campground as having "several hiking trails and playgrounds all over the campground" with "themed" weekends that "often include activities for kids and adults." At Pride of America, they offer specific kids' programming like "candy bingo" that Nikki G. calls "great!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds offer drastically different site types. At Smokey Hollow, Nancy S. suggests, "This would be a great place for families with kids. So much for the kids to do." For Northern Lights Campground, Siobhan R. advises, "If you want privacy, some spots are better than others. There are a lot of wide open sites with no trees or vegetation, so it's like staying on someone's yard with a bunch of strangers."
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain. Benjamin V. found at Northern Lights Campground that "Our sight was very unlevel as well as extremely muddy." Similarly, Danielle A. notes about Token Creek, "There are picnic areas with covered shelters, a field for playing ball games, showers, a few bathrooms with electric outlets, and just a few miles of hiking trails through meadow, marsh, and forest."
