Tent camping near Menomonie, Wisconsin offers outdoor experiences in diverse landscapes including river valleys and forested areas. Within the St. Croix River Valley and surrounding counties, campers find sites ranging from primitive walk-in areas to established campgrounds with amenities. Fall temperatures typically drop into the 40s at night, requiring proper sleeping equipment and insulation for comfortable overnight stays.
What to do
Hiking through varied ecosystems: At Afton State Park Campground, trails wind through multiple landscape types. "I hiked 11 miles here and it was awesome!" reports one visitor. Another camper noted the diverse terrain: "Lots of hiking. Nice campsites. Beautiful park."
Swimming in natural settings: The beach at William O'Brien State Park Campground provides water access during summer months. One visitor mentioned, "This campground is lovely. You can hear frogs all night and we even saw a turtle laying eggs in a different campsite." For families with children, "We love this park!! very friendly and well kept! Two campgrounds to chose from. Tons of hiking, fishing, and great picnic area next to the river!"
Paddling local waterways: Canoe and kayak opportunities abound on regional lakes. At Coon Fork Campground, "Canoe and rowboat rentals are available at the office. Great private campsites." The campground offers "a nice lake with two beaches and a boat landing, but only non-motorized crafts allowed."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Campers at Coon Fork Campground appreciate the separation between sites. "The sites are very generous with a lot of green between spaces. You are not on top of your neighbor," notes one camper. Another mentioned, "Favorite place to camp as a kid. Nice lake with plenty of hiking and biking trails. Great private sites where you're not on top of your neighbor."
Natural surroundings: At Hok-Si-La City Park & Campground, the setting stands out. "The campground is very green and luscious, full of beautiful trees, plants and wildlife, we heard bullfrogs, owls, woodpeckers and more," shares one camper. The park features a "tent only campground with a couple cabins as well, which adds to its secluded feel."
Group camping options: Several parks offer designated group sites. At Hok-Si-La, "The group sites are spacious and well spaced out... you definitely don't feel like you are on top of each other or another group." One camper reports, "If you're staying with friends or have a large family, the group sites G0 and G2 offer views and lots of space for multiple tents."
What you should know
Seasonal water availability: Water access varies throughout the season. At Afton State Park, a visitor warned, "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!"
Reservation requirements: Many sites require advance planning. At Apple River County Park Campground, there are "15 simple campsites geared towards tent camping, though 5 of the sites are equipped with electricity so folks with vans or small trailers might be comfortable here."
Site types and accessibility: Some campgrounds feature walk-in sites requiring additional effort. At Afton State Park, "The hike to the campground is short and grueling. A few of the sites are in wooded areas, but we stayed in one of the prairie sites." Similarly, Hok-Si-La has restrictions where "you cannot leave any cars near your campsite, you can drive in to drop off or pick up your gear but otherwise vehicles are parked in the main parking lot outside of the gate."
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Campgrounds enforce rules for family safety. At Coon Fork Campground, "Quiet hours are reinforced early at night but it's an excellent campground for small children." Another camper noted, "On-site ranger and quiet hours enforced."
Swimming options for kids: Water features provide recreation for children. One visitor mentioned, "Great for kids! Way more fun later in the summer so you can go swimming. Although, children don't seem to notice cold water anyway!" Another parent added, "The kids love swimming, kayaking, fishing, and bike trails."
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation. At Lily Springs Regenerative Farm, unique experiences include interacting with farm animals. "Both the White Pine Meadow and the Lakeside Serenity sites are amazing and large. We wound up staying at the Lakeside site, which has a nice view of Mud Lake and one of the herds of goats."
Tips from RVers
Electric site availability: Some campgrounds provide limited electric options. At Apple River County Park, "5 of the sites are equipped with electricity so folks with vans or small trailers might be comfortable here." These sites accommodate smaller RVs while maintaining a tent camping atmosphere.
Dump station access: Proper waste disposal facilities exist at select locations. At Coon Fork Campground, amenities include "flush toilets and hot showers" plus a sanitary dump station for self-contained units. "There is a totally separate loop (Loop D) for units that are self contained."
Site sizes and navigation: Smaller rigs work better at most regional campgrounds. William O'Brien State Park accommodates some larger rigs, but most sites work best for compact trailers. "We planned this weekend with friends to camp in our matching teardrop trailers. We have never really camped with friends before, so the point was to just go, not to really travel far."
