The camping areas near Necedah, Wisconsin span across central Wisconsin's sandy plains region with elevations averaging 900-950 feet above sea level. This area lies within the Central Sand Plains ecological landscape characterized by flat, sandy former lake beds and glacial outwash deposits. Most campgrounds remain open from mid-April through late October with several county parks offering year-round options for cold-weather campers.
What to do
Kayak fishing access: Castle Rock County Park offers direct lake access for fishing enthusiasts. "We had site A11, and just loved the location. The A loop is overlooking the lake and close to the beach. Big pine trees so your campsite is really flexible," shares a camper who found the location ideal for water activities at Castle Rock County Park.
Geocaching adventure: Buckhorn State Park provides free GPS units for geocaching explorations. "We grabbed one of their pre-loaded GPS units for Geocaching; It's something the park offers for free. They give you a bag, GPS and information book on all the Geocaching sites," explains a visitor who enjoyed this family activity with nieces.
Hiking options: Multiple trail systems exist throughout the area's parks, ranging from easy walks to more challenging climbs. "Hiking paths were great, the check in was seamless and we will be back!" notes a reviewer who explored Roche A Cri State Park, which features a 300+ step stairway to a panoramic overlook.
Fishing opportunities: Various fishing spots target different species across the region's lakes and rivers. "Caught a sheep head and some white bass! Campsites are a nice distance apart and the bathrooms aren't a far walk and are well maintained," reports a camper who enjoyed the fishing pier at Buckhorn State Park.
What campers like
Beach access: Many campsites offer direct water access for swimming and boating. "The site was spacious and has a great fire pit for cooking. There is a small trail leading to the water with an extremely small beach front but it was enough to keep the girls entertained," writes a visitor about their experience at Buckhorn State Park Campground.
Secluded sites: Walk-in and hike-in sites provide added privacy away from more developed areas. "We got one of the spots that you needed to hike out to but it wasn't far at all. There were 2 other campsites beside us but they weren't reserved so we were all by ourselves. We had a little slice of beach and it was very beautiful during sunset," explains a camper who enjoyed the solitude.
Reasonable pricing: County parks offer economical camping options compared to private facilities. "Not free! They request that you pay $5 per night on their sign near the entrance!" notes a visitor to Kennedy County Park, highlighting the affordable rate compared to nearby options.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds feature well-spaced sites that accommodate group camping. "The sites are huge and flat with a river running along side," mentions a camper about Kennedy County Park, where larger groups can spread out comfortably.
What you should know
Insect preparations: Biting insects can be particularly intense during summer months. "Mosquitos were the worst i have ever experienced. The second we got out of the car they were all over us. We used the heaviest deet possible nonstop," warns a camper from Buckhorn State Park, highlighting the need for strong repellent.
Lake conditions: Algae blooms can affect swimming quality during warmer months. "Unfortunately, the algae was in bloom so the water was caked green! However, it doesn't do any harm so we made our way out into the more clear portion of the water and had a blast!" shares a visitor about their experience at Buckhorn.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or establishments. "We could hear the bar blaring music across the lake until 10 or 11pm," reports a camper at Wilderness Park regarding occasional sound carrying across water.
Supply availability: Remote locations require bringing sufficient supplies. "Bring what you need as the closest gas station is 15 mils away," advises a Petenwell Park visitor about the limited shopping options near some of the more remote camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Free equipment loans: Some parks offer complimentary equipment to enhance family activities. "The park also offers free poles and tackle," mentions a visitor about Buckhorn State Park, where children can try fishing without needing to bring gear.
Kid-friendly beach areas: Look for shallow, sandy swimming areas ideal for younger children. "The water is shallow, warm and the bottom is very soft sand," describes a camper at Petenwell Park about the gentle swimming conditions.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There's a shelter area and some nice little hiking trails," notes a Kennedy County Park visitor about amenities that help keep children entertained.
Cart accessibility: For walk-in sites, equipment transport carts are available at some locations. "We drove to the site and started loading up the cart to walk in," explains a family who found this feature helpful when camping with children at Buckhorn State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Choose RV sites carefully based on specific needs. "We parked out 36 foot RV in a wooded site. They have water from sites also. We will be back and next time we will be doing the water site," advises an RV camper about their experience at Petenwell Park.
Electric options: Various hookup configurations exist across campgrounds. "There are 2 dump and fill stations for rvs. We have a 28 ft travel trailer and had tons of space at our site," shares a visitor at Castle Rock County Park about the amenities for RV campers.
Overnight convenience: Easily accessible sites make for good travel stops. "Great Place; Central to many key places with very low rates. Clean and Friendly Next to a huge restaurant and bar that have the lowest prices for above average food," recommends a visitor to The Reel Inn RV Campground, noting its convenient layout.
Seasonal considerations: Some of the best places to camp near Necedah, Wisconsin offer year-round RV access. "We came to petenwell park in just 2024. Very nice place and will be back again. Staff that we did talk to were friendly and helpful. If you want to bring a boat you can there is a landing in the park," mentions a recent visitor about the RV facilities at this year-round option.
