Castle Rock Lake offers a variety of camping experiences in central Wisconsin's Adams and Juneau counties. The lake covers 16,640 acres with 60 miles of shoreline, making it Wisconsin's fourth largest inland lake. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F, while spring and fall can see significant temperature variations with cool evenings in the 40-50°F range.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Mill Bluff State Park Campground features unique geological formations with trails leading to panoramic views. "This state park is highlighted by a truck up the side of a bluff with a beautiful panoramic view of the area," notes Troy A. The park's hiking trails are well-maintained despite some challenges: "We hiked to the kids fishing pond & the tower. Trails are easy and well groomed," shares Liz M.
Fishing spots: Local lakes support diverse fish species for anglers of all skill levels. At Buckhorn State Park Campground, fishing from shorelines or piers provides opportunities for catching various species. "We ventured into the campground area for fresh water. From what we saw the sites were spacious and fairly private," reports Liz M. The park also "offers free poles and tackle" for kids and beginners.
Water activities: Swimming areas with sandy bottoms are available at multiple campgrounds. "The water is shallow, warm and the bottom is very soft sand," explains Ashley K. about the west peninsula sites. Kennedy County Park features "a river running along side" some sites according to Linz D., providing access for paddling or fishing.
What campers like
Lakefront campsites: Wilderness Park offers sites with direct water access. "A great campground with out of this world lake views. Most sites come with amazing lake views. Great for watching the sun rise up over the lake," says Thomas F. These sites allow visitors to "launch your kayak or canoe from your site," making water access convenient.
Privacy between sites: Castle Rock County Park provides well-spaced camping areas. "Big pine trees so your campsite is really flexible... Plenty of trees and coverage for hammocks, fire pits can be moved," reports Kim L. The arrangement allows groups to create shared spaces: "We had 3 sites A10-12 and just made it a big area for the families to merge in."
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming beaches with designated areas. At Castle Rock County Park, "There's a big beach area roped off, and a swim platform for the big kids," according to Kim L. Wilderness Park offers "great swimming, fishing and playing" with clean facilities that are "some of the best anywhere" as Thomas F. notes.
What you should know
Insect activity: Mosquitoes and biting flies can be problematic during summer months. "I may be biased- because I really hate mosquitos and ticks but wow! The ticks here are so tiny they're very easy to miss so look I it for those," warns Kalene H. Another camper at Petenwell Park mentioned having "to deal with a lot of biting flies" at the beach area.
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures can reach into the upper 80s with high humidity. "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," reports Julia B. about west shore sites.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or waterways. At Mill Bluff State Park, "The highway is there and the night train schedule was 22:45 03:10 and 03:15," reports Guy R. Another camper mentioned they "could hear the bar blaring music across the lake until 10 or 11pm" from certain campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Choose campgrounds with gradual water entry for safer swimming. "We had a little slice of beach and it was very beautiful during sunset," shares Stephanie S. Another camper noted, "There are steps leading straight into the water and it was fairly shallow with a lot of sand- perfect if you have kids."
Activity options: Kennedy County Park offers playground facilities and open spaces. "There's a shelter area and some nice little hiking trails," notes Jarrett G. The park provides "a play area, beaches and other nice features" according to Dawn A., making it suitable for families with children of different ages.
Family-friendly sites: Select sites based on proximity to bathrooms and play areas. "My husband and I picked this park because of its friendliness towards kids. We took our 2 9 year old nieces on their first tent camping adventure," shares Liz M. The park offers geocaching with "pre-loaded GPS units for Geocaching; It's something the park offers for free."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Oakdale KOA provides full-hookup sites with various amenities. "We upgraded with a patio site that included a nice round patio table with 4 padded chairs, a gas grill, and 2 Adirondack chairs. Very nice for a quick night's stay when you don't want to take everything out," notes Joan. The campground offers "level sites, fire pit, a tree, nice store, playground, and a pool in warmer weather."
RV site accessibility: Check site dimensions when booking, as some campgrounds have limited large rig access. "We parked out 36 foot RV in a wooded site. They have water from sites also," writes Wayne O. about Petenwell Park. Kim L. notes that at Castle Rock County Park, "We have a 28 ft travel trailer and had tons of space at our site."
Dump station locations: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Necedah offer sanitary dump facilities. "They have 2 dump and fill stations for rvs," reports Kim L. The Reel Inn RV Campground provides sewer hookups at individual sites, making longer stays more convenient for RV campers.
