Are you planning a tent camping trip to Nelsonville? We've got you covered. Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Nelsonville, including sites, reviews, and tips. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
We invite you to set up camp on our quiet shores of the Little Plover River and enjoy a break from the fast paced world. Located on 150 yards of water frontage, Plover River Retreat is situated by an old lumber mill, complete with a dam, which provides bountiful Northern Pike fishing during certain times of the year.
We have a wooded 5 acre homestead, with plenty of areas to set up your tent campsite. Trash bin and fire ring are available. We have one main site at the base of the dam, where the grass is mowed and maintained, with other areas available for additional tents. Can accommodate larger groups, but additional sites are very rustic. Each tent will be an additional charge. You are able to see our homestead from the river bottom, but natural foliage such as large fiddlehead ferns and trees block our view from the home, so there is privacy.
Come wade and splash in our slice of river paradise! Our water frontage is shallow, between 1-3 feet, and mostly sandy/rocky. Highly suggest water shoes for ease of walking and swimming.
If you’re more adventurous, kayaks and a canoe are available for rent and can be put in on either side of the dam. Tubes are also available for rent and can be used for a 45 minute float or a 3 hour float down the Little Plover River. It’s not uncommon to spot Bald Eagles, turtles, otter, and deer on our stretch of the river.
Each site is a short 3-4 minute walk from our main home where we are available to field any questions or address emergencies. Shores are quiet and mostly undeveloped. We are a 15 minute drive to Stevens Point, and a 25 minute drive to Wausau.
Firewood available for purchase on site. Flexible check in/check out policy.
$30 / night
Guide
Did some fall camping with friends, and there were 4 family’s. 3 of them stayed in these three sites which were fairly wide open and kind of looked over the lake. They would be great sites to book as a group, but I wouldn’t recommend them to book individually as you wouldn’t have much privacy, more so in the middle site. These three sites are E, F, and G. Bit if a corner site and you are next to some private homes.
GuideI have came here a couple times with friends for fall camping. The campground doesn’t have a lot of extra amenities, but still a nice simple campground to be in. There are a mix of sites that have a little more privacy, and others that are wide open which would be better for group setups.
Guide
The good Small campground clean nice walking trails,dog friendly main park across hwy free and clean showers. The bad is a lot of road noise some sites are very close together.
Traveler
Campground is adequate, it has a functioning shower house and private spots. I used a primitive campsite and it cost me $30 ($15 if your from WI). That was on top of the $11 non resident park entrance fee. So $41 for a primitive tent site, $47.50 if you count the bundle of firewood I bought from them. So yeah, keep that in mind if coming here as a non resident. I’m sure there are cheaper places nearby.
Scout
This was quiet and peaceful. When we needed our fire pit cleaned out theg came pretty quickly. Being able to watch the horses was very calming. We would recomend this place to others and we would go back.
Traveler
Stayed for the first time at this campground in July and loved it. We stayed on a tent site, it was huge and had electric. I love that the campground is right on the lake and there’s quite a few amenities for people who boat. It is pet friendly and the bathrooms are quite a walk but clean and hot water is available.
Guide
We loved camping here when it was farmer genes our whole family. My brother's family and my parents. Now we can't camp here. None of us because of dog discrimination.
Traveler
Nestled between towering trees, the campsites here were clearly marked and tidy. Each site has a nice fire ring with grate. Main road is paved and sites are small gravel. Hiking/running trails are wide enough to accommodate strollers.
Guide
Quiet spot not many campers. Nice rapids by dam. Some hiking and fishing. Only five campsites. there is a bar within walking distance and firewood for sale nearby.
Scout
My girlfriend and I have visited here and stayed here a few times they have many campsites for all types they have a separate campsite just for the RVs they have the main camp area where if you like to be around people you can and then they have the new expansion where it is more excluded they have and continue to make upgrades to the campground such as more electric and water at all their sites they also have put in new bathrooms and shower houses around their campground if you have any questions you should see Lisa in the office she is great
Guide
Small campground but it's nice and has a pool and playground plus a lake.
Guide
We return yearly for trick or treat weekend. We also camp during the summer as well! Had my kids double birthday party here and it was fun! I'm so glad the campground allows visitors. I hate campgrounds that are strict on that! Keeps us coming back! Lots of room for kids to bike and play while the parents enjoy the campground! This year we will be here 3x!
Traveler
This campground is nestled in a stand of tall red pine trees so shade is found everywhere. The check in process was easy and quick. The roads connecting the sites are adequately wide. Just know that all of the sites are 90 degree back ins which can be tight with longer rigs- especially if your neighbor across the road has their vehicle or toys parked right up to the paved surface. The only thing I would be critical of is the bathroom/shower house. The showers are a bit odd where one door (that locks) opens to the only 2 shower stalls for your gender in the entire building. So if you’re cool showering with a buddy or your kids that’s no bid deal. This campground is mostly all seasonal campsites and some are impeccably maintained and elaborate and some are REALLY run down. I doubt you could tow some of those campers out. We stayed here for EAA Airventure in Oshkosh and it was only 40 minutes away.
Scout
Reported ground bees on our sight 3 times no one came walk way to beach was broken and someone could of gotten hurt the swimming pool was dirty should of been cleaned at night for the price you pay to stay there thing should be fixed the internet horrible been going there for 29 plus years and the internet never worked this year things were not kept up
ScoutCurrently in the park for 2 weeks. Good setting, situated on Shawano Lake although not directly lake side. The beach is big with a two lane boat launch.
Guide
We got a seasonal site and love it! The campground is well maintained and the service is fabulous. Love the pool and lake with inflatables. Great bar too!! Highly recommend.
Traveler
We enjoyed our stay it was so beautiful and clean and very quiet for the most part we loved it will definitely be going back
TravelerWent to this campground and it was a pretty nice place. 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.
TravelerWe 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. Lots of places to park is your want wooded of water there here. Only downfall is there is no sewer hook ups.
Guide
Excellent campground! Well maintained and easy to maneuver around. Quiet and enough sun and shade for everyone. Owners are helpful and very nice! Nice playground for the kids, swim beach for great summer fun, campground store/food/drinks if you’re hungry or desire a cold drink to beat the heat and such amazing riverside views that melt the weeks stress away! We will definitely be back to this jem of a campground! Come see for yourself, don’t take my word for it!
ScoutWas great quiet and relaxing
Scout
The new“management” is horrible! I’m so glad we got out of there. Enjoyed it for many years until the owners gave it over to their daughter and her new husband to run into the ground. The only thing they are concerned about is making money and controlling the seasonal campers through threats. Everything you do“wrong” has a fine attached to it. The bathhouses are now beyond disgusting and they’re terrified that someone is going to sneak in and use their amenities(the only real amenity they have is a pool attached to the office). If you join the Kilby Lake Campground“family”, prepare yourself for the rudest emails you have ever received from someone who supposedly is providing a service you are paying for. The new management really needs to take a customer service course, since they apparently didn’t teach that at bicycle sales shops in California.
Legend
All the other campgrounds in OshKosh are near the airport, which makes sense since the biggest event each year is the EVAA air show. None of them have trees.
Hickory Oaks has it's own airfield and lots and lots of trees. They even have a mini-lake (4 acres).
There are all types of RV sites, tenting/primitive sites and group sites, some small cabins as well. We camped in site 60 because we arrived after dark, and Cindy suggested that our first choice, #67 might be too hard to find at night. There is only one street light, and it's by site #1 and the swim area.
The map doesn't really convey what an oasis of trees this place is. To the West is the runway and beyond that, a large grassy hill (it's actually landfill). To the east in a rural road running along the lake. To the north, in the distance is a prison. That all sounds worse than it is, it's a lovely campground.
There are a few things for sale in the office, but you're so close to town you can get everything there. Cindy the operator is extremely nice and helpful.
Fire pits are 30" rings with no grate, Tables seem smaller than average.
If you're visiting in the summer, be sure to visit the Farmer's Market , Saturdays on Main Street, also Wagner's Market for the best meats, deli and beverages. The Paine museum & gardens and the city museum are both worth visits as well.
Scout
Best campground for the price. Very peaceful and full hookup available with sewer dump near. Ice and wood in property.
Very nice hosts and helpful when we needed wood.
Traveler
Very nice small town campground! Bathrooms were EXCEPTIONALLY clean! More of an adult campground - no kids running around. Very quiet and relaxing!
Ranger
We were visiting family in Shawano, WI, and stayed here for a week. Checking was easy and we had a long spot with full hookups. Park has a playground, small lake with a beach.
TravelerWe were just there. It’s amazing. Great Lake floats to play on. Nice bar. Tons of carts to rent. Big pull through sites. Full hookup. Bar at the beach. Serves great food.
Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, tent camping near Nelsonville offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for families and solo adventurers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nelsonville, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nelsonville, WI is Camp Wilderness with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Nelsonville, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
