The Chippewa County area offers camping options set among Wisconsin's northern woodland terrain at around 1,100 feet elevation. With a humid continental climate, summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F while spring and fall can dip into the 40s, making advance planning important. The camping season generally runs May through October with most glamping facilities near New Auburn, Wisconsin closing after the first frost.
What to do
Water activities at Lake Wissota: Lake Wissota State Park Campground provides access to the 6,300-acre lake with multiple recreation options. "Beautiful shaded campground with semi private sites. Nice beach that is a walkable distance from the sites... Also boat rentals and free yard games that can be checked out at the visitor center," notes Donella L. The park maintains a dedicated dog beach separate from the main swimming area.
River floating: Float the Chippewa River with local outfitters providing equipment and shuttle service. "It is a great place to stay if you want to float down the Chippewa River, Loopy's the bar in town will shuttle you to and from the campsite and drop you off with their tubes at the river!" explains Anna from Eagle Ridge Campground.
Stargazing: Clear nights away from city lights create prime conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. "During clear nights, the open field provides exceptional stargazing as the park becomes very dark, occasionally revealing meteor showers," according to park staff. Whistle P. adds, "If you've been anywhere in Minnesota or Wisconsin, you know about all the trees! This campground has a large grassy area - that gives a 100% clear obstruction for Starlink."
Exploring waterfalls: Visit the natural cascades at Big Falls County Park about an hour northeast. "The river is gorgeous. Nice walking & exploring trails," shares Dani M. The falls create a continuous background soundtrack for campers as "you can hear the falls in the background" at this primitive campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers consistently praise the seclusion between sites. "The sites were very private with a nice hook in the clearing in the woods that made us feel isolated from the camp road," notes Beth D. about her Lake Wissota experience. At Chippewa NF Campground, Philip M. describes, "Sites are spread out with woods between the sites."
Clean facilities: The maintenance standards receive regular mentions. "The bathrooms were sparkling clean. The showers were hot and the laundry was reasonably priced," reports Whistle P. about Eagle Ridge. At Chippewa NF Campground, a camper mentioned, "Flush toilet and shower buildings on several loops" though noted visitors should bring their own soap.
Diverse ecosystems: The region offers varied natural environments within short distances. "We went on a 5-mile hike through fern and pine forests, prairie and grassland habitats, and an abandoned beaver pond," shares Julie P. Lake Wissota features trails that wind through different habitats with seasonal wildflower displays.
Waterfront options: Many campgrounds offer water-adjacent camping. At Chippewa NF Campground, Cathy J. noted, "Our sites were lake side so it was nice to have a path to walk down to get to the boats right there." Philip adds that even without waterfront sites, "Fishing pier and trails to get kayaks in the water are accessible from the main campgrounds."
What you should know
Seasonal pest challenges: Insect activity varies throughout the camping season. "Mosquitoes, gnats, and bugs galore," warns Hannah E. about Lake Wissota, while Becky shares a specific warning about Chequamegon National Forest: "This memorial weekend was horrible! Tent worms had infested the campground! Dropping from the trees and landing on you and all your belongings!"
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty in this rural region. Most campgrounds report minimal coverage, with Amy E. noting "We had one bar on Verizon" at Chippewa NF Campground. Bring offline maps and entertainment options.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. Lake Wissota State Park requires reservations through the Wisconsin DNR system, while luxury glamping experiences near New Auburn must be booked well in advance due to limited availability.
Varying amenity levels: Facilities range from primitive to full-service. The Thornapple River Campground offers basic services where "The hosts will pump your tanks for a $10 fee," according to Amanda W., while Big Falls County Park features only vault toilets and hand pumps.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Myron County Park offers community recreational facilities alongside camping. "Nice spot to camp. Clean bathrooms and showers. Usually super busy in the summer and big family gatherings, but spots in the back are quiet," advises david.
Choose sites strategically: When camping with children, consider proximity to facilities. At Lake Wissota, taylor M. recommends: "A group of 5 of us went camping and split ourselves among 3 campsites (2,3,4). Area is well maintained and the bathrooms (flushing toilets and showers) are cleaned regularly."
Water safety planning: Lakes in the area can have busy boating traffic. Donella L. notes about Lake Wissota: "A great family destination, not so great for a peaceful couples weekend" due to "Lots of boat noise from the lake."
Pack for variable weather: Wisconsin's climate can change quickly, even in summer. Temperature swings of 30+ degrees within 24 hours aren't uncommon, so layered clothing is essential for family comfort.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing varies: Check campground specifics before booking. David G. from Chippewa County Pine Point notes: "Others are quite small and tight for big rigs. Their measurements on their website are accurate. We arrived and didn't think we would fit but did."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in this region. Forest R. recommends K and C Country Air Campground, stating: "Great place water sewer electric sites. Very quiet campground."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. Eagle Ridge provides full hookups, while others like Thornapple River offer pumping service for a fee.
Consider glamping alternatives: For RVers wanting a break from their rig, luxury glamping near New Auburn provides a comfortable alternative. With comfortable furnished tents and yurts, these sites combine the outdoor experience with more substantial accommodations.
