Camping near New Auburn, Wisconsin offers varied terrain with access to the Chippewa and Fisher Rivers. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, with the majority closing between October and early May due to harsh Wisconsin winters. Temperatures can drop below freezing for extended periods, making wintertime camping limited to year-round facilities like Brunet Island State Park Campground.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Brunet Island State Park Campground, the island setting provides excellent fishing spots. "You really feels the outside world woes melt away at this island park on the Chippewa River. Large sites, many right on the water to make launching your kayak easy. Lots of slow moving inlets to paddle into and get lost in nature and fishing if you like," notes one camper.
Kayaking and canoeing: The Thornapple River offers gentle paddling experiences. "The Thorneapple River is a sleepy, winding river. There are campsites right on the river. You can float or wade in it; it's shallow and refreshing," explains a visitor to Thornapple River Campground.
Biking trails: Access the Old Abe Trail from Brunet Island. "There's also a great bicycle trail called the Old Abe Trail, which has its northern end at the park entrance," notes a frequent visitor to the area.
Wildlife viewing: Fall camping brings unique wildlife experiences. "Falling acorns, frogs and chipmunks chirping, turtles basking in sunlight and more. The owls at night were a treat (sometimes even scary) to listen to," shares a camper about their autumn visit.
What campers like
Water access sites: Many campers appreciate direct water access. "Site is set back and right on the waterfront, could launch a canoe/kayak. Definitely one of the better views and water was clear," notes a camper about site 44 at Brunet Island State Park Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness stands out at many parks. "Restrooms were very well maintained (cleaned daily) probably the best vault toilets I've come across," reports a camper about the north campground facilities.
Family activities: Stoney Creek RV Resort offers extensive recreation options. "There are so many different planned activities for both the children and the adults to participate in. They have gaga ball, a bounce pillow, an arcade, mini golf, laser tag, swimming pool, skate park, playground, basketball court, volleyball court," a family camper explains.
Privacy options: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy. "The spot that I reserved was beautiful. Loved that it was tucked in the back of the camping area and was able to put my canoe in the water at my spot. The site I had was huge. Probably about 3x larger than any site I've been to before," shares a camper about Brunet Island.
What you should know
Campground layouts vary: The north and south campgrounds at Brunet Island offer different experiences. "The North Loop has beautiful waterfront sites! The bathrooms are amazingly clean and for some reason the whole place was mosquito free," writes one visitor, while another notes "The south camp is closer to the beach and also offers flush toilets and showers."
Mosquito preparation: Due to proximity to water, some areas have significant mosquito populations. "There are a few hiking trails that are loaded with mosquitoes (given the location and amount of water)," warns a visitor to Brunet Island.
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have closely spaced sites. "We didn't have anyone next to us (site 46), if we had, it would have felt less private. Not many trees between sites 44-48," notes a camper at Wolf's Den RV Campground Resort & Tavern.
Swimming conditions: Beach quality varies by location. "The only down side was that the 'beach' is not real swimmer friendly. No sand at all, lots of rocks. The boat launch was actually better to swim at," reports a Brunet Island visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused resorts: For families with children, choose campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "This campground is located near the city, not in the woods or country. There are a mini golf course and a swimming pool on site. Stoney Creek is a fun place to bring the whole family. It might be a perfect place to bring a first-time camper to ease them into the experience," suggests one visitor to Stoney Creek RV Resort.
Diverse camping options: Some resorts offer various accommodation styles. "This was a great campground that offered many different types of camping. If you like to camp in the open, with alot of tree coverings or in a cabin that had many different options," notes a visitor about camping diversity at Stoney Creek RV Resort.
Weekend programming: Many RV parks near New Auburn, Wisconsin offer scheduled activities. "The theme weeks are all fun and well planned out. You can even order fresh baked donuts on Saturday mornings," shares an enthusiastic family camper about weekend offerings.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site availability: RV parks near New Auburn, Wisconsin have varying site configurations. At Country Quiet RV Park and Campground, "Easy loop system makes this campground very easy to navigate through. It's definitely not the most private campground, so if you're looking for rustic quiet I would look into some of the smaller county campgrounds."
Service and utility details: RV-specific amenities vary widely. "The hosts will pump your tanks for a $10 fee," notes a visitor to Thornapple River Campground, providing a useful service for longer stays.
Seasonal campsite considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have long-term seasonal residents. "This campground isn't really a campground, it is more like a summer community. A majority of sites are taken up with permanent RV set ups, and some are super huge and elaborate," explains a visitor to Wolf's Den RV Campground about the camping environment.
