Laurie A B.
Scout
ScoutCreekview RV Park
Winter camping
Fantastic! I called the day before and she got me right in an excellent spot. Very nice and helpful and so grateful they were open in Winter ❄️🥶
Best Campgrounds near New Glarus, WI
Camping near New Glarus, Wisconsin encompasses several wooded state parks and county facilities within the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin. New Glarus Woods State Park serves as the primary local camping destination, offering both drive-in and walk-in sites within its small but accessible grounds. Yellowstone Lake State Park, located about 20 miles west, provides more extensive camping options with lake access. Both parks are part of the Wisconsin State Park system and feature varying levels of amenities for tent and RV campers. The area sits within the scenic Driftless Region, characterized by hills and valleys untouched by glaciers during the last ice age.
Most campgrounds in the New Glarus area operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through October. New Glarus Woods State Park remains open year-round, though camping facilities typically close during winter months. Summer brings humid conditions with temperatures regularly reaching the 80s, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures ideal for camping. Road noise can be a consideration at New Glarus Woods, as several campsites are positioned near highways. Vault toilets and basic water access are standard at most sites, with limited or no shower facilities at smaller parks. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends and fall color season.
The camping experience varies significantly between parks in the region. According to reviews, New Glarus Woods offers a more rustic experience with its walk-in sites providing greater privacy despite some road noise. "The walk-in sites have a good amount of space between each site," noted one camper, though they mentioned highway sounds are audible throughout the park. The proximity to New Glarus Brewery and the Sugar River Trail makes this location popular for cyclists and beer enthusiasts. Yellowstone Lake State Park provides more recreational opportunities with fishing, swimming, and hiking trails. For those seeking more amenities, Blue Mound State Park, about 25 miles northwest, features extensive trail systems and observation areas with views stretching to the Wisconsin River Valley.
Best Camping Sites Near New Glarus, Wisconsin (96)
1. New Glarus State Park Campground
19 ReviewsNew Glarus, WI2 milesWebsite+1 (608) 527-2335$15 - $25 / night
"The park itself isn't that interesting, but it is worth noting that it is located across the road from New Glarus Brewery. The brewery is an easy walk or bike ride from the walk-in campsites."
"New Glarus Woods is a small State Park tucked away in the Southern Wisconsin countryside. Drive-in sites come with nice amenities."
2. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
35 ReviewsBlanchardville, WI17 milesWebsite+1 (608) 523-4427"Beautiful wooded campground with easy access to fishing & swimming. Lots of hiking trails and nature programs for all ages."
"This is a very large state park located halfway between Mineral Point and New Glarus, both nice visiting destinations in their own right."
3. Blue Mound State Park Campground
26 ReviewsBlue Mounds, WI18 milesWebsite+1 (888) 947-2757$18 / night
"Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water."
"Go to Blue Mounds Grocery on the way in. easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and running trails - including Military Ridge Trail. Camped here with 2 friends during a cross country road trip."
4. Crazy Horse Campground
15 ReviewsEvansville, WI18 milesWebsite+1 (608) 897-2207"Being right in front of the jumping pillow people didn’t walk around. They would cut thru our site."
"We made this trip mid-May during the Covid social distancing. The camp ground was on point with their preparedness. Check in was simply pull into your site or a brief stop at registration."
5. Brigham Park
10 ReviewsBlue Mounds, WI18 milesWebsite+1 (608) 224-3730"It's up on a hill, so there's good views of the driftless area of Wisconsin. Plenty of open walk up camp sites, but it might be more full in the summer."
"The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay.
- Well-kept vault toilets.
- Close to a many points of interest."
6. William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground (Dane County Park)
17 ReviewsMadison, WI21 milesWebsite+1 (608) 224-3730$18 - $28 / night
"With the rain and the proliferation of mosquitoes, we were wandering around southern Wisconsin without a plan when we stumbled across this county park. 50 sites, many with electric and very reasonably"
"No water on sites but spigots located throughout the park. Dump station right at the entrance but there's plenty of room to maneuver around there. Could get congested if busy."
7. Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground
23 ReviewsStoughton, WI24 milesWebsite+1 (608) 873-9695"Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."
"We didn’t have much time to explore the campground but we did have a nice walk around the outer loop of sites. This is near the main highway and a nice place to camp."
8. Sweet Minnihaha Campground
5 ReviewsEvansville, WI14 milesWebsite+1 (608) 862-3769$8 - $35 / night
"Such a lovely camp ...the sites are fairly close together but you can pick the site you want so you don’t have to be directly next to another tent ...on our visit we saw lots of wildlife from chickens"
"Easy access to on and off the river for tubing. Id say its more of an adult atmostphere."
9. Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park
28 ReviewsDodgeville, WI28 milesWebsite+1 (608) 935-2315"The sites on the "inside" of the loop are rather close to one another. 21 has a nice view of the lake, and you can walk back to the fence to look over the bluff 24 is quite private and very large 26,"
"Had to set our tent up right next to the fire ring, as that was the only spot that wasn’t muddy, so we couldn’t have a decent fire. During the rain the water was ankle deep under the picnic table."
10. McKeller City Park
1 ReviewBlanchardville, WI11 milesWebsite
Recent Camping Photos near New Glarus, WI
259 Photos of 96 New Glarus Campgrounds
Sapphire J.
New Glarus State Park Campground
Scott P.
Green County Fairgrounds
Brittany H.
Sweet Minnihaha Campground
Scott S.
Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
Marc W.
Crazy Horse Campground
Danielle A.
Blue Mound State Park Campground
Lee D.
William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground (Dane County Park)
Bob M.
Mendota County Park
Jenna R.
Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground
Paul N.
Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park
Nick C.
Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites — Governor Dodge State Park
Art S.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area
Recent Reviews near New Glarus, WI
729 Reviews of 96 New Glarus Campgrounds
Mike P.ScoutSteel Oak Campground
Camping in a working farm.
Brand new campground with a large Sandy beach swimming pond, fishing pond and a large lodge building with farm shop and excellent restrooms and showers. Planned activities on the weekends and a short drive to Devils Lake State Park and city of Baraboo.
Aegon T.ScoutNew Glarus State Park Campground
Really enjoyed camping here
The park has a peaceful, natural atmosphere and the wooded sites give a nice sense of privacy compared to many larger campgrounds. It’s a great spot if you’re looking for a quiet outdoor experience with simple amenities and access to scenic hiking and biking trails. Being close to the town of New Glarus is also a nice bonus if you want to explore the area during your stay.
speed run
Stuart K.
LegendRock Cut State Park - Hickory Hills Campground
Where Tent Camping Touches the Shore
Hickory Hills Campground is Rock Cut State Park’s more primitive, tent-only camping destination, distinct from the electric Class A and B camping areas. Located along the eastern edge near Pierce Lake, this campground offers non-electric Class B sites and are numbered from 1 to 60 and set along a wooded lake frontage small peninsula right on Lake Pierce with this CG spot making for a quieter, more rustic experience with the closest access to the lake of any of the 6 other campgrounds that exist here at Rock Cut SP.
Sites are modest and simpler than premium loops: you won’t find hookups here, but you will have nearby access to water hydrants and restrooms located just outside the loop. Central facilities cover essentials like showers, toilets and a dump station in the broader park; however, between November and April, water and dump services are unavailable, so plan accordingly.
Hickory Hills shines for its proximity to nature and lakeside access where you can cast a line, paddle around or hike the dozens of miles of forest trails. Still, be prepared for less privacy between sites as there’s virtually no ground shrubbery with many of the sites being sloped or closely spaced, so expect limited shade (in fact, you may want to bring your own shelter), and a more basic setup than other loops here.
Insider Tips? Let’s count to 5: (1) Make your reservation as EARLY as possible through ExploreMoreIL™ since Hickory Hills offers fewer, more highly desired tent-only sites that are either lakefront or lakeview; (2) Pack your shade as several sites are sloped or open wherein early setup and a sunshade or awning can help maintain comfort and / or privacy; (3) Move shiftable gear near the loop entrance as the facilities are outside the loop, so a wheeled cart or stroller comes in very handy; (4) For easier meal prep or last-minute snacks, stop at the central camp store between White Oak and Plum Grove campgrounds with this central store stocking basics like ice, firewood and snacks; and (5) Bring your kayak, canoe and / or fishing rod as Hickory Hills Campground puts you within easy reach of Pierce Lake’s quiet shore, which is great for paddle sessions or launching simple lake adventures.
Happy Camping!
- PPatti M.
TravelerSleepy Dragon Campground
Camping
In 2024 just before Memorial Day, I needed to leave the campground I was in and started calling around for openings at private campgrounds. I was getting worried that it was not possible for me to find a site. I remembered ( light bulb moment) that Sleepy Dragon Campground may have openings. I called and was shocked to hear they still had openings for that weekend. Drove to the campground and set my sights on a pull through site. I enjoyed it so much decided to stay permanently. My original site was 120, then moved to 114, it’s a corner site. Has shade and sun at different times of the day. Large to medium camp sites, grassy, concreted if that’s what you like, plus electric and water at each site. Sewer at selected sites. Personally I came here as a child, back in the later 60’s to early 70’s. Changed owners a couple of times, now it is veteran owned, upgrades are being completed as time allows.
Jessica T.
GuidePilgrims Campground
Nice enough grounds, poorly maintained electric panels
To be honest I thought this stay was going to be easy and the first couple days were. They didn’t have full hook up sites and we have a 50 amp rig… we used a dogbone to connect to the 30 amp site. It was fine for a bit but then we started to get surges. Our EMS protected the rig but ultimately we couldn’t use the power. Even with only running the fridge it continued to trip. We tried the one next to us and it gave us the reverse polarity code so we decided it would be best to just leave the following day. The grounds are well maintained and the owners are friendly… they mentioned some of their 30 amp sites will get converted to 50 next year so hopefully that helps but definitely frustrating to need to book another site and forfeit money on this one.
- rrachel A.Traveler
Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park
way overpriced and not worth it
cost at end of september, sunday night was $76/night PLUS $16 parking fee so $92 for a night at a mediocre campground with no privacy. i rarely write negative reviews, but ive been camping for a while now, and never experienced this high of a cost for just a regular campground.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendPettits Lakeview Campground & Bar
Family Friendly Lakeside Campground
Pettit’s Lakeview Campground & Bar is the kind of place where family camping meets lakeside fun with a lively twist, sitting right on Lake Koshkonong with beautiful sunset views and easy boat access. My kids loved the playground while the adults enjoyed Friday fish fries, live music and the laid-back bar that doubles as a social hub, creating a strong community vibe with theme weekends and plenty of laughter. That said, it’s definitely more “festival” than “quiet forest” with sites being closing together, weekends can get noisy with karaoke and bar traffic, and shade is limited, so if you’re looking for peace and birdwatching, this isn’t it, but for families who don’t mind a little bustle, it’s a fun and memorable spot.
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Pilgrims Campground
Simple Campground
With a small family to mind, while out enjoying a short weekend of camping, I appreciated Pilgrim’s Campground in Wisconsin for its quiet, family-oriented atmosphere that made our stay both relaxing and memorable. The sites were clean, level and easy to settle into, with plenty of shade and enough space for the kids to play safely nearby. While the campground doesn’t have the flashy resort-style amenities of some bigger parks, it makes up for it with well-kept facilities, a friendly, welcoming staff, and a slower pace that let us truly enjoy time together outdoors. My kids loved riding their bikes around the loops, roasting marshmallows at night and spotting wildlife along the nature trails, while I valued the sense of safety and the community feel among fellow campers. Conveniently located near local attractions yet peaceful enough to feel tucked away, Pilgrim’s offered the perfect balance of simplicity, comfort, and wholesome family camping.
Guide to New Glarus
Camping near New Glarus, Wisconsin positions visitors within the unique Driftless Area where elevations range from 800-1200 feet with considerable temperature fluctuations between seasons. While summer camping temperatures can reach 90°F during the day, evening temperatures often drop into the 50s even in July and August. The region's rolling topography creates distinct microclimates where rainfall and morning fog conditions can vary significantly between campgrounds just miles apart.
What to do
Sugar River paddling: At Crazy Horse Campground, water activities are easily accessible. "They provide at no charge kayaks and a shuttle to a drop-off point which you can kayak back down to the campground which takes about an hour and a half they space out the shuttles very well so you are not running into the people from the last shuttle," notes David H. The Sugar River offers additional paddling opportunities with "the option to continue on down river another eight miles which is approximately six hours to the next point."
Waterfall exploration: Visit Stephens Falls in Dodgeville at Cox Hollow Campground, approximately 35 miles from New Glarus. "The Stevens Falls and Canyon Trails were the highlight of the trip- even in the rain! First you can explore the old spring house and read the informational signs about the family that used to farm there and other early settlers in the area," writes Siobhan R. The trail system offers varying difficulties with the 3-mile Canyon loop featuring "a slippery uneven staircase to go down, but there is a sturdy handrail."
Dog-friendly swimming: Several area campgrounds offer dedicated swimming areas for dogs. Sarah B. notes that at Cox Hollow Campground, "They had a dog beach for them to swim in which was a huge plus! Great hiking with some beautiful scenery." Most dog beaches require pets to remain leashed until they reach designated swim areas.
What campers like
Secluded walk-in sites: Many campers prefer the walk-in sites at New Glarus Woods State Park for privacy despite their distance from parking. Sarah W. shares: "The walk-in sites have a good amount of space between each site, however the sites on the east side of the bike trail get less level the further you get from the parking lot. All sites are shaded and have fire pits and picnic tables." She recommends site #19: "It is the closest site to the parking lot on the east side of the trail, but you have to take a short foot-path off the main trail... This makes it very quiet and private."
Natural cooling: The elevated terrain at Brigham Park creates natural cooling effects. Renee R. notes, "The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay." Braelyn C. adds, "The cool breeze rolls up over the mound at night, keeps you cool in your tent."
Water recreation: Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground offers excellent water activities approximately 20 miles from New Glarus. "What really makes this campground is the lake. There's a nice beach for kids and adults to relax at and lots of kayaks on the water," reports Ryan K. The park provides both swimming and fishing opportunities, with "beautiful wooded campground with easy access to fishing & swimming," according to Jeanne M.
What you should know
Highway noise: Road noise is a common issue at several campgrounds near New Glarus. Katie K. reports about New Glarus Woods: "These sites are right next to the highway and are subject to continuous, round the clock highway noise. The highway seems to be a regular truck route, with lots of semis driving by at all hours. Since the campground is in a hill, you get to hear the trucks revving up for a climb, then engine-breaking on the way down."
Trains: Some campgrounds experience train noise at night. Lisa S. mentions at Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground: "The first train only blew its horn a few short times. The second train acted like someone was laying on the tracks and was a little excessive for 3 am! Luckily we did not hear trains Friday night and we only heard 1 on Saturday night."
Toilet facilities vary: Bathrooms differ widely between campgrounds. At Sweet Minihaha Campground, Brittany H. advises: "My only issue was taking a shower at night...if you aren't fast bring a lantern because the auto lights will turn off on you." At Blue Mound State Park, facilities receive higher marks with "extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water," according to Josh F.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: Families with children should consider Blue Mound State Park Campground, which offers water features uncommon at other area campgrounds. "The pool is very nice and very clean. There is a pool section and a splash section. There are chairs and lounges around both and shade awnings. The cost is $3 for and adult and $2 for child," reports Debra M.
Playground proximity: When selecting campsites with children, consider proximity to play areas. At Lake Kegonsa, Lisa S. notes, "Adjacent to the shower house was a nice wooded picnic area with playground equipment for the kids." Most area playgrounds are centrally located rather than near specific campsites.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer educational programs. Siobhan R. describes historical exhibits at Cox Hollow: "First you can explore the old spring house and read the informational signs about the family that used to farm there and other early settlers in the area." Nature programs are typically scheduled on weekend mornings during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites. At Yellowstone Lake State Park, Jeanne M. advises: "If camping with a trailer or RV check to make sure you will get a campsite that is level enough for your vehicle. Lots of the campsites are uneven and larger vehicles may have issues getting level."
Low clearance warnings: Watch for low-hanging branches and structures. Kathy L. reports a serious issue at Lake Kegonsa: "There is an oak tree near entry with low branches and it took the AC off our friend's fifth wheel. There is also a low hanging overpass and it took the roofs off TWO fifth wheels while we were staying there. Major damage on roof and internally - the RV had to be totaled and replaced."
Limited full hookup options: Most state parks offer electric only, while private campgrounds provide more hookup options. David H. describes Crazy Horse Campground: "The campsite we stay at is Water and Electric and it's right along the river when you pull in to set up camp you'll be facing the water which is nice you're not staring at neighbors campers."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities does New Glarus Woods State Park offer for campers?
What amenities does New Glarus Woods State Park offer for campers?
New Glarus Woods State Park Campground offers a rustic camping experience with basic amenities. The park features both drive-in and walk-in sites, providing options for different camping preferences. Amenities include water pumps, vault toilets (no showers), and fire rings at each site. The campground provides direct access to hiking and mountain bike trails, as well as connections to the Sugar River Trail. The park has a playground for children and offers wooded sites that provide good privacy between neighbors. While the facilities are simple, the park's location makes it an excellent base for exploring the town of New Glarus and surrounding attractions.
What campgrounds are available in New Glarus, Wisconsin?
What campgrounds are available in New Glarus, Wisconsin?
The primary camping option in New Glarus is New Glarus Woods State Park Campground, a small state park tucked into the southern Wisconsin countryside. For additional options near New Glarus, consider Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground, which offers wooded sites with access to fishing and swimming. Other nearby options include Sweet Minnihaha Campground and Crazy Horse Campground in Brodhead. The New Glarus area is particularly known for its Swiss heritage, making it a charming destination for campers who want to explore local culture while enjoying the outdoors.
Are there RV camping options near New Glarus?
Are there RV camping options near New Glarus?
RV camping options near New Glarus are limited but available. At New Glarus Woods State Park Campground, only a few sites can accommodate campers or RVs, with most being tent-only. For better RV accommodation, consider Wisconsin Riverside Resort in nearby Spring Green. If you're willing to drive a bit further, Crazy Horse Campground near Brodhead offers RV-friendly sites with water and toilets. When using New Glarus Woods, be aware that most sites are not level, which can be challenging for larger vehicles. The campground is primitive with no electrical hookups, so RVers should come prepared for dry camping.
Keep Exploring