Family camping options flourish in the Baraboo Hills area surrounding North Freedom, Wisconsin. Located in Sauk County at approximately 880 feet above sea level, this region features rolling glacial terrain with significant sandstone formations. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing while summer camping season brings warm days typically ranging from 75-85°F with moderate humidity levels.
What to do
Kayak on Mirror Lake: Mirror Lake State Park offers calm waters perfect for beginner paddlers. "The lake is great for kayaking. Lots of sandstone cliffs," notes Julia B. who stayed at Sandstone Ridge Campground. The park maintains rental facilities for kayaks and canoes from May through September.
Explore hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to well-maintained nature paths. "Plenty of hiking trails and geocaches to keep you occupied! You can rent kayaks and canoes!" shares Denise L. from Sandstone Ridge. Most trails range from easy 1-mile loops to moderate 3-mile routes with minimal elevation changes.
Visit local attractions: The Wisconsin Dells attractions sit just 15 minutes from many campgrounds. "If you are planning to be in the WI Dells and want to stay out of the craziness of the city- this is a great alternative!" explains Sara S. about Wisconsin Dells KOA, noting it provides a quieter base camp with direct access to recreational activities.
What campers like
Swimming options: Campgrounds offer various water experiences beyond standard pools. "The kids loved the blow ups in the pond. The pool was nice, but a bit colder than the pond," reports Joan about Fox Hill RV Park. Many properties maintain both traditional swimming pools and natural swimming ponds with features for children.
Site privacy: Tree cover creates natural separation at established sites. "Nice private sites with lots of woods. Shower and toilets are clean... staff is great," explains Stacey N. from Sandstone Ridge. Most wooded campsites offer 20-30 feet between neighbors with natural undergrowth providing visual barriers.
On-site entertainment: Family activities keep campers engaged without leaving the property. "Nice little campground located near Devils Lake State Park. They have a fun swim hole with inflatables for the kids to play on," notes Jeremy from Baraboo RV Resort. Activities typically run May through September with more options on weekends.
What you should know
Highway noise affects some sites: Several campgrounds experience traffic sounds despite wooded settings. "Beautiful facility but the traffic noise was atrocious," warns Kelly B. about Mirror Lake. Campsites farther from main roads generally provide quieter experiences.
Seasonal availability limitations: Most glamping facilities operate within a specific window. According to Jeff G., Wisconsin Dells KOA is a "Small clean park. Super tight sites. Nice little pool and splash pad." The majority of full-service glamping options close by mid-October and don't reopen until early May.
Reservation requirements: Popular weekends fill months in advance, particularly for premium accommodations. "We called to RSVP. Which was a breeze. Finding are ticket and spot also a breeze which ended up being late in the night," shares Jaime L. about Wisconsin Dells KOA. Holiday weekends often require 3-6 month advance bookings for luxury glamping options.
Tips for camping with families
Check site dimensions carefully: Some campgrounds have challenging site configurations. "The campsites themselves are small. We have an average sized pop up and it took my husband quite a few attempts to back where we wanted/needed it," explains Kelly M. about Merry Mac's Campground. Site details sometimes include slopes or unusual access angles not apparent in booking photos.
Consider cabin options for mixed-skill campers: Many properties offer cabins alongside traditional sites. "The cabins were nice, cozy. My aunt stayed there with her family and enjoyed it," reports Kelly M. Cabin rentals typically cost $85-150 per night depending on amenities and season.
Look for weekend programming: Scheduled activities enhance family camping experiences. "Themed weekends. The cabins were nice, cozy," notes Kelly M. from Baraboo RV Resort. Scheduled activities typically include crafts, movies, and seasonal celebrations with most programming concentrated on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement varies significantly: Hookup locations can challenge setup. "Make sure you bring 50 ft of electrical cord and water hose. They do offer to barrow their extension cords," advises Travis I. about Arrowhead RV Campground. Many older campgrounds have utilities positioned for seasonal units rather than visiting RVs.
Premium pull-through sites book early: Level, accessible sites disappear quickly during peak season. "We stayed in site #4 it was nice sized and quiet. We had full hook up, a picnic table & fire pit," shares B M. about Fox Hill RV Park. Full hookup sites typically cost $5-15 more per night than water/electric only.
Seasonal campers dominate certain sections: Some campgrounds maintain areas primarily for long-term guests. "It's a really hilly campground so keep that in mind that you will be walking up lots of hills," explains Amber C. about Holiday Shores Campground. Weeknight availability increases dramatically after Labor Day when seasonal campers visit less frequently.
