3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several horse-friendly campgrounds provide equestrian facilities near Ontario, Wisconsin. Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground features extensive horseback riding trails shared with hikers throughout the park. The campground offers spacious sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and clean restroom facilities. Walk-in sites provide more privacy and carts are available for transporting gear. While the campground doesn't have dedicated horse corrals, the extensive trail system makes it popular with equestrians. The sites remain spaced far enough apart to maintain privacy while camping, and the shower facilities are well-maintained.
The region offers additional equestrian camping options within driving distance. Reno Horse Campground in R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest provides primitive camping specifically for equestrians. Yellow River State Forest in nearby Iowa features two equestrian campgrounds - Frontier Equestrian and Creekside Equestrian - both offering electric hookups, water connections, and sewer facilities. These campgrounds include fire rings, picnic tables, and tie-ups for horses along with designated manure stations and tools for proper waste management. Multi-user trails include stream crossings and connect riders to seasonal trout fishing areas. White Mound County Campground, another option in the region, offers electric sites, drinking water, and thirty-amp hookups in a wooded setting with sites tucked away for privacy.
"Traveling along the road from Ontario to Wildcat gave a little Appalachia feel. The park is situated above the Kickapoo River valley and is a great base for trout fishing."
"Our first trip was five years ago and we got portage service for our canoe from Titanic Rentals in Ontario."
Available this weekend
from $19 - $110 / night
"Most of the time, the pay envelopes are outside and you have to duck into your car, fill it out, and dart back into the dark to the drop box."
"The campsites are tucked away and private. There are bathrooms and a small playground. The lake is gorgeous and clean. The only downfall is the lake is spring-fed so it’s a bit cold for swimming."
"There are many hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River."
"In Yellow River State Forest,-Very nice spacious sites for horses/riders including tie-ups, fire rings, tables at each site."
from $16 / night
"Clean, well kept sites with tie-ups, tables, fire rings, manure station and tools, multiuser trails including stream crossings. Trout fishing is good with seasonal stockings."
from $16 / night
TravelerVery nice grounds with gorgeous tree covered sites, electric hookup on most of them. They have toilet facilities on each end of the grounds. They have shower facilities with potable water fill station next to the showers and water fountains in several locations. For those with kids they have a very nice playground area.
RangerTraveling along the road from Ontario to Wildcat gave a little Appalachia feel. The park is situated above the Kickapoo River valley and is a great base for trout fishing.
If you are in the driftless region looking for camping, this is the spot.
LegendWe hiked a short distance into our site. We had to pass a grassy area that was always full of bunnies! The site was of good size, dark and quiet. The shower house was close and clean.
TravelerVery cool secluded walk in sites, pet friendly, awesome trails.
GuideThis is a smaller campground but makes up for it with all the access around it. Ice Cave trail was a neat, quick walk. The trails around have gorgeous views of the driftless area and Kickapoo river. I stayed at site 1. While it is right next to the campground road and a trail, trees block the views from people looking in and there was not that much traffic. It is a tent only site and can fit one tent. Was a good site for just me and would stay at this site again as most of the other sites are very explored.
LegendNice campground, quiet would come back! It was our first time to WI so the scenery to the park was just beautiful.
Our campsite was nice. Spaced out enough from neighbors that we were comfortable. Do not like the nickel and diming of WI state parks. Charge the site fee which is reasonable enough but then a $8 reservation fee that gets you to $40 and then another $11 to NR's for the vehicle pass. You can get an annual pass for $38 but when you are just passing through it's not worth it. Brought us to $51 for the stay and it was worth it since we needed a place to camp, but I've stayed in better places for less. This park was much better than Rocky Arbor.
Bathrooms were super clean for a campground. Good shower with directions on wall, which was a nice touch. The cement in shower is stained so it looks dirty but it's really pretty clean. Enjoyed my hot shower here.
Hiked the Old Settlers Trail. It was nice, some elevation changes that get you attention. It was muggy and hot as I hiked right after the rain, so temperature was miserable at times, but it is July! The entire trail was about 3 miles round trip from the campground. Definitely check out observation point! Beautiful view!!!
LegendThis was our second visit to this park. On both occasions we wanted to canoe the scenic Kickapoo river. Our first trip was five years ago and we got portage service for our canoe from Titanic Rentals in Ontario. We went from there (bridge 1) to bridge 12 Which took nearly all day, but we were able to have lunch at the park's Wildcat landing, the only real and equipped picnic site along the river. NOTE; Google maps makes it look like the campground and landing are near each other. They are not. It's three miles of very steep roads, so don't think you're going to fetch anything you left behind.
The campground is on top of the ridge, which means in the morning you will look out over a fog shrouded valley through the trees. The views from the overlooks, which are a short hike, are worth checking out. Campsite 15 is the only one with a clear view.
There are walk in sites and the paths are wide and clear. The park provides large carts for your stuff so you can really pack stuff in and get away from it all. But the family tent and RV sites generally well spaced, check the map as some are more private than others.
Our second trip was in August, 2023 and we canoed from bridge 12 to LaFarge (bridge 21). It was later in the season than our previous trip, and in the slightly less scenic stretch of the river. As a result, we didn't see any other boaters.
Campsites have basic fire ring, and there are pit toilets as well as one Full facility with running water and hot showers. Firewood is available at the Ranger station.
There's also Equestrian camping elsewhere in the park and lots of trails for both hikers and horses.
The town of Ontario has a good general store and a couple bars, but this is pretty much wilderness and small farms. Two unique places however are Wild Things Furrier near bridge twelve. Want a coonskin cap or some smoked trout? This is the place.
More unique than that if you want to treat yourselves, go 34 miles south to the St. Frances Hermitage restaurant. It's run by a small order of French Monks and Nuns who raise their own animals and grow the vegetables they serve. Their bakery is also delicious. This is not fast food, this is a gastronomic experience.
ScoutPretty cool state park. Campground is located on the top of the hill. Wish there were more hiking trails. You can also hike on the horse trails if you want. Would highly recommend canoeing or kayaking the Kickapoo River if you are spending a weekend there.
LegendClean, well kept sites with tie-ups, tables, fire rings, manure station and tools, multiuser trails including stream crossings. Trout fishing is good with seasonal stockings.
Equestrian camping near Ontario, Wisconsin offers access to the unique Driftless Area, characterized by its steep ridges, deep valleys, and sandstone outcrops untouched by glaciation. The region features over 100 miles of multi-use trails across state forests and parks, with most equestrian camping areas open from May through October depending on trail conditions and weather.
Kayak the Kickapoo River: At Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy paddling the winding Kickapoo River. According to John B., "Ontario to bridge 5 was 2.5 hours" for kayaking, making it an ideal day trip for campers staying at the park.
Hike to seasonal features: The Ice Cave Trail at Wildcat Mountain offers a unique seasonal attraction. Kristina K. notes, "We'd love to come back and see the ice cave when it's cold enough for ice," highlighting the changing nature of park attractions throughout the year.
Explore sandstone bluffs: At Reno Horse Campground in R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest, hikers can access sandstone formations. Joanna B. describes, "There is also hiking within this unit and a horse campground. The bugs weren't too bad, no ticks, no critters and no road noise."
Spacious, private sites: Campgrounds in this region typically offer well-spaced camping areas. At White Mound County Campground, Jaime L. appreciates that "the campsites are tucked away and private," providing a secluded camping experience in the woods.
Clean facilities: Most equestrian campgrounds maintain good standards for facilities. Amy G. noted about White Mound County Campground, "There were bathrooms scattered around with very clean pit-type toilets, and there were multiple toilets in 'mens' and 'women's' rooms."
Scenic overlooks: The elevated terrain provides excellent vantage points. At Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground, Steph comments, "The trails around have gorgeous views of the driftless area and Kickapoo river," making it worth climbing to higher elevations.
Stream crossings on trails: Equestrian trails often feature water crossings. At Frontier Equestrian Campground in Yellow River State Forest, James M. mentions "trails from/camp including stream crossings in trout streams," noting that riders should be prepared for water features.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have steep access roads. Joyce B. warns about Wildcat Mountain, "if you have a low car, the front end is going to get scraped at the bottom of the mountain," indicating high-clearance vehicles are preferable.
Seasonal water temperature: Some swimming areas remain cold despite summer heat. At White Mound County Campground, Jaime L. cautions, "The only downfall is the lake is spring-fed so it's a bit cold for swimming," something families should consider when planning water activities.
Wagon availability: For walk-in sites, equipment transport assistance may be available. Kay K. from Wildcat Mountain reports, "We hiked a short distance into our site. We had to pass a grassy area that was always full of bunnies!" while Joyce B. notes "There were carts to use and parking wasn't too far so it wasn't bad at all."
Wildlife precautions: Proper food storage is essential in this region. Joyce B. warns from experience at Creekside Equestrian Campground, "We woke up in the middle of the night to find some smart raccoon (or whatever it was) had enjoyed our breakfast. We kept it in a cooler, but it figured out how to open it!"
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. Amy G. points out that White Mound provides "picnic tables everywhere, drinking water spigots, fire pits at every site and a playground for the kids," making it suitable for family camping.
Hookup availability: Electric sites are distributed throughout some campgrounds. Amy G. notes about White Mound County Campground, "Electric sites (designated with an 'E' beside the number) were scattered with non electric sites. Electrics were more plentiful, though."
Site leveling: Campground pads vary in levelness across the region. Amy G. describes, "The pad we pulled into was fairly level and covered in pea gravel," which is important information for RV users setting up stabilizers and leveling systems.
Arrival timing: Late arrivals should prepare for self-registration. Amy G. advises, "There was even a campground map showing which spaces were taken and available (at the time the attendant went home for the day). This was nice, but the space we thought was open had been taken by someone moments before."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ontario, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ontario, WI is Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ontario, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Ontario, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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