Oshkosh sits along the western shore of Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, with camping options spread throughout the surrounding area's mix of woodlands and lakeshores. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and colorful landscapes. Most campgrounds near Oshkosh operate seasonally from April through October, with only limited facilities available during winter months.
What to do
Swimming and water recreation: Pearl Lake RV Campground features a man-made swimming pond that's filtered and aerated, providing a refreshing option during hot summer days. "There were plenty of activities for the kids and adults. Theres a man made swimming pond, filtered and aerated," reports one camper at Pearl Lake RV Campground.
Mini golf: Village Inn on the Lake offers mini golf on-site, making it easy to entertain the family without leaving the campground. A visitor notes, "Cute Mini Golf Onsite! Location is great! About 2 Miles from Neshotah Beach!" This campground combines recreation with convenient access to Lake Michigan.
Special events: Many campgrounds host seasonal events, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. At Lake of the Woods Campground, campers enjoy "planned events every weekend" with one visitor mentioning it's a "very family oriented" place with "a lot of stuff for kids to do."
What campers like
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable rates at Omro RV Park, located just 10 minutes from Oshkosh. One visitor shared, "$15 a night for a site with electric hookup! Dump station and fresh water on site. Large gravel sites are flat but not secluded. Max of 2 week stay."
Shade coverage: Pearl Lake RV Campground offers extensive tree coverage, creating a cooler camping experience during hot summer months. A reviewer described the atmosphere: "This campground is nestled in a stand of tall red pine trees so shade is found everywhere. The check in process was easy and quick."
Indoor amenities: Some campgrounds offer indoor facilities that enhance the camping experience, especially during inclement weather. At Village Inn on the Lake, "The indoor pool is so nice! It's a saltwater pool and they have a separate hot tub. It was not crowded the time we went."
What you should know
Seasonal campers: Many RV parks near Oshkosh have a high percentage of permanent or seasonal campers. At Pearl Lake, one visitor observed, "About half of this park are permanent rigs. It's a little crazy, some of them even built structures around their campers, or siding outside! Some rigs don't look like they could be towed out."
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer spacious sites while others place rigs close together. At Village Inn, a camper noted, "The RV sites are small.. if you have a neighbor with a slide out then you lose half of your green space."
Bathroom facilities differ widely: When evaluating campgrounds, consider the quality of bathroom facilities. At Osh Vegas Palms, "There are two single restrooms and porta potties," while other campgrounds offer more extensive shower facilities with varying levels of maintenance.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with planned activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events specifically for children. At Fremont RV Campground, families appreciate that there are "tons of activities for kids and adults. Water parks, mini golf, playgrounds, arcade, train rides. During Father's Day weekend they have a car show."
Consider campgrounds with swimming options: Kids often enjoy having water activities available. Lake of the Woods Campground offers multiple water recreation options: "Pool and kiddie pool were clean and the beach/pond was so nice."
Check noise levels: Some campgrounds are livelier than others, which can impact family camping experiences. A visitor to Fremont RV Campground cautioned: "Campground is FULL of kids which means full of noise and activity. Its a good place to take the kids but I wouldn't recommend staying here if you really want to camp or need peace and quiet."
Tips from RVers
Level sites matter: RV campers consistently mention the importance of level sites. At Fairgrounds RV Park, a month-long visitor found their site "has plenty of space for them to run around my site without disturbing other campers."
Consider ease of entry: Backing into sites can be challenging at some campgrounds. At Pearl Lake RV Campground, "all of the sites are 90 degree back ins which can be tight with longer rigs- especially if your neighbor across the road has their vehicle or toys parked right up to the paved surface."
Some RV parks offer minimal amenities: For those just needing a place to park while attending events, basic sites may be sufficient. At Osh Vegas Palms, "It's a basic rv park. Water and power only, with a dump station out front. There is no other amenities." This simplicity works well for event attendees, with one camper noting they "were there for the EAA air show, so we needed little."
