Tent camping near Oshkosh, Wisconsin provides access to diverse landscapes across central and eastern Wisconsin. The region features glacial terrain with kettle lakes, rolling hills, and mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day and can drop to the 50s at night, making proper sleeping gear essential even during warm months.
What to do
Biking on designated trails: Wild Goose City Park offers convenient access to cycling routes. "Wild Goose bike trail leads to this park in Juneau. It's a good place to stop and have a break. There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain. Plenty of space to spread out for a picnic when you're biking through," notes Kim L.
Water activities: Camp Shin-Go-Beek provides lake access for swimming. "This campsite was great! Incredibly peaceful with a ton of beautiful birds singing throughout the day, relatively private, and a short walk to the private beach at the lake," writes one camper who appreciated the swimming opportunities.
Obstacle courses and skills development: Camp Wilderness features outdoor challenge facilities. "There's primarily tent sites with trails, a lake, an obstacle course and more right nearby. Camp Wilderness is a good place to initiate your kids with the outdoors and teach them fun skills," explains David K., highlighting the activity options.
What campers like
Private beach access: Campers appreciate the water access at Camp Shin-Go-Beek. "Being able to swim and float in the lake is an added bonus," mentions a reviewer who visited the site twice, showing the lasting appeal of this feature.
Spacious group sites: Greenbush Group Campground provides ample room for large gatherings. "Large sites great for groups. Sites 2 and 9 are the largest. Those can each fit over 20 backpacking tents at the same time," notes Amber R., emphasizing the campground's capacity for group camping.
Inexpensive riverside camping: Waubedonia County Park offers budget-friendly options. "The campsites are inexpensive and comfortable, though there aren't as many amenities that a larger campground would have. Overall, a nice little getaway," according to Kevin S.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Some campgrounds provide emergency shelter during storms. At Camp Shin-Go-Beek, "Ian was a great host and even checked on us to offer shelter in the admin building before a storm rolled through," reports a grateful camper, showing staff responsiveness during inclement weather.
Sound travels between sites: At Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp, noise can be an issue. "The nine sites are visually separated, but not far enough away from each other to block louder noise," observes Hilary S., suggesting campers should select sites strategically if seeking quiet.
Water availability varies: Some locations have limited water access points. "Water is usually available, but more limited during the pandemic (spigot turned off by our campsite, but available near the parking lot at the entrance - a longer walk)," notes a camper at Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp, indicating the need to plan for water collection.
Tips for camping with families
Adventure-focused camping: Camp Wilderness specializes in youth outdoor experiences. "If you have kids looking for adventure, this is a great place to be. The camp is primarily used for a program similar to Boy Scouts called Royal Rangers," mentions David K., highlighting its child-friendly focus.
Park facilities: Wild Goose City Park offers family-friendly amenities. "There's a playground and public bathroom, drinking fountain," according to Kim L., making it suitable for breaks during family outings.
Optimal campsite selection: When camping with families in group areas, select sites with specific attributes. "We had six tents, but the site could easily have accommodated more," reports a camper at Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp, indicating ample space for families traveling together.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Some camping areas near Oshkosh offer powered sites. Waubedonia County Park provides electric hookups and water connections, though the campground is described as "small but quaint" with fewer amenities than larger facilities.
Space limitations: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Oshkosh have limited RV capacity. None of the reviewed campsites mention big-rig friendliness, suggesting larger recreational vehicles may face access or space constraints at these locations.
Alternative camping styles: Consider tent options at RV-accessible locations. Northern Unit Greenbush Group Camp accommodates multiple tents per site but lacks RV-specific amenities, making it better suited for pop-up campers or small trailers rather than full-sized RVs.
