Pardeeville camping areas sit on glacial formations from the Wisconsin glaciation period, with elevations averaging 800-850 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F between June and September, while spring and fall camping seasons often experience 40-degree temperature swings between day and night. Most campgrounds around Pardeeville operate on municipal water systems rather than well water, providing reliable drinking water quality even during drought conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Indian Trails Campground features a fishing lake where campers report excellent catches. "GREAT fishing by the way!" notes Lynn N., who found the lake well-stocked and accessible. The campground includes shore fishing areas with designated access points for bank fishing.
Water recreation: Duck Creek Campground offers a swimming pond with water inflatables that's popular with families. "The kids loved the swim area. Caught some fish on the creek," reports Garrett C. The pond includes designated shallow areas for younger children, while the inflatables are positioned in deeper sections.
Hiking trails: Devils Lake State Park provides extensive hiking opportunities on the Ice Age trail system with varying difficulty levels. "There are numerous trails to hike in to the bluffs," notes Melissa K. The park contains over 29 miles of hiking trails, with the east and west bluff trails offering the most popular routes.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Indian Trails Campground consistently receives praise for its maintenance standards. "The campground is kept in pristine condition. All their bath houses are always very clean and stocked," writes Megan S. Bathroom facilities are cleaned twice daily during peak season, with shower buildings available in three locations throughout the grounds.
Themed weekends: Campgrounds in the area often organize special event weekends. At Duck Creek Campground, "They have weekend themed activities for kids and adults," according to Heather B. Events typically include Halloween weekends in September and October, with campers noting these themed weekends often sell out months in advance.
Site privacy: Site layout and privacy vary significantly between campgrounds. At Indian Trails, "Just about every site in the campground is desirable with amenities all around," says Matt R. Sites along the lake tend to have more separation, while interior sites often have shared common areas.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer. For Devils Lake State Park, "I made reservations to be sure and get a spot. I was surprised to find many non-electric sites empty," notes Art S. Reservations typically open 11 months in advance, with holiday weekends filling within hours of release.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds can be louder than others, particularly during weekend events. At Pride of America Camping Resort, "We had a site too close to where they host a nightly dance party, and it was loud music late into the evening which wasn't ideal for our baby with an early bedtime," reports Natalie R. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours starting at 10 or 11pm.
Winter access: While most area campgrounds close by mid-October, Sky High Camping Resort remains open year-round. "We stayed here the last weekend open in 2020. Felt very welcome from check-in to check-out," notes Scott D. about another campground in the area. Winter campers should be prepared for limited services as water systems are typically winterized.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Family-oriented campgrounds often feature multiple play areas. "There are plenty things to do for kids they have quite a few little playgrounds all around the campground," writes David H. about Indian Trails. Most playgrounds are designed for children 5-12, with some campgrounds offering separate toddler areas.
Swimming options: Glacier Valley Campground has a freshwater swimming pond with inflatables that's popular with children. "It was well maintained, and the pond was clean and had fun giant inflatables!" reports Laura B. Most swimming areas are unsupervised, so parents should plan accordingly.
Activity variety: Campgrounds frequently offer organized children's activities. "There is so much to do here for small children. Fishing, swimming in outdoor & indoor pools, mini golf, playgrounds, arcade games," notes Kristen B. about Indian Trails. Weekend activities typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with reduced schedules during shoulder seasons.
Tips from RVers
Site access: Some campgrounds have narrow roads that can challenge larger rigs. "Nice campground but the roads are narrow and the sites are kinda hard to squeeze into," mentions Mikala D. about Duck Creek Campground. Most campgrounds can accommodate rigs up to 35 feet, though corner sites often provide easier access for larger vehicles.
Leveling considerations: Campsites across the area vary in levelness. At Sky High Camping Resort, reviews note "level sites up above office and half the ones by pool," according to Tim R. RVers with larger units should bring leveling blocks, as many wooded sites feature gentle slopes.
Utility hookups: Full-service sites are available at several campgrounds. "Sites are decently spacious and decently level with some gravel and some grass," reports Annette I. about Glacier Valley. Electric service typically ranges from 30-50 amp, with water pressure averaging 40-60 PSI during peak season.
