Tent campsites near Platteville, Wisconsin offer backcountry experiences with varying levels of accessibility and amenities. The region's terrain features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet, creating diverse camping conditions from riverside flats to wooded ridges. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons can experience significant temperature fluctuations requiring additional preparation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Worthington Sportsman's Club provides access to pond fishing directly from secluded campsites. According to one visitor, "Great fishing while we were there too. I was skeptical about the pit toilets but the one closest to our site was very clean!" The campground offers both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with electric hookups available at some locations.
Hiking the Paint Creek Loop: Yellow River State Forest offers excellent backpacking trails with multiple primitive sites. One camper notes, "Been coming to yellow river for years but have always wanted to go backpacking... beautiful hike and nice area to set up camp, also had service!" The trail system provides options for beginner to intermediate hikers with interconnected loops.
Visit local breweries: Many tent camping areas near Platteville are within biking or short driving distance of local breweries and attractions. A camper at New Glarus State Park shared, "This park is a favorite stop of ours when we want to go visit new glarus brewery for a few beers. It's about a mile and half away." Several campgrounds offer bicycle access to regional trails connecting to nearby towns.
What campers like
Backcountry solitude: Most primitive camping sites in the region provide significant privacy. At Camp John Schultz, campers appreciate the "Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects. Leave No Trace ethics include: minimizes fire impacts by gathering only dead, down, wood." The five primitive sites feature fire rings and benches.
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers find numerous low-cost tent sites throughout the area. One Yellow River visitor commented, "This site fills up really fast because of the cheap price of only 9 dollars. This is the cheapest but one of the best campsites I've been to." Many primitive sites in wildlife management areas are free or under $10 per night.
Secluded water access: Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area provides primitive camping along the Maquoketa River. A reviewer described it as a "Unique hike or paddle primitive site. Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river. Site is along river, has table, fire ring, latrine." These sites require pack-in, pack-out practices.
What you should know
Toilet facilities vary widely: From full facilities to none at all, campers should research each site's amenities. At Blackhawk Memorial Park, "Pit toilets/shelter/playground near the entrance... Variable availability for firewood; the Cenex on the west end of Argyle reliably sells it if there isn't any at the park." Many primitive sites have no facilities requiring proper waste disposal practices.
Road noise impacts: Some tent-only sites experience significant traffic noise despite their natural settings. One camper at New Glarus noted, "These sites are right next to the highway and (at least during the week) are subject to continuous, round the clock highway noise... Super fun to wake up to multiple times throughout the night!"
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between camping areas. While some sites maintain connections, others offer a digital detox. A Camp John Schultz camper mentioned, "Cell reception is found up here [at the fire tower]," indicating limited coverage elsewhere in the camping area.
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with playground access: Hickory Ridge Group Camp receives positive feedback from families. One visitor shared: "Nice family campground. Has a lot of amenities including shower." The group camping arrangement works well for multi-family outings while providing access to swimming areas.
Choose sites with gear transportation assistance: Family camping with young children becomes easier at locations with equipment transport options. New Glarus has walk-in sites where "carts are available for transporting your gear which means you can bring more gear than you would bring backpacking."
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity affects sleep quality for children. A camper with a toddler stated their experience at one site was "jarring, and we barely slept. Not a great time, especially when we had our toddler with us." Weekday camping near highways generally experiences more truck traffic than weekend camping.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most primitive tent camping areas near Platteville don't accommodate larger RVs. At Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites, a reviewer noted, "Back packing sites are 1/2- 1 mile hike from parking lot. Great hike threw out the state park. 2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus. Lots to do for the whole family." The park offers separate developed campgrounds with electric hookups for RVs.
Consider parking limitations: Many tent camping areas have restricted parking that may not accommodate larger vehicles or trailers. Tent campers traveling with larger vehicles should confirm parking availability before arrival.
