171 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Portage, Wisconsin provide a range of developed camping options within a short drive of the city. Several established campgrounds like Sky High Camping Resort and Indian Trails Campground offer year-round or seasonal access with amenities for tent and RV campers. The area features multiple state parks including Mirror Lake and Devils Lake with campgrounds like Quartzite, Northern Lights, and Ice Age that accommodate both tent and RV camping. Most developed sites in the region include standard amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities, with many offering electrical hookups and some providing full water and sewer connections.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with most facilities in the Portage area operating from April through October. Several campgrounds including Pride of America Camping Resort and Duck Creek Campground close during winter months due to Wisconsin's cold temperatures and snowfall. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. Many campgrounds in the region feature waterfront sites along lakes or ponds, though these premium locations typically fill first. Facilities at most developed campgrounds include showers, restrooms, and dump stations, with varying levels of hookups depending on the specific campground. As one camper noted, "Just about every site in the campground is desirable with amenities all around. Great place to stay for families with kids of all ages."
The camping experience around Portage combines recreational opportunities with convenient amenities. Family-oriented activities are prevalent at many campgrounds, with swimming pools, fishing ponds, playgrounds and organized weekend events. Several visitors mentioned the appeal of water-based recreation, with one camper sharing that "There's so much to do here you could stay for a week and never get bored! There's the newly renovated outdoor pool area, the swimming lake with an inflatable playground, a pond to fish, kayak/canoe/paddle boat on." Campgrounds in the region tend to be well-maintained with clean facilities. Sites vary from wooded and private to open and social, with multiple campgrounds offering cabin rentals and glamping options in addition to traditional tent and RV sites. The proximity to Wisconsin Dells (approximately 30 minutes away) makes Portage campgrounds popular bases for exploring regional attractions.
"There is something for everyone at Devils Lake State Park."
"The new warden situation is interesting. Things have gotten a lot more strict in some areas (ex."
from $26 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Much to do at Devil's Lake and surrounding area. features multiple campgrounds and multiple areas for swimming. A beach at the North and South of the lake."
"It is up and away from the rest of the park a bit and typically almost every site has full shade. This is important in the summer months."
from $26 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Views like these are hard to beat in Wisconsin, or anywhere really. The cliffs on the side of the lake are phenomenal."
"Aside from some of the windy paths, this place is really nice and peaceful to stay. You can go to Devils Lake and kayak or canoe and swim. Overall a beautiful place in Wisconsin!"
from $26 - $51 / night
Check Availability"I have been camping at Indian Trails for almost 30 years, since I was a lil tike!"
"Camp surrounds a lake which you can find activities galore on one side of the camp and peace and quiet on the other side with plenty of campsites near the water."
"Duck Creek, for my money, is the best place in SE Wisconsin. Staff is friendly, sites are big, food is awesome, and when it’s time for quiet, it’s quiet."
"we are actually having a blast at this Campground campsites are located right next to the playground so we can watch the kids from the campsite"
from $45 - $110 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at KOA in Wisconsin dells, which was about a mile away from everything. We called to RSVP. Which was a breeze."
"My family and I stayed at this Wisconsin Dells KOA location for two nights (site 61) as the first stop on a 3+ week trip, and it fully met our expectations"
"A huge water fight between the whole campground and they even drive a fire truck through."
"We go as a group usually around the 4th of July every year. Their activities are great, the poker run, and candy bingo are great!"
"Echo Rock trail is a great hike around rock formation. I was disappointed when I realized how far away the shower/toilets are away from ever loop in the campground."
"One group of younger people next to us that were pretty respectful with noise level. There is a dump and potable water fill for rvs between the entrance and this campground."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The lake, when we went in late August/Early September had a lot of algae on it and wasn't really good to swim, but they do have boat rentals and fishing. It is generally a beautiful lake."
"Mirror lake is quickly becoming one of our favorite campgrounds in Wisconsin. The sites are decent size and spaced for privacy. Some loops have group sites where you book 2 sites that are connected."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability
ScoutCampground is nice spacious and we’re well divided. The drive from the entrance of Governor Dodge to cox hollow was a good 2-3 miles but was very scenic.
TravelerThe beauty of this campground was to Madison venues. We stayed here twice recently and took Uber rides too and from Camp Randall. It’s a very clean and friendly campground ground. Very nice pavilion for events. I loved the walking path and benches along the lake.
GuideGreat place to stay had everything and price right.
ScoutLOTS of acorns and walnuts dropping on the camper all day and night
TravelerStay here for a long weekend. The weather finally cooled down. Great hiking and beautiful views. There’s a lake for swimming and boating without motors. Very hilly area. We stayed at a double site and met relatives.
ScoutIf you want one of their employees to scream at you in front of everyone during bingo saying I’m going to“beat your ass” then this is the place for you! Complained to owner; did nothing at all said I was in the wrong then proceeds to scream at a different employee in front of everyone saying“you’re out of here I don’t care if you don’t have a ride home” completely embarrassing& unprofessional. A yogi bear would never. Edit: owner comes up to me later in the night, says she was in the military and would have no problem‘kicking my ass.’ Then shushes me and asks if I’m always so difficult to talk to. Like seriously? This is who runs this place? Unprofessional
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.
TravelerStayed one night. Very nice campground on the edge of Lake Mendota. Playground for kids, tables near the lake. Nice weather, too, made for a great stay.
TravelerWhen we visited mid-week in August for one night, we had the whole campground area to ourselves. The place is basically split in 2 sections - more permanent RVs and some cabins on one side of a dirt road and the campground on the other. The permanent side is pretty filled. There is a bar where you check in, a boat launch and I believe they have water sports equipment to rent but we didn’t use any of that.
On the campground side, there is one portapotty which seemed brand new - and the showers/bathroom facility is near the cabins, a pretty far walk from our site. Some of the first sites aren’t very level, we ended up switching sites to a more level site - sites before 106 don’t seem very level. There are a few paved pads for larger rigs and a lot of sites have electric and water. Clean campground, though I felt a bit expensive for the sites ($50/night).
Camping options near Portage, Wisconsin include several rustic and developed sites within a 30-minute drive of the city. Seasonal availability varies significantly with most operating from April through October, and closing for winter between mid-October and early May. Portage sits along the Wisconsin River at the intersection of glacial outwash plains and terminal moraines, creating distinctive topography that influences the camping experience through varied terrain and soil conditions.
Kayaking at Devil's Lake: The lake doesn't allow motor boats, creating calm waters ideal for paddle sports. "Devil's Lake has 3 public campgrounds to handle over 3 million visitors a year. This means it's packed. The main draw for us is the hiking. The Ice Age trail passes right through this camp loop," notes Art S. from Ice Age Campground.
Rock climbing and hiking: The bluffs at Devil's Lake provide challenging terrain for climbers. "Climbing is popular and there are people to help teach you," explains Mike T. from Quartzite Campground. The park offers multiple difficulty levels with distinctive geological formations.
Mirror Lake paddling: The calm waters and sandstone formations make for protected paddling routes. "Mirror Lake is quickly becoming one of our favorite campgrounds in Wisconsin. Hiking is great. Lake has boat rentals. And Ishnala Supper Club is a short walk away," shares Karen A. about Sandstone Ridge Campground.
Fox River float trips: Some campgrounds coordinate river trips with transportation. "They do kayaking or canoeing down the fox river. They will drop you off and pick you up," mentions Mikala D. about Pride of America Camping Resort.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Shower facilities are nice and clean. Hiking is great and strenuous around the lake but the views are worth it," reports nicole T. from Quartzite Campground.
Swimming options: Most popular campgrounds offer swimming in either pools or lakes. "There's the newly renovated outdoor pool area, the swimming lake with an inflatable playground, a pond to fish, kayak/canoe/paddle boat on," explains Megan S. from Indian Trails Campground.
Themed weekends: Several campgrounds organize special events throughout the season. "We have come for the countless event weekends. Halloween, chocolate craziness, wet n wild, pirates weekend, poker run! Our personal favorite, wet n wild. A huge water fight between the whole campground and they even drive a fire truck through," describes Mikala D. about Pride of America Camping Resort.
Hiking trail variety: State park campgrounds connect to extensive trail networks. "The Ice Age trail passes right through this camp loop. We followed it out and back after setting up camp," reports Art S. from Ice Age Campground.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially at state parks. "You need to book the 11 months in advance, especially for holiday weekends," advises nicole T. about Quartzite Campground.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sound despite wooded settings. "The only knock on this was the proximity to the freeway, meaning that you could hear traffic at almost all times," mentions Hannah O. about Bluewater Bay Campground.
Wildlife concerns: Raccoons actively target food and supplies. "My neighbors left out garbage and so I was up all night with raccoons trashing their site. Not the campgrounds fault just lazy campers," warns Rebecca B. about Bluewater Bay Campground.
Additional fees: State parks charge entrance fees beyond camping costs. "3 nights here means it's cheaper to get the annual pass," explains Art S. about staying at Devil's Lake State Park.
Activity-focused selection: Choose campgrounds with built-in entertainment options. "Duck Creek Campground is very family friendly. They have weekend themed activities for kids and adults, a clean swimming pond with inflatables, volleyball & basketball courts and play structures for the kids," recommends Heather B. from Duck Creek Campground.
Site location strategy: Select sites near amenities most important to your family. "Campsites are located right next to the playground so we can watch the kids from the campsite," shares Sarah C. about Duck Creek Campground.
Pool and water features: Many children gravitate toward water activities. "Nice pool, awesome aqua pad for the kids and game room. No child will be disappointed here!" explains Kelli D. about Wisconsin Dells KOA.
Private vs. social sites: Consider whether you prefer isolation or community. "There is very little privacy between sites, it is always packed, and there is lots of noise. The first night I stayed here, the group across from us kept us up until 2 am!" warns Sarah D. about Ice Age Campground.
Site leveling: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring adjustments. "We are in site 37 and didn't need to level at all. They range in size good for tents and a couple cars to larger RV. We are 50 feet with truck and camper and still have a good 15-20 feet to the road," reports Jennifer K. about Bluewater Bay Campground.
Hookup variations: Electrical service varies between campgrounds and loops. "Many sites with electric. Stunning lake surrounded by bluffs and beaches," notes Rebecca B. about Northern Lights Campground.
Interior roads: Campground layout affects larger RV maneuverability. "The roads are narrow and the sites are kinda hard to squeeze into," cautions Mikala D. about Duck Creek Campground.
Dump station access: Consider location and timing for services. "There is a dump and potable water fill for RVs between the entrance and this campground," explains Jennifer K. about Mirror Lake State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV parks or RV rental services in Portage, Wisconsin?
Fox Hill RV Park & Campground is a well-maintained RV park near Portage with full hookup sites. The park offers amenities including a swimming pool, a blue-dyed swimming pond, and convenient firewood and ice delivery service directly to your site. The first loop has tight but shaded spaces, while the newer area offers more room. For another option, The Playful Goose Campground provides spacious lots that back up to forested areas, creating a peaceful setting where you might spot deer daily. For RV rentals, check with these parks directly as many have partnerships with local rental companies.
What campgrounds are available in Portage, Wisconsin?
Portage offers several camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Sky High Camping Resort is located near Portage and features reservable sites with water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly with drive-in access. Another nearby option is Buckhorn State Park Campground, which offers a unique camping experience with secluded sites completely separated by trees, providing excellent privacy. The park features beautiful landscapes that stand out from typical Midwest camping areas. Several other campgrounds are within a short drive, including those at Mirror Lake State Park and Wisconsin Dells.
What camping options are available near Portage County, Wisconsin?
The Portage County area offers diverse camping experiences. Rocky Arbor State Park Campground provides a quiet retreat close to Wisconsin Dells attractions while maintaining distance from traffic and noise. For water activities, Cliffwood Campground — Mirror Lake State Park features excellent facilities including a beach, boat ramp, and a lake that's perfect for canoeing and kayaking. The park contains several camping areas to choose from. Families might enjoy William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground, a reasonably priced county park with generous spaces, many featuring electric hookups and senior discounts.
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