Camping near Rice Lake, WI

The Rice Lake region of northern Wisconsin offers numerous camping options within a 20-mile radius of town. Most campgrounds in the area are situated near water bodies including lakes, flowages, and rivers, providing access to recreational activities. Several county parks maintain campgrounds that combine natural settings with basic amenities, while private establishments offer more developed facilities.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Barron County Veterans Memorial Park, Prairie Lake provides reliable fishing. One camper notes, "Fishing is good! Great camp hosts. Clean bathrooms." The park features a boat launch for anglers bringing their own watercraft.

Water recreation: Eagle Point Park provides swimming access within walking distance of campsites. "There is a public swimming beach less than a 10 minute walk from the park," reports one visitor. The park also maintains boat launches for those wanting to explore the water.

Kayaking and paddling: The protected waters at Audie Lake County Park create ideal conditions for non-motorized watercraft. "Perfect lake for kayaking," notes one camper. The flowage's calm waters and natural shorelines attract paddlers looking for wildlife viewing opportunities.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion available at certain campgrounds. At Audie Lake County Park, visitors enjoy "camping spots are well wooded and provide plenty of space and privacy." The remote locations create a more immersive outdoor experience.

Night sky viewing: Rural locations away from light pollution provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. One camper at Audie Lake reports, "If you are lucky enough to camp with clear skies you will see more stars than you ever have!"

Clean facilities: Barron County Southworth Memorial Park receives consistent praise for maintenance. A visitor notes it's "Quiet and clean, with pit toilets, coin showers, and a dump station. Sites were large with gravel pads, water, and electric."

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds in the Rice Lake area have limited or no cellular connectivity. Nathan J. describes Audie Lake as "Beautiful out of the way country campground," while another visitor notes it's a place "to disconnect, 0 cell service."

Reservation systems: Most county parks in the region require advance booking, especially during summer months. Southworth Memorial Park offers "Easy to make a reservation online" according to one camper.

Season length variations: The camping season varies slightly between campgrounds, with most open from May through October. Whitetail Ridge Campground operates "May 1 to mid October," which is typical for the area, while some parks extend slightly later into fall.

Tips for camping with families

Beach access: Doolittle Park in Birchwood offers family-friendly water recreation. One visitor calls it an "Awesome place to go swimming. Very kid friendly, and pet friendly."

Playground availability: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. Doolittle Park is described as "family friendly with many amenities. There is a public beach, playground, picnic area, boat launch, fish cleaning house, and pavilion."

Berry picking opportunities: Seasonal wild berries provide a natural activity for children at some campgrounds. One camper at Veterans Memorial Park found "a lot of black and red raspberries all over," which can become an entertaining foraging activity.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the region require some effort to level RVs. At Eagle Point Park, a visitor notes "All sites require some leveling. Some of the sites have water hookups."

Size restrictions: Large RVs may face access challenges at certain campgrounds. "You might be able to get a large rig into the first few spots. But if you try to drive the loop around to the other sites, you might not make it," reports an RVer about Eagle Point, though they "did not have trouble in my 25 foot motor home."

Seasonal site availability: For extended stays, some campgrounds offer monthly or seasonal options. At Doolittle Park, there are "monthly ($500.00+75.00 for electric) and seasonal sites available ($1800.00+ electric fee at the end of the year)," providing options for those wanting a longer-term base in the area.