Glamping options near Rice Lake, Wisconsin provide a luxurious alternative to traditional camping with several properties nestled among the northern Wisconsin forest. The area sits within the Northern Highland geographic region at approximately 1,140 feet elevation, with warm summer temperatures averaging 78-82°F during peak season. Winter camping options remain limited with only select campgrounds offering year-round access due to the region's heavy snowfall that typically begins in November.
What to do
River tubing adventures: At Log Cabin Resort and Campground, staff will transport you upstream for a relaxing float that ends at their sandy beach area. "They will bring you up the river to float down and land on their nice sand beach," notes one visitor who rated their experience highly.
Stargazing at designated areas: Wild River State Park offers a dedicated star viewing area away from light pollution. According to Katherine T., "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance."
Winter activities: For those interested in cold-weather camping, Wild River State Park maintains winter options. "We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp. The campground was fully reserved but was empty, the low was 10 so people must have bowed out," shares Joanna B., who enjoyed both skiing and snowshoeing on the trails.
Geocaching opportunities: Eagle Ridge Campground provides access to numerous geocaching locations. One reviewer mentioned, "Tons of geocaching in the area," making it an excellent base camp for treasure hunters.
What campers like
Private, wooded campsites: At Lake Wissota State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the natural buffers between sites. "We selected site 67E online based on the campsite map and photo provided on the online reservation site. While all of the sites were very private - lots of trees and underbrush between, this one and 65E were ideally situated for dual sites," explains Julie P.
Water access points: Lake Wissota provides multiple ways to enjoy the water beyond the main beach. "Several stairways down to the lake, no beach at these spots but good for taking the dog in the water since they aren't allowed on the beach," notes Donella L., highlighting options for pet owners.
Clean facilities: Eagle Ridge Campground maintains exceptionally clean amenities according to multiple reviews. "The bathrooms were sparkling clean. The showers were hot and the laundry was reasonably priced. Had I known how much we liked the area, we would've stayed longer. 10/10 would recommend," states one Dyrt reviewer.
River view trails: Eagle Ridge offers nature paths overlooking the Chippewa River. Ben M. mentions, "Walking path to an area that overlooks the Chippewa River was nice," providing a natural attraction directly from the campground.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: At Myron County Park, campers note the difference between site locations. "Nice spot to camp. Clean bathrooms and showers. Usually super busy in the summer and big family gatherings, but spots in the back are quiet," explains david, suggesting requesting rear sites for more peaceful stays.
Wildlife encounters: Expect to see wildlife at several campgrounds in the region. Wild River State Park provides particularly notable wildlife viewing. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," reports Kate H.
Seasonal accessibility: Most glamping close to Rice Lake, Wisconsin operates seasonally. Thornapple River Campground runs "May 1 to October 1," while Hayward KOA operates from "May 1 - October 5." Plan accordingly as most facilities close during winter months.
Morning cleaning schedules: Lake Wissota visitors should note bathroom maintenance timing. "If you have to use the bathrooms between 7:30-8:30 am, use the pit toilets because that's when they are cleaning," advises taylor M., helping guests avoid bathroom closure frustrations.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Hayward KOA offers numerous attractions for children. "Large 9ft heated pool, mini golf, large playground, horse shoes, volleyball, nice size water slide, covered stage for music, ice cream shop, huge jump pillow, and much more," reports Nate C., highlighting the family-centered amenities.
Theme weekends: Hayward KOA creates special weekend programming specifically for families. Lynn N. mentions, "They also have themed weekends for the kids, and plenty of activities!" calling it a "Great Campground - Family Friendly" in her review.
Noise considerations: Families should consider noise factors when selecting campsites. At Lake Wissota, one camper noted, "Lots of boat noise from the lake and a plane noise from a nearby airport. Close to Chippewa Falls for restaurants and stores. A great family destination, not so great for a peaceful couples weekend."
Inflatable water parks: For families seeking water recreation beyond natural lakes, Log Cabin Resort includes artificial attractions. "There is a nice inflatable park for the kids," mentions Drew G., adding another option for family entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Site size awareness: Thornapple River Campground offers limited camping spots with utilities. "It's a small campground, not a lot of campsites. There is electric and water service available. The hosts will pump your tanks for a $10 fee," explains Amanda W., providing important details for RVers about tank services.
Tree navigation challenges: Hayward KOA presents obstacles for larger vehicles. "There are alot of trees that make it very challenging for larger rigs. There are a handful of sites that would be easy to access, I recommend calling first. We have a 43ft 5th wheel," advises Sheila H., suggesting pre-arrival planning for big rigs.
Measurement accuracy: Pine Point Campground provides precise site dimensions. "Their measurements on their website are accurate. We arrived and didn't think we would fit but did," shares David G., confirming the reliability of the stated site sizes for RV planning.
Pull-through availability: Sites that accommodate drive-through parking without backing are available at several campgrounds. Hayward KOA offers "a large selection of different campsites from tents to cabins to Rv site of all types (pull throughs, back in, no hook ups to full hook ups)," notes Nate C., listing options for easier RV parking.
