Campgrounds near Rice Lake, Wisconsin provide varying levels of access to the area's numerous waterways within the Northern Highland region at elevations averaging 1,100 feet. Temperature swings between day and night can be significant during spring and fall camping seasons, often dropping 20-30 degrees after sunset. Local campgrounds generally maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM with enforcement varying by location.
What to do
Kayaking on smaller lakes: Audie Lake County Park offers protected waters ideal for paddling. "Perfect lake for kayaking" notes camper Kyle L., who adds that "your alarm clock is a beaver slapping its tail or a loon calling its mate" while enjoying the serene waterway.
Night sky viewing: The rural setting provides exceptional stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. At Audie Lake County Park, "If you are lucky enough to camp with clear skies you will see more stars than you ever have," according to reviewer Kyle L.
Swimming access: Public beach areas provide designated swimming zones with varying amenities. "Awesome place to go swimming. Very kid friendly, and pet friendly," reports Caitlin B. about Doolittle Park, which maintains a popular swimming area.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple species can be caught across area lakes. Dan G. notes that "Fishing is very good on the Big Chetac Chain of Lakes approx. 1700 acres" near Doolittle Park, while Andrea M. confirms "Fishing is good!" at Barron County Veterans Memorial Park.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites away from neighbors. At Country Quiet RV Park, "Sites are fairly spread out. Easy loop system makes this campground very easy to navigate through," according to Judy B.
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance of bathroom facilities ranks high on camper satisfaction. Kristin F. found Barron County Southworth Memorial Park to be "Quiet and clean, with pit toilets, coin showers, and a dump station. Sites were large with gravel pads, water, and electric."
Wooded privacy: Natural vegetation between sites provides screening at select campgrounds. Lynette J. describes Audie Lake County Park as "Wood, private, and scenic" where "camping spots are well wooded and provide plenty of space and privacy."
Lake access: Direct water access from camping areas allows for convenient recreation. "This place is clean and the sites are few but very nicely laid out. There are three sites up on a ridge 'overlooking' the lake," notes Lynette J. about Murphy Flowage Park.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by carrier and location. Ryan S. reports at Eagle Point Park, "I had great 5G signals from Verizon and T-mobile here," while Kyle L. notes Audie Lake has "0 cell service" making it "truly a campground to disconnect."
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds require equipment for leveling. "All sites require some leveling," according to Ryan S. at Eagle Point Park.
Seasonal popularity: Summer weekends fill quickly at most locations. Judy B. advises about Eagle Point Park, "It is small and fills up fast so I would make reservations."
Campground character variations: Some locations function more like seasonal communities than traditional campgrounds. Judy B. observed that Wolf's Den "isn't really a campground, it is more like a summer community. A majority of sites are taken up with permanent RV set ups."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain playground equipment for children. Doolittle Park includes "a public beach, playground, picnic area, boat launch, fish cleaning house, and pavilion," according to reviewer Dan G., making it an "Excellent Campground for Families."
Berry picking opportunities: Seasonal wild berries provide family foraging activities. Nels J. found "a lot of black and red raspberries all over" at Barron County Veterans Memorial Park.
Walking distance amenities: Some campgrounds offer nearby services within walking distance. Ryan S. notes that at Eagle Point Park "There is a coffee shop about a 20 minute walk from the park. There is a public swimming beach less than a 10 minute walk from the park."
Pet-friendly water access: Dog friendly campgrounds near Rice Lake typically permit leashed pets near shorelines. Christopher H. mentions Whitetail Ridge Campground is "Close to trails and fishing. Nice beach in shell lake" providing water options for families with pets.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Larger rigs face limitations at many area campgrounds. Ryan S. advises about Eagle Point Park: "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. But I did not have trouble in my 25 foot motor home."
Utility hookup variations: Water and electric access differs between campgrounds and sites. Forest R. mentions K and C Country Air Campground has "water sewer electric sites" available for RVs seeking full hookups.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer on-site dumping. Ryan S. notes at Eagle Point Park: "I could not find a dumper on site. There is a dump station."
