Camping near Sarona, Wisconsin centers around several lakes including Shell Lake, Chetac Lake, and Chinty Lake. The region sits at approximately 1,200 feet above sea level within the Northern Highland geographic province, characterized by glacial till soil and mixed hardwood forests. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F, creating a camping season strictly limited to the warmer months when temperatures range from 50-80°F.
What to do
Water recreation access: Eagle Point Park provides direct access to water activities with boat launch facilities. "Public beaches and hiking trails, boat launch. It is small and fills up fast so I would make reservations," notes a camper.
River tubing: At Log Cabin Resort and Campground, campers can enjoy floating down the river. "They will bring you up the river to float down and land on their nice sand beach," according to one visitor.
Family farm activities: The family-focused Red Barn Campground offers unique activities beyond typical camping. "A huge playground, pony rides, animal parades and mini golf are only a few things that happen at Red Barn. The 126 year old barn on the premises holds barn dances, and indoor movies," shares a reviewer.
What campers like
Lakefront proximity: Campers appreciate sites with direct lake access. "Nice campground with lake views! Very nice beach and located in a very walkable area!" reports a visitor to Shell Lake Municipal Park.
Family-friendly amenities: Doolittle Park receives praise for its comprehensive facilities. "This campground, run by the Village of Birchwood, is family friendly with many amenities. There is a public beach, playground, picnic area, boat launch, fish cleaning house, and pavilion," explains one camper.
Quiet atmosphere: Some campers prefer the more secluded options available in the area. "Great, amazing secluded spot. 5 stars, vaulted toilets, canoeing, kayaking, hiking & more," according to a review of Sawmill Campground.
What you should know
Site availability variation: Campgrounds in the Sarona area vary significantly in capacity and booking patterns. "This little city campground is a gem. Quiet and surrounded by water, it's a pretty cool spot. Public beaches and hiking trails, boat launch. It is small and fills up fast so I would make reservations," advises a camper about Eagle Point Park.
Roadside dispersed options: Chinty Lake Roadside Camp offers free camping but with significant limitations. "This is literally just a roadside pull off not really a campsite (and the road was kinda busy), two girls traveling did not feel comfortable spending the night here and went somewhere else," cautions a reviewer.
Seasonal infrastructure: Facilities vary with some parks offering more extensive services. "I stayed here one night while traveling. The bathrooms seemed fire. I could not find a dumper on site. There is a dump station. Plenty of tent only camping areas. All sites require some leveling," notes a camper about Eagle Point Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-oriented activities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to children with organized activities. "The campground revolves around children. A huge playground, pony rides, animal parades and mini golf are only a few things that happen at Red Barn," reports a visitor.
Water recreation for children: Doolittle Park offers kid-friendly swimming areas. "Awesome place to go swimming. Very kid friendly, and pet friendly," confirms a camper.
Inflatable water features: Certain campgrounds provide additional entertainment options. "There is a nice inflatable park for the kids. They will bring you up the river to float down and land on their nice sand beach," mentions a visitor at Log Cabin Resort and Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds require some adjustment for RVs. "All sites require some leveling. Some of the sites have water hookups. Lots of people use the park during the day. It was very quiet at night," notes an RVer at Eagle Point Park.
Size restrictions: Larger rigs may face limitations at some 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. But I did not have trouble in my 25 foot motor home," advises an RV camper.
Connectivity options: For those needing to stay connected, signal quality varies by location. "I had great 5G signals from Verizon and T-mobile here," reports an RVer at Eagle Point Park.
Scout
