190 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Sarona, Wisconsin features a range of camping options within a landscape of lakes and forests. Chinty Lake Roadside Camp offers free primitive sites for tent and RV camping, while developed campgrounds like Shell Lake Municipal Park and Whitetail Ridge Campground provide full hookups and amenities. Most established campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some like Country Quiet RV Park and Log Cabin Resort also offering cabin rentals. The region includes several waterfront campgrounds situated on popular lakes like Shell Lake and Birchwood's Chetac Lake.
Camping season in the Sarona area typically runs from May through mid-October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months. Many established sites require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. The area features a mix of municipally-operated parks and privately-owned campgrounds, each with varying amenity levels from primitive to full-service. Accessibility varies significantly between locations, with some sites offering level, easily accessible spots while others present more challenging terrain. "Most of the sites I checked had at least 30A electric; most also had 50A. All have water and it appears all but the very back row along the municipal parking lot have sewer as well," noted one visitor about Shell Lake Municipal Park.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Sarona region. Shell Lake Municipal Park provides lakefront camping with convenient in-town amenities, while Doolittle Park in Birchwood offers family-friendly facilities including a public beach, playground, and boat launch. A review mentioned that "for what it is - a rustic, small, free campground - it's very nice," regarding a nearby primitive site. Several campgrounds provide recreational opportunities beyond camping, with amenities like swimming beaches, fishing access, and boat launches. Visitors particularly value campgrounds that balance natural settings with convenience, as sites like Eagle Point Park demonstrate with their combination of quiet lakeside camping and proximity to town services. Family-oriented campgrounds like Red Barn feature additional attractions such as playgrounds, animal encounters, and organized activities.
"Outside peaceful"
"Nice campground with lake views! Very nice beach and located in a very walkable area! Will be returning!!! The main road nearby is a little noisy but everything else was great!!"
"Close to trails and fishing. Nice beach in shell lake."
"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."
from $25 - $60 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $2500 / night
Check Availability"Fishing is very good on the Big Chetac Chain of Lakes approx.1700acres. Reservations can be made through the Village of Birchwood by calling 715-354-3300."
from $0 - $18 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $1200 / night
from $10 / night
from $49 - $300 / night
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TravelerOne of our favorite spots to camp. Bounce pillow, Swim pond and play ground for the kids. Swim spot and tubing in the river that runs through it. Every other site has a gravel pad with full hook ups. Extra parking for boats and side by sides. Would give it five stars but the back in sites can feel a little tight with our 40 foot fifth wheel. They do have some newer pull through sites with more room.
RangerVisiting family in the area and got a spot here. Spaces are snug, not big rig friendly, but overall a nice park. Power and water hookups, and dump station. Little pricey at $80/night but it’s in a great area.
TravelerVery convenient location for users of the Gandy Dancer trail. This tiny campground is next to and is run by the Luck Municipal Golf Course, the clubhouse just up the road. Bathrooms are by the campground with hot water and toilets. Showers available when the clubhouse is open, one each in the restrooms. Clubhouse has a small pro shop with bar. Also small swimming beach, boat launch. Lake is right across the road, swimming beach a short walk away. Drawbacks: management seems to be minimal. No rules posted, no contact information posted. - The only trash cans were in the bathrooms, and were overflowing. The bathrooms had not been thoroughly cleaned in a long time. The young workers at the clubhouse seemed to know little about the campground. When we found someone set up in our sight, the girl told us "just camp anywhere." Registration is online.
GuideSites 1-24 have electricity 25-49 are not and no gen allowed. 1-24 are all pretty open. Once you get to 25 and up you can get water frontage. Pit toilets are ok. It would help if people could read & close the lids when finished. Nice hiking and biking plus canoeing & kayaks for rent.
GuideCampsites are great summer bigger than others. It’s pretty quiet lots of green grass. The main office has a restaurant and bar. You can rent kayaks, canoes, or go tubing down the Namakagon river. Very friendly staff.
ScoutNice park, however electricity polarity is reversed and cannot be used. I paid for it and now cannot hookup
TravelerStaying here currently & they have been very accommodating, friendly & flexible. Water & electric hookup but no sewer however there is a dump station, a bathhouse with real toilets & nice showers. Pretty quiet for being so close to the main highway. My cats are able to free roam the property & my dog can be tied up outside. Usually pretty nice neighbors too.
ScoutFound this spot pretty late at night, pulled in to see a sign that says No Camping. Had to backtrack to the highway and found a truck stop for the night.
TravelerElectric hookup, dump station on site. Sites are a little close together. $25/night with a 7 day max stay.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sarona, Wisconsin located and what are the nearby towns?
Sarona is located in northwestern Wisconsin, approximately 60-70 miles northeast of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It's situated in Washburn County, with the nearby town of Shell Lake just a few miles away. Other surrounding communities include Spooner to the north, Rice Lake to the south, and Cumberland to the southwest. The area is part of Wisconsin's lake country, with numerous bodies of water including Shell Lake and Long Lake. Visitors can use Shell Lake Municipal Park as a convenient base for exploring the region.
What outdoor activities and attractions can visitors enjoy near Sarona, Wisconsin?
The Sarona area boasts abundant outdoor recreation options. Water activities dominate with excellent fishing at Two Lakes, where visitors can tie boats at the water's edge and enjoy forest camping. The nearby Chippewa River at Brunet Island State Park Campground offers calm kayaking waters among lily pads and wildlife, plus a 20-mile paved bike trail. Hikers can explore the Ice Age Trail near Straight Lake. The St. Croix River valley provides spectacular rock formations, swimming holes, and scenic hiking trails. Wildlife watching, mountain biking, and seasonal activities like fall foliage tours round out the recreational opportunities in this nature-rich region.
What camping options are available in the Sarona, Wisconsin area?
The Sarona area offers diverse camping options for all preferences. Whitetail Ridge Campground & Backwoods Saloon provides full amenities near Sarona, while Red Barn Campground offers family-friendly accommodations by Shell Lake. For those seeking more natural settings, nearby state parks provide excellent alternatives. Additionally, several RV parks cater to travelers with larger rigs, including sites with full hookups. The region's county parks often feature more rustic camping with beautiful lake access for fishing and swimming, perfect for those wanting a more immersive outdoor experience.
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