Sarona sits in northwestern Wisconsin's lake country within the North Woods region. Temperatures range from winter lows of -30°F to summer highs around 80°F, with camping season typically running May through mid-October. Washburn County contains over 900 lakes with 120 miles of shoreline, creating abundant waterfront camping options around Sarona.
What to do
Lake activities: Doolittle Park in Birchwood offers excellent swimming access on Big Chetac Lake. "Awesome place to go swimming. Very kid friendly, and pet friendly," notes Caitlin B. The park includes a public beach, playground, and boat launch for water-based recreation.
River floating: Log Cabin Resort and Campground provides river tubing adventures. "They will bring you up the river to float down and land on their nice sand beach," reports Drew G. The resort also features an inflatable water park for children.
Hiking options: Eagle Point Park connects to hiking trails near Cumberland. "Public beaches and hiking trails, boat launch. It is small and fills up fast so I would make reservations," advises Judy B. The park's peninsula location offers water views from multiple vantage points.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Country Quiet RV Park and Campground provides generously sized camping areas. "Sites are fairly spread out. Easy loop system makes this campground very easy to navigate through," according to Judy B., though she notes it's "definitely not the most private campground."
Fishing access: Whitetail Ridge Campground offers proximity to local fishing spots. Christopher H. mentions, "Nice campground, lots of seasonal campers. Close to trails and fishing." The campground serves as a convenient base for anglers targeting area lakes.
Farm-based camping: Red Barn Campground provides a unique agricultural setting with family activities. "Adorable family campground on a farm that has nice large campsites. 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," explains Courtney C.
What you should know
Variable site quality: Chinty Lake Roadside Camp receives mixed reviews as a dispersed camping option. "Amazing. Outside peaceful," reports Marsha Y., while Aly E. cautions, "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."
Pet regulations: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Sarona require leashed pets and waste cleanup. Though generally accommodating to dogs, campers should verify specific pet policies before arrival, especially for cabins or beach areas.
Seasonal timing: The camping season around Sarona typically runs May through mid-October due to Wisconsin's northern climate. Shell Lake Municipal Park operates "May 1 to Oct 15" according to their listing, with similar timelines at most area campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Farm entertainment: Red Barn Campground organizes children-focused activities throughout the season. "The 126 year old barn on the premises holds barn dances, and indoor movies. 5 min to the nearest beach and cute downtown Shell Lake," notes Courtney C.
Water play options: Doolittle Park offers child-friendly water recreation. Dan G. explains, "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."
Budget considerations: Doolittle Park offers affordable rates for families. "The pricing for sites is reasonable also with tent sites at $10.00 per night, All other campers are $30.00 night," mentions Dan G., though these prices may have changed since his review.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Shell Lake Municipal Park provides comprehensive hookups. "Sites 1-38 have sewer hookups and every site has water and electric hookups. There is a shower and bathroom building. Swimming beach, fish cleaning station, public boat launch, boat dock rental, RV dump station are also available," details Tori K.
Off-season advantages: Shell Lake Municipal Park offers peaceful camping during shoulder seasons. Kerry M. notes, "We're here at the very end of their open season, well past peak. The first night we were alone; the most others we've seen were 3 more. I'm sure in summer this will be a very bustling, active place. Now, in early October, it's a serene and peaceful base from which to enjoy hiking among the autumn colors."
Site leveling needs: Eagle Point Park requires preparation for uneven sites. "All sites require some leveling. Some of the sites have water hookups," Ryan S. reports, adding "You might be able to get a large rig into the first few sites. 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."
Guide
