Best Campgrounds near Sauk City, WI

Camping options around Sauk City, Wisconsin range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites along the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Devil's Lake State Park, approximately 10 miles northwest, offers three established campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. The area features primitive riverfront camping, clothing-optional facilities at Cedar Hills Campground, and family-friendly destinations like Merry Mac's Campground with yurts and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, while the riverway provides free sandbar camping accessible primarily by boat.

Seasonal considerations significantly affect camping experiences in the region. Most developed campgrounds operate from April through mid-October, with Devil's Lake State Park's facilities remaining popular throughout the summer months. Campers planning visits to the Lower Wisconsin Riverway should monitor water levels, especially after heavy rainfall when sandbars may be limited. Reservations are recommended for developed sites during peak summer weekends and holidays. The Lower Wisconsin Riverway offers rare public dispersed camping opportunities with minimal facilities. As one reviewer noted, "Sandbar camping is free the entire way from the Sauk City Dam all the way to the Mississippi River, but make sure to keep an eye on water levels for the area you will be on, and also the weather."

Water access represents a defining feature of camping near Sauk City, with the Wisconsin River creating opportunities for paddling and fishing. Devil's Lake State Park provides swimming beaches, hiking trails, and rock climbing opportunities that complement its camping facilities. Several visitors highlighted the solitude available on the river, with one camper stating, "If chilling and canoeing is what you want with little to no other human contact, the Lower Wisconsin River is the place." Cedar Hills Campground, situated on a bluff, offers panoramic views and adult-only, clothing-optional camping. Family-oriented Merry Mac's Campground features a swimming pond with inflatables, activities for children, and proximity to Devil's Lake. Campgrounds in the area generally maintain clean facilities with varying levels of amenities from primitive to full-service with electric hookups, showers, and drinking water.

Best Camping Sites Near Sauk City, Wisconsin (149)

    1. Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park

    47 Reviews
    Baraboo, WI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 947-2757

    "There is something for everyone at Devils Lake State Park."

    "The new warden situation is interesting. Things have gotten a lot more strict in some areas (ex."

    2. Ice Age Campground — Devils Lake State Park

    43 Reviews
    Baraboo, WI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 356-8301

    "Much to do at Devil's Lake and surrounding area. features multiple campgrounds and multiple areas for swimming. A beach at the North and South of the lake."

    "It is up and away from the rest of the park a bit and typically almost every site has full shade. This is important in the summer months."

    3. Northern Lights Campground — Devils Lake State Park

    34 Reviews
    Baraboo, WI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 356-8301

    "Views like these are hard to beat in Wisconsin, or anywhere really. The cliffs on the side of the lake are phenomenal."

    "Aside from some of the windy paths, this place is really nice and peaceful to stay. You can go to Devils Lake and kayak or canoe and swim. Overall a beautiful place in Wisconsin!"

    4. Cedar Hills Campground - Clothing Optional

    10 Reviews
    Sauk City, WI
    3 miles
    +1 (608) 795-2606

    "Cedar hill Wisconsin is a clothing optional campground so I enjoy it very much. The entire campground is located at the top of a 1000 ft.high bluff."

    "River right behind our campsite. Some sites were a bit small but we managed to reserve one big enough for a trailer and a tent. Somewhat closed in with a lot of vegetation. Kids loved the river!"

    5. Skillet Creek Campground

    13 Reviews
    Baraboo, WI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 356-4877

    $43 - $136 / night

    "This campground is nestled in 70 acres surrounded by the Baraboo, Wisconsin hills, Skillet Creek Campground offers a serene setting. "

    "Right next to Devils Lake and close to Baraboo events"

    6. Blue Mound State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Blue Mounds, WI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 947-2757

    $18 / night

    "Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water."

    "Go to Blue Mounds Grocery on the way in. easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and running trails - including Military Ridge Trail. Camped here with 2 friends during a cross country road trip."

    7. Lower Wisconsin Riverway

    4 Reviews
    Prairie du Sac, WI
    3 miles
    Website

    "Spend another amazing weekend on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway!"

    "If chilling and canoeing is what you want with little to no other human contact the lower Wisconsin river is the place. Eagles everywhere. Great fishing."

    8. Merry Mac's Campground

    6 Reviews
    Merrimac, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 493-2367

    $35 / night

    "It’s located right by Devils lake. Firewood for sale, great wifi, clean bathhouses/rooms"

    "Lake full of all kinds of floats the kids can climb and jump on. Clean pool to cool off in. Sand volleyball, ga ga ball, huge park. Has so many different accomadtions to choose from!"

    9. Devils Lake State Park Group Campground — Devils Lake State Park

    7 Reviews
    Baraboo, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 947-2757

    "This is a review for the group camp sites: The group sites are well spaced out from each other and offer pit toilets and full bathroom facilities with sinks, toilets and showers within walking distance"

    "Campgrounds were clean and had easy access to water, got a visit from some local raccoons at night, overall experience was great!"

    10. Bluewater Bay Campground — Mirror Lake State Park

    20 Reviews
    Lake Delton, WI
    21 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "Echo Rock trail is a great hike around rock formation. I was disappointed when I realized how far away the shower/toilets are away from ever loop in the campground."

    "One group of younger people next to us that were pretty respectful with noise level. There is a dump and potable water fill for rvs between the entrance and this campground."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 149 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Sauk City, WI

854 Reviews of 149 Sauk City Campgrounds


  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Derge County Park

    Beautiful mature oaks

    The campground is near Beaver Dam lake and you get a pass to the boat landing with the camping fee. The sites are clearly marked and level. Some have more shade than others, the descriptions at reservation are accurate. Site 4 has nice grass and plenty of trees along the back. The site sizes are adequate but there isn’t much room between sites. Overall the campground was quiet, except for a few RVs running things all night. It was not dark, the RVs keep their lights on all night and there isn’t enough foliage to block it. We are the only pop up here, there are no tents. The space certainly allows grass for tents, I think the culture is just a little different. The shower house is clean, but showers only have a curtain and a central drain in the building means the toilet stall floors get wet too. There is a small playground and a GaGa ball pit. Overall, this is a well kept campground and perfect for spending a night on the way to somewhere. There isn’t much draw for a longer stay.

  • P
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Sleepy Dragon Campground

    Camping

    In 2024 just before Memorial Day, I needed to leave the campground I was in and started calling around for openings at private campgrounds. I was getting worried that it was not possible for me to find a site. I remembered ( light bulb moment) that Sleepy Dragon Campground may have openings. I called and was shocked to hear they still had openings for that weekend. Drove to the campground and set my sights on a pull through site. I enjoyed it so much decided to stay permanently. My original site was 120, then moved to 114, it’s a corner site. Has shade and sun at different times of the day. Large to medium camp sites, grassy, concreted if that’s what you like, plus electric and water at each site. Sewer at selected sites. Personally I came here as a child, back in the later 60’s to early 70’s. Changed owners a couple of times, now it is veteran owned, upgrades are being completed as time allows.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Pilgrims Campground

    Nice enough grounds, poorly maintained electric panels

    To be honest I thought this stay was going to be easy and the first couple days were. They didn’t have full hook up sites and we have a 50 amp rig… we used a dogbone to connect to the 30 amp site. It was fine for a bit but then we started to get surges. Our EMS protected the rig but ultimately we couldn’t use the power. Even with only running the fridge it continued to trip. We tried the one next to us and it gave us the reverse polarity code so we decided it would be best to just leave the following day. The grounds are well maintained and the owners are friendly… they mentioned some of their 30 amp sites will get converted to 50 next year so hopefully that helps but definitely frustrating to need to book another site and forfeit money on this one.

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park

    way overpriced and not worth it

    cost at end of september, sunday night was $76/night PLUS $16 parking fee so $92 for a night at a mediocre campground with no privacy. i rarely write negative reviews, but ive been camping for a while now, and never experienced this high of a cost for just a regular campground.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Kennedy County Park

    Great price for a little campground

    Not the most elaborate campground or the best I stayed at, but the price was right for what you get. The sites are large. You could add a tent or RV to any of them, but some are tighter to get into than others because of the road and how it turns.

    There's a little playground and lots of open space. Each site has a fire pit, but I don't believe there's firewood available for purchase. There are some vault toilets here.

    Cost is only $15 cash and it's first come first serve. No reservations.

    I believe that they raised the rate on April 1st. It's now $15, but in this day and age of price gouging that's actually a bargain for a campsite. It's primitive, but it's nicely kept.

    A little train noise from the distance, but if you like the sound of a train horn, it's very soothing.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pettits Lakeview Campground & Bar

    Family Friendly Lakeside Campground

    Pettit’s Lakeview Campground & Bar is the kind of place where family camping meets lakeside fun with a lively twist, sitting right on Lake Koshkonong with beautiful sunset views and easy boat access. My kids loved the playground while the adults enjoyed Friday fish fries, live music and the laid-back bar that doubles as a social hub, creating a strong community vibe with theme weekends and plenty of laughter. That said, it’s definitely more “festival” than “quiet forest” with sites being closing together, weekends can get noisy with karaoke and bar traffic, and shade is limited, so if you’re looking for peace and birdwatching, this isn’t it, but for families who don’t mind a little bustle, it’s a fun and memorable spot.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pilgrims Campground

    Simple Campground

    With a small family to mind, while out enjoying a short weekend of camping, I appreciated Pilgrim’s Campground in Wisconsin for its quiet, family-oriented atmosphere that made our stay both relaxing and memorable. The sites were clean, level and easy to settle into, with plenty of shade and enough space for the kids to play safely nearby. While the campground doesn’t have the flashy resort-style amenities of some bigger parks, it makes up for it with well-kept facilities, a friendly, welcoming staff, and a slower pace that let us truly enjoy time together outdoors. My kids loved riding their bikes around the loops, roasting marshmallows at night and spotting wildlife along the nature trails, while I valued the sense of safety and the community feel among fellow campers. Conveniently located near local attractions yet peaceful enough to feel tucked away, Pilgrim’s offered the perfect balance of simplicity, comfort, and wholesome family camping.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Milton-Madison SE KOA

    KOA Close to Lake Koshkonong

    With 2 kids to mind, I found the Milton-Madison SE KOA to be one of the most family-friendly campgrounds we’ve visited, with something for everyone to enjoy. With over 200 sites, the campground is clearly geared toward RVs and fifth wheels, but it also offers a few cabins and tent sites, giving families different ways to stay. The kids were thrilled with the heated pool that even has a waterfall, the playgrounds, gaga ball, arcade, and weekend rides like the barrel train and hayrack.  In short, there was always something to keep them entertained while I could actually relax. I appreciated the practical touches like clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, a well-stocked market and a clubhouse with plenty of space to gather. My husband loved that Lake Koshkonong was right nearby for fishing and paddling, and we all enjoyed exploring Milton’s small-town restaurants with Mary’s Café for biscuits and gravy that was a huge hit and Frederick’s Supper Club, both of which made for a special night out. The Riggio family, who run the campground, were some of the kindest hosts we’ve met, which made the whole experience feel extra welcoming. While I do think the tent sites and cabins are a bit pricey for what you get, the number of activities, amenities, and nearby conveniences made it worth it for the memories we created together. For families looking for a lively, activity-packed camping trip, this KOA is a great choice.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Lakeland Camping Resort

    Lakefront Fun

    As a mom, I found Lakeland RV Campground in Milton to be the kind of place where the whole family can truly unwind and have fun together. Set along Lake Koshkonong this place was bursting with energy and feels more like a summer resort than a traditional campground with over 270 full-hookup sites and cozy cabins for families who don’t have an RV. The kids had endless options to keep them busy from 2 swimming pools, a sandy beach, playgrounds, mini golf, sports courts, and even planned activities and themed weekends and I loved the convenience of the camp store, laundry, fitness center and clean facilities. In the evenings, we enjoyed gathering around the campfire under the stars, and during the day we ventured onto the lake for kayaking and fishing, which felt like a little adventure just steps from our site. It was also nice knowing that if we wanted a change of pace, Milton and Janesville offered small-town charm and great dining and Madison wasn’t far for a day trip. My mom tips? Book a site away from the pools if you want peace and quiet, treat yourself to dinner at Fredrick’s Supper Club, sneak out early for a serene paddle on the lake, and don’t worry if you forgot gear as nearby shops have you covered. Lakeland made it easy for me to relax while my kids had a blast, and that combination is what makes it such a special family getaway.


Guide to Sauk City

Camping near Sauk City, Wisconsin, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Devils Lake State Park. One visitor said, "The hikes were the nicest I’ve seen in the surrounding areas," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the crystal-clear waters at Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park. A reviewer mentioned, "The best beach around, crystal clear, shallow water was perfect for our young kids to play in."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Buckhorn State Park Campground. One camper noted, "There was an eagle fishing in the bay with us," highlighting the area's wildlife.

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites. A review for Northern Lights Campground — Devils Lake State Park stated, "Sites are large and open, clean bathrooms and so much to do at Devils Lake."
  • Clean facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One visitor at Ice Age Campground — Devils Lake State Park said, "Bathrooms could use more upkeep," but overall, they found the campground lovely.
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. A reviewer at Wisconsin Dells KOA shared, "The campground is kid-friendly, with a playground and a pool."

What you should know:

  • Busy during peak season: Campgrounds can get crowded, especially on weekends. A visitor at Quartzite Campground — Devils Lake State Park mentioned, "Saturday got a bit too crowded, but otherwise it was a great stay."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A camper at Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground noted, "The park has hiking trails that are accessible from the campground, but there’s no playground in the camp area."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Buckhorn State Park Campground shared, "We had a walk to site on the water and it was very nice! Neighbor sites were a good distance away."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose campgrounds with amenities: Look for places with playgrounds and swimming areas. A reviewer at Wisconsin Dells KOA mentioned, "Nightly and daily planned activities. Again, great for the kiddos."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of fun things to do. One camper at Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park said, "There are also lots of trails to explore."
  • Pack snacks and games: Keep the kids entertained. A visitor at Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground suggested, "The walking trails are nice and there’s a volleyball net and little playground too."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Northern Lights Campground — Devils Lake State Park mentioned, "Some sites have quite a bit of slant but it’s workable."
  • Look for full hookups: Choose campgrounds that offer full hookups for convenience. One camper at Wisconsin Dells KOA noted, "Full hookups for $73. Can’t argue with that!"
  • Be prepared for tight spots: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight spaces. A visitor at Wisconsin Dells KOA said, "Tight spots and narrow roads but convenient location."

Camping near Sauk City, Wisconsin, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Sauk City, WI?

The Sauk City area offers several excellent camping options. The Lower Wisconsin Riverway provides beautiful sandbars for dispersed camping along the river, perfect for paddlers doing multi-day trips. For traditional campgrounds, Wisconsin Riverside Resort offers sites close to town. Within a short drive, you'll find state parks like Devil's Lake, New Glarus Woods, and Governor Dodge, plus county parks including Mendota County Park and William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground. The Wisconsin Dells area, about 30 minutes north, offers additional options like Rocky Arbor State Park and commercial campgrounds.

Are there tent camping options in Sauk City, Wisconsin?

Tent campers have several great options near Sauk City. The most unique experience is sandbar camping along the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, where you can paddle to secluded spots and camp directly on sandbars. For those seeking established campgrounds, New Glarus State Park Campground offers walk-in tent sites that provide more seclusion than drive-in sites. Within a reasonable drive, you'll also find tent camping at Devil's Lake State Park, Governor Dodge State Park, and several county parks that welcome tent campers with basic amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, and access to restrooms.

How much does camping cost in the Sauk City area?

Camping costs around Sauk City vary by amenities and location. The most affordable option is the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, where sandbar camping is free (you'll just need canoe/kayak rental if you don't have your own). For established campgrounds, William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground offers reasonable rates around $18-25 per night (with senior discounts available). Wisconsin state parks like New Glarus and Devil's Lake typically charge $15-30 per night plus a required vehicle admission sticker ($8-13 daily or $28-38 annually for Wisconsin residents). Private campgrounds like Fox Hill RV Park have higher rates, typically $30-50+ depending on hookups and amenities.