Cabin camping near Sauk City, Wisconsin offers accommodations in the heart of Wisconsin's Driftless Area, a region characterized by steep forested ridges and deep river valleys untouched by glacial activity. Most cabin rental options sit at elevations between 800-1,100 feet, with spring and fall temperatures typically ranging between 45-70°F, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities.
What to do
Swim in a spring-fed pond: Merry Mac's Campground features a swimming pond with inflatable equipment for water play. "Plenty of things to do here to keep the kids engaged and busy very clean Campground the campsites are well-kept swimming Pond was clean and plenty of fun things to climb on and slide down."
Explore hiking trails: Skillet Creek Campground in Baraboo sits on 70 acres with access to hiking trails through the Baraboo hills. "This campground is nestled in 70 acres surrounded by the Baraboo, Wisconsin hills, Skillet Creek Campground offers a serene setting. Located one mile from Devil's Lake State Park, this campground is your best base camp this summer!"
Paddle on Mirror Lake: The calm waters at Mirror Lake State Park provide excellent kayaking opportunities. "The lake is great for kayaking. Lots of sandstone cliffs. We only did 2 hiking trails but they were well maintained." Mirror Lake rentals include canoes and kayaks for visitors without their own equipment.
Climb observation towers: Blue Mound State Park features wooden observation towers offering expansive views on clear days. "There are A LOT of campsites at this park (I believe 110 total). There are a few miles of hiking trails in the parks. Campsites are all pretty large with seclusion from the neighbors."
What campers like
Adult-only options: Cedar Hills Campground provides a gated community experience for adults seeking quieter surroundings. "It's up on top of Blackhawk mountain and they have full service, fireworks at nite all summer and parties go on alot. Lot of seasonal regulars that drive around in golf carts! Everyone is a friend. Adults only gated community clothing optional!"
Family entertainment amenities: Wisconsin Dells KOA includes dedicated children's facilities. "Nice pool, awesome aqua pad for the kids and game room. No child will be disappointed here!" The campground also offers movie nights on a projector under a pavilion.
Proximity to Devils Lake: Several campgrounds position themselves as base camps for Devils Lake State Park exploration. "Wheelers is a great, well established campground close to Devils Lake State Park. The camping comes with flushable toilets and warm showers."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness at area campgrounds. "It's a nice place. Clean, kept, and organized. There is a decent pool (cold) as well as a swimming pond (dyed blue). Firewood and ice is delivered to your site." This attention to maintenance extends to bathrooms and common areas.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most cabin rentals operate from early April through mid-October. Cedar Hills runs from April 15 to October 15, while Fox Hill RV Park operates from April 24 to October 12. Wisconsin Dells KOA typically opens May 1 through early October.
Highway noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to major roads. "The campground is really nice. The facilities are excellent. However it's really close to the interstate and the road noise is awful." Bringing earplugs is recommended for light sleepers staying at Mirror Lake State Park.
Wildlife activity: Sandstone Ridge Campground visitors report active wildlife. "The raccoons were brutal. They broke into our crates twice. Smart enough to figure out the clip mechanism." Proper food storage is essential at area campgrounds.
Campsite spacing: Site sizes and privacy vary significantly between campgrounds. "The loop has no trees, so you can definitely see your neighbors across, we parked our car across the driveway for privacy." Some campgrounds feature heavily wooded sites while others have more open layouts.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with water features: Children particularly enjoy Smokey Hollow Campground's recreational options. "This is a nice out of the way place with a bunch of activities, but is just a hair below some of the other area campgrounds. the pool toys would benefit from a good cleaning as there was some slime on the inside of some of the inflatables."
Consider campground noise levels: If traveling with young children who need regular sleep schedules, research quiet hours enforcement. "Love that this campground is less than an hour from Madison! Awesome place to bring the kids for a day, or the whole week! Man-made pond with inflatable structures, a jumpy blob for the kids to jump on & lots of other activities!"
Look for spacious sites: Fox Hill RV Park offers generous sites for families needing room to spread out. "We visited for opening weekend during COVID-19, so the park was quiet but open. The staff and owners here were very friendly and extremely helpful when we ran into some snags with setting up camp. Our spot, F-2, was right across from the playground and great for my kiddo."
Check bathroom proximity: With children, having nearby facilities makes a significant difference. "The bathrooms are open during the pandemic, they look on the older side. Firewood was $6 a bundle at the time of our stay."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Note the positioning of utility connections when reserving sites. "We didn't lock our site. We chose a seasonal site so we were moved. The hook ups are on the wrong side so we had to back in sideways to make it work."
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. "Our site was very unlevel side to side. It took two 2x6 and a 1x6 under the camp side to be level. That made the first step into the coach, and last step out of the coach extremely high off the ground."
Bridge crossings: Access to some campgrounds includes narrow passages. "The bridge just past the gate though can be a little unnerving to drive over, as it is a very narrow concrete slab over a creek (no railings)."
Dump station locations: Check for on-site sanitary dump facilities if needed for longer stays. "There is a dump and potable water fill for RVs between the entrance and this campground. There are 2 other campgrounds past this one."
