Camping opportunities near Solon Springs include multiple public and private options within Douglas County's forested landscape at 1,100 feet elevation. This northern Wisconsin region experiences significant temperature variations, with summer nights often dipping into the 40s even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. The area's dense pine forests and lake environments create distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Gordon Dam County Park, situated on the St. Croix river flowage, campers can use the fish cleaning house after catching their day's limit. "Beautiful location at the end of a dead end. Great fishing on the St. Croix river/flowage. Fish cleaning house. Boat launch/landing," notes a reviewer at Gordon Dam County Park.
Waterfall exploration: Pattison State Park, about 30 minutes from Solon Springs, offers impressive waterfall hikes with varying difficulty levels. "Manitou Falls is a short walk away and is incredible," reports Jim H. from Pattison State Park Campground, who adds that the park has "clean and each site is well separated and lots of trees."
Local entertainment: During summer months, Lucius Woods hosts community events at its amphitheater. "This campground has a community stage with local bands playing all throughout the summer some events free some a minor charge," explains a camper who notes you can "sit right at your site and listen to the band."
What campers like
Site privacy: The spacing between campsites at Boise Brule Campground receives consistent positive feedback. "The campground was small but luckily we were there in the middle of the week so it wasn't too busy. The campsites are pretty close together so if it's busy, your experience may be very different," advises Jules L. from Boise Brule Campground.
Clean facilities: The quality of restrooms and shower houses stands out at Totogatic Park. "This county campground and its facilities are very well maintained & clean," mentions Fred S., who appreciates the lake views and adds that "our site had a nice view of Cranberry Lake; there was a deck behind our site."
Lake activities: The Backyard at Amnicon Lake provides direct lake access with boat docks and casual dining options. "There is a boat dock right across the street on Amnicon Lake convenient if you are a boater. There is a bar and grill, and we had dinner. Pizza and sandwiches and the pizza was good," reports Lee D., who enjoyed the classic northern Wisconsin atmosphere.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially during summer months. "We were able to reserve and pay online for our site on the evening of our arrival," reports a camper at Washburn County Totogatic Park, one of several dog friendly campgrounds near Solon Springs.
Seasonal operations: Most dog-friendly camping facilities near Solon Springs operate from May through October, with limited winter options. "Camping is permitted from May 1-November 30. Electricity and all water systems, including shower buildings and flush toilets, were still turned on during our visit, even though the campground begins winterizing in mid-October," notes Fred S. about his late October stay.
Tick awareness: The forested areas around Solon Springs can have heavy tick populations in spring and early summer. "The biggest issue however was ticks. Been an outdoor person my whole life and more ticks than I've ever seen before. Pulling 10 or more off an hour," warns one camper about trails in the Brule River area.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: The sandy beach areas provide safe swimming for children. "It had a very nice swimming area. There was also a huge amphitheater for events to be had there," reports Scott M. about Lucius Woods, noting that the park has "a huge park along the water for kids to play."
Playground facilities: Wilderness Way offers family-friendly amenities including swimming and boat rentals. "It's on a beautiful lake with a swimming area. You can rent a pontoon or take out a canoe or rowboat for free. Great fishing too!" shares Chelsea T., who has visited this pet-friendly campground for 15 years.
Budget considerations: Non-resident camping fees can significantly impact family budgets. "Cost for non-residents is $21 for the campsite and another $11 daily state park entrance fee. So, $32 for the same type of campground as a USFS at about $15," notes Laura M. when comparing state forest camping to nearby federal forest sites.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry points for larger units. "The site we had was difficult to back our 32' camper into," reports Christy E. about Lucius Woods, though she appreciated the "very clean" bathrooms and showers.
Dump station logistics: RVers should note potential challenges with sanitation facilities. "Taking off one star for the coin-operated showers and the absolutely ridiculous placement of the dump station that requires maneuvering around one of the campground loops and blocking part of a main road to dump from the correct side of your RV," warns Deb M. about Totogatic Park.
Hookup availability: Electric service is more common than full hookups at pet-friendly campgrounds in the area. "The older section of the campground is electric only. This area has several tight turns and hard to back into sites, but is more wooded than the newer section," explains a reviewer comparing campground sections at Totogatic Park.
