The tent camping options around Spencer, Wisconsin sit amid the northern hardwood forests of central Wisconsin at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. Most backcountry sites require hikers to navigate uneven terrain with abundant root systems and forest duff. Winter temperatures frequently drop below 0°F while summer averages around 80°F with frequent thunderstorms, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Hiking the Ice Age Trail: Campsites near Spencer connect to segments of the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail. At Sailor Creek Campsite, hikers can access the Jerry Lake Segment featuring "the mile-long Hemlock Esker" that rises "about 80 feet up" providing exceptional views of the glacial formations.
Non-motorized boating: Coon Fork Campground restricts the lake to paddle craft only. "No outboard motors allowed on this lake. Canoe and rowboat rentals are available at the office," notes one camper, making it ideal for quiet paddling experiences without motor noise.
Scuba diving: The former mining quarry at Wazee Lake Recreation Area offers a unique underwater experience. "The lake is the clearest and deepest inland lake in Wisconsin. It is non-motorized to promote quiet and clean conditions," making it "a popular scuba diving, swimming, and fishing spot."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide considerable distance between campsites. At Coon Fork Campground, sites are "very generous with a lot of green between spaces. You are not on top of your neighbor" and feature "very clean fire rings, picnic table and a bench next to the fire pit."
Pine-covered sites: The forests provide natural padding for tent placement. Northside Lake Eleven Campsite is "situated under a grove of pines so we had adequate protection from the sleet storm that was coming as well as a soft pad of needles for all 5 of our tents."
Fishing access: Smaller lakes around Spencer offer quality fishing opportunities. At North Twin Lake Recreation Area, "There is excellent fishing mostly consisting of Bass and Bluegills and Perch. It's a no wake lake so plan on just using a trolling motor or even a canoe to fish."
What you should know
Water sources vary: Not all sites provide potable water. Lake Eleven campsites are "located next to the lake, it provided ease of access to water that was drinkable with a filtration system." Pack in water for backcountry sites or bring filtration equipment.
Varying toilet facilities: Restroom amenities range from fully-equipped to non-existent. At Camp New Wood County Park, "The pit toilets are not in the best shape and have no lighting so bring a flashlight. There are no showers."
Weekday camping recommended: Popular areas can get busy during peak times. At Wazee Lake Recreation Area, "The beach does get crowded with college kids in the summer and is a known party spot. Weekdays and off-season dates are recommended as it is more peaceful."
Limited reservation options: Many sites operate on a first-come basis. Camp New Wood County Park features only 7 sites, and "others we spoke to that stayed there before said its hardly ever full and you can easily get a spot. For $15 a night, it was a decent stay."
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly beaches: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas ideal for children. Coon Fork Campground is "Great for kids! Way more fun later in the summer so you can go swimming. Although, children don't seem to notice cold water anyway!"
Enforced quiet hours: Families appreciate noise management policies. Coon Fork enforces "quiet hours early at night but it's an excellent campground for small children," with "DNR on duty and sheriff tends to drive through."
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly biking trails. Coon Fork receives consistent praise as "always a blast. The kids love swimming, kayaking, fishing, and bike trails" and has "two great beaches on a small, no-motor lake with a large campground and several nature trails."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most RV sites near Spencer offer minimal amenities. At Picnic Point Campground, tent camping predominates, though water hookups are available for self-contained units.
Loop selection matters: Some campgrounds have separate sections for RVs. Coon Fork Campground has "a totally separate loop (Loop D) for units that are self contained," keeping tent and RV campers in different areas.
Dump station availability: Select campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations. Coon Fork and Camp New Wood County Park both offer this service for self-contained RVs, though hookup sites remain limited throughout the area.
