Camping opportunities near Stoughton, Wisconsin include several established campgrounds suitable for various camping styles. Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground provides wooded sites for tent and RV camping with both electric and non-electric options, while Badgerland Campground offers additional amenities for RVs. These developed areas are complemented by William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground in nearby Madison and Milton-Madison SE KOA in Milton, creating a network of options within a 15-mile radius of Stoughton.
Seasonal considerations affect site availability throughout the area, with most campgrounds operating from mid-April through October. Lake Kegonsa State Park remains open year-round, though amenities may be limited in winter. "The park is slightly off the beaten path. As long as you have a state sticker or are a resident, the cost of the campground is $27," noted one visitor regarding access. Campers should be aware of potential summer algae blooms that occasionally affect water recreation at Lake Kegonsa. The mosquito population can be significant during summer months, particularly in wooded areas. Cell service is generally reliable at most established campgrounds, with both ATT and Verizon signals reported as adequate.
Many sites at Lake Kegonsa State Park feature natural separation between campsites, providing privacy in a wooded setting. A reviewer mentioned that "the campsites are a decent size with most of them offering pretty good privacy. There is a great beach for people and another really nice one for dogs." Several visitors highlighted the park's hiking trails, which range from short loops to longer routes suitable for various activity levels. Campground amenities vary across the region, with most established sites offering fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restrooms. Shower facilities are available at the larger campgrounds, though quality and maintenance can be inconsistent. Lake access represents a key attraction for many visitors, with boat launches available at several locations. Train noise has been reported as a potential disruption at Lake Kegonsa State Park, with railroad tracks running near the campground.
"Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."
"We didn’t have much time to explore the campground but we did have a nice walk around the outer loop of sites. This is near the main highway and a nice place to camp."
$18 - $28 / night
"With the rain and the proliferation of mosquitoes, we were wandering around southern Wisconsin without a plan when we stumbled across this county park. 50 sites, many with electric and very reasonably"
"No water on sites but spigots located throughout the park. Dump station right at the entrance but there's plenty of room to maneuver around there. Could get congested if busy."
"No enclosed dog park but plenty of area to walk your dog!"
"Driving around, I really don't think there's a bad spot here. The staff is fantastic, friendly, and accommodating- as are the seasonal campers.
We'll be back again...and again... and again!"
$40 - $60 / night
"We booked in VIP 1, which is right next to the bath house. We wanted to be close to the showers (coin op). We figured since we’re at a sporting event that might be nice. Very quiet at night."
"This is a small campground near Madison. Reasonable rates. Large VIP drive through sites. Small swimming area. Catch and release pond. Small office and bar. Clean bathrooms and showers."
$42 / night
"Our site was nicely wooded and a decent size, but everyone was pretty close to each other. When we were there, the women's shower was freezing and the men's was almost uncomfortably hot."
"Hidden from site, the entire grounds are completely surrounded by a very thick wall of tall trees that barricades this place from most of civilization."
$28 / night
"Nice trails in the area and good fishing. Convenience to everything you could need in Madison. You can walk or run down a couple of quiet streets and get to a river trail that goes for miles."
"Right off i90, and next to fuel and food stops. Family run campground with 40 sites that have water and electric. They are cash or check only, with no online booking. Sites are snug."
"We came to this area to do some genealogical work and needed to be situated between Madison and Beloit. Good location for that."
"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"
$28 / night
"Like other reviewers have stated, be prepared to be close to others. We didn’t mind at all and found everyone to be super nice."
"Nice little campground right on Lake Mendota. 29 sites available with electric, but bring an extension cords!! Some sites electric is close by, others not so much!"
"Small campground, but you play disc golf and lovely trails! So close to get away from the city."
"Near the highway and airport makes for quick access but it can get noisy. It can also get very quiet and peaceful. Lots of hiking trails and a boardwalk."
ScoutBrand new campground with a large Sandy beach swimming pond, fishing pond and a large lodge building with farm shop and excellent restrooms and showers. Planned activities on the weekends and a short drive to Devils Lake State Park and city of Baraboo.
ScoutThe park has a peaceful, natural atmosphere and the wooded sites give a nice sense of privacy compared to many larger campgrounds. It’s a great spot if you’re looking for a quiet outdoor experience with simple amenities and access to scenic hiking and biking trails. Being close to the town of New Glarus is also a nice bonus if you want to explore the area during your stay.
speed run
LegendHickory Hills Campground is Rock Cut State Park’s more primitive, tent-only camping destination, distinct from the electric Class A and B camping areas. Located along the eastern edge near Pierce Lake, this campground offers non-electric Class B sites and are numbered from 1 to 60 and set along a wooded lake frontage small peninsula right on Lake Pierce with this CG spot making for a quieter, more rustic experience with the closest access to the lake of any of the 6 other campgrounds that exist here at Rock Cut SP.
Sites are modest and simpler than premium loops: you won’t find hookups here, but you will have nearby access to water hydrants and restrooms located just outside the loop. Central facilities cover essentials like showers, toilets and a dump station in the broader park; however, between November and April, water and dump services are unavailable, so plan accordingly.
Hickory Hills shines for its proximity to nature and lakeside access where you can cast a line, paddle around or hike the dozens of miles of forest trails. Still, be prepared for less privacy between sites as there’s virtually no ground shrubbery with many of the sites being sloped or closely spaced, so expect limited shade (in fact, you may want to bring your own shelter), and a more basic setup than other loops here.
Insider Tips? Let’s count to 5: (1) Make your reservation as EARLY as possible through ExploreMoreIL™ since Hickory Hills offers fewer, more highly desired tent-only sites that are either lakefront or lakeview; (2) Pack your shade as several sites are sloped or open wherein early setup and a sunshade or awning can help maintain comfort and / or privacy; (3) Move shiftable gear near the loop entrance as the facilities are outside the loop, so a wheeled cart or stroller comes in very handy; (4) For easier meal prep or last-minute snacks, stop at the central camp store between White Oak and Plum Grove campgrounds with this central store stocking basics like ice, firewood and snacks; and (5) Bring your kayak, canoe and / or fishing rod as Hickory Hills Campground puts you within easy reach of Pierce Lake’s quiet shore, which is great for paddle sessions or launching simple lake adventures.
Happy Camping!
TravelerThis is such a good spot, it’s not just an RV parking lot. Each site is its own little site just far enough from its neighbor to feel alone. Super nice and well kept
LegendThe 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.
TravelerIn 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.
TravelerSite was clean and flat enough for my two person tent. Restrooms were porta-johns, but very clean. Plenty of free wood available for the fire.
GuideTo 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.
Travelercost 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.
Dispersed camping opportunities are limited near Stoughton, Wisconsin, which sits at an elevation of 873 feet in the glaciated terrain of southern Wisconsin. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging in the high 70s to mid-80s°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most camping options within a 15-mile radius of Stoughton are established campgrounds that require reservations, especially during peak season from late spring through early fall.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground offers fishing opportunities with many campers reporting success. "The park is adjacent to more than one crossing so if this will disturb you I recommend finding another place to camp," notes one visitor describing the train noise that occasionally interrupts the peaceful fishing atmosphere.
Geocaching adventures: Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground has several geocaches within the park boundaries. "There are several geocaches in the park, which adds a little fun, but they are in the woods, and the mosquitos are oblivious to the bug spray!" shares one visitor who tried this activity.
Biking on connected trails: William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground provides excellent cycling opportunities with direct trail connections. "There are many paths, one is a paved path leading into town which could be biked. The area around the camp is lovely and peaceful," explains a camper who enjoyed the proximity to Madison's extensive bike trail network.
Paddling options: Several lakes in the area offer water recreation opportunities. At Hickory Hills Campground, "you'll catch no shortage of blue gills, small and large mouthed bass, bullheads and crappie" while paddling Rice Lake, according to a visitor.
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between sites at several area campgrounds. "Clean facilities, friendly staff, and great trails. No bugs!" reports a visitor to Lake Kegonsa State Park, highlighting the trail system alongside site privacy.
Dog-friendly beaches: Hickory Hills Campground offers dedicated pet areas. "The pedestrian beach is to rocky for my liking, but the dog beach is nice and sandy yet small. There is also a bit of a hike to get there. So if you take a cooler you may want a wagon," advises a camper who visited with their pet.
Weekend activities: Several campgrounds offer organized events. "We like the tractor ride through the campground for Halloween and have a blast at bingo! Super clean bathrooms and showers if you need them," shares a visitor at Badgerland Campground.
Proximity to Madison: Campers value the ability to enjoy both nature and urban amenities. "I decided that Saturday morning was a good time to hit the trail and head to farmers market. It's a pretty easy ride until you get right up to the square, then there was a big hill to bike up but overall the trail was very easy," describes a camper at William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground.
Limited bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds have minimal restroom facilities. At Creekview RV Park, a camper noted, "There are exactly TWO unisex showers and FOUR unisex 'restrooms' (sink and toilet), with one shower and two restrooms currently 'closed.' The facilities are perfectly fine and clean, but that leaves one shower and two restrooms for the entire campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Stoughton, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Stoughton, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 111 campgrounds and RV parks near Stoughton, WI and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Stoughton, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stoughton, WI is Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stoughton, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Stoughton, WI.
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