Kevin K.
Traveler
TravelerSky High Camping Resort
It’s a great place to stay they have lots of activities for the kids, it helps that they are year around and their prices aren’t bad.
Tent Camping near Stoughton, WI
14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
Tent campers visiting the Stoughton, Wisconsin area can find several wooded options within a short drive. New Glarus Woods State Park offers both drive-in and walk-in tent sites set in a forested environment, while Sandhill Station State Campground in the Lake Mills Wildlife Area provides a more secluded tent camping experience. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site and Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites offer more primitive options for those seeking greater solitude.
Most tent sites in the region feature dirt or leaf-covered surfaces with varying degrees of shade. Walk-in sites at New Glarus Woods require campers to transport gear from parking areas, with distances ranging from 40 to 1,000 feet from loading zones. Vault toilets are common at most locations, though shower facilities are limited to larger parks like Devils Lake and Governor Dodge State Parks. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering centrally located spigots while others require campers to bring their own supply. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at established sites, though firewood availability differs by location.
The tent camping experience near Stoughton offers varying levels of seclusion and natural immersion. Walk-in sites generally provide more privacy than drive-in options, though proximity to highways can impact the wilderness experience at some locations. The backpacking sites at Governor Dodge State Park require a half-mile to one-mile hike from parking areas, creating a more remote camping experience. Sites with oak tree coverage provide welcome shade during summer months, though mosquitoes can be problematic near wetland areas. A visitor to Sandhill Station noted that "the campsite was spacious, private, and beautiful with two large oak trees on either side giving us a good amount of mixed shade."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Stoughton (14)
1. New Glarus State Park Campground
"We have camped at several of the walk-in sites."
"Smaller campground with decent sized campsites with picnic table and fire ring pit. Although my site and quite a bit of unleveled ground which made for limit options to pitch a tent."
from $18 - $70 / night
Check Availability2. Sandhill Station State Campground
"Sandill Station is right outside Lake Mills, WI, right off the Glacial Drumlin bike trail. It features 15 campsites and 1 group campsite in an oak savanna, with varying degrees of shade."
from $18 - $70 / night
Check Availability3. Scheidegger Forest (Dane County Parks)
from $65 / night
Check Availability4. Devils Lake State Park Group Campground — Devils Lake State Park
"Great location! I was in the upper ice age campground at site 416 and really enjoyed it. The sites are fairly close together, but in May the foliage is dense enough to block out most of the noise."
"Adequate size site with a tent pad, shade and privacy. Trees for a hammock. Clean shower house. Lovely hiking. Decent cell reception."
from $90 - $130 / night
Check Availability5. Blackhawk Memorial Park
"Pit toilets/shelter/playground near the entrance. Two boat launches.
Variable availability for firewood; the Cenex on the west end of Argyle reliably sells it if there isn't any at the park."
"We saw so much wildlife and really enjoyed the songs of the many species of birds in the area."
6. Backpack Sites — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit
"You can rent backpacking shelters, at the ranger station in Eagle. The shelter is basically a barn without a front door. It comes with a fire ring, table, and an outhouse!"
"Reservable backpacking sites about 45-60min away from nearest parking. Fire pit, shelter, and picnic table at site.
Really enjoyed the hike through forest to get to this site."
from $20 / night
Check Availability7. KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site
"Great backpack camp site. Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside."
8. Cappie's Landing
from $20 / night
Check Availability9. Hickory Ridge Group Camp — Governor Dodge State Park
from $50 - $90 / night
Check Availability10. Equestrian Campground - Rock Cut State Park
"If your family's perfect camping trip includes saddling up and exploring miles of wooded trails together, the Equestrian Campground at Rock Cut State Park offers a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a"
Drive Time
- 21 min from Madison, WI
- 22 min from Janesville, WI
- 52 min from Rockford, IL
- 1 hr 10 min from Milwaukee, WI
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Stoughton, WI
10 Photos of 14 Stoughton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Stoughton, WI
868 Reviews of 14 Stoughton Campgrounds
- KKevin D.
ScoutLake Kegonsa State Park Campground
This campground charges both a site reservation fee ($33 for a primitive mosquito infested tent site) AND an additional day use fee on top of that - a $16 fee on top of that! $49????? For a no hook up single tent site???? Of course the fees aren’t actually published anywhere so you have to reserve it to actually know what you’ll be paying. It’s nothing special so these fees aren’t actually warranted for this place. 👎
Zach G.TravelerNew Glarus State Park Campground
Smaller campground with decent sized campsites with picnic table and fire ring pit. Although my site and quite a bit of unleveled ground which made for limit options to pitch a tent. Pretty good cell service with T- mobile.
- GGladys L.Traveler
Plum Grove Campground - Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park in Rockford , Illinois
We got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
- Zach G.Traveler
Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park
Great campground nice drive.
Campground is nice spacious and we’re well divided. The drive from the entrance of Governor Dodge to cox hollow was a good 2-3 miles but was very scenic.
- Maria W.Scout
New Glarus State Park Campground
Rustic but nice trails and close to town
Campground is small with only 18 car camping sites. Vault toilets, no showers. No electricity or dump station. Group camping sites and walk-in or bike-sites also available. I don't mind vault toilets but they were very low to the ground without any grab bar. I found it odd that this campground has many sites for cyclists using the sugar river bike trail and there isn't any showers. Being close to town is nice. There is a paved path that takes you right into New Glarus and past the New Glarus Brewery. After a day of cycling or hiking, one really needs a shower before heading into town!!
- mmark F.
GuideDevils Lake State Park Group Campground — Devils Lake State Park
Don’t pet the fluffy cows
Great place to stay had everything and price right.
Sherry K.ScoutPearl Lake
Late night party central
The park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
- ppeggy R.Scout
Brigham Park
Fall camping
LOTS of acorns and walnuts dropping on the camper all day and night
Guide to Stoughton
Tent camping near Stoughton, Wisconsin offers secluded woodland sites with varied terrain and access options. The area features oak savanna landscapes with elevations ranging from 900-1,200 feet, creating distinct microclimates within short distances. Between spring and fall, campers can expect daytime temperatures from 60-85°F with nighttime temperatures dropping 15-20 degrees.
What to do
Biking accessible trails: New Glarus Woods State Park connects directly to the Sugar River Trail, making it convenient for cyclists. "With direct access to the Sugar River Trail and the town of New Glarus, it is a great location as an overnight stop or home base to explore," notes camper Phillip J. about New Glarus State Park Campground.
Water recreation: Turtle Lake offers paddling opportunities with rentals available seasonally. "Has a pub/restaurant with good food. Lots to do! Definitely a do again!" writes Alix M. about Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake, which features boat rentals during summer months.
Hiking varied terrain: Governor Dodge State Park features bluff trails with elevation changes and natural features. "We did the lost canyon trail which is just stunning with bluffs, small water fall," shares Nick C. about the trails accessible from the park's backpacking sites.
What campers like
Natural springs: Some campsites feature unique water features right on site. "There was a spring on our site! We hiked in a bit to a wooded quiet site," explains Kay K. about her experience at New Glarus Woods State Park.
Oak tree coverage: Large trees provide natural canopies at many sites. "The campsite was spacious, private, and beautiful. We had two large oak trees on either side of our site, giving us a good amount of mixed shade," describes Jimmy P. from his stay at Sandhill Station State Campground.
Multi-level camping: Some campgrounds utilize natural topography for site arrangement. "Great three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views," shares Alix M. about Snug Harbor Inn, where sites are situated on different elevations.
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Proximity to roads varies significantly between sites. "These sites are right next to the highway and are subject to continuous, round the clock highway noise. The highway seems to be a regular truck route, with lots of semis driving by at all hours," warns Katie K. about certain sites at New Glarus Woods.
Insect activity: Timing and location affect mosquito populations. "The sites are really near some stagnant water, though, so WAY too many mosquitoes, even with the really intense bug spray," cautions Tawnie T. about Sandhill Station State Campground, suggesting fall or spring visits instead.
Pack-in requirements: Walk-in sites require different planning than drive-up locations. "Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside. There is a fire pit, but we found our own wood around the site. (Bring a small axe)," advises Erin Z. about the KMSF Shelter 1 Backpack Site.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some parks offer play structures for younger campers. "The playground was great. We spent the day exploring our Swiss heritage in New Glarus," mentions Kay K., highlighting family-friendly amenities.
Lake access for kids: Swimming areas with gradual entry points work best for families. "Spent a weekend here in one of the group sites in mid November 2021... Spent about 5 hours hiking the East Bluff, it was challenging for some of our younger hikers," shares Charles M. about his experience at Devils Lake State Park Group Campground.
Group camping options: Designated group sites accommodate multiple families. "Budget and family friendly... Reserved the group camp for three families, cost was $40 a night for a secluded, spacious, clean group site," reports Jon D. about Devils Lake State Park's group camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have variable terrain. "Great backpacking sites are 1/2-1 mile hike from parking lot. Great hike threw out the state park. 2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus," notes Nick C. about Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites.
Electric hookup locations: Power access varies between campgrounds. "Set up went well, didn't blow anything up! Yea! Staff was great, helped me back in," shares James W. about his first RV trip to Snug Harbor Inn, which offers full hookup sites.
Backing assistance: Some campgrounds provide staff help for RV positioning. "Nice campground. Full weekend but very quiet and relaxing. Staff very nice," notes Jeffery S. about his Labor Day weekend at Snug Harbor Inn Campground, where staff assistance with parking is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Stoughton, WI?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Stoughton, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Stoughton, WI is New Glarus State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Stoughton, WI?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Stoughton, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Stoughton, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring