Wedges Creek Hideaway offers visitors a retreat experience at one of the most distinctive glamping in Stratford, Wisconsin area locations. Set 9 miles south of Stratford in central Wisconsin's rural countryside, the area features gently rolling terrain with elevations averaging 1,300 feet. Winter temperatures frequently drop below 0°F, while summer camping season brings moderate 75-85°F days with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Trail exploration on foot: Council Grounds State Park Campground offers several miles of hiking paths through dense forest. One camper noted, "Beautiful forest, boating, dam views along the Wisconsin River," making it ideal for nature enthusiasts seeking woodland walks.
Water activities: Petenwell Park provides excellent lake access for boating and swimming. According to a visitor, "We stayed at sites right on the lake and they were hands down the most beautiful sites I've personally ever camped at!" The park includes a boat launch within its boundaries.
Live music options: While Wedges Creek features brick oven pizza nights, Wilderness Park offers alternative recreational options. A camper explained, "Take a Auto Tour at nearby Sandhill State Wildlife Area. Get out and explore nearby Necedah National Wildlife Refuge and its world class visitor center."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Chippewa NF Campground, campers appreciate the spacing. "Sites are spread out with woods between the sites," one reviewer mentioned. "There are tons of sites across three loops, spaced apart with picnic tables, fire pits, and plenty of room."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at many area campgrounds. At East Arbutus Camp, visitors appreciate that the campground is "well maintained, clean. There are showers and recycling bins. The sites are big and the ones on the lake have beautiful views."
Waterfront access: The region's lakes provide excellent shoreline camping. As one camper at Petenwell Park stated, "Nice fishing beautiful sunset," while another noted "Love camping right on the edge of the lake."
What you should know
Limited services nearby: Russell Memorial Park represents the broader area's remote nature. At many locations, services can be distant. One camper at Petenwell Park advised, "Great area, nice boat lunch, but bring what you need as the closest gas station is 15 mils away."
Seasonal considerations: Central Wisconsin experiences a short but intense mosquito season from June-August. Tent caterpillars can occasionally be an issue, as one Chippewa camper reported: "Tent worms had infested the campground! Dropping from the trees and landing on you and all your belongings!"
Reservation planning: Popular waterfront sites at most campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. A Council Grounds visitor suggested, "We may choose a different site next time as ours was a bit close to our neighbors, but really not a deal breaker!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: The central Wisconsin area offers several family-friendly glamping options beyond Wedges Creek. Petenwell Park features family amenities as mentioned by a camper: "The park is fairly crowded with lots of seasonal campers... but it's clean, the main bath house is nice and the playground is large. Kids are having a great adventure!"
Swimming spots: Many campgrounds feature beach areas for children. A Council Grounds visitor noted: "We enjoyed being able to rent kayaks and paddleboards and relax on the beach. We also liked the proximity to the pit/vault toilet and water pump."
ATV trails for older children: West Arbutus County Park offers trail access for families with off-road vehicles. One young visitor shared: "I go there at least two or three times every year and it's so fun there's a lot of trails that you can just ride your bike on so it's fun."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Many Stratford area glamping sites accommodate RVs but with limitations. A Russell Memorial visitor advised: "Our site was a little hard to get into. We stayed at site 116 with a 40 ft 5th wheel. I would recommend booking early to get a better spot for a big rig."
Utility access: Electric hookups are common, but full-service sites are limited. According to a Petenwell Park camper: "Only downfall is there is no sewer hook ups." East Arbutus Camp similarly has "Lots of electric sites, but no sites with water or sewer so Sunday checkout there's a line of campers waiting to dump."
Leveling considerations: While some sites are relatively flat, others require equipment. A Chippewa camper noted: "Most sites are level– we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup."
