Family-friendly campgrounds surround Tomahawk, Wisconsin, with options catering to tent campers and RVers alike. The area features numerous lakes and the Wisconsin River, providing waterfront camping experiences throughout the summer season. Most campgrounds near Tomahawk operate from May through October when temperatures average 70-80°F during peak season.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Franklin Lake, campers can explore nature trails through diverse ecosystems. "We love the nature trail that takes us through bogs and past maiden hair ferns," notes one visitor. The campground connects to miles of paths through northern Wisconsin woodlands.
Disc golf: Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park offers a full course for disc golf enthusiasts. "Nice campground with a nice beach area and fantastic disc golf course!" mentions a reviewer. The course winds through wooded areas, providing both recreation and scenic views.
Water recreation: Swimming areas with sandy beaches are available at several campgrounds. "The water is crystal clear and there's a beach that can be used if you don't have a lake site," notes a Franklin Lake camper. Many sites allow direct lake access for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding without traveling to designated beach areas.
What campers like
Lake access: Waterfront sites at Big Eau Pleine Park Campground provide immediate water access. "Big mature forest with water access, boat launches, swimming, fishing. Camping sites are very nice and level with majority electric," writes one visitor. Sites vary in proximity to water, with premium spots offering direct lake frontage.
Quiet atmosphere: Many Tomahawk area campgrounds offer a secluded experience. "If you want a quiet, secluded campground where you can just sit back and enjoy being out in the woods (we had deer walk through the back of our campsite at night), then you will enjoy this campground," shares a visitor to Moen Lake Campground & RV Park.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the well-spaced sites. "Tall trees, peaceful, quiet, new fire pits, good bathrooms," notes a Council Grounds reviewer. Many campgrounds feature wooded sites that provide natural separation between neighbors.
What you should know
Electrical limitations: Some rv sites near Tomahawk, Wisconsin have restricted electrical capacity. "The electricity has no breakers to shut the juice off before hook up which is very dangerous," cautions a visitor to Arbor Vitae Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "We camped here in October, the last week the National Forest was open. It seemed that we had 10,000 acres to ourselves," notes a Franklin Lake visitor, suggesting off-peak camping for those seeking solitude.
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "Clean bathrooms and shower areas. Easy hook up for water, electric and sewer," reports an Arbor Vitae visitor, while others note some parks only offer vault toilets with limited amenities.
Cell service: Connectivity varies widely across Tomahawk camping areas. "Cell service is horrible, you can get service kind of by the lake depending on your provider, but don't count on it," mentions a Franklin Lake visitor. Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.
Tips for camping with families
Group sites: Council Grounds State Park Campground offers dedicated group camping areas. "For this particular trip, we reserved group sites A and B. They each have concrete pads for 3 campers and TONS of space to spread out and/or set up tents," writes a visitor. These areas allow multiple families to camp together with shared amenities.
Swimming options: Most campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with varying amenities. "Beautiful lake and beach area. Clear water for swimming and no motorized boats," notes a Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park visitor, highlighting safer swimming conditions for children.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include playground equipment for younger visitors. "This camping park has it all lake, campfire wood, store, fishing, nice swim beach, park to play volleyball playground and modern showers," mentions a Langlade County reviewer. Check ahead as play areas vary between parks.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV sites near Tomahawk, Wisconsin often require minimal adjustment. "Sites are large and decent spacing between sites. Heavy tree cover with mostly shade. The site was mostly gravel with nice fire ring and picnic table," notes a Franklin Lake visitor after recent electric site additions.
Utility connections: West Bay Camping Resort provides multiple hookup options. "Full hookups, no wifi or at least we couldn't find it. Dogs are welcomed, no barking allowed. Cell phone service was good so you can work if you have too," shares a reviewer. Check individual park listings for specific utility availability.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump stations. "You now pay to dump your waste," notes a Big Eau Pleine Park visitor, indicating additional fees may apply. Several campgrounds near Tomahawk provide dump stations with either included or fee-based access.
