Camping near Waupun, Wisconsin offers accessible options within the glaciated terrain of the Horicon Marsh region. The area sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level with seasonal temperature swings from below-freezing winters to humid 80°F summers. Most campgrounds remain open from May through October, with a few sites providing year-round accommodations in this transition zone between Wisconsin's Northern and Southern ecological regions.
What to do
Hiking at Ledge County Park: Trails wind through unique rock formations that give the park its name. "Nice, clean & family-type park! Hiking, observation deck, playground & volleyball!" notes Cher & Walter P. about Ledge County Park.
Fishing at Derge County Park: Located on Beaver Dam Lake with boat launch access. "A small campground right on Beaver Dam Lake. There's a boat launch but no beach. Bathrooms have showers and are very clean. It's not a bad spot for a weekend fishing trip," reports Joel N. about Derge County Park.
Golf near campgrounds: Some Waupun area campgrounds offer direct access to golf courses. "Golf course right next-door so close you could walk to," mentions Joe about Waupun Park Campground, making it convenient for campers who want to mix outdoor recreation with a round of golf.
Disc golf and water activities: Several campgrounds feature disc golf courses and swimming opportunities. "Disc golf and a small fishing area," notes Joe, while at Mauthe Lake, Elizabeth S. reports "Sunset on the lake is ridiculously beautiful!"
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated camping areas. At Waupun Park Campground, Stacey N. appreciates "Site 21 is very nice… a little private elevated back yard area with a fire ring and picnic table."
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across reviews is the quality of bathrooms and showers. "Bathrooms and showers are modern and clean. We would camp here again," shares Stacey N. about Waupun Park Campground.
Seasonal camping community: Kim J. notes, "We stayed there for a while very pretty and the people very friendly bring wood to your camp they have trails you can walk and county pool and golf course sites are good size."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The proximity to farmland and natural areas provides excellent wildlife watching. At Fairgrounds RV Park, Karen mentions, "I like some privacy and the opportunity to let my dogs play freely at my campsite when I can. The site I'm at has plenty of space for them to run around my site without disturbing other campers."
What you should know
Varying levels of privacy: Electric sites at some campgrounds can feel crowded. At Ledge County Park, Renee R. notes, "I'm not a trailer camper, but if I were I would not appreciate the vibes of the electric sites. The sites are very close together and walking through it felt like going through a festival or circus more than a campground."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. For the best sites, reserve well in advance, especially for weekends and holidays when availability becomes limited.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from May to October. Jeffrey Z. mentions Derge County Park as "Very quiet campground. Plenty of open space. You can see where they are making some sites bigger for the modern large campers."
Amenities vary by campground: While some locations offer full hookups, others provide more basic services. "Electric only but fill up with potable water at the entrance. Showers clean and hot," notes Jeffrey Z. about Derge County Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Multiple locations feature play areas for children. At Mauthe Lake Campground, one camper shares, "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids."
Consider indoor options for rainy days: Some campgrounds offer indoor facilities. At The Playful Goose Campground, Beth B. notes, "Indoor pool great for kids. Bath house was a bit dated but okay. Coin operated showers, 25 cent for several minutes."
Choose sites with room to play: Jamie W. recommends Fon du Lac County Waupun Park: "This is a wonderful park for family get togethers. The group site is separate from the single sites. Very nice showers with soft water. There is a great water park just on the edge of the park."
Check out weekend activities: Karen from Fairgrounds RV Park explains, "They also have events, usually on the weekend that you can visit or participate. While I've been here they've had a circus, a carnival, a flea market, and something similar to a farmer's market."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: At Breezy Hill Campground, Matthew J. reports it's a "Family friendly campground. Plenty for the kids to do. There's a fishing pond (catch and release) arcade, jumping pillow etc. Owners are friendly and helpful."
Check utilities before booking: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "Electric only but fill up with potable water at the entrance," advises Jeffrey Z. about Derge County Park, while Rick notes, "Potable water and dump station available. Electric only on lots."
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds modify sites to accommodate modern RVs. Jeffrey Z. observed at Derge County Park, "You can see where they are making some sites bigger for the modern large campers."
Look for full hookup options: For longer stays, seek campgrounds with sewer connections. David H. at Green Lake Campground shares, "Our site was S10 which has its pros and cons it is a full hook-up site this section of the campground is fairly new so there is a few in mature trees so there is not much for shade."
