Camping sites near Wautoma, Wisconsin offer a diverse range of experiences in central Wisconsin's glacier-carved landscape, dominated by pine forests and small kettle lakes. The area sits at an elevation of around 860 feet above sea level, creating distinct microclimates where summer temperatures average 80°F during the day but can drop to the low 50s at night. Most Wautoma campgrounds operate on similar seasonal schedules, typically opening mid-April when ground temperatures consistently remain above freezing.
What to do
Biking on wooded trails: Hartman Creek State Park Campground near Waupaca offers excellent cycling opportunities with dedicated off-road paths. As one camper noted, "Nice place. Pretty woods and water. Paved roads and great off road cycling access."
Fishing from piers: Allen Lake at Hartman Creek State Park Campground provides accessible fishing opportunities. "Allen Lake has a fishing pier that the kids loved fishing from. Good catches early in the morning," reports a regular visitor who appreciates the lake's easy access.
Water recreation: Multiple campgrounds offer non-motorized water activities. One camper at Evergreen Campsites and Resort shared, "Our group rented a pontoon boat for a day and floating around the lake absolutely made the trip. So much so, that we booked 2021 before even leaving the campground."
Cheese factory visits: Some campers use the area as a base for culinary exploration. A visitor staying at Fremont RV Campground mentioned, "We stayed here for a night to visit Union Farm Cheese Factory. The cheese factory was worth the stop and a great experience."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds feature larger-than-average sites. At Lake of the Woods Campground, a camper highlighted the "group campsite it's phenomenal... tons of space for each family and a great community area for your group."
Lake access: Natural and constructed water features rank high among visitor preferences. At Oasis Campground & Waterpark, campers appreciate the "Great Lake floats to play on. Nice bar. Tons of carts to rent. Big pull through sites."
Shaded camping: The tall pines throughout the region provide natural cooling. A visitor to Pearl Lake RV Campground observed that "This campground is nestled in a stand of tall red pine trees so shade is found everywhere."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies widely between campgrounds. A visitor to Coloma Camperland specifically mentioned "VERY CLEAN showers & restrooms. Very safe area for a good night's rest."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between providers in the Wautoma area. A camper at Evergreen Campsites and Resort warned, "One thing guests should know, the only cell service available in the area is AT&T. As a Verizon subscriber, we were completely off grid the entire weekend, unless we used our car as a hotspot."
Seasonal composition: Many campgrounds near Wautoma operate with a high percentage of seasonal residents. At Pearl Lake RV Campground, a visitor noted, "About half of this park are permanent rigs. It's a little crazy, some of them even built structures around their campers, or siding outside! Some rigs don't look like they could be towed out."
Sandy soil conditions: The regional geology creates distinctive camping surfaces. At Hartman Creek, a visitor mentioned, "The only thing I didn't like was the sandy soil, but otherwise our site was awesome."
Variable shower facilities: Bathroom amenities differ significantly between properties. At Pearl Lake, a reviewer cautioned, "The bathrooms are ok but the showers are terrible. You must push a button every 20 seconds to keep the water coming."
Tips for camping with families
Waterpark options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation beyond natural lakes. A visitor to Lake of the Woods mentioned they "have a store, a bar, coin op laundry, a pool, a clean little pond & a great playground... tons to do to keep busy!"
Organized activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events. At Rose's Enchanted Forest Campground, a seasonal camper shared, "During the peak season there are always activities for both kids and adults alike. On off weekends still plenty to do between the lake, playground or just hanging out."
Wildlife viewing: The wooded settings support diverse animal populations. One camper at Fremont RV Campground mentioned, "My son was pretty enamored by all of the awesome wildlife we saw on the strip. Might've been the time of year but it was just beautiful."
Quiet evening policies: For families seeking rest after active days, certain campgrounds enforce noise limitations. A visitor to Hartman Creek State Park noted, "We loved the quietness at night. Not entirely sure, but I believe there is a quite policy after 10pm."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Site configuration varies between campgrounds. At Pearl Lake RV Campground, an RVer observed, "Just know that all of the sites are 90 degree back ins which can be tight with longer rigs- especially if your neighbor across the road has their vehicle or toys parked right up to the paved surface."
Internet connectivity: Wi-Fi quality differs dramatically. At Pearl Lake, a user of satellite internet noted, "Starlink was accessible if the dish could be placed around the pool with access to the sky."
Location convenience: Some campgrounds offer strategic positioning for local attractions. A visitor to Coloma Camperland highlighted its location "Within 1.5 miles of I-39 with easy access on & off I-39. Diesel fuel & gas also available at the exit."
Golf cart rental: Larger campgrounds often offer internal transportation. An Oasis visitor mentioned, "Tons of carts to rent," while a Lake of the Woods camper advised, "If your in the back get a golf cart because the walk to the front where everything is is far."
