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Best Tent Camping near Wautoma, WI

705 Reviews

The forested landscapes surrounding Wautoma, Wisconsin offer several tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking natural settings. Camp Wilderness stands out as a highly-rated established campground with dedicated tent sites accessible via drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in options. Located in the central Wisconsin region, this campground provides basic amenities while maintaining a natural setting. Additional tent camping can be found at Oakwood Campsites Bar and Grill near Wild Rose and Plover River Retreat, which offers walk-in tent sites for those seeking a more secluded experience.

Tent campsites in the Wautoma area typically feature dirt or gravel pads with varying levels of shade from the surrounding forest. Camp Wilderness provides essential amenities including drinking water, toilets, trash disposal, and picnic tables at most sites. Fire rings are available with fires permitted at both Camp Wilderness and Plover River Retreat, though campers should check current fire restrictions before arrival. Walk-in tent sites at Plover River Retreat require campers to carry their gear a short distance from parking areas, creating a more immersive backcountry tent camping experience. Most primitive tent camping locations maintain seasonal availability, though Oakwood Campsites operates year-round for tent campers seeking winter opportunities.

Tent-only camping experiences near Wautoma offer unique advantages for families and nature enthusiasts. According to reviews, Camp Wilderness is particularly well-suited for families with children. One camper noted, "If you have kids looking for adventure, this is a great place to be," highlighting the campground's tent sites, nearby trails, lake access, and obstacle course that provide engaging outdoor activities. The area primarily serves youth programs similar to Boy Scouts, making it an excellent location for introducing children to outdoor skills and tent camping basics. Tent campers frequently use these sites as bases for exploring the surrounding natural areas, with trails accessible directly from many campgrounds. Places to tent camp near Wautoma generally provide good separation between sites, allowing for a more private outdoor experience even during busier summer months.

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Best Tent Sites Near Wautoma, Wisconsin (4)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Wautoma, WI

6 Photos of 4 Wautoma Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Wautoma, WI

705 Reviews of 4 Wautoma Campgrounds

  • Alex S.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Red Oak Campgrounds

    Great for car camping!

    This is our favorite campground for when we want to take trips to Devil’s Lake State Park! The campgrounds all vary in size, and many have a good amount of tree cover so you have some privacy from your neighbors. Every campsite has at least one picnic table and fire-pit. You can pull your car right up to the campsite. There is a store where you check in and you can buy fire wood and little odds and ends like bug spray or tent stakes. There is a pool that is really clean along with bathrooms and showers.

  • P
    Oct. 26, 2019

    Jordan Park

    Beautiful site on the water.

    Quiet little campground, I was in one of the three canoe/ walk in sights and they were right on the water. All three sights were separated from the rest of camp and are tent sites. All have a picnic table, grill, and fire ring and are big enough for 2-3 tents depending on the size of the tents. Set back from a county hwy and state hwy, however not too much traffic and the traffic that does exist was not very disruptive. 2 night minimum, 14 night maximum reservation.

  • S
    Dec. 26, 2017

    Calumet County Park

    The park is on the shores of Lake Winnebago and the sunsets are fabulous!

    The park:

    • is well kept
    • showers & bathrooms are very clean
    • has a marina
    • has hiking and cross country ski trails
    • sites are spacious
    • many sites available on the edge of the water
    • electric hookups on most sites
    • some very private sites
    • a few close restaurants
    • Camp staff is always helpful and friendly.
    • Picnic table, & fire pit at every site
    • They take reservations, sell firewood, have a camp store, allow pets on leash, allow alcohol
  • Janet B.
    Jun. 3, 2023

    Buckhorn State Park Campground

    Pretty good one for the weekend

    Snagged a spot (#102) right before the Memorial Day weekend. Spacious site, somewhat private because of the surrounding trees. If you want to be surrounded by hammock-able trees, i suggest sites 94-99. Our site was both close to vaulted toilets/water and shower building, which was a plus. Shower head pressure was lovely and hot water was great! One downside was that people were loud and playing music till midnight but oh wells.

    Was worried about bugs but I think it was okay. Maybe we were there before it began. i did find some ticks on my camping chair though so beware.

    Though we didnt explore much of the Buckhorn SP, we chose this site because it was under an hour drive from Mirror Lake SP and Devils Lake SP. Making a day trip to those parks and Wisconsin Dells was a breeze.

  • N
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Rocky Arbor State Park Campground

    Good place, horrible site

    This state park is very nice, decent trails clearly marked and the walking paths around the sites are pretty clear. Overall the noise from other sites was minimal and I liked the layout of the campground.

    The bad- the sites labeled for highway noise should be closed. It was an absolutely awful experience. I was walking through all of the campground when we first got in and as we approached our site the noise was so distracting and completely ruined the peaceful experience that most state parks offer. It was a serious bummer when night construction started on the highway on Sunday night as well. Our neighbors stayed well beyond the checkout time and the camp host did nothing to get them to leave, why even be present if you’re not gunna do anything? It wouldn’t have been a big deal if they weren’t randomly shooting a bow and arrow into the trees behind their site and then proceeded to record TikTok’s with endless repetition of those songs. Not the parks fault other than the host should at least clear the sites with the new checkout times.

    If you’re going to this park avoid the highway spots at all costs!

  • Jimmy P.
    Jun. 29, 2019

    High Cliff State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 at High Cliff State Park

    Campground Review

    High Cliff is a generally wooded and shaded campground on a cliff overlooking Lake Winnebago. The sites are average to above average size, with a good mix of electric and non-electric sites. We are tent campers and the ground was pretty flat and there was a good spot for our tents in our site. Our site was nice and spacious with a good fire-ring that had a grate that rotated. Typically I use an adjustable tripod grill, but since was a rainy weekend, it was nice to be able to not have to get that out. The one thing about our site(and the campground in general) in the rain was the mud. Since it is heavily shaded there isn't really any grass, so the ring forest floor soil turns mucky and muddy.

    There is one main flush toilet/shower building in the campground, and a bunch of pit toilet buildings. The pit toilet buildings had some issues with the lights in some of them, but the shower/flush building was mostly clean and not too far away. There is also a really nice playground nearby.

    Within the park are plenty of hiking/biking trails, a lookout tower, and there is beach access. The beach/water is definitely swimmable, but this isn't the most beautiful beach for swimming. When we were here, it was cool and rainy, so the most we did was put our feet in the water. There isn't much sand, but there are large grassy areas.

    The weekend we were there a local theater group happened to be performing a minimal version of Romeo and Juliet. It was awesome.

    Product Review

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time, this time I got to test the Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 tent.

    I've owned a bunch of tents throughout the years, but mostly they were small backpacking size tents. We have use a large 8-person Cabella's tent for the past 9 years for car camping, but it is time-consuming to set-up, so we thought the Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 would be a nice complement tent for us.

    The Ivanhoe is part of Wenzel's "Tribute" collection, with a retro-inspired design. The Ivanhoe reminds me of my parents' old canvas tent. The Ivanhoe is a single-walled house-shaped tent made of weather-treated polyester and taped seams. It held up really well in the rainy weather we had camping and there was just one small area that the seam tape failed: a"troubleshooting" tag that hangs down inside the tent.

    What I like:

    • The single pole design is simple and quick to setup

    • There is good airflow with the large screens on the doors and the two side windows; The rear vent is a nice touch

    • It has a great look and it well made

    • It actually fits in the bag it came in

    What I don't like

    • The top peak vents don't really work

    • There was a slight leak by the tag (I'll use some seam-sealer to fix this for the future)

    • Since it isn't freestanding, there are a lot of guy lines that are easy to trip over in the dark

    For a sub-$200 tent, this tent is awesome. It's easy to set up and looks great. It is a simple design that is spacious and comfortable for 3-4 people. It did great in rainy weather. I definitely recommend this tent for for those looking for a car camping tent around this size and want to spend less than $200.

  • L
    Jul. 5, 2022

    High Cliff State Park Campground

    Beautiful Park but Lots of Raccoons

    The park itself is beautiful, and the trails are nice. The tent sites were on the smaller side and kind of close together. The park ranger was good-natured and patient when we accidentally set up on the wrong site.

    Make sure to store your food correctly! The two sites beside us were ransacked by raccoons all night long because they left their supplies out. Three raccoons came to smell around our picnic table as soon as we zipped up inside the tents but left quickly after not finding food.

  • Stephen T.
    Jun. 28, 2016

    Buckhorn State Park Campground

    Amazing camping on Castle Rock Lake

    I have camped here several times. I have hiked in, backed in, and camped lakefront. All are gorgeous. The trails are beautiful with some wooded areas and some prairie. The hike in is just shy of a mile. The lakefront is a simple walk in, but you can launch your kayak or canoe from your site, which I did. The fishing is fantastic with Striped, Largemouth, and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Musky, and all kinds of panfish. Many natural sites are within driving distance. Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the International Crane Foundation, many other fishing opportunities. Very minimal noise. Modern showers, fishing pier. Great for the family.

  • Jessica H.
    May. 9, 2018

    Ice Age Campground — Devils Lake State Park

    Devil's Lake State Park

    Campsites in the Ice Age Campground were decent sized with individual fire pits and picnic tables. The sites had plenty of trees for shade, but were close together. Our site was right across the road from the restrooms on one side, and the water pump on the other side, which meant lots of foot traffic in our area. There are other sites that are a bit more secluded, and offer less noisy conditions.

    Note: if you plan to camp here in the summer, reservations are a must. This is a busy park as it has lots to offer in the way of outdoor activities. We tent camped for two nights and three days. We fished on the lake and hiked a portion of the Ice Age Trail, specifically to the Devil's Doorway and Balanced Rock. Highly recommend the hike; it's worth the view at the top. We also utilized the boardwalk along the lake as a spot to stop and bank fish.

    The park offers two visitors centers; one on the north shore and one on the south shore. The south shore center was well-maintained and had lots of merchandise and touristy items for sale, along with a small dining area. All in all, it was a scenic park to camp and hike in.

Guide to Wautoma

Tent camping near Wautoma, Wisconsin provides access to the glacially-formed landscapes of central Wisconsin, where sandy soil and mixed pine-hardwood forests create natural drainage ideal for comfortable tent sites. The area averages 30 inches of precipitation annually, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F, making late May through early October the primary camping season. Most tent camping locations sit at elevations between 800-900 feet above sea level, creating moderate terrain suitable for beginners and experienced campers alike.

What to do

Water activities: Launch from campgrounds Camp Wilderness offers direct access to a small lake where campers can practice paddling skills in a controlled environment. This established campground primarily serves youth programs but welcomes general campers when space allows.

Foraging opportunities: Seasonal wildcrafting Central Wisconsin forests surrounding Wautoma offer wild edibles including morel mushrooms (spring), blackberries (summer), and cranberries (fall). Always verify identification with a local expert and check campground rules before harvesting.

Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk observation Quiet observation periods yield sightings of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and numerous bird species. Plover River Retreat provides secluded walk-in tent sites where campers can immerse themselves in nature with minimal disturbance.

What campers like

Seclusion: Spacious sites Tent campers appreciate the balance between accessibility and natural setting. The wooded campsites provide ample spacing between neighboring sites, offering privacy even during busier summer weekends.

Youth programming: Skill development Families appreciate the outdoor skill-building opportunities. Camp Wilderness has received positive feedback for its youth-centered approach. One camper noted, "The camp is primarily used for a program similar to Boy Scouts called Royal Rangers. There's primarily tent sites with trails, a lake, an obstacle course and more right nearby."

Seasonal flexibility: Extended camping calendar While most tent sites operate from May through October, Oakwood Campsites Bar and Grill near Wild Rose offers year-round tent camping for those prepared for Wisconsin winters. Proper cold-weather gear required for winter camping.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Advance planning Most tent campgrounds near Wautoma require reservations during peak summer season (June-August). Call at least 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend stays, particularly for groups or adjacent sites.

Limited connectivity: Digital detox Cell service ranges from spotty to nonexistent at most tent camping locations. Download maps and information before arrival, and consider bringing physical maps.

Fire regulations: Seasonal restrictions Fire rings are available at established campsites, but seasonal burn bans may be implemented during dry periods. Always check current fire restrictions with the Wisconsin DNR before your trip, particularly in late summer.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Nature exploration The Wautoma area offers educational opportunities through structured programs. David K. shared that Camp Wilderness is "a good place to initiate your kids with the outdoors and teach them fun skills."

Terrain considerations: Easy access Most family-friendly tent sites feature relatively flat terrain with minimal walking distance from parking areas. Some walk-in sites require carrying gear up to 100 yards from vehicles.

Safety preparation: Wildlife awareness While dangerous wildlife encounters are rare, families should store food properly and teach children about respecting local wildlife. Black bears occasionally visit campsites with poor food storage practices.

Tips from RVers

Tent camping adjacent to RVs: Mixed-use areas Some campgrounds near Wautoma allow both RVs and tents in shared areas. For tent campers preferring separation from RVs, request tent-only areas when making reservations.

Water access: Bring containers Many tent sites lack direct water hookups. Bring collapsible water containers to transport drinking water from central spigots to your tent site, typically ranging from 50-200 yards from water sources.

Weather protection: Ground preparation The sandy soil around Wautoma drains well during rain but can be challenging for tent stakes. Pack longer, spiral-style tent stakes appropriate for sandy soil conditions to ensure secure tent anchoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wautoma, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wautoma, WI is Camp Shin-Go-Beek with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Wautoma, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Wautoma, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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