Westby, Wisconsin sits in the heart of the Driftless Region at approximately 1,260 feet above sea level. The unglaciated landscape creates a distinctive topography with steep hills, narrow valleys, and cold-water streams ideal for year-round camping opportunities. Winter glamping locations in this area regularly experience temperatures below 10°F during January and February, requiring specific preparation for cold-weather stays.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park offers multiple fishing spots across five ponds and the Bad Axe River. "Nice campground, beautiful stream runs through it. Mountains, valleys, just gorgeous. Clean bathrooms with hot water. Shed with dry wood for purchase," reports one visitor to Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park.
Hiking through tunnels: The Elroy-Sparta bike trail features three historic railroad tunnels accessible from nearby campgrounds. A camper at Tunnel Trail Campground explains, "The trail is washed out shortly to the north of the campground but at check in they let us know and told us what they thought was the best way to address the issue. We ended up driving past the wash and rode to the largest tunnel."
Winter activities: Several campgrounds remain open year-round, including Wildcat Mountain State Park which maintains winter facilities. "This is a smaller campground but makes up for it with all the access around it. Ice Cave trail was a neat, quick walk," notes a reviewer about the winter hiking options at Wildcat Mountain.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention the spacing at Wildcat Mountain State Park. "The sites were spaced apart far enough so you weren't on top of the other campers. Very beautiful scenery, especially from the lookout. All the fire rings come with grill racks for cooking," explains a visitor to Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Many glamping options near Westby maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "Site came with a fire pit with grate and a picnic table. I did not use the grate for cooking as I camp with a blackstone as grates tend to be dirty," notes a camper at Great River Bluffs State Park Campground.
Night sky viewing: The rural setting provides excellent stargazing opportunities. "The fireflies at night were an added bonus!" mentions a reviewer about their experience camping in the region, while another camper at Wildcat Mountain noted, "The site was of good size, dark and quiet."
What you should know
Military bugle calls: Campers near Fort McCoy should expect daily bugle calls. A visitor to Pine View Campground mentions, "Reveille, call to mess, retreat, tattoo and taps daily. If you was in the military and haven't heard bugle calls for awhile, this is the place."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for local wildlife visitors at your campsite. One camper at Wildcat Mountain recalls, "We kept it in a cooler, but it figured out how to open it! We woke up in the middle of the night to find some smart raccoon (or whatever it was) had enjoyed our breakfast."
Road noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant traffic sounds. "Highway noise from the highway running along the river and from I-90 (while not really noticeable during the day) is ridiculously loud at night," warns a camper, adding "Added to this were the half dozen trains that ran through the night (horns going off too)."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several family-oriented campgrounds offer swimming facilities. At Tunnel Trail Campground, "The pool opened the day we got there and my kids enjoyed it although it was definitely too cold for me. Frogs pulled us to sleep the first night but disappeared the second."
Kid-friendly water activities: Shallow creek access provides safe play areas. "My kids enjoyed playing in that," reports a parent about the creek running through the campground, while another mentions, "My kids really liked the pond and playground. They spent most of the weekend getting tadpoles from the water then letting them go again."
Local attractions: Plan day trips to nearby features. "We drove a truck so getting up/down the mountain wasn't a problem, but if you have a low car, the front end is going to get scraped at the bottom of the mountain," cautions a family regarding access to hiking trails at Wildcat Mountain.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV sites vary significantly in levelness throughout the region. A visitor to Neshonoc Lakeside reports, "The sites are all flat with a gravel pad, some also have concrete patio and all have nice fire pits. While there aren't a lot of trees or shade, it was a great site with our awning out."
Access challenges for larger rigs: Approach roads can be difficult for large RVs. One camper notes, "We had difficulty getting to our site as tight corners for rigs 38 feet or more," while another mentions, "The driveway leading to the campground is a bit daunting (especially if pulling a camper), but its well worth it!"
Water quality considerations: Well water is common at many campgrounds. "Keep in mind water is well so a filter may be wanted," advises an RVer, while another mentions, "Drinking water and trash dumpsters are near the bathroom."
