Nestled in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, Westby lies amid rolling hills and valleys that remained untouched by glaciers during the last ice age. The topography creates distinct camping conditions with steep terrain, natural springs, and trout streams throughout the region. Seasonal temperature fluctuations range from 30°F nights in early spring and late fall to highs in the 80s during summer.
What to do
Kayak the Kickapoo River: Access points near Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground provide entry to what locals call the "crookedest river in the world." "Ontario to bridge 5 was 2.5 hours," reports one kayaker who enjoyed the gentle current perfect for beginners.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple species await anglers in local waters. "Lake Sturgeon, Bass, Muskie, Pike, Walleye, and Bluegill can be caught at this location," notes a visitor to Neshonoc Lakeside about the 600-acre lake that reaches 11 feet at its deepest point.
Trail exploration: The area offers extensive hiking and biking options. "The Root River bike trail which is beautiful, shaded, and paved," mentions a camper who stayed at Peterson City RV Park, where the trail runs directly adjacent to camping sites.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the natural spacing at certain campgrounds. At Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground, "The sites were spaced apart far enough so you weren't on top of the other campers. Very beautiful scenery, especially from the lookout."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean restrooms rank high in visitor satisfaction. "Bathrooms are well kept and clean with nice shower facilities that area accessible," reports a visitor to Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort who appreciated the convenient amenities.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature water recreation. "They have a beautiful white sand beach around a 1-acre swim pond. The water was the color of the Caribbean with these huge blow-up toys and slides in the middle," writes a camper about Whiskey Creek Family RV Park.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Low-lying areas along rivers can experience high water. "Beware of the flooding and mosquitoes!" warns a camper about Goose Island, where sites occasionally become submerged during heavy rain periods.
Terrain challenges: The Driftless Area's steep hills affect campground access. "The driveway leading to the campground is a bit daunting (especially if pulling a camper), but its well worth it!" notes a visitor to Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground.
Weekend crowds: Busier periods affect the camping experience. "If you're looking for time on the water this is your place to go and relax!" notes one Goose Island visitor, while another advises, "If you can go during the week, it's much quieter then."
Tips for camping with families
Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. Whiskey Creek Family RV Park offers "plenty to do at the park including a cool swimming pond with inflatables, live music most weekends, corn hole tournaments, Friday fish fry, and much more."
Playground accessibility: Some campgrounds thoughtfully position play areas. "One of the things I like best is the playground is on the beach. My kid really loves that!" shares a visitor about Goose Island's family-friendly layout.
Evening entertainment: Structured activities help keep families engaged. "In the evening there was a Glow Parade where the full timers decked out their golf carts and drove around- candy for kids and lots of dancing. Bingo, tie dye, outdoor movies, and other relay races kept the kids happy," reports a summer visitor to Neshonoc Lakeside.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: RV campers note terrain variations between parks. At Yukon Trails Camping Resort, "They could have used a little TLC on the roads into the sites as the rain created large holes and puddles which were a bit hard to navigate a trailer or motorhome but when we were in our site all was well!"
Weekend reservations: Secure spots well in advance for peak periods. "This campground came to us through Thousand Trails Collection. At first we only had a W/E site and later was able to move to a full hook up site," notes a Neshonoc Lakeside visitor, highlighting the limited availability of premium sites.
Site configuration: Pay attention to hookup placement when selecting RV sites. "Peterson City RV Park has electricity, water, and sewer, and they are level – we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup. Note that depending on the site and how far you back in, the electric hookup may be a distance."
