Winter, Wisconsin offers RV campers access to several campgrounds with seasonal availability from May through October, with late September bringing cooler temperatures around 50-60°F. Located in the northwoods region where cell signal can be unpredictable, campers often experience stronger connections in Hayward compared to more remote locations like Moose Lake, where service is nearly nonexistent.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Sunrise Bay Campground on Nelson Lake, campers can park their boats at slips near their sites. "They have a fish cleaning facility. Nice restrooms and showers. They'll bring you a load of wood if needed for a very reasonable price," notes Andrea M., who praises the "fantastic fishing" opportunities.
River tubing: Hayward KOA provides shuttle service for river tubing adventures. "The pool was nice and the waterslide was fun but the river tubing was the best. They shuttle you out and pick you up," shares Melissa H., highlighting an activity popular with families.
Beach access: Moose Lake offers a small grass beach for swimming. Neil T. describes it as a "backwoods isolation" experience with "only a dozen or so spots" and notes the beach has "its own little trail" from some sites.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Campers seeking seclusion appreciate Thornapple River Campground for its tranquility. "It's a small campground, not a lot of campsites... The Thorneapple River is a sleepy, winding river. There are campsites right on the river. You can float or wade in it; it's shallow and refreshing," writes Amanda W.
Family-friendly amenities: Country Quiet RV Park offers an easy navigation system through its expansive grounds. "There's plenty of sites and they appear to be expanding. Sites are fairly spread out. Easy loop system makes this campground very easy to navigate through," according to Judy B.
Nature immersion: Campers appreciate the pine forests surrounding many Winter-area campgrounds. "I love campgrounds where you get to camp amongst the tall pines! Large campground with lots of amenities," writes Tori K. about Hayward KOA, noting that sites farther from the highway experience less road noise.
What you should know
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have water concerns. At Moose Lake, Lawrence B. warns, "The well was closed or out of order during our stay. But you wouldn't want to drink the well water as it's very high in manganese and not to be consumed by kids or over 60s."
Off-grid experience: Many campgrounds around Winter have limited connectivity. At Moose Lake, Neil T. reports "Cell signal: Almost none. Unusable. Can't send texts or make calls," advising campers to "come well stocked" as resorts and supplies aren't readily available.
Site spacing varies: Treeland Farm RV Resort offers more spacious sites compared to some other options. PJ F. describes it as "tucked away from our neighbor just enough to have plenty of space for us & the pups but without being completely segregated," with "nooks of trees for privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Hayward KOA features numerous recreational options for children. "Large 9ft heated pool, mini golf, large playground, horse shoes, volleyball, nice size water slide, covered stage for music, ice cream shop, huge jump pillow, and much more," lists Nate C.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. At Treeland Farm RV Resort, PJ F. mentions, "There is a playground & heated pool, but it's just far enough away to not be heard at all but a quick walk to get to if you so desire."
Weekend planning: Family-oriented campgrounds fill quickly during summer. "They also have themed weekends for the kids, and plenty of activities!" notes Lynn N. about Hayward KOA, where special events draw crowds during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site navigation challenges: Wolf's Den RV Campground has many permanent setups that can make maneuvering difficult. "This campground isn't really a campground, it is more like a summer community. A majority of sites are taken up with permanent RV set ups, and some are super huge and elaborate," warns Judy B.
RV site features: Concrete patios enhance the camping experience at some locations. Kim L. describes Treeland Farm RV Resort as having "large pull through sites. Wooded, concrete patio, picnic table, fire pit. Very quiet."
Big rig considerations: Tree density can create challenges for larger RVs. Sheila H. cautions about Hayward KOA: "There are a lot of trees that make it very challenging for larger rigs. There are a handful of sites that would be easy to access, I recommend calling first. We have a 43ft 5th wheel."
