Top Free Dispersed Camping near Wisconsin Dells, WI

Searching for a dispersed campsite near Wisconsin Dells? Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Wisconsin Dells, including photos, reviews, and tips. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Wisconsin Dells's most popular destinations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Wisconsin Dells, WI (1)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Wisconsin Dells

4 Reviews of 1 Wisconsin Dells Campgrounds


  • Joel K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Wisconsin Riverway
    Apr. 5, 2024

    Lower Wisconsin Riverway

    Canoe paddle and sandbar camping

    Paddle trip in early June 2023. From Prairie du Sac to Spring Green, about 21 miles? Went mid week, saw one Boy Scout troop but generally nobody else.

    Campsite was beautiful with a fire pit and some left over wood from the previous group. BUT, even though you couldn’t see the road you could hear it. It’s a truck route so at 6:30am it was busy with trucks and noisy which definitely took away from the vibe of dispersed camping.

    Water levels were good. Weather was beautiful.

    Only camped one night. We rented the canoe and they ran the shuttle for us, which was very easy to arrange. Would do this again!

  • Leah M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Wisconsin Riverway
    Feb. 3, 2024

    Lower Wisconsin Riverway

    River Canoeing Camping

    So much fun. Bring dry wood! Don’t forget your meat ( obviously we did)! I Great time regardless. Canoe and then camping on the river. There was a storm, it was a rough summer (2023) many storms. So much fun.

    Highly recommend.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Wisconsin Riverway
    Feb. 21, 2021

    Lower Wisconsin Riverway

    My favorite place to camp

    If chilling and canoeing is what you want with little to no other human contact the lower Wisconsin river is the place. Eagles everywhere. Great fishing.

  • Siobhan R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Wisconsin Riverway
    Jul. 21, 2020

    Lower Wisconsin Riverway

    Ranger Review- COAST headlamp on the Wisconsin River

    Spend another amazing weekend on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway! We did 15 miles this trip- put in at Lone Rock (Otter Creek) Friday and canoed about 6 miles until we found a nice high sandbar near Gotham Jack Pines Burren State Natural Area. We spend Saturday just hanging out and fishing, then paddled out 9 miles on Sunday to the Muscoda boat launch, where Wi River Outings gave us a shuttle back to our truck. Water was very high this trip- not many sandbars out there, but also not as many people. Fishing wasn’t too great either due to the high water, but we did get a bunch of catfish. Beautiful scenery, very few houses until we got closer to Muscoda. The Riverway goes 92 miles from the Sauk City Dam all the way to the Mississippi River and sandbar camping is free the entire way! Make sure to keep an eye on water levels for the area you will be on, and also the weather. (Shout out to the Midland weather radio that I’ve reviewed for the Dryt before that alerted us to the severe weather when it blew up out of nowhere!) I use the Wisconsin Canoe Company’s website for a lot of information for planning trips. They have detailed maps and guides for the entire Riverway. Remember that no glass is allowed on the river because the fine is pretty steep and no one wants to step barefoot on broken glass! You need to pack in everything you need, including water. The river is very sandy and eats through water filters quick. This is wilderness camping, yet close to town if you need supplies or assistance. Some firewood can be scrounged from the islands, or you can get some from many roadside stands or an outfitter. It was pretty hot this trip so we didn’t do a big fire, just a little one in the stick stove for some ambiance. The nice thing about being right on the river is being able to take a dip in the cool water any time it was too hot! Be careful of drop offs, especially on the downstream side of islands and make sure kids and people that aren’t strong swimmers always have a life jacket on when wading- the currents can get very strong. There are many loaner life jackets at many of the landings as part of a DNR program. Also be sure to bring lots of sunscreen and something to make some shade- it’s very sunny out there! As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I occasionally get gear to review. This trip I had the FL1R headlamp from Coast. Right out of the box I was surprised by how light it was- about 1 oz! I’m not too worried about weight on the canoe, but the small size meant I could shove it in my bag with no worries and not taking up a ton of space. The 200 lumen light really lit up a huge area. I wish I could have gotten better pictures, but it doesn’t really show up as good as it looked in real life. The battery lasted the entire weekend with no problem. Before the trip I tested it out at home and it lasted at continuous high power for over 3 hours. The red light feature was my favorite. It allowed me to do all kinds of tasks while keeping the bugs away. I also appreciated that it came with a hat clip if I preferred to use that instead of the included band. The splash resistance was also a must for on the water or in bad weather. Overall a very good headlamp and I would definitely order from Coast again.



Guide to Wisconsin Dells

Camping near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Devils Lake State Park. One camper mentioned, "The hikes were the nicest I’ve seen in the surrounding areas," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the refreshing waters at Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "Great beach, lots of space with picnic tables," perfect for a sunny day.
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Buckhorn State Park Campground. One visitor noted, "There was an eagle fishing in the bay with us," highlighting the area's wildlife.

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites at Hartman Creek State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "I stayed at site 38 which had good privacy on one side."
  • Clean facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. At Cox Hollow Campground, one camper said, "Bathrooms and showers seemed clean enough."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: The Wisconsin Dells KOA is noted for its kid-friendly features. A visitor remarked, "The campground is kid-friendly, with a playground and a pool."

What you should know:

  • Busy during peak season: Campgrounds can get crowded, especially in summer. A camper at Quartzite Campground mentioned, "Saturday got a bit too crowded, but otherwise it was a great stay."
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have the same level of amenities. For example, a visitor at Ice Age Campground noted, "The bathrooms could use more upkeep."
  • Noise levels can vary: Some campgrounds, like Cox Hollow Campground, can be noisy due to nearby activities. One camper said, "The vibe here wasn’t for us," indicating it might not be ideal for those seeking peace.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose sites with amenities: Look for campgrounds that offer playgrounds and swimming areas. The Wisconsin Dells KOA has a pool and planned activities, making it a hit with families.
  • Plan for activities: Bring games and outdoor equipment. A camper at Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground mentioned, "We had a canopy over the picnic table," which is great for family gatherings.
  • Check for nearby attractions: Many campgrounds are close to fun spots. One visitor at Buckhorn State Park Campground enjoyed the nearby bar and grill with live music.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site dimensions: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Northern Lights Campground noted, "Some sites have quite a bit of slant but it’s workable."
  • Look for full hookups: Campgrounds like Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable.
  • Be prepared for tight spots: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight spaces. A camper at Wisconsin Dells KOA mentioned, "Tight spots and narrow roads but convenient location."

Camping near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Wisconsin Dells, WI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Wisconsin Dells, WI is Lower Wisconsin Riverway with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.