Wisconsin Dells is located in the hilly Driftless Area, featuring ancient sandstone formations that date back over 500 million years. The region sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 80°F during peak camping season. Most Wisconsin Dells campgrounds operate from May through October, with limited year-round options due to the harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Water activities on Mirror Lake: At Sandstone Ridge Campground — Mirror Lake State Park, visitors can enjoy no-wake boating and paddling. "The lake is great for kayaking. Lots of sandstone cliffs," reports Julia B. "You can rent kayaks and canoes! Plenty of hiking trails and geocaches!"
Racing entertainment nearby: Arrowhead RV Campground visitors have access to a dirt track with regular races. "The race ended at 11 and we had no problem sleeping, but it is something to keep in mind," notes Olivia M. The campground balances this with quieter activities like "outdoor movies, put-put, corn hole, two pools, huge trampoline, volleyball nets, disc golf."
Water obstacle course: For families seeking water-based activities, Holiday Shores Campground offers unique experiences. "We rented a pontoon and enjoyed the water and scenery," shares Carolyn M. Another visitor notes, "That floating obstacle course... There are so many more amenities available that we didn't have time to experience them all."
What campers like
Quieter alternatives to tourist areas: Finding peaceful settings near Wisconsin Dells is possible. "If you are planning to be in the WI Dells and want to stay out of the craziness of the city- this is a great alternative!" says Sara S. about Mirror Lake State Park. "Nice lake area to rent boats and a few hiking trails. Sites are somewhat secluded with trees between sites."
Access to nature preserves: Fox Hill RV Park & Campground provides proximity to nearby natural areas. "What's nice is it's close to all the Dells attractions and also Devils Lake State Park," explains Chris A. Another visitor noted they enjoyed "hiking and exploring nearby."
Cleanliness and facilities: Campgrounds maintain high standards for visitor comfort. "Bathrooms were nice for what I saw of them," reports Emily F. at Sandstone Ridge. At Holiday Shores, a guest appreciated that "The staff here was just so so very kind and accommodating... We definitely plan a return."
What you should know
Site terrain considerations: Be prepared for varying campsite conditions throughout the area. At Fox Hill RV Park, "Our site was very unlevel side to side. It took two 2x6 and a 1x6 under the camp side to be level," reports Jeff G.
Highway noise factors: Some campgrounds experience road noise. At Mirror Lake, "The highway noise is loud and some military jets kept flying overhead," mentions Julia B. Another camper was more direct: "Beautiful facility but the traffic noise was atrocious."
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife may impact your camping experience. "The raccoons were brutal. They broke into our crates twice. Smart enough to figure out the clip mechanism," warns a Mirror Lake visitor. Ticks can also be an issue, as one camper at Ho-Chunk RV Resort noted: "We had to pick a ton of ticks off our dogs!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear Camp-Resort & Waterplayground offers extensive children's programming. "Nice pool, awesome aqua pad for the kids and game room. No child will be disappointed here!" says Kelli D. Another visitor mentions, "They do Yogi Bear Cartoons each night which is neat!"
Safety considerations: Pay attention to campsite features that might affect child safety. "Our 3 campsites were on a very steep hill with the fire pit on the bottom of the hill. It was raining the whole time we were there and many people slipped down the slope," reports one Yogi Bear visitor.
Family-specific campgrounds: Consider campgrounds designed for multi-generational gatherings. At Baraboo RV Resort, one visitor shared: "We had a mini family reunion here. The pond had lots of great inflatables for the kids to climb on, and even the adults enjoyed them."
Tips from RVers
Extension cords required: At Arrowhead RV Campground, bring additional electrical equipment. "Good place. Bring extension cord... Make sure you bring 50 ft of electrical cord and water hose," advises Travis I. Another camper noted "odd outlet placement" at the sites.
Site selection for privacy: RV campers should consider location within campgrounds. At Wisconsin Dells KOA, "all the good more private spots are in the back," according to Andrew G. At Fox Hill, "We chose to get a smaller campsite with just W/E because there are trees and shade, and it just feels a little more like camping."
Water quality issues: Water quality varies between campgrounds. At Ho-Chunk RV Resort, one visitor advises: "Make sure to use a water filter outside your camper. The water left an orange residue in our dog bowls, sinks and pipes."
