144 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin centers around wooded lakeside sites and county parks that provide access to the Wisconsin River and its tributaries. The area includes a mix of established campgrounds like South Wood County Park on Lake Wazeecha and Dexter Park near Pittsville, along with several family-friendly resorts with more extensive amenities. Petenwell Park, located about 30 miles south on Wisconsin's second-largest lake, offers year-round camping with both tent and RV options. According to visitors, many campgrounds feature "spacious sites with good privacy thanks to wooded buffers between campsites," making them popular for weekend getaways.
Most campgrounds in the Wisconsin Rapids area operate seasonally from May through October, with only Petenwell Park remaining open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with July and August being the warmest and most humid months. Insects can be problematic, particularly in June and early July when biting flies and mosquitoes are most active. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with coverage generally reliable near Wisconsin Rapids but becoming spotty around lakeshores and in more remote areas. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods when local campgrounds fill quickly.
The camping options around Wisconsin Rapids accommodate various preferences and needs. Family-oriented campgrounds like Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark feature amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. For those seeking a more natural experience, county parks like Dubay and Jordan offer riverfront sites with fewer amenities but more seclusion. Big-rig friendly sites are available at several locations, including Vista Royale and Pineland Camping Park, which provide full hookups and can accommodate larger RVs. Boat-in camping is possible at both Jordan Park and Wilderness Park, allowing water access to secluded shoreline sites. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly, though specific rules regarding leashes and restricted areas vary by location.
"Some waterfront sites on lake Wazeecha. Great hiking and biking trails. Self serve firewood available. Lake has water ski shows in the summer. Price $20 -$28."
"This is a nicely wooded and well-kept park right on the shore of Lake Wazeecha. We were lucky and snagged a lakefront site."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"I have been going to this campground for years, walking around, going to the beaches, launching the family pontoon and fishing in Lake Petenwell. Everyone is always so friendly upon arrival."
"A nice camping option with a more peaceful, spread-out lake feel."
from $50 - $65 / night
Check Availability"After a bit of uncertainty about how to access the sites (they were listed some places as "canoe in") we were pleasantly surprised to see the sites were just a walk over a bridge :) All 3 canoe sites"
"The good Small campground clean nice walking trails,dog friendly main park across hwy free and clean showers. The bad is a lot of road noise some sites are very close together."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"At the edge of the campgrounds is a fishing pond which is also a great ace to take dogs if you have any."
"I would give 5 stars if it weren't for the speeding reckless driving of all the under age kids on the golf carts."
"A great campground with out of this world lake views. Most sites come with amazing lake views. Great for watching the sun rise up over the lake. Great swimming, fishing and playing."
"Some sites with electric can be found with lake access. Plenty of space between sites. Very quiet campground with a play area, beaches and other nice features. "
from $17 - $23 / night
Check Availability"Good place for 4 wheeling, plenty of trails. Home made pizza and Bloody Mary's"
"Nice options to tent at and nice to walk around and do things"
"We stayed at site 59 which stretched down to a paved trail and then one of the lakes. We were close to the suspension bridge, which is a fun attraction."
"Beach, fishing, grills, bathroom a short walk away."
"This gorgeous county park in Marathon County, Wisconsin is 1,450 acres of mixed hardwoods forming a two-mile peninsula jutting out deep into the waters of the Big Eau Pleine Flowage."
"We do everything we can to make this campsite a home away from home for all our visitors. We pride ourselves on keeping everything natural. We pick up trash and garbage anywhere we find it."
from $18 - $23 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe camp hosts are kind and friendly. The whole vibe of this llace is peace and quiet. The sites are huge with enough space and trees to be private. Deer came into our site both days. We liked it so nice, we stayed twice. Treat yourself.
ScoutRelaxation at its finest. Nice small size campground. Clean spots, play equipment, showers. Beach, fishing, grills, bathroom a short walk away.
TravelerStayed hear on a very hot 90+degree day during a road trip, easy to reach from I90/94. Midweek, we were the only overnight guests. -Occasional loud noise from the road and train tracks. -At first was wary of paying for no showers and pit toilets for the price, but pit toilets were actually clean with no odor. -Spring fed swimming pond was good for a dip once you found a cool spot, but there are spots that felt like a hot tub. Beach is very nice sand, and there’s a playground for the kids. -Definitely check out the short hike up to Mill Bluff if you can tolerate steep rocky stairs, the view is beautiful. -Tried to check out the other trail near Camel Bluff but it was too overgrown to continue. -Electrical box is in the middle of the campsite near the picnic table, so power cables will need to be at least 30 feet long to comfortably reach your rig. -National Parks Pass is accepted for vehicle admission (separate from camping fee in WI) as this is part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve! -Sites 20/21 are great for proximity to swimming pond and toilets
ScoutWe have been annuals here for now our 12th year and it’s been a horrible experience ever since Thousand Trails bought it 4 years ago! Today is July 5, 2026 and the pool is closed again, it’s only been opened for 6 days this year! The hours are 11 to 5 pm and closed from 1:00 to 1:30, 2:30 to 3:00 when it is open! This is only the beginning of the horrible campground! If we didn’t have a Park-Model with a large patio and pavers that are grouted we would leave now and never come back!
ScoutI have been A South side CAMPGROUND Host for 6 years now. My review may be a BIT biased for that reason, but I'll give my take. We do everything we can to make this campsite a home away from home for all our visitors. We pride ourselves on keeping everything natural. We pick up trash and garbage anywhere we find it. We try to greet as many guests we see. We are always trying to make our pit toiĺetsas presentable as we can considering what they are. We have someone come in and do what they call deep clean every toilerepaint jobst at least once a week. Some of them are due for a painting which should happen in the next year we are hoping. We are in the process of reworking picnic tables throughout the park now. We ask campers to please let us know if they see one needing repairs. Please come give us a try. My wife and I are host's on the South Park admin sight. Stop and say hello.
TravelerWe loved how well spaced out the sites were and traveled on a busy June weekend. Our kids loved taking their scooters on the campground road and to the lake swimming. The kids loved the playground and path, beach. We had one person that was blaring their music and there was no ranger around. Finally someone must have called the police and they shut off their music
GuideNorth Wood County Park is a hidden gem. Many of the sites have a view of water and several even have water access right from your site. There are several loops that range from paved with electric to rustic and non-electric. We stayed at site 59 which stretched down to a paved trail and then one of the lakes. We were close to the suspension bridge, which is a fun attraction. There is also a low roadway that goes over the water that is absolutely beautiful and sometimes floods. There are several dams and it makes for a great kayak or fishing spot. Most of the campground is paved, which is awesome if you have an ebike or e scooter. They sell wood at a decent price ($7), but nothing else. You also have to book your site online with a $10 fee for using the online booking. It does make arrival super easy, you just pull in and set up camp. Overall I would highly recommend spending a few nights here.
GuideVery quiet layed back place, lots to explore and see.
GuideWe wanted to visit family in the area at the last minute, and pulled up to see if they had any spot available. They gave us a list of available options, we drove through, and picked a site with the perfect spot to watch the sun set. Amenities are clean, theres a pool table and games in the office area.
Camping near Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin centers around several county parks within 30 miles of the city. Sites range from primitive waterfront areas to full-service family campgrounds with elevations rarely exceeding 1,100 feet. Summer temperatures can reach the low 90s in July, while nights often cool to the 50s, creating ideal conditions for exploring the area's glacially-formed lakes and waterways.
Kayak and fish Lake Wazeecha: South Wood County Park offers direct lake access for paddlers and anglers. "Great hiking and biking trails. Self serve firewood available. Lake has water ski shows in the summer. Price $20-$28," notes Wendy L.
Scale the observation tower: Roche A Cri State Park features a 303-step stairway leading to panoramic views. "The 303 stairs to the top lookout is a workout and worth the trip for the view. We hiked almost 5.5 miles through this beautiful state park," shares Lisa S. from Roche A Cri State Park Campground.
Try geocaching: Buckhorn State Park offers free GPS units for geocaching adventures. "When we arrived and checked in we grabbed one of their pre-loaded GPS units for Geocaching; It's something the park offers for free. They give you a bag, GPS and information book on all the Geocaching sites," explains Liz M. from Buckhorn State Park Campground.
Secluded water access: Jordan Park offers walk-in sites separated from the main camping area. "I was in one of the three canoe/walk in sights and they were right on the water. All three sights were separated from the rest of camp and are tent sites. All have a picnic table, grill, and fire ring," explains Paul K. from Jordan Park.
Sandy swimming areas: Wilderness Park provides natural beach areas on Petenwell Lake. "Nice separation from other campers, Great Lake view, boating, swimming, picnic area, showers clean and well kept up," notes Elizabeth F. who enjoyed the shoreline access.
Organized activities: Pineland Camping Park arranges family-friendly events. "Good place for 4 wheeling, plenty of trails. Home made pizza and Bloody Mary's," mentions Walter M. The park also offers "Great family campground lots of things for kids," according to Shannon S.
Weather variations: Temperature fluctuations can be significant with late summer thunderstorms common. At Petenwell Park, visitors note the need for preparation: "Not much in the line of modernization. Trees separate sites... Mostly swimming, boating, socializing, campfires. Lots of bugs," reports Kim T. from Petenwell Park.
Limited services: Many campgrounds are remote with minimal nearby amenities. At Buckhorn State Park, campers should plan accordingly: "The mosquitos here are so tiny they're very easy to miss so look out for those. Also the mosquitos never let up—even in the rain," warns Kalene H.
Seasonal variations: Most Wisconsin Rapids area campgrounds operate May through October with limited off-season options. Hartman Creek State Park typically opens "April to November," while Petenwell Park remains "open all year" for winter camping enthusiasts.
Waterpark options: Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark combines camping with water activities. "Not our typical type of campground but absolutely no complaints. Very friendly atmosphere and more comfortable sized sites than we expected," mentions Glenn T. from Lakeside Fire Campground & Waterpark.
Kid-friendly fishing: Several parks offer dedicated children's fishing areas. At Buckhorn State Park, "We took the girls fishing off the dock and then over to the kids pond; the park also offers free poles and tackle," shares Liz M.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Petenwell Park, one visitor notes, "The park is fairly crowded with lots of seasonal campers... but it's clean, the main bath house is nice and the playground is large. Kids are having a great adventure!"
Site selection: Choose wisely based on size and hookup needs. At Vista Royale Campground, larger RVs are well-accommodated: "Great sites, very roomie, tons of stuff for the kids to do. Campground has many theme weekends, which is fun for all," says Jason W. from Vista Royale Campground Ltd.
Low clearance warnings: Watch for tree branches on access roads. Some campgrounds like Hartman Creek State Park offer "secluded sites" that may require careful navigation for larger rigs.
Seasonal ground conditions: Spring camping may encounter saturated sites. At Pineland Camping Park, a reviewer cautions to "Make sure before you get there your campsite isn't underwater."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Wisconsin Rapids campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Wisconsin Rapids offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Yukon Trails Camping provides woodland sites with activities like mini-golf, a playground, and seasonal events, making it ideal for families. Arrowhead RV Campground excels with recreational options including two swimming pools, put-put golf, volleyball nets, disc golf, a trampoline, and special events like outdoor movies. Many area campgrounds feature basic amenities such as water access, vault toilets, and fire rings. Some state park campgrounds offer shower buildings, though they might have vault toilets rather than flush facilities. Campgrounds closer to Wisconsin Dells, like Stand Rock, often include additional amenities such as restaurants and bars that operate on weekends.
Are there RV camping facilities in Wisconsin Rapids?
Yes, the Wisconsin Rapids area has several RV-friendly camping options. Oakdale KOA offers full hookup sites adjacent to I-90, making it easily accessible for RVs though you may experience some highway noise. River Bay Premier Camping Resort provides RV accommodations along the Wisconsin River with amenities like a swimming pool and play areas. Tomorrow Wood Campground is another option for RVers seeking a relaxing woodland setting surrounded by lakes and countryside. Additional RV-friendly facilities near Wisconsin Rapids include Pineland Camping Park near Arkdale and Vista Royale Campground, both offering full hookups and big-rig-friendly sites. Many of these campgrounds are open seasonally during the warmer months, typically from spring through early fall.
Where are the best campgrounds near Wisconsin Rapids?
The Wisconsin Rapids area offers several excellent camping options. Buckhorn State Park Campground stands out with its secluded sites completely hedged by trees, offering privacy and a serene natural experience. Many sites are within walking distance of the lake, and visitors might spot wildlife like cranes. For families seeking activities and recreation, Roche A Cri State Park Campground provides spacious, wooded campsites surrounded by old-growth pines adjacent to the park's namesake mound. The park features excellent hiking trails, native plants, and a tower offering panoramic views. South Wood County Park near Lake Wazeecha is another convenient option closer to Wisconsin Rapids with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities.
Keep Exploring
