Are you planning a camping trip to Wisconsin Rapids with your dog? We've got you covered. The Dyrt can help you find the best campsites for you and your dog. Search nearby pet-friendly campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Water Enthusiasts, hunters, hikers, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors will find solace in Buckhorn State Park. Situated within the heart of Southern Wisconsin, this park and an adjacent wildlife reserve showcases over 9,000 acres of unspoiled midwestern wilderness. At the end of the Wisconsin and Yellow Rivers, this park is famous for the large man-made reservoir it occupies. The intensity of nature here is staggering. The park prominently exhibits dense, green wetland forests, exposed prairies, and sand-swept dunes. The sandy landscape found in certain areas are the result of glacial erosion and sand deposits left after the last global Ice Age.
Westward expansion caused massive amounts of damage to the surrounding region. Before European settlers came, the region housed over 4.1 million acres of barren pine and oak forests. Today, less than 10,000 acres remain standing; a stark contrast to the once thriving wonderland. Thankfully much of this acreage is now protected, and serves as a hugely popular area for tourists and visitors to recreate year-round.
The park is most famously known for its large wetland flowage, owing to the poor soil conditions of the region. Subsequently, kayakers and small-craft boaters visit to spot flora and fauna not found anywhere else in the state. The flowage fills just enough every year to accommodate and protect a number of endangered species, including the Karner Blue Butterfly, and the state-threatened Osprey.
Aside from bird watching and unparalleled views of wetland nature, the park also offers up a 300 foot sand beach complete with volleyball nets, picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, and recreation areas perfect to recreate under the sun. Outside of the beach, fishing is one of the most popular attractions, as the slough houses delicious Bluegill, Salmon, and Wisconsin Trout.
Camping in Buckhorn State park is similar to many other state parks. There’s a handful of rustic sites facing west that line the length of the wetland overflow. This is perfect for catching multicolored sunsets that pain nearby water surfaces hues of pink, orange, red, and purple. On the opposite eastern end of the park lies campsites perfect for catching the sunrise, if you’d prefer. There is also a cabin available for reserve, and various bird-blinds for use placed strategically throughout the park. You’ll need a vehicle admission sticker to end, and all Wisconsin Camping and Fishing fees apply.
The campground is open May 1st – October 31st. In addition to the main campground, three canoe campsites adjacent to the Plover River exist. All sites except the canoe sites are provided with electrical hookups. Reservations can be made in person at the Portage County Parks office or on this website with Master Card or VISA, and must be made at least 7 days in advance of when a site is to be occupied. The campground also has a handicapped site that can be reserved.
$28 / night
$18 - $23 / night
$17 - $23 / night
Come stay with us! We have everything you need for a fun and relaxing family get away. Beautiful Man-made Swimming Lake with Sandy Beach Multiple Inflatable Water Toys Fishing Pond Camp Store and Gift Shop Camp Lodge with Lounging Area and Satellite TV Arcade Games Pool Table Picnic Tables & Fire Rings at each site Snack Shack Free WiFi 18-hole Miniature Golf Course Pickleball Court Shuffleboard Court Volleyball Court Basketball Court Horshoe Pits GaGa Ball Playground Jumping Pillow Multiple Clean Bath Houses with Hot Showers Flush Toilets LP Gas Refill Dump Station Firewood Water, Electricity & Sewer Hookups Cabin Rentals Two Coin Laundromat Locations Organized Weekend Activities
Guide
Did some fall camping with friends, and there were 4 family’s. 3 of them stayed in these three sites which were fairly wide open and kind of looked over the lake. They would be great sites to book as a group, but I wouldn’t recommend them to book individually as you wouldn’t have much privacy, more so in the middle site. These three sites are E, F, and G. Bit if a corner site and you are next to some private homes.
GuideI have came here a couple times with friends for fall camping. The campground doesn’t have a lot of extra amenities, but still a nice simple campground to be in. There are a mix of sites that have a little more privacy, and others that are wide open which would be better for group setups.
Guide
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.
Scout
I went in 2 weekdays in early October and it was very quiet and calm. Nice facilities and campsites.
Guide
We had a wonderful time on our visit. The facilities were clean, well maintained, and fully stocked! Super nice and helpful staff. Beautiful fall foliage. Some of the walk in campsites are a far walk from the parking. So, if you simply want car camping, make sure you pick an appropriate site!
Traveler
Great place with plenty to do. Fishing, kayaking, beach, flush toilets, hot CLEAN showers!!
Traveler
Nice little campground. Friendly owners. The campground is clean and quiet.
Traveler
Campground is adequate, it has a functioning shower house and private spots. I used a primitive campsite and it cost me $30 ($15 if your from WI). That was on top of the $11 non resident park entrance fee. So $41 for a primitive tent site, $47.50 if you count the bundle of firewood I bought from them. So yeah, keep that in mind if coming here as a non resident. I’m sure there are cheaper places nearby.
Scout
This was quiet and peaceful. When we needed our fire pit cleaned out theg came pretty quickly. Being able to watch the horses was very calming. We would recomend this place to others and we would go back.
GuideSite 29 is lovely - it's situated directly on the shoreline with a tiny slice of beach. The weather was excellent and with enough wind to quell the bugs. There was an eagle fishing in the bay with us. Plenty of hiking, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities inside the park, too.
There is a bar and grill across the river with a live cover band on Friday night that could be heard loud and clear. Their setlist was pretty much identical to the 'Songs that Excite the White Folks' playlist on Spotify. We didn't mind it - it was amusing. They respectfully ended their set at 10pm sharp, so no big deal.
Only one of the showers had warm water in the nearby bathhouse, but we were grateful for it. There is nice, dry wood for fires and ice situated at the entrance to the park. There is also a cute little general store just outside of the park that is well-stocked with necessities. It's next to a food truck with a chef who proudly shared that he's from Chicago and serves up homemade gyros off the spit. 100% I'm getting one next time I'm in the area.
Our last day was kind of rough, though. A pontoon full of belligerent, drunken strangers blasting modern armpit country music pulled up to our site, parked their boat, got out, and made themselves at home in our campsite and proceeded to have a party. They blocked our entire beach access with their big fat pontoon so we couldn't use it at all. They got especially shrill when I suggested they park on an equally nice and secluded beach a mere 100 ft to the north that wasn't someone's campsite. They said too bad, they do it every weekend and that they're on public property. I'm pretty sure that's not how campsites work and what they were doing is trespassing, but I digress. Anyhow, one of the men started shouting some weird, irrelevant, cultish political nonsense that was probably intended to be offensive (while his unfortunate teenage son looked like he was about to keel over from cringe wishing his dad would keep his embarrassing opinions to himself). The irony of their 'don't tread on me' slogan was lost on them - they should just have a Jolly Roger mounted on their pontoon.
It's obnoxious that these folks make a habit of colonizing occupied sites instead of reserving them like everyone else, but for us, this was an isolated incident. Everyone else we encountered on the trip was delightful and gracious.
Anyhow, we decided to pack up a few hours early and head to Wisconsin Dells instead and we had a blast there, too.
Guide
We loved camping here when it was farmer genes our whole family. My brother's family and my parents. Now we can't camp here. None of us because of dog discrimination.
Traveler
Nestled between towering trees, the campsites here were clearly marked and tidy. Each site has a nice fire ring with grate. Main road is paved and sites are small gravel. Hiking/running trails are wide enough to accommodate strollers.
Scout
My girlfriend and I have visited here and stayed here a few times they have many campsites for all types they have a separate campsite just for the RVs they have the main camp area where if you like to be around people you can and then they have the new expansion where it is more excluded they have and continue to make upgrades to the campground such as more electric and water at all their sites they also have put in new bathrooms and shower houses around their campground if you have any questions you should see Lisa in the office she is great
Guide
Small campground but it's nice and has a pool and playground plus a lake.
Guide
We return yearly for trick or treat weekend. We also camp during the summer as well! Had my kids double birthday party here and it was fun! I'm so glad the campground allows visitors. I hate campgrounds that are strict on that! Keeps us coming back! Lots of room for kids to bike and play while the parents enjoy the campground! This year we will be here 3x!
Traveler
Definitely recommend for a seasonal home away from home
TravelerGreat Place; Central to many key places with very low rates. Clean and Friendly Next to a huge restaurant and bar that have the lowest prices for above average food. Definitely recommend. Overnight sites easy to get into and large sites.
Traveler
This campground is nestled in a stand of tall red pine trees so shade is found everywhere. The check in process was easy and quick. The roads connecting the sites are adequately wide. Just know that all of the sites are 90 degree back ins which can be tight with longer rigs- especially if your neighbor across the road has their vehicle or toys parked right up to the paved surface. The only thing I would be critical of is the bathroom/shower house. The showers are a bit odd where one door (that locks) opens to the only 2 shower stalls for your gender in the entire building. So if you’re cool showering with a buddy or your kids that’s no bid deal. This campground is mostly all seasonal campsites and some are impeccably maintained and elaborate and some are REALLY run down. I doubt you could tow some of those campers out. We stayed here for EAA Airventure in Oshkosh and it was only 40 minutes away.
Scout
Reported ground bees on our sight 3 times no one came walk way to beach was broken and someone could of gotten hurt the swimming pool was dirty should of been cleaned at night for the price you pay to stay there thing should be fixed the internet horrible been going there for 29 plus years and the internet never worked this year things were not kept up
Traveler
We were at site #9, great spot for tent. There were only trees behind us and our neighbors were far enough way we had privacy. There was no electricity, but we charged our phones and my son’s iPad at the ranger station. There was no running water so bring sanitizer. The swimming pond was great and not rocky. The hikes were good but lots of mosquitoes which made it hard to enjoy. Wish there was more to do in the area. No showers and no electricity in the bathroom near our site.
Traveler
Just a handful of pretty decent sized sites. There's a shelter area and some nice little hiking trails. Just outside of New Lisbon if you need anything.
Guide
We got a seasonal site and love it! The campground is well maintained and the service is fabulous. Love the pool and lake with inflatables. Great bar too!! Highly recommend.
TravelerWent to this campground and it was a pretty nice place. We parked out 36 foot RV in a wooded site. They have water from sites also. We will be back and next time we will be doing the water site.
TravelerWe came to petenwell park in just 2024. Very nice place and will be back again. Staff that we did talk to were friendly and helpful. If you want to bring a boat you can there is a landing in the park. Lots of places to park is your want wooded of water there here. Only downfall is there is no sewer hook ups.
ScoutCampground is a small community campground with nice sites. Nice bathroom with individual shower rooms. Electric and water hookups. Dump station on property. Good fishing. Boat launch on property. Easy access from I90
ScoutWas great quiet and relaxing
Scout
We had a wonderful time camping at the River Rambler! The location was perfect - secluded and surrounded by nature, yet close enough to nearby town for day trips. The campsite itself was spacious and well-maintained, with plenty of room for our tent/RV plus it has a fire pit and picnic table. The owner was a great host. We would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxing camping experience.
Perks: Private Easement UTV/ATV Friendly Pet Friendly Wolf River Trips Hucks Sports Bar and Grill
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Wisconsin Rapids, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Wisconsin Rapids, WI is Buckhorn State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Wisconsin Rapids, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 100 dog-friendly camping locations near Wisconsin Rapids, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
