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Map showing campground location near Sparta, Wisconsin
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Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail

5 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Managed by the Wisconsin DNR as part of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, this walk-in campground near Ontario sits directly along one of the country's most traveled rail-trail bike corridors. Sites are accessed on foot from a parking area, with some as far as 600 yards down a trail that reviewers warn can turn muddy after rain. The campground is a natural overnight stop for cyclists, positioned about a 10-minute ride from the town of Sparta.

Sites are basic. Each one has a picnic table, fire ring, and access to drinking water, pit toilets, and trash service. Reviewers note the sites are well separated and can accommodate multiple tents, making them workable for small groups or families. No showers are on-site, though campers have noted the Sparta Aquatic Center, a short bike ride away, offers shower access for a small fee.

The one consistent drawback reviewers raise is highway noise. The campground sits close to Interstate 90, and several visitors describe truck traffic as audible throughout the night, particularly on weekdays. Gregory K. notes it's "very near the interstate so not the quietest of places." Summer visitors should also expect mosquitoes. Non-Wisconsin residents should factor in out-of-state fees when budgeting, as at least one reviewer found the surcharge unexpected. Leon Valley Campground and Whiskey Creek Family RV Park are nearby alternatives worth considering.

This campground works best for cyclists completing the Elroy-Sparta trail who need a straightforward, low-cost overnight with basic amenities and minimal setup.

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Map & DirectionsSparta Walk-In Campground is located in Wisconsin near Sparta

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Elroy Campground Driving Directions: https://maps.google.com?daddr=43.7463,-90.2789 Sparta Campground Driving Directions: https://maps.google.com?daddr=43.9260,-90.7894

Coordinates

43.926794210573725 N
90.78800775148599 W

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Connectivity

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    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 7/25/26
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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 7/25/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

Drive Time

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Sparta Walk-In Campground

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4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the large, well-separated sites and clean basic facilities perfect for trail users. Highway noise from I90 was consistently problematic for sleep. Ideal for light camping and trail access.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2025

Nice, simple, near interstate but mosquitos!

The sites are simple, well separated with a very short walk, easy to take multiple trips. Going when we did we were met with swarms of mosquitoes.

Additionally it's very near the interstate so not the quietest of places.

Site104
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2024

Non-resident upcharge ($30 vs. $15 plus fees)

Sites are basic with water, pit toilets, tables and fire rings. I originally planned to stay here but came across the non-resident charges (my state does not do this). I made reservations at the Village of Norwalk and the town of Hillsboro instead. Both have City parks with free tent camping. Norwalk even has showers and RV spots. I've added both to The Dyrt library.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2021

Comfortable

A comfortable experience that was simple and not to far off the Beaton path

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail by Chris B., August 8, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2019

Good for light/bike camping

This is a walk-in campground intended for very light camping, particularly for those biking the Elroy-Sparta or Lacrosse Trails, as it is right on the Elroy-Sparta trail and only a 10 minute bike ride into the town of Sparta. We are a family of 4 that camped from Friday through Sunday while we attended a swim meet in Sparta. We had site 3 (103 on the DNR campground map), which was about a 600 yard hike in from the parking lot, down a trail that can get quite muddy, especially during rain (which it did while we were breaking camp). Some of the sites are even further down the trail. The site was small, but we did manage to fit a 4-person tent, two 2-person tents, a screen-house, and 5 bikes. I was advised by our camp neighbor that their site was equally small. Water, trash, and bathroom access was great and clean. No noise from other campers, and there was even a boy scout troop on site while we were there. The most disappointing factor for me was the highway noise. I had read about that from another reviewer, and it was indeed bad, all weekend long. I had to wear noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the noise in order to sleep. So, it is a great site for someone biking in and/or carrying a very light load into the campsite and, I would say (only because of the highway noise), if there are no other camping options. I should mention that although there are no showers here, I saw that the Sparta Aquatic Center (10 minute bike ride) allows shower access for $3 (at time of this review). Also, the Sparta Family Restaurant is a great place to eat, having good food, service, and prices.

Site3 (103)
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail by Jamee H., June 23, 2019
  • Review photo of Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail by Jamee H., June 23, 2019
  • Review photo of Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail by Jamee H., June 23, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2018

Basic, but welcome!

This is a straight forward, few amenities campsite. There is a pit toilet, water, garbage and recycling. Campsites are large, so if traveling with a group would have room for 3-4 tents in one site. After biking 47 miles was a welcome respite on our first day of biking the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail. We spent a second night on our out and back along the trail. The site is close to I90 so traffic noise is great, particularly during the week. Our first night was a Thursday and truck traffic was loud all night, our return stay was a Saturday and traffic noise was considerable less.

SiteS1 and S2
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail by Theresa D., August 31, 2018
  • Review photo of Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail by Theresa D., August 31, 2018
  • Review photo of Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail by Theresa D., August 31, 2018
Showing results 1-5 of 5 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any DNR managed campgrounds near Sparta, Wisconsin?

Sparta Campground along the Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a DNR-managed facility near Sparta, Wisconsin. This straightforward campground provides basic amenities including pit toilets, water access, and garbage/recycling facilities. The campground is particularly designed for users of the state trail system. For additional DNR camping options in the region, contact the Wisconsin DNR directly as they manage several recreational areas in the western Wisconsin region.

Is there walk-in camping available in Elroy near the bike trail?

Yes, Sparta Campground offers walk-in camping near the bike trail. The sites are designed specifically for walk-in camping with a short, manageable distance from parking to the campsites - easy enough to make multiple trips with gear. This setup is particularly convenient for cyclists using the Elroy-Sparta Trail. The campground is intentionally designed for light camping, making it ideal for bike tourists looking for simple overnight accommodations. For camping options directly in Elroy, check with the local authorities as specific information about Elroy's end of the trail isn't detailed.

Where are campgrounds located along the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail?

Sparta Campground is located directly on the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, approximately a 10-minute bike ride from downtown Sparta. The campground serves as a convenient overnight option for trail users. Additional camping can be found in the Village of Norwalk and the town of Hillsboro, both of which offer city park camping options for trail users. These strategically placed campgrounds allow bikers to break up their journey along the 32-mile trail between Elroy and Sparta.

What lodging options are available along the Elroy-Sparta Trail?

Along the Elroy-Sparta Trail, camping is the primary lodging option with Sparta Campground offering basic tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables. The sites are spacious, accommodating multiple tents per site which makes them ideal for groups. For those seeking alternatives to camping, Sparta (about 10 minutes by bike from the campground) offers various lodging options. Additionally, the Village of Norwalk and Hillsboro provide free tent camping in their city parks for trail users, creating flexible overnight accommodations along the route.

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