Camping in Wisconsin is an amazing, fun-filled family and friends vacation. Wisconsin has beautiful camping parks, forests, lakeshores, and campgrounds. The rivers and lakes provide great entertainment for the swimmers, the fishermen, the paddlers, and the boating enthusiasts. Wisconsin Campgrounds are plentiful, helpful and friendly.
Wisconsin Lakeshore Camping
Taking a camping vacation in Wisconsin at Bayfield along the shores of Lake Superior promises relaxation and fun for the whole family. Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Getting to the islands is easy, you take a boat or if you would rather you can rent a kayak and join a kayaking group tour. Some people prefer to sail out to the islands for a wonderful sailing excursion. The islands are a wonderful place to pitch a tent as 18 of the 21 islands allow camping. No matter which method of transport you choose, you will find the islands delightful.
They are home to historic lighthouses and windswept beaches and cliffs. Scuba diving is big around the islands. Permits are required. Divers love exploring the clean clear water, fascinating shipwrecks, and underwater rock formations. The Apostle Islands National Lake Shore is known for having violent weather. It is advised that divers monitor current weather conditions and marine weather forecasts. For more information about the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, consult the National Park Service website.
Wisconsin Camping Reservation Tips & Resources
A little bit of planning can make a huge difference in the camping tour and will add a lot of excitement to the trip. Follow these tips and use these resources to make a memorable camping experience.
- Book Online: Plan ahead and book your Wisconsin campsite online or by calling 1-888-947-2757.
- Get Fishing License: Wisconsin camping is ideal for people who love fishing because WI has over 1,439 miles of square inland waters and 820 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. In fact, the northern half of the state has over 14,000 lakes formed by the retreating glaciers of the Ice Age. For a fishing license or to find out more, contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.
- Rent an RV: Here’s a fun, popular activity – rent a vehicle (ATV) and enjoy an off-road adventure. Just contact The Wisconsin ATV Association for more information.
- Camp in Summer: Wisconsin camping is most popular in the summer months when July temperatures average around 73 degrees and precipitation is typically less than 4 inches.
- Check Highways: Before you set off on your Wisconsin camping adventure, check out WisconsinHighways.org, an informative website about Wisconsin highway and interstate travel.
Camping in Wisconsin Campgrounds, Parks & Lakes
After carefully evaluating each caping location in Wisconsin, we managed to put together a list of the top campgrounds in Wisconsin. You would definitely live these camp locations as they are loaded with camping fun and adventure.
1. Kreher Park – Ashland, Wisconsin
Ashland has the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center which is free and opens seven days a week. Here you will discover the region’s value and learn more about where to go and what to see while you are Wisconsin camping along with the greatest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior.
This is a must-see on the list of places to go in this region.
Come and learn about the men and women who explored and tamed this rugged country. You will be mesmerized by the folklore of the region and the Native American ghost stories.
2. Black Lake – Hayward, Wisconsin
Camp in Hayward to discover lots of little lakes with swimming, paddling and great fishing. The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is here in Hayward. The Hayward area also has an incredible 35-acre family fun spot, the Wilderness Walk Zoo, and Recreation Park.
The Zoo offers lots of wild Northwood’s animals, farm animals, an animal nursery, a western town, a petting zoo, and a wilderness walk that brings you up close and personal with nature. You can also consider Anvil lake campground in Northwoods. This park has all the makings for a very entertaining family day, especially for the little ones. Don’t forget your camera! There are plenty of hospitable Wisconsin campgrounds in the area.
3. Buck ‘n Beam’s – St Cameron, Wisconsin
Just 1.5 miles west of Cameron, you will find the Pioneer Village Museum. This educational and interesting village is amazing. The Barron County Historical Society opens the museum and village Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons June through Labor Day.
They will open other days for group tours by appointment. The village contains over forty buildings that have historical significance. Each building is a museum in itself. This is a wonderful educational opportunity for the whole family.
4. Chetek River Campground – Chetek, Wisconsin
The Chetek River flows peacefully along through Barron County near Cameron. Area activities include tubing down or paddling down the river, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Not to mention all the regular activities that you might find in any city. There are lots of beautiful Wisconsin campgrounds along the river. Barron County has rivers flowing through it in almost every direction. The fishing, river riding, and Wisconsin camping fun are great in this part of the state!
5. South Wood County Park – Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Central Wisconsin camping has lots of possibilities. The Wisconsin River has flowed for all types of the river riding fun from paddling through rapids to tubing peacefully with the flow. The city of Wisconsin Rapids is a wonderful place to stop for a visit.
They have the Rapids Municipal Zoo which features animals native to Wisconsin, a petting zoo and a playground. The zoo is open seasonally and closed on Mondays at this time. Admission to this zoo is free.
6. Bagley Rapids Campground – Mountain, Wisconsin
Visit Wisconsin’s east coast along the shores of Lake Michigan up to the Door County Peninsula for some of the most wonderful campgrounds along the Great Lakes. The Peninsula offers visitors over 300 miles of shoreline, 10 historic lighthouses, over 30 county and local parks, 5 state parks, over 30 public swimming beaches, and 34 named islands. The Peninsula gets over one million visitors each year. People come here to swim, paddle, hike, bike, golf, and camp.
The Peninsula draws scuba divers that wish to explore the 19th-century shipwrecks off the coast and art lovers come to stroll through the nearly 100 art galleries, museums and performing arts venues. This is a vacation paradise; nearly 90 percent of Door County remains undeveloped. This is truly a wonderful place to pull into a Wisconsin campground and relax.
The conclusion to Camping in Wisconsin,
Camping in Wisconsin is great fun for the family and the outdoorsman. The fishing is among the best and it is available at almost every turn.
Families will find plenty of swimming holes and beaches to cool off on warm summer days. Wisconsin is a great place to plan a camping vacation.
