The Best Camping in Wisconsin—18 Spots to Sleep Under the Stars (or Under a Roof)
Camping options in Wisconsin are plentiful. There are literally 6,000 unique campsites in the Wisconsin State Park System, plus private camping zones, rentals (like VRBO) and more. Seasoned outdoorsy types looking to unplug and die-hard RV fans alike can find a spot. The key is planning ahead so you know what you’re signing up for—and you do have to sign up because campsite reservations are almost always required. The busy season for camping in Wisconsin is Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some parks are open year-round, so if you want to ensure you don’t run into many other people, try snagging a campsite in April or October or pick a more secluded area. No matter where you go, be sure to pack swimsuits and sturdy hiking boots.
Do I need a permit to go camping in Wisconsin?
While you don’t necessarily need a permit to camp, you do need a reservation. You can reserve campsites on the Wisonsin Department of Natural Resources website. Use their filters to find the perfect site for your group, equipment and needs. The cost to reserve a campsite varies depending on these same factors. You’ll typically pay $20 to $45 per night for a standard campsite. There are some parks with remote campsites that don’t require reservations or fees. Call the specific park to find out whether you need a permit if this is your plan.
Most parks also require vehicle passes for cars. These cost $8 to $16, depending on the park and whether or not you’ve got Wisconsin plates. If you plan on camping multiple times this year or visiting a few different parks, it might be worth getting an annual vehicle pass for $28 (or $38 for out-of-state plates).
Some activities actually require permits! Anyone age 15 and older will need a fishing license to fish. Biking, horseback riding, in-line skating and cross-country skiing all require state trail passes for those age 16 and older in some parks. You don’t need a permit to hike, walk, or build and burn a campfire in a designated fire pit, so bring s’mores ingredients!
Types of campsites
Know thyself when choosing a campsite. Setting up a tent and going to the bathroom in the woods responsibly is not for everyone. Here are a few different types of campsites to choose from:
- Standard or family campsites: These make up most of the Wisconsin State Park System sites. You’ll typically get a picnic table, a fire pit, road access and a natural, wooded setting. Hook up an RV or set up a tent. Often there’s a camp host and facilities are maintained. Sleeps up to six people.
- Primitive campsites: Very secluded sites usually without any modern amenities, but they’re maintained and reservations are needed.
- Remote campsites: No reservations or fees required. No vehicles allowed. Not maintained by park rangers. Often only accessible by water.
- ADA Accessible campsites: These are sites (and cabins) with paved pathways and accessible amenities for people with disabilities and their guests.
- Group campsites: Group sites accommodate anywhere from 10 to 200 people. Most only allow tents but come with picnic tables and fire pits.
- Glamping: When luxury and camping come together, you get glamping darling!
Can I bring my pets camping?
According to the Wisconsin DNR, state parks and forests allow pets. However, they typically aren’t allowed in buildings, on beaches or along marked nature trails. Plus, you’ve got to keep them on leashes no longer than eight feet the whole time (not ideal when your pup wants to run free, but it’s the rule). That said, some parks are more pet-friendly than others, so take that into consideration when choosing your locale.
Without further ado, here are 18 of the best camping spots in Wisconsin. We start in the southern area of the state and move north—way north.
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1. Camp Kettlewood
- Location: East Troy, WI; About 1 hour southwest of Milwaukee
- Type: Glamping (no set up required)
- Amenities: Electricity, firewood and ice for purchase, fire starters, flush toilets, A/C (select units), showers, flush toilets, propane grills
- Sleeps: Up to 8
- Permit: Reservation required (prices vary)
- Activities: Boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, breweries
- Open: Late May through October 1
- Ideal for: Groups, unique stays, glamping experience
2. Wyalusing State Park
- Location: Bagley, WI; 2 hours west of Madison
- Type: Family campsites (109), Indoor and outdoor group campsites, electric campsites (48), ADA accessible campsites, RVs
- Amenities: Showers, vault and flush toilets, laundry, drinking water, concessions
- Activities: Hiking, canoeing, historical sites, boating, biking
- Busy Season: June to September
- Ideal for: Incredible views, scenic hiking
3. Devil’s Lake State Park
- Location: Baraboo, WI; 1 hour northwest of Madison
- Type: ADA accessible campsite, family campsites, electric campsites, RVs
- Amenities: Boat/canoe/paddle board rentals, showers, flushing toilets, concessions, pet-friendly zones
- Activities: Swimming, canoeing, hiking
- Busy Season: June through September (Winter camping available)
- Ideal for: Views, hiking, rock climbing
4. Mirror Lake State Park
- Location: Baraboo, WI; 1 hour north of Madison
- Type: Primitive campsites, electric campsites, group campsites, ADA accessible cabin, RVs, family campsites
- Amenities: Showers, flush toilets, drinking water, boat rentals, firewood for purchase
- Activities: Swimming, hiking, canoeing, biking
- Busy Season: June through October (Winter camping available)
- Ideal for: Families, groups, canoeing
5. Kickapoo Valley Reserve
- Location: La Farge, WI; 2 hours northwest of Madison
- Type: Primitive campsites (25)
- Amenities: Established firepits
- Sleeps: Up to 10
- Permit: Campsite reservation and permit required ($10-$15 per night)
- Activities: Hiking, canoeing, biking, hunting, fishing
- Open: Year-round (hiking/camping); May 1 to November 15 (biking)
- Ideal for: Totally unplugging and roughing it
6. Harrington Beach State Park
- Location: Belgium, WI; 40 minutes north of Milwaukee
- Type: ADA accessible cabin and campsite, kayak campsite, electric campsite, primitive campsite, RVs, group campsite, family campsite
- Amenities: Showers, flush toilets, laundry, drinking water, pet-friendly zones
- Activities: Swimming, hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing
- Busy Season: June through September
- Ideal for: Star gazing, kayaking, families
7. Kohler-Andrae State Park
- Location: Sheboygan, WI; 1 hour north of Milwaukee
- Type: Family campsites (157), electric campsites (52), group campsites (capacity 50), RVs, ADA accessible cabin
- Amenities: Showers, flush toilets, laundry, pet-friendly zones
- Activities: Swimming, nature education, hiking, biking
- Open: Year-round
- Ideal for: Beach lovers
8. Plymouth Rock Camping Resort
- Location: Plymouth, WI; An hour or so north of Milwaukee
- Type: RV gated park, rental cabins
- Amenities: Showers, flush toilets, playground, RV storage, laundry, WiFi
- Permit: Required - Prices vary
- Activities: Swimming, volleyball, mini golf
- Busy Season: June to September
- Ideal for: Families with young children, RVs
9. High Cliff State Park
- Location: Sherwood, WI; 45 minutes south of Green Bay
- Type: Electric campsites, ADA accessible cabins, group campsites, RVs, family campsites
- Amenities: Flush and vault toilets, showers, recycling/garbage station, playground, drinking water
- Activities: Horseback riding, hiking, biking
- Busy Season: June through September
- Ideal for: Views, history buffs
10. Black River State Forest
- Location: Black River Falls, WI; 2 hours northwest of Madison
- Type: Primitive campsites, group campsites, electric campsites, ADA accessible campsites, remote campsites, family campsites
- Amenities: Showers, flush and vault toilets, firewood for sale
- Activities: ATV trails, canoeing, hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling
- Open: Year-round
- Ideal for: ATV riders, winter campers
11. Lake Wissota State Park
- Location: Chippewa Falls, WI; 3 hours northwest of Madison
- Type: Family campsites (115), electric campsites (58), group campsites (2), RVs
- Amenities: Showers, flush toilets, playground, pet-friendly zones
- Activities: Hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking
- Open: Year-round
- Ideal for: Active families and groups
12. Peninsula State Park
- Location: Fish Creek, WI; 90 minutes north of Green Bay
- Type: ADA accessible campsite, electric campsite, RVs, group campsites, family campsites
- Amenities: Showers, flush toilets, concessions, boat rentals, public boat launch, playground, pet-friendly zones
- Activities: Golf, biking, swimming, hiking, beach volleyball
- Busy Season: June through October
- Ideal for: Almost glamping
13. Newport State Park
- Location: Ellison Bay, WI; 90 minutes northeast of Green Bay
- Type: Hike-in, primitive campsites
- Amenities: Pit toilets, fire pit, food locker, solar water pump
- Permit: Campsite reservation required
- Activities: Hiking, biking trails, star gazing
- Busy Season: June through October
- Ideal for: Quiet, remote experience, star gazing
14. Rock Island State Park
- Location: Washington, WI; 2 hours northeast of Green Bay
- Type: Primitive campsites
- Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, firewood
- Activities: Hiking, swimming, historical sites
- Busy Season: Memorial Day through Columbus Day
- Ideal for: Peace and quiet, privacy
15. Cedar Falls Campground
- Location: Hazelhurst, WI; TKTK
- Type: Electric campsites (30), RVs, water-front campsites, family campsites
- Amenities: Showers, flush toilets, fish cleaning station, laundry
- Permit: Campsite reservations required ($30-$40); Parking fee $5
- Activities: Hiking, fishing,
- Busy Season: May to September
- Ideal for: Waterfall hikes
16. Northern Highland American Legion State Forest
- Location: Boulder Junction, WI; About 3 hours northwest of Green Bay
- Type: RVs, primitive campsites, family campsites, group campsites, remote campsites, ADA accessible campsites
- Amenities: Showers, vault toilets, grills, picnic tables, hand-pumped water, pet-friendly zones
- Activities: Biking, hiking, boating, fishing, bird watching
- Open: Year-round
- Ideal for: Water-based activities, overnight canoe trips
17. Copper Falls State Park
- Location: Mellen, WI; 5 hours north of Madison
- Type: Family campsites, electric campsites, ADA accessible campsites, group campsite (capacity 40), RVs
- Amenities: Concessions, carts for gear, showers, drinking water, vault and flush toilets, pet-friendly zones
- Activities: Hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding
- Open: Year-round
- Ideal for: Winter camping, water fanatics
18. Apostle Islands
- Location: Bayfield, WI; 90 minutes east of Duluth, MN
- Type: Primitive campsites, group campsites, ADA accessible campsites
- Amenities: Picnic table, fire pit, food locker, privy
- Permit: Reservation required; $15 for Individual sites or Primitive zones, $30 for Group campsite
- Activities: Kayaking, fishing, birdwatching
- Busy Season: Mid-June through September
- Ideal for: Sailors, kayakers, seasoned campers