Finding the best place to go camping in Wisconsin can be trial and error. However, with some starting suggestions from myself, family, and Facebook groups who have been to the campgrounds before, I can assure you that you will have a good time at any of these locations below.
Peninsula State Park is the best place to go camping in Wisconsin because of its location in Door County, which provides shops to visit and the ability to explore the shoreline of the bay of Green Bay and wooded areas.
For each location I have provided you the price per night, their website, their location, and other useful and fun information of each place.
Peninsula State Park
Peninsula State Park is one of the most popular places to go camping in Wisconson. It’s so popular that you need to start to try and reserve your camping spot 11 months before you go.
This state park is along the shorelines of Lake Michigan that provides great swimming, fishing, golfing, summer theater lighthouse, hiking and biking trails. Aside from the great nature views here, I also love how it’s located in Door County. Door County is filled with small local shops along with many outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer or winter.
If you have a pet dog check out the Wisconsin State Park Rules for Dogs.
If you are going to Door County in the winter, check out the blog post I wrote about it.
| Cost/Night | These prices are for the summer. Weekday $20 or $35. Weekend $22 or $37. If you are not a WI resident the prices are an additional $5 per night. The two sets of prices are for non-electric and electric. |
| Location | Fish Creek in Door County |
| Number of Sites | 468 family sites (5 campground locations) and 3 tent sites for group tent camping. |
| Amenities | showers, flush toilets, boat launches, sand volleyball courts, playground |
| Winter Camping | Yes. 6 sites are plowed at Tennison Bay. |
Website: Camping at Peninsula
Devil’s Lake
Devil’s Lake State Park is another place that is extremely popular in the summer for campers. Reserving your campsite 11 months ahead of time is best practice.
While at Devil’s Lake there is so much you are able to do. Ther are hiking trails (such as the Ice Age Trail), bike trails, a beach, and a nature center. You are able to rent a canoe or a kayak, paddleboat or Standup Board as well to explore the lake in.
Rock climbing, scuba diving, skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding are other fun activities you can do here. Fishing and hunting are other activities in the park.
With the Ice Age Trail on Devil’s Lake, there is an Ice Age Campground with an upper and a lower section.
If you have a pet dog check out the Wisconsin State Park Rules for Dogs.
| Cost/Night | These prices are for the summer. Weekday $20 or $35. Weekend $22 or $37. If you are not a WI resident the prices are an additional $5 per night. The two sets of prices are for non-electric and electric. |
| Location | Baraboo. South Central WI above Madison. |
| Number of Sites | 423 family sites and 9 sites for group camping from 4 different campground locations. |
| Amenities | showers, flush and pit toilets, playground |
| Winter Camping | Yes. 6 sites are plowed. |
Website: Camping at Devil’s Lake State Park
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest encompasses 1.5 million acres of land. There are 5 types of camping you can do in the forest. There are 43 campgrounds, 35 RV Camping locations, 3 Group Camping locations, and Dispersed Camping (free). If camping in a cabin is more your style they have cabin rentals as well.
With the forest spaning across a large amount of land there is so much that you can do in the summer and winter. A few of these activities are geocaching, horse riding, hunting, hiking, picnicking, gold panning, scuba diving, waterskiing, swimming, snowmobiling, and XC Skiing.
| Cost | Individual campsite fee is $15, or $7.50 with the use of an Interagency pass ($80/year) (access or senior). |
| Locations | Chequamegon side: Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties. Nicolet side: Florence, Forest, Langlade, Oconto, Oneida, and Vilas counties. |
| Number of Sites | Endless |
| Amenities | Varies tremendessly |
Website: Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Bear Lake Campground
Bear Lake is the campground my husband grew up going to when he was little with his family. This is a great campground for kids, especially with a large 500-foot shallow beach.
You can camp in a tent or a 5th wheel trailer and everything inbetween. At Bear Lake there is a playground, volleyball area, and horseshoes. You can even rent kayaks and aquacyles. Other fun activities to enjoy are mini-golf, waterskiing, and fishing.
| Cost/Night | $38: Basic site $40: Lakeview site $42: Lakefront site $60: Lakefront site with private beach All pricing includes two adults, water, and electricity. |
| Location | Waupaca County, near Manawa. |
| Number of Sites | 175 |
| Amenities | water, electric, hot showers, flush toilets, groceries, laundromat, full bar and grill, free Wi-Fi, 100% shaded sites available |
| Winter Camping | Not available. |
Website: Bear Lake Campground and Restort
Goose Island
This is a favorite campground for many as you are on an island in the Mississippi River. The location also makes for great sunsets on the water. You can even camp here if you have an RV or a trailer. If you have never been on a canoe trail, this location has just that to view some water wildlife such as muskrats.
They are open for camping starting on April 15th through October.
| Cost/Night | $21+tax: No Hookups $28+tax: Electric, 20 amp service $29.75+tax: Electric, 30/50 amp service $30.75+tax: Water/Electric, 20 amp service $32.50 +tax: Water/Electric, 30/50 amp service |
| Location | 3 miles South of La Crosse on highway 35 |
| Number of Sites | 400+ |
| Amenities | electricity, picnic table, grill, trash containers, volleyball net, beach, and playgrounds, vault toilets, boat landing |
| Winter Camping | No. Their camping season is April 15-October 30. |
Website: LaCrosse County Facilities Department Site or Travel Wisconsin Goose Island Campground Info
Point Beach State Forest Campground
You will be camping along Lake Michigan with each wooded campsite within walking distance of the 5-mile beach. While at the park you can enjoy viewing the dunes, a lighthouse, and breathtaking nature views. There are many trails here as well for biking, hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling. A total of 11 miles of trails for these activities.
| Cost/Night | These prices are for the summer. Weekday $20 or $30. Weekend $22 or $32. If you are not a WI resident the prices are an additional $5 per night. The two sets of prices are for non-electric and electric. |
| Location | Two Rivers |
| Number of Sites | 127 |
| Amenities | electric, water, dump station, fire ring, picnic table, flush toilets, showers |
| Winter Camping | Yes. The campground is open year round. |
Website: Point Beach State Forest
Astico County Park
Astico Park is in between water (view map), Crawfish river, and Danville Pound Mill with 22 sites along the water. The park is great for hiking trails throughout the land which included wooded areas. If you don’t have a canoe or kayak you can rent one here to explore the waters or fishing.
There are family sites, tent sites, group sites, and even primitive sites available. If you like to camp in winter you can on primitive sites depending on accessibility.
If you have a dog they are also welcome here. 🙂
Nearby places: Madison is about 20 minutes away. If you are craving some ice cream check out Sassy Cow Creamery Store which is about 20 minutes away as well.
| Cost/Night | $20 (non electric) and $25 (50 amp electric) |
| Location | Columbus |
| Number of Sites | 63 |
| Amenities | electric, potable water, showers, artesian wells, flush and vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, picnic areas, shelters, playground, dump station |
| Winter Camping | Not available. |
Website: Dodge County Astico County Park
Big Bay Town Park on Madeline Island: One of the Apostle Islands
Experience what visitors have called “the best beach in northern Wisconsin” at Big Bay Town Park.
www.bigbaytownpark.com
There are 2.5 miles of sandy beach for you to soak up the sun in. The park is also great for biking, bird watching, swimming, kayaking or canoeing, beachcombing, picnicking. You can even snowshoe in the winter.
If you have a tent or an RV you are able to camp here, just make sure to select the size of your RV when you are reserving a campsite. The sites are either partially shaded or fully shaded.
| Cost/Night | $33 (non electric) and $40 (electric) |
| Location | La Pointe, WI on Apostle Islands |
| Number of Sites | 61 |
| Amenities | electric, showers, toilets, free wi-fi at the office, picnic shelter with fireplace, dump station, picnic areas, |
| Winter Camping | Call 715-747-6855 for winter camping information (M-F 8-4) |
Website: Big Bay Town Park
Lynn Ann’s Campground
This campground has nearly everything that you could think of that you would want, biking trails to cable TV. They have a sandy beach and boats to enjoy the Big St Germain lake.
If you want to visit during winter, they have a winter chalet with 2 bedrooms with queen beds. WiFi and DirectTV are included in the $145/night price (+taxes and fees).
A few near by activites include shopping, waterfalls and horseback riding.
| Cost/Night | $30 (tent), $40 (RV and 30 amp electric & water), $45 (beach front sites), $130 (36′ rental campers) Please see website for more options. |
| Location | St Germain |
| Number of Sites | 94 |
| Amenities | sand beach, toilets, laundry, basketball, game room, fish cleaning, boat launch, pontoon, fish to gas boats, canoes/kayaks, bikes, volleyball, trails |
| Winter Camping | Yes |
Website: Lynn Ann’s Campground
High Cliff State Park
High Cliff State Park is a popular place to visit in Wisconsin. There are great views of Lake Winnebago while going on hiking trails along the lake and wooded areas. Limestone cliffs can be seen while walking in the trails.
During the winter you can go skiing.
Campsites are spaced appart well enough to give you a semi privacy feel. Each site as a fire ring and a picnic table.
| Cost/Night | These prices are for the summer. Weekday $20 or $35. Weekend $20 or $35. If you are not a WI resident the prices are an additional $5 per night. The two sets of prices are for non-electric and electric. |
| Location | Sherwood |
| Number of Sites | 112 family (32 electric), 8 group sites, and 1 cabin that holds 6 people for those with disabilities |
| Amenities | toilets, showers, dump station, trash/recycle station, electric, playground, drinking water |
| Winter Camping | Not available. |
If you have a pet dog check out the Wisconsin State Park Rules for Dogs.
Website: High Cliff State Park
Castle Rock Park
Castle Rock Park is on Castle Rock Lake and is a wooded area. According to a facebbook user, all of their sites are drive through for a tailer There is so much to do here with your family.
There is a beach and a boat launch to play in the water in any way that you want. Boating, water-skiing, fishing, and canoeing are a few favorite activities.
If you don’t like the water, there are nearby trails to take. There are restaurants near by if you don’t want to cook dinner for a night.
| Cost/Night | $17 (non electric), $23 (electric) |
| Location | Mauston |
| Number of Sites | 300 (with 150 being electric) |
| Amenities | Showers, pit toilets, electric, dump station, water, boat launch, volleyball, playground, horseshoe pits, fire ring, picnic table |
| Winter Camping | Not available. |
Website: Juneau County Castle Rock Park
East Arbutus County Park
This campground is nicely wooded and has a lot of lakeside campsites.
If you have a tent or a trailer you are able to camp here. There are even ATV sites with direct access to trails from their sites.
“This is the only location ATV’s are allowed to operate in the park.” (County Park Site)
| Cost/Night | $20 (off the lake and not electric), $25 (off the lake and electric), $28 (lakeside electric) |
| Location | Merrillan |
| Number of Sites | 187 |
| Amenities | boat launch, playground, handicap access, restrooms, showers, ATV access, dump station, picnic areas, public beach, fishing, hiking trails |
| Winter Camping | Not available. |
Website: East Arbutus County Park
Hartman Creek State Park
Hartman Creek State Park is located on the popular Chain O’ Lakes. You can even camp year-round at this park. The park is great for biking, horseback riding, boating, and swimming. The Ice Age Trail also runs through this park to explore.
The park is clean and kept up well. Even though you may have neighbors, it will still feel as though you are not close to them while at the campsite.
At the beach you can rent a kayak, canoe, or a paddle board.
| Cost/Night | These prices are for the summer. Weekday $18 or $30 Weekend $20 or $30. If you are not a WI resident the prices are an additional $5 per night. The two sets of prices are for non-electric and electric. |
| Location | Hartman |
| Number of Sites | 103 family sites and 5 group sites |
| Amenities | showers, flush toilets, playground, water, picnic area, hiking, and biking trails |
| Winter Camping | Not available. |
If you have a pet dog check out the Wisconsin State Park Rules for Dogs.
Website: Hartman Creek Park Camping
Map of Park
Lake Chippewa Campground
Lake Chippewa Campground is located on an island and most of the sites at this campground are located near or directly on the lake. The area is on an untouched 17,000 acres of wilderness.
Here you are able to rent water toys along with boats and pontoons. There’s also a mini-golf at the park you can play that’s only $3 for adults and $2 for kids 12 and under.
They offer so many services such as a laundry facility, trash pick up, and a game room.
| Cost/Night | $28-$47 (Off-Lake Site.) $30-$58 (Lake Site) Prices vary by date. |
| Location | Hayward |
| Number of Sites | 478 |
| Amenities | full hook-ups and pull-through sites, grassy, shady campsites, picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, showers, fishing, fish cleaning station, beach with a raft, mini-golf, basketball, volleyball, baseball field, playground, horseshoe pit, golf cart, and boat rentals, wi-fi, dump station |
| Winter Camping | Not available. Their camping season is April 29-November 1. |
Website: Lake Chippewa Campground
Washington Island Campground
If you have a tent or an RV you are able to camp on the island.
There are places you can rent a bike from for you to explore the island while getting some physical activity in. You can even rent out a moped.
Percy Johnson County Park is a great place to visit while having a picnic and then enjoy the beach. There are other 2 beaches that you can explore, Schoolhouse beach and Red Barn Park/Gislason public beach. The beach link above also provides other parks on the island to explore.
Get a scenic tour or a fishing charter by boat with Death’s Door Charters & Scneic Tours.
If you watn to get away from cars and bikes, take another ferry to Rock Island State Park and explore the trails and thier white sandy beach.
| Cost/Night | $27 (non electric, tent-only), $38 (electric & water sites), $40 (horse sites), |
| Location | Washington Island, off of Door County |
| Number of Sites | Was not provided |
| Amenities | showers, toilets, dump station, fish cleaning station, swimming pool |
| Winter Camping | Not available. |
Website: Washington Island Campground
Kohler-Andrae State Park
There are very beautiful beaches and a cordwalk you can take along the dunes. People have raved how amazing the trail is near Lake Michigan. If it’s a windy day you will be able to hear waves from Lake Michigan at your site.
If you have a tent or an RV you are able to camp here, even in winter. There are 2 groups sites where tents are only allowed. Each group site holds up to 50 people.
The parks also has a cabin to rent out for those with disabilities.
| Cost/Night | These prices are for the summer. Weekday $20 or $35. Weekend $20 or $35. If you are not a WI resident the prices are an additional $5 per night. The two sets of prices are for non-electric and electric. |
| Location | Sheboygan |
| Number of Sites | 137 family sites |
| Amenities | showers, flush toilets, laundry, dump station, freshwater fill-up stations, picnic table, fire ring, |
| Winter Camping | The family sites that are open in the winter are 3, 22, 23, 28, 32, 33 and Group sites A and B are plowed. |
Dogs are welcome too at state parks. Check out the Wisconsin State Park Rules for Dogs.
Website: Camping at Kohler-Andrae State Park
Governor Dodge State Park
Governor Dodge State Park holds Cox Hollow Campground and Twin Valley Campground. There are tent sites, double sites, 6 walk to sites and even horse sites.
Along the 40 miles of hiking trail in Governor Dodge Park, you can view a waterfall called Stephans Falls near the end of the Lost Canyon where the water falls near the carved sandstone. The waterfall is in Cox Hollow Campground.
Stephan’s Falls is in Cox Hollow Campground which has been stated to be very photogenic. This waterfall can be seen along the 40 miles of hiking trails through Governor Dodge Park. Stephans Falls is at the end of The Lost Canyon where the water falls near carved sandstone.
If you want to camp near other waterfalls in Wisconsin, check out my Wafterfalls and Camping post.
| Cost/Night | These prices are for the summer. Weekday $20 or $30. Weekend $20 or $30. If you are not a WI resident the prices are an additional $5 per night. The two sets of prices are for non-electric and electric. |
| Location | Iowa County |
| Number of Sites | 269 |
| Amenities | dump station, showers, flush toilets, drinking water, playground, recyclying/garbage, electric hookup, disablity accessible |
| Winter Camping | There are 30 sites to choose from for winter camping in the Twin Valley campground. |
Website: Camping in Govenor Dodge State Park
Additional Questions
How much does it cost to camp at a Wisconsin state park?
Each state park has its own rate of camping prices. For those that live in Wisconsin, the price range is $15 to $37. The lowest price is the weekday price for a non-electric site. The highest price is for an electric site on the weekend. Non-Wisconsin residents will pay $5 more for each night. These are the prices for the summer as well.
Where can I camp for free in Wisconsin?
I created a post on 20 places you can camp for free in Wisconsin along with other general places you can search out for.
Wisconsin Camping Facebook Groups
I wanted to take the time to give an extra thanks to the Facebook Groups of Wisconsin RV Camping and Wisconsin Camping for many of these photos on here.