Lakeside camping in Wisconsin with fishing

Like the state's famous ice cream, outdoor adventures are served year-round in Wisconsin.

97% (1133 reviews)
97% (1133 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Wisconsin

Available this weekend

Under $50

12 top lakeside campgrounds in Wisconsin with fishing

94%
(360)

Northern Glamping Camp

2 sites · Lodging3 acres · Crivitz, WI
We are a small bar and grill 12 miles west of Crivitz WI. Conveniently located right on the ATV and Snowmobile trails. There are plenty of lakes and steams for the avid fisherman. We are located just a few miles east of the Nicolet National Forest. We have great food and always a friendly atmosphere. So come on up and join us for a relaxing week or just a weekend.Camp in our nicely furnished tent cabins, Site #1 ( Bri's Hideaway) is furnished with a queen bed, love seat and refrigerator. Site #2 ( Adam's Getaway ) is furnished with a full bed, 1 cot style bunk beds and a refrigerator. We recommend bringing sleeping bags for both sites during the cool weather camping, we furnish some blankets but may not be adequate for the chilly nights in the later season.  We are right on the ATV trails, with many lakes, rivers and trout streams close by. There is whitewater rafting nearby for the trill seekers. Or if you enjoy hiking, the Nichole National Forest is minutes away. You can relax on the front deck of your tent cabin or sit by the campfire. We are a small country bar & grill. We have a great Friday night fish fry, or try our famous chicken dinner, or one of our homemade pizzas, we have wraps, sandwiches and more. We are located 1 hour north of Green Bay, WI. The tent cabins will be open May 1st through October 31st with a shower room available. There is limited heating available in the units. Please plan accordingly. Due to the somewhat limited internet access at the camp sites, we may be unable to respond in a timely fashion to your email. 
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$69.30
 / night
98%
(162)

Superior Beach Camp

2 sites · Tents10 acres · South Range, WI
Escape to Superior Beach Camp and immerse yourself in the beauty and privacy of a cleared camping area situated above 500' feet of sand and pebble beach on the world’s greatest lake. Agate campsite is very generously sized and is all yours. Surrounded by a mix of poplar and birch with a few white pine sprinkled in, the main camp area is set back from the lake atop a 70' bluff with peekaboo views of Lake Superior. A short walk down a private path from your campsite gives you access to a beautiful Lake Superior beach to swim, skip rocks, search for agates, or just enjoy the panoramic views of the lake and the town of Duluth on the opposite shore. Agate campsite previously featured a "look out point" that has been altered by the natural erosion of the red clay banks that comprise much of Lake Superior's south shore. While you can still access this area, doing so will require more effort and care, and we no longer allow camping on the point. Superior Beach Camp located is 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities and perfectly positions you to discover all the wonders of the Twin Ports. Explore this amazing area or stay at camp, set up your chair in the sand and take in the many moods of Mother Superior. Watch the ships come and go to the sparkly backdrop of Duluth’s city lights. The crackle of a driftwood fire on the beach provides the perfect soundtrack as you watch for shooting stars and the aurora. Stock up on supplies and explore the charming industrial town of Superior, WI – 15 minutes from your campsite. Spend a day mountain biking the Duluth Traverse and touring the the wonderful local dining and tap room scenes of Duluth and Superior. Canal Park, downtown Duluth, is a 25 minute drive. If you’d like to venture further, you could meander up the North Shore. Or keep it local and check out Bayfield and the Apostle Islands – only 75 minutes East. Stop through the charming lakeside village of Cornucopia on your way. Or perhaps you’d like to experience world class trout fishing on the Brule River a half hour from Superior Beach Camp. Maybe Parks are your thing: Amnicon Falls, one of Wisconsin’s most beautiful State Parks, is reachable in 10 minutes by car. Drive a half hour further to Pattison State Park and take in Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall. On the Minnesota side, the magic of Jay Cooke State Park is 30 minutes west (and puts you on the doorstep of legit white water rafting). Whether you're looking for solace and relaxation in a blissful [great] lakeside setting or simply seeking a convenient place to rest your head while exploring the many adventures a stone’s throw from your campsite, there is something for everyone who camps here. Superior Beach Camp is a clean, quiet, peaceful, primitive setting. We appreciate that our campers help us keep it this way; remember to pack in any supplies or provisions you need, and leave no trace when you depart so our next guests can enjoy a clean campsite.
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$55.20
 / night
100%
(186)

Circle M Farm Stay Camp n Glamp

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Blanchardville, WI
Camp in style on a beautiful Driftless Farmstead! This tiny valley farm once had stanchions to milk 8 cows in the barn. That was in 1890. Now we are home to dozens of sheep, steers, goats, hogs, cats, dogs, chickens and geese and myriad wild critters and pollinators and migrators. We are a conservation farm and on a mission to heal our wetland, improve our trout stream and bring people out to the land. We are in Driftless Southwest Wisconsin - gorgeous hills and quilted cropland bisected by oak woods and switchback rivers. Pitch your tent, park a small camper/rv, or stay in our vintage camper as close as the backyard or further away by the sheep pasture or frog pond. You will share an indoor bathroom, or our open-to-the-sky hot outdoor shower, and an outdoor sink with other campers. We have a Cedar Sauna you can reserve. This is easy camping with a view of the stars, nestled in a farm-to-table farm community with lots of goods to buy. We LOVE our Driftless neighborhood in SW Wisconsin and can recommend many amazing activities for everyone from fisherman to families! We live on a 20 acre farm bisected by a small river and a great trout stream, adjacent to 150 acres of restored prairie. We're close to shopping, antiquing, Amishing and good eating. We're within a half hour of 3 great rail trails, two state parks and one amazing ATV rental. Go to an old-fashioned drive in movie, a local farmers market, dirt-track stock care races, tractor pulls, a u-pick apple farm or a Toy Train Museum. Go tubing, kayaking, boating or biking - you can rent what you need. Or sit on one of the porches to watch the chickens peck and the pigs dig. We can't wait to introduce you to all the livestock, cats, our Great Pyrrannees pups, Waylon and Willie, and our Border Heeler, Dolly! We are a five minute walk from our cute downtown with a playground, library and several great places to eat. Ten minutes from New Glarus Brewery and Argyle (Pec Time Tubing). A half hour from Mineral Point (Fall Art Tour), Mount Horeb (Troll Way), Dodgeville (House on the Rock) and Monroe (Cheese Days). Fifteen minutes from hiking, fishing and boating at Yellowstone Lake State Park. Campfire with s'mores every night, coffee and scones in the morning. Wifi is reliable on some spots on the property, and a sure thing on the front breakfast porch. We do require a two-night minimum to stay in the campers. Tent camping we have no minimum. Please reach out to us on the app to see what is available.
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$80.75
 / night
91%
(39)

S-Camp at Turtle Head Rock

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Viroqua, WI
Hey there Happy Campers! We welcome you to our small slice of Driftless heaven. This private campsite is located in prairie land, surrounded by agricultural and wooded property (it’s quiet). Within a few minutes drive you have access to some of the best trout streams a fishing license can buy. You're also in close proximity to amazing hiking and biking trails, agri-tourism (apple pickin' good times!), endless photography opportunities, wineries, birding, stargazing and visits to downtown Viroqua! After a long day of adventuring, come back to this quiet retreat, make some brandy old fashions and enjoy the ambiance of the stars and crackling camp fire! This site can accommodate 2 large tents with plenty of room for a camp kitchen, fire pit and seating area. There is newly constructed composting style outbuilding (please read instructions before using it) and a camp kitchen table along with solar powered lighting. Firewood and other supplies are conveniently available in downtown Viroqua. Be sure to check out the various retailers and restaurants while you're there! Hope you enjoy the camp and we just ask to please leave it better than you found it!
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$20
 / night
100%
(16)

Esker Ridge

1 site · Lodging2 acres · Townsend, WI
A hidden gem nestled between the comforts of lake living and a backdoor to the expansive Nicolet National Forest.  Recreational opportunities are year-round, including recreational vehicle and fishing opportunities on and around the 417 acre lake flowage.  The private +2 acre property has panoramic views of the secluded headwaters opening into the main flowage.  Set back off the main lake, wildlife viewing, especially birding, is the best I have experienced. Neotropical migratory bird species are abundant in the Spring as well as a resident breeding pair of Trumpeter Swans, many ducks(!), Bald Eagles, Loons, Sand-Hill cranes; many woodpecker spp. including Pileated; Screech, Barred and Great horned owls.  Some of the more entertaining wildlife include deer, otter, beaver, muskrats, red squirrels and the occasional wandering black bear (no problem bears).  In the Spring, the esker's neighboring wetlands come alive with many frog and turtle species.  For me, the allure of the wild still dominates here.  The esker provides an amazing vantage point with nearly 270 degree panoramic views of the flowage. From the Gazebo, take one of two paths to the overlook before descending down to the lakefront.  In 2021, I plan on adding a short pier but the natural rocky peninsula already provides excellent access into the deeper thalweg, an excellent fishing/ swimming hole!  All pontoon and fishing boats can be accommodated here. Learn more about this land:The property is located towards the end of a Forest Service road (Meadowlark Lane) with one year-round resident at the end. There's a large turn-around for trailers and larger vehicles. Neighbors are well separated, located over the ridgeline and out of earshot. The property has a relatively wide, flat 100 foot driveway to the cabin from the road. Easy access to the cabin from the driveway. The cabin is surrounded by mature maple/birch/balsam/hemlock forest and several wetland/tamarack bogs (very diverse terrain bordering the lake). At the base of the cabin there's a small pier for direct kayak and canoe access.  Larger boats can easily dock on the lake-end of the property, a short walk from the cabin. From the natural driveway a concrete paver staircase leads up to the main campsite (see pics).  The campsite includes a 3 season 14 foot enclosed gazebo with electricity.  Essentially, the land is a 2 acre esker (kettle moraine feature) that serpentines through the woods to Reservoir "Pond" lake system. Excellent views of the lake! The Flowage has headwaters from McCauslin brook and connects 3 lakes totaling 417 acres.  Maximum depth 27 feet.  Fishing and Pontoon boat docking on shoreline. The closest boat launch is on Horn Lake which is passed on the way to the cabin and approximately a half mile away as the crow flies. Plenty of areas for tenting/ wall tents, 2 picnic tables (one near the cabin and the other by the gazebo), and a separate outhouse with toiletries at the top of the hill. Attractions in the Area:  Sleepy Hollow Minature Golf on Nicolet Rd (just East of Horn Lake) Sunset Resort of Townsend located on the SE end of the flowage.  Accessible by boat or short drive from camp on Burnt Dam Road.  Hill Crest Lodge Supper Club on Nicolet Rd (you'll pass on the way in) 4 Stars.  Birch Hills Resort and Bar (over the bridge from Hill Crest) 5 Stars.  Mike's Supermarket/ Pintsch's TrueValue (just thought I'd mention where to get provisions) (also on Nicolet Rd), TownsendPotawatomi Casino, CarterOld Town Hall cafe and bloody bar- Traditional American food, Townsend (Excellent Breakfast!)Sweet Memories Candy Store, Lakewood (If you have a sweet tooth, this place is over the top Willy Wonka style, many candy filled rooms that seem to never end!)Lakewood Ski and Sport- Outdoor Gear, Lakewood.  Talk to Dave- great guy. Ski/ SUP and Bike rentals.Northern D'lites- Lakewood ice cream/ burgersLakewood Super Valu Grocery Store (has more to offer over Mike's grocery in Townsend)*Maiden Lake Supper Club- Excellent!  Best Supper Club UpNort hands-down.  Excellent sunset views over Maiden lake from the patio bar. Go Early!Cathedral of the Pines- Old Growth White and Red pine.  I can't believe the whole state looked like this at one point.  One tree is has enough wood to build a house!Maiden Lake, 3rd clearest lake in WI.  Great snorkeling over the fish cribsBoot Lake -State Campground and Beach- Best swimming beach in the area.Jones Creek trails- year round hiking, Mt biking and Cross country skiingMcCauslin Brook Golf and Ctry Club, LakewoodWaubee Lake Lodge- worth the drive. Huge modern wood lodge live-edge bar and 40+ foot cathedral ceilings. Great buffet. Woodland Trail Winery, Lakewood (winery Northern woods style with craft beer selection)
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$72.25
 / night

Star Hosts in Wisconsin

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lakeside camping in Wisconsin with fishing guide

Overview

Rolling dairy farmlands are just the start of Wisconsin’s great outdoors. This midwestern state boasts two Great Lakes coastlines, some 15,000 inland lakes, and a state border with the Mississippi River. Whether kayaking around caves and islands, hiking to hidden waterfalls, camping along sandy beaches, or hopping between cheesemakers and breweries—the Dairy State is an idyllic destination for a camping trip. Wisconsin state parks provide some of the best camping and stay busy through summer and fall foliage season. Snow blankets the state from November through February, so pack your snowshoes.

Where to go

Northwest Wisconsin

If you're searching for the most remote Wisconsin campgrounds, the Northern Highlands are a good place to start with hills stretching up to the shore of Lake Superior. Paddle around the islands, sea caves, and lighthouses of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in a kayak, then pitch your tent at a lake campground, or seek out secluded backcountry tent sites in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. To the west, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway hugs the coast of the Mississippi River and the Minnesota border, running through Governor Knowles State Forest and Interstate State Park.

Northeast Wisconsin

The forested lakes of the Northwoods blanket northern Wisconsin, stretching down to the shores of Lake Michigan, where the Door County Peninsula curls out around Green Bay. The scenic area is dotted with freshwater beaches, cherry orchards, and hiking trails, making it the perfect spot for a camping getaway. At the northeastern tip, Rock Island State Park is a favorite among campers, with RV sites open year-round.

Southwest Wisconsin

Family campers make a beeline for Wisconsin Dells, the Waterpark Capital of the World, where plenty of full-amenity camping resorts dot the area and nearby Mirror Lake State Park. Just to the south, Baraboo is the gateway to Wisconsin’s most popular park, Devil’s Lake State Park, which boasts beaches, cliff-top walks, and three campgrounds. Further west, the rolling hills and river valleys along the Wisconsin River are ideal for fishing, paddling, and tranquil summer camping.

Southeast Wisconsin

Wisconsin's largest city, Milwaukee, stands proud on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, where urban campers can sample Wisconsin’s craft beer scene and visit the Harley-Davidson Museum. North of Milwaukee, Lake Winnebago is a popular choice for lakeside camping, while backpackers hiking the 1,000-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail will find some of the best camping within Kettle Moraine State Forest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Camping in Wisconsin

Is Wisconsin good for camping?

Wisconsin is a great camping destination with dozens of state parks, national forests, and plenty of private camping options and RV parks—not to mention a ton of lake campgrounds with access to both Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, plus a border with sandy beaches on the Mississippi River. Whether heading out on hidden gem waterfall hikes, kayaking around caves, exploring the many bike trails, or hitting the top city hubs of Milwaukee, Door County’s Green Bay, and Wisconsin Dells (known for its waterparks and mini golf for family fun), a Wisconsin campground or Wisconsin state park Devil’s Lake State Park) awaits with tent camping or RV sites. Summertime is for lake visits, and late spring and early fall are still mild enough for tent camping. It's snowy from November through February, when you’ll want to opt for a rustic cabin or a vacation rental getaway.

Is camping allowed in Wisconsin state parks?

Yes, Wisconsin state parks are open for camping. Of the state’s 50+ state parks, nearly all of them allow camping of some kind, whether tent camping, RV camping, or cabin camping. Wisconsin’s most popular parks with camping include Devil’s Lake State Park south of Baraboo, Peninsula State Park (set on the shores of Lake Michigan in Door County), the year-round Rock Island State Park, Willow River State Park, and Copper Falls State Park.

Is wild camping legal in Wisconsin?

Yes, wild camping is allowed in Wisconsin in county forests, state forests, and national forests. Wild camping, typically described as primitive or dispersed camping away from designated campgrounds without facilities, is available within Nicolet National Forest and Chequamegon National Forest, including at Porcupine Lake Wilderness, Rainbow Lake Wilderness, and Blackjack Springs Wilderness. Some Wisconsin River islands are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), meaning that the ones that are public land are open to camping. Some state parks feature a small number of backpacking campsites, and you can find more private, secluded camping in Wisconsin with Hipcamp.

Is there free camping in Wisconsin?

You can find free camping in Wisconsin in its national forests: Nicolet and Chequamegon, each of which span thousands of acres and house various national wilderness areas. The free campsites in these forests are primitive and dispersed with no facilities, so you’ll need to come prepared. Most of this land is open and free of charge to use, but some beaches, boat launches, and trailheads require small day-use fees or permits.

Can you camp anywhere in a Wisconsin national forest?

No, you cannot camp anywhere in Wisconsin national forests, but they do have plenty of free areas available for dispersed camping. Wisconsin is home to two national forests: Nicolet National Forest and Chequamegon National Forest, both managed together as the 1.5-million acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Throughout are dozens of designated campgrounds with tent sites, including at Twin Lakes Recreation Area and Bear Lake Recreation Area. In addition, the forest offers cabins at Lost Lake, some large group campsites, many RV campsites (most with hookups), and a lot of dispersed camping options. Just be sure to park up to 30 feet from the edge of any road, and pitch your tent at least 150 feet away from any trail or road (and at least 200 feet away from any water). Dispersed camping in Wisconsin national forests is limited to 21 days at the same site within a 30-day period.

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