Canoeing/Kayaking

Wildwood Outdoor Adventures & Campground

73 RV Sites, 10 Tent Sites

Wildwood Outdoor Adventures and Campground in Eagle River, Wisconsin, offers 73 RV sites and 10 tent sites directly on the Eagle River Chain of 28 Lakes, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted up to 102 feet. Pond water view and premium back-in categories in both full-hookup and water-and-electric versions join boat docks, kayak rentals, and floating boat slips. Seventy-three sites span pond water view back-in 30/50-amp, pond water view back-in 30/50-amp water-and-electric, premium back-in 30/50-amp, and premium back-in 30/50-amp water-and-electric categories, carrying water, sewer, and electric where noted, sized to 102 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables. Every category comes in both a full-hookup and a water-and-electric version, which lets you choose the setting and the hookup level independently — a sensible structure. One hundred two feet accommodates the longest coaches with a tow. Every site gets a fire ring and picnic table. Ten tent sites round out the lodging. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, and private family shower rooms handle the practical side. Floating boat slips, a full dock, and kayak rentals open the chain for boating, canoeing, and kayaking, with a lake, pond, river, walking trails, biking, a playground, community fire pit, and productive birding filling the rest. The Eagle River Chain is the largest freshwater chain in the world — 28 glacially carved lakes connected end to end across more than 3,000 acres. Summer is decisively the season. Reserve well ahead.

Thornton's Rafting Resort and Campground

17 RV Sites, 4 Cabins, 3 Tent Sites, 1 Mobile Home, 2 Onsite RV/Trailers

Thornton's Rafting Resort and Campground in Athelstane, Wisconsin, provides RV sites, cabins, and tent camping alongside the Peshtigo River's whitewater rafting access in Marinette County's Northwoods country — a family-friendly resort whose on-site Camp Inn bar with billiards, darts, foosball, and video games gives guests the indoor social space that the Peshtigo River country's wet-weather rafting days specifically warrant, and whose proximity to one of Wisconsin's premier whitewater rivers makes it the natural overnight destination for guests coming to paddle the Peshtigo's technical Class II through IV drops. The resort's combination of water recreation access, diverse accommodation, and the social programming that the Camp Inn sustains gives it the multi-dimensional character that river resort campgrounds at their best consistently deliver. RV sites, cabins, and tent camping areas give the resort the accommodation range to serve the full spectrum of Peshtigo River adventure visitors — from families in cabins who want the river adjacent experience without tent camping to hardcore paddlers in tent sites who want the most immersive connection to the river environment. The Camp Inn bar's pool table, darts, foosball, and video games provide the evening social infrastructure that river resort campgrounds sustain most effectively when the outdoor programming shifts indoors after a full day of whitewater. Pets are welcome. The Peshtigo River through Marinette County is Wisconsin's most technically challenging and most widely respected whitewater river — a waterway whose watershed in the Nicolet National Forest and the Peshtigo River State Forest sustains Class II through Class IV rapids across its multiple run sections from the Caldron Falls Flowage downstream to the Lake Noquebay corridor. The First and Second Drop sections on the lower Peshtigo provide the Class IV technical rapids that Wisconsin whitewater kayakers and experienced rafters specifically pursue in a state where the generally flatwater river network makes the Peshtigo's gradient exceptional, while the Upper Peshtigo's continuous Class II-III paddling delivers the sustained exciting water that guided commercial raft trips specifically feature. Marinette County's Northwoods landscape — the Peshtigo River State Forest's 225,000 acres of northern Wisconsin mixed conifer and hardwood forest, the Caldron Falls and High Falls Flowages, and the Mountain Bay State Trail's rail-trail cycling through the Marinette County forest — gives resort guests the complete northern Wisconsin outdoor recreation portfolio beyond the river itself. The Peshtigo Fire Museum in the city of Peshtigo, 30 miles east, commemorates the October 8, 1871 fire that killed approximately 1,500 to 2,500 people on the same night as the Great Chicago Fire — one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history, historically overshadowed by the Chicago fire's greater national news coverage despite its far larger death toll. Thornton's Rafting Resort and Campground operates through the Northwoods season from spring through fall, with the spring high-water rafting season from April through June providing the most powerful and most technically demanding Peshtigo River conditions and the summer season delivering the most comfortable camping weather. Fall color in Marinette County's northern Wisconsin forest peaks from early October through mid-October in a maple, aspen, and birch display that the Peshtigo River corridor specifically frames with river reflections and forested bank foliage that river-level paddling reveals in its most intimate form. Reserve sites and cabins ahead for Memorial Day weekend and the peak spring whitewater season, when Peshtigo River visitor traffic fills the Athelstane corridor's limited accommodation.

from $49/night

Hidden Shady Nook

3 RV Sites, 2 Cabins

Perched on the spring-fed shores of Pike Lake in Wisconsin's Chippewa County, Hidden Shady Nook delivers the kind of lakeside escape that makes you want to cancel your checkout date. The resort spreads across 800 feet of shoreline on Pike Lake—a 200-acre, 38-foot-deep gem known for clear water and excellent fishing—positioning it as one of the most distinctive camping experiences in central Wisconsin. Cornell, a small town tucked into the rolling Chippewa River valley, serves as the jumping-off point, and the surrounding forests of the Wisconsin Northwoods provide a backdrop that shifts from emerald green in summer to blazing color by fall. Twenty-five RV and camping sites plus four lodging options give guests plenty of ways to enjoy the lake, from full-hookup spots to comfortable overnight accommodations. Thirteen fishing docks, a private boat launch, and kayak rentals keep water lovers busy from first light to sunset, while the onsite restaurant—famous for Friday fish fries, Saturday ribs, and Sunday brunch—means you never have to drive far for a memorable meal. Live music performs on the lakefront deck throughout the summer, the pole barn hosts activities and events, and UTV and ATV trail access opens the surrounding forests to exploration. Boat storage, a dog park, and a playground round out an amenity list rarely matched at a lakefront resort of this size. Pike Lake itself is the star of the show—spring-fed and exceptionally clear, it supports strong populations of walleye, bass, and panfish that draw anglers from across the Midwest. The resort's 800 feet of private shoreline gives guests direct access to a sandy beach for swimming, paddling, or simply sitting with a cold drink watching the loons drift by. Surrounding the property, mature hardwoods and conifers filter the light and provide the natural canopy that gives the resort its name—shady, quiet, and genuinely tucked away from the noise of everyday life. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail traverses the property itself, offering guests access to miles of hiking through terrain shaped by the last glaciers to push across Wisconsin. The trail winds through kettles, drumlins, and moraines that tell the story of a landscape still bearing the marks of its glacial past. Beyond the property, the Chippewa River corridor provides paddling, and the surrounding forests offer birding, hunting, and wildlife watching throughout the seasons. The city of Eau Claire, with its vibrant arts scene and full range of dining and shopping, lies less than an hour west for those who need an urban fix between lake days. Hidden Shady Nook shines brightest in summer when live music floats across the water and the fishing is at its peak, though the fall walleye run draws dedicated anglers well into October. Spring arrives early on the lake and brings migrating waterfowl and the first warm evenings perfect for dock sitting. The resort's combination of waterfront access, on-site dining, live entertainment, and trail access makes it rare among Wisconsin campgrounds—an all-in-one destination rather than just a place to sleep. Book your site on Pike Lake and discover why guests return to Hidden Shady Nook year after year.

from $35/night

Hattie Sherwood Campground

20 RV Sites, 12 Tent Sites

Situated on the shores of Big Green Lake in the central Wisconsin village of Green Lake, Hattie Sherwood Campground offers RV sites and tent sites with elevated views of the lake through a mature hardwood canopy—a natural setting that takes advantage of Big Green Lake's status as the deepest inland lake in Wisconsin, with a maximum depth of 237 feet that gives the water an unusually clear, cold quality distinctive among the state's glacially formed lakes. The campground's wooded bluff position provides dappled shade throughout the day that moderates summer temperatures and enhances the visual appeal of the lakeside setting. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire pit, and the campground's facilities include bathrooms, showers, a dump station, and a boat ramp giving guests direct lake access from within the property. A children's playground and walking trails make the campground functional for families with younger guests, and the pet-friendly policy accommodates travelers with dogs. The recently added permanent pier on the lake extends the guests' connection to the water, and firewood is available for purchase on-site for campfire evenings under the Green Lake hardwood canopy. Hattie Sherwood Beach, directly across the street from the campground, provides a sandy swimming beach and additional shoreline access that complements the campground's bluff-side position above the lake. Kayaks, canoes, and rowboats are available for rent nearby, and the marina on Green Lake supports more expansive boating for guests bringing their own watercraft or seeking charter options on the lake. Fishing on Big Green Lake targets walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish across a season that extends from ice-out in spring through the fall fishing window. The village of Green Lake hosts an active summer and fall community event calendar, with local dining options, ice cream shops, and the historic Heidel House Resort and Spa providing additional amenity access for campground guests within walking distance or a short drive of the campground. The Green Lake Conference Center, one of the oldest conference centers in the country, draws event-related visitors to the community throughout the season, and the surrounding Marquette County landscape provides additional hiking and scenic driving options for guests exploring beyond the immediate lake area. Hattie Sherwood Campground is open through the warm-weather camping season, with summer representing the peak period for lake swimming, boating, and fishing. Green Lake's cold, clear water makes it an appealing swimming destination even during the warmest weeks of summer, when shallower lakes warm to less comfortable temperatures. Advance reservations are recommended for summer holiday weekends, when the campground's lakeside position and immediate beach access make it one of the more sought-after sites in central Wisconsin's lake country. Big Green Lake's cold, clear water—maintained by the lake's unusual depth and the cold spring inputs that feed it from the surrounding limestone formations—gives it a water quality that supports exceptional trout fishing and a swimming experience distinctly different from the warmer, shallower lakes that are more common in central Wisconsin's glaciated landscape.

from $33/night

Buffalo Lake Camping Resort

47 RV Sites

On Buffalo Lake in Montello, Wisconsin—the Marquette County seat and the birthplace of John Muir, whose formative years in the glacially sculpted lake country of central Wisconsin shaped the conservation philosophy that would eventually protect Yosemite Valley and inspire the creation of the National Park Service—Buffalo Lake Camping Resort provides 110 campsites, three two-bedroom housekeeping cabins, a park model cabin, a solar-heated swimming pool, rowboat, canoe, and kayak rentals, bait and tackle, a carry-out kitchen, arcade, covered pavilion, and the complete family camping infrastructure of a well-established Wisconsin lake resort where every site has a picnic table, fire ring, and basic cable TV and free WiFi covers the entire property. The lake access and the classic Wisconsin camping atmosphere make Buffalo Lake a destination in its own right for the Fox Valley and Madison-area families who return season after season. The 110 sites range from full hookup RV accommodations with 30-amp service to more primitive options, and the big-rig-friendly infrastructure accommodates the larger motorhomes and fifth wheels that the Wisconsin camping community brings to the lake. Boat docks and a boat ramp serve guests with their own watercraft alongside the resort's own rowboat, canoe, and kayak rental fleet, and the 24-hour on-site laundry supports the extended family stays and the week-long reservations that Buffalo Lake draws from its loyal repeat guest base. Weekend activities, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, gaga ball, and an arcade create the social and competitive programming that keeps families entertained between lake outings, and the carry-out kitchen handles the meal logistics for days when cooking out isn't on the agenda. Montello sits at the head of Buffalo Lake in Marquette County in the Central Sands region of Wisconsin, where the glacial landscape of the Green Bay Lobe's retreat created the outwash plains, kettle lakes, and the sandy soils that support the pine barrens and lake country that characterize this part of the state. The John Muir birthplace connection is genuine—Muir's family settled in Marquette County in 1849 when John was eleven, and the Fountain Lake Farm and the Muir Memorial Park near Montello preserve the landscape where Muir developed his passion for natural observation that would make him the father of American conservation. Green Lake, approximately 20 miles north, is the deepest inland lake in Wisconsin at 237 feet—a deep, cold lake in a beautiful setting that provides the swimming, boating, and fishing complement to Buffalo Lake's shallower, warmer recreational character. The resort towns of Green Lake and Ripon provide the restaurants, shops, and the Ripon College campus that give the central Wisconsin lake country its cultural infrastructure beyond the lake itself. The Wisconsin River corridor, accessible within the broader Marquette County area, provides additional fishing, canoeing, and the Dells of the Wisconsin River's dramatic sandstone gorge scenery that makes the Dells one of the state's most visited natural attractions. Buffalo Lake Camping Resort operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day in Wisconsin's summer camping season, with the Fourth of July week and the August weekends filling earliest for the resort's loyal repeat guest community. The carry-out kitchen and the weekend activities calendar create the social energy that extends beyond individual sites and makes a Buffalo Lake stay feel genuinely communal. Reserve your site or housekeeping cabin at Buffalo Lake Camping Resort and let Marquette County's lake country, the John Muir landscape, and the classic Wisconsin summer camping experience deliver a season of memories on a lake that Muir himself would have recognized.

Deep Lake Campground

3 RV Sites

In central Wisconsin's lake country, just fifteen minutes from the waterslides and attractions of Wisconsin Dells, Deep Lake Campground offers a quieter alternative that puts a pristine natural lake front and center. The campground sits on Oxford's Deep Lake with 62 sites ranging from tent spots to full-hookup RV pads and cozy cabin and cottage rentals, providing a well-rounded base for campers who want genuine lake access alongside easy proximity to the Dells entertainment corridor. The combination is rare, and guests who discover it tend to come back. The lake is the campground's defining feature, and the facilities around it are designed to maximize time on the water. Rowboat, paddleboard, and kayak rentals are available to registered guests at no additional charge for three-hour windows, removing the barrier to getting out on the water as soon as the mood strikes. Pontoon boat rentals with a fee are available for those wanting a longer cruise. A swimming beach gives families a sandy place to splash around, and all RV sites include water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electrical service. Cabin and cottage rentals offer comfortable alternatives to setting up a rig, and picnic tables and fire pits at every site make evenings on the grounds feel right. Deep Lake has the clear, unhurried quality of a Wisconsin lake that hasn't been over-developed. Wooded shorelines frame the water, and the lake attracts fishing pressure for bass and panfish from guests who find the campground well before they find the Dells. Loons are a reliable presence, and an early morning paddle across the calm surface—before the boat engines start and the families begin stirring—is the kind of experience that defines the best of Wisconsin lake camping. The surrounding central Wisconsin countryside has a gentle agricultural character that balances the campground's natural setting. Fifteen minutes to the north, Wisconsin Dells offers the full spectrum of family entertainment that has made it the waterpark capital of the world: indoor and outdoor waterslides, go-karts, mini golf, Tommy Bartlett shows, and the historic Dells boat tours through the scenic sandstone Wisconsin River. Devil's Lake State Park—one of Wisconsin's most visited parks, with soaring quartzite bluffs and excellent hiking, rock climbing, and swimming—is within easy range for a day trip. Mirror Lake State Park and the Dells' countless attractions add further options for days when more variety is called for. Deep Lake Campground operates from mid-April through mid-October and books up quickly for summer weekends, when the combination of lake access and Dells proximity proves irresistible for Wisconsin families. Boat rentals, lake views, and cabin availability are the first things to fill, so reservations made early in the season pay off. Whether you're looking for a lake-focused camping trip, a family vacation that mixes nature with Dells entertainment, or simply a quiet week in central Wisconsin with a boat at your disposal, Deep Lake gives you more to work with than the name suggests. Reserve early and get on the water.

from $45/night

Lake Mason Campground

125 RV Sites, 6 Tent Sites

Lake Mason Campground in Briggsville, Wisconsin, offers 125 RV sites and six tent sites directly on Lake Mason, ten minutes from Wisconsin Dells. A boat ramp, outdoor pool, general store, walking trails, and on-site dining serve a lakefront property in Adams County's central Wisconsin lake country. One hundred twenty-five sites are available in back-in and pull-through configurations. Contact the campground to confirm hookups, amp service, and length limits for your rig before booking. Six tent sites and glamping tents round out the lodging. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side. The campground operates May through October, with full-season and daily sites both available. The lake carries the recreation. A boat ramp gives direct access for boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming, with an outdoor pool alongside. Walking trails, hiking, sports courts, basketball, horseshoes, corn hole, a playground, pavilion, and on-site dining fill the grounds, with a river on the property, productive birding, and genuinely dark skies for stargazing. Pets are welcome. Ten minutes from Wisconsin Dells is the practical sweet spot — close enough to reach the Waterpark Capital of the World and all its indoor and outdoor attractions in a short drive, far enough that the lakefront setting stays quiet at the end of the day. Lake Mason is one of central Wisconsin's more underrated waters, and the Wisconsin River, Devil's Lake, and Baraboo are all within range. The season runs May through October, with summer the clear peak. Reserve well ahead for July and August weekends.

from $45/night

Jellystone Park™ Wisconsin Dells

186 RV Sites, 42 Cabins, 59 Tent Sites, 2 Yurts, 2 Houses, 7 Lodges

Jellystone Park Wisconsin Dells in Baraboo offers 186 RV sites, 51 cabin, house, and lodge units, 59 tent sites, and two yurts with 20, 30, and 50-amp service, ADA-accessible sites, and rigs accepted to 52 feet behind a gated entrance. Red Carpet camp suites and theme sites near the water playground join standard categories — and every overnight stay includes the water activities. One hundred eighty-six sites span 20-amp and 30-amp water-and-electric, back-in, back-in theme sites near the water playground, back-in Red Carpet camp suites, and pull-through categories, sized to 52 feet, with fire pits, picnic tables, and BBQ pits. Accessible sites are available. Fifty-one cabins, houses, and lodges, 59 tent sites, and two yurts make the lodging range exceptional. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side. The base fee covers one camping or rental unit, one vehicle, and a set number of people by site type. Firewood restrictions apply — check before bringing your own. Free water activities with every stay are the distinguishing claim in a town built on waterparks. A water park, outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and inflatable water toys anchor the summer, with mini-golf, an arcade, game room, craft room, recreation center, boat rentals, a lake, sports courts, volleyball, shuffleboard, gaga ball, ping pong, golf cart rentals, a bar, and snack bar besides. Summer is decisively the season in the Dells. Reserve well ahead.

from $39/night

River's Edge Campground - Birchwood

River's Edge Campground in Birchwood, Wisconsin, offers full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and electric, cabins, and tent camping on the Brill River in Washburn County, with pull-through and back-in sites, fire pits, and picnic tables. A man-made swim pond with a beach supplements the river access, and site WiFi reaches the campground. Full-hookup sites carry water, sewer, and electric in both pull-through and back-in configurations, with fire pits and picnic tables. Cabins serve guests traveling without a rig. A dump station, restrooms, showers, and laundry cover the practical side, a general store stocks basics and firewood, and WiFi reaches the sites. A pet washing station is on site — a genuinely useful detail after a day in the river. The Brill River frontage defines the campground. Swimming holes, tubing runs through clear northwoods water, and kayak launches give guests direct river access, while the swim pond and beach provide shallow, managed water for younger children. A dog park, playground, walking trails, sports courts, and basketball spread across the wooded grounds, with a jumping pillow, gaga ball, inflatable water toys, and planned activities filling the family calendar. Boating, canoeing, kayaking, and picnicking round it out. Pets are welcome. Birchwood sits in the northern Wisconsin lakes country between Spooner and Rice Lake, where the Namekagon and Brill rivers and a chain of glacial lakes define the landscape. Long Lake, the area UTV and ATV trails, and historic Hayward are the main draws nearby. The campground runs the northern Wisconsin summer season, with river swimming and tubing driving peak demand from June through August. Reserve ahead for summer weekends.

from $20/night

Silver Springs Campsites

152 RV Sites

Silver Springs Campsites in Rio, Wisconsin, offers 152 RV sites with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 42 feet, between Madison and the Wisconsin Dells. Full hookup and water-and-electric back-in categories join an outdoor pool, beach, pond, and jumping pillow on a family-oriented property. One hundred fifty-two back-in sites run in full hookup and water-and-electric categories, carrying water, sewer, and electric where noted on 30 and 50-amp, sized to 42 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables. Note the 42-foot cap before booking a larger rig. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, and showers handle the practical side. Golf carts rent at $75 per day with a two-day minimum on regular weekends and three days on holidays; drivers must be 18 with a valid license. An outdoor pool and beach anchor the summer, with an on-site pond supporting fishing, boating, paddle boats, canoeing, and kayaking. A recreation center, game room, billiards, ping pong, jumping pillow, basketball, volleyball, bocce ball, horseshoes, walking trails, hiking, biking, a playground, and a pavilion fill the grounds, with on-site dining and planned activities through the season. The resort also operates as a wedding venue. Pets are welcome. The self-contained recreation is the point — guests get a full outdoor program without driving to regional lakes or state parks, in the farm and lake country of Columbia County. Summer is the season. Reserve ahead.

Whiskey Creek Family RV Park

39 RV Sites, 2 Cabins, 1 Glamping Site

Whiskey Creek Family RV Park in Sparta, Wisconsin, offers 39 RV sites, two cabins, and a glamping site across 38.5 wooded acres along the Little La Crosse River, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 50 feet on a big-rig-friendly layout. A one-acre lined swim pond with an Aquaglide aqua park anchors an unusually deep amenity set behind a gated entrance. Thirty-nine back-in sites run in full-hookup and water-and-electric categories carrying 30 and 50-amp, sized to 50 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables. Two cabins and a glamping site round out the accommodations. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, showers, firewood, recycling, and site WiFi handle the practical side, with a gated entrance controlling access. The recreation is the reason to book. A one-acre lined swim pond with an Aquaglide inflatable aqua park anchors the summer, with a beach, water park, and inflatable water toys besides. A ninja slack line, gaga ball, playground, dog park, sports courts, volleyball, and basketball fill the grounds, with a golf driving range, bike rentals, walking trails, hiking, and biking from the property. A camp store, bar, and snack bar serve pizza, ice cream, a Friday fish fry, and beachside treats, with live music and planned activities through the season. The park also operates as a wedding venue. Pets are welcome. Sparta wears its title as the Bicycling Capital of America with genuine pride, and the Driftless Region's trail connections run directly from the area. Memorial Day through Labor Day is the peak. Reserve well ahead.

Skillet Creek Campground

56 RV Sites, 8 Cabins, 56 Tent Sites, 1 Onsite RV/Trailer

Skillet Creek Campground in Baraboo, Wisconsin, offers 57 RV sites, eight cabins, and 56 tent sites across 70 wooded acres, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service, ADA-accessible sites, and rigs accepted to 45 feet behind a gated entrance. Full-hookup, pull-through, water-and-electric, and waterfront daily categories join a water park, beach, jumping pillow, and creek. Fifty-seven sites span 20/30/50-amp daily full hookup, 20/30/50-amp daily pull-thru full hookup, 20/30/50-amp daily water-and-electric, and 20/30/50-amp waterfront categories, carrying water, sewer, and electric where noted, sized to 45 feet, with fire pits and picnic tables. Confirm your tier, as the water-and-electric category does not carry sewer at the site. Accessible sites are available. Eight cabins and 56 tent sites make the tent inventory unusually deep. A general store, laundry, dump station, restrooms, and showers handle the practical side. You can lock a specific site during booking — it shows as locked on the reservation grid. A water park and beach anchor the summer, with a lake, pond, and creek supporting boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. A jumping pillow, game room, gaga ball, sports courts, walking trails, hiking, biking, a playground, and dog park fill the rest, with live music and wine tasting nearby. Devil's Lake State Park is Wisconsin's most visited, and its north entrance is one mile away. Summer is decisively the season. Reserve well ahead.

from $19/night