The Outdoor UW Team’s Favorite Wisconsin Camping Spots
From peaceful forest retreats to sandy lakeshores, Wisconsin is full of places to spend a day adventuring and a night under the stars. With so many options, deciding where to go can be a challenge.
So we turned to people who know the outdoors. We asked the Outdoor UW team to share their favorite Wisconsin State Park System camping spots and the reasons they made the favorites list. We hope their recommendations inspire your next camping adventure.
Pete Buscaino, Hoofer club advisor:
Having to narrow down my favorite campsites to only a few is a challenge when it comes to Wisconsin State Parks; there are so many good ones! Some of my favorites include…
Peninsula State Park: Camp in Tennison Bay 300-series campsites in late summer. There are lots of wild fruit trees to pick from. There is also amazing stargazing, and, although it’s a busy park, the campsites feel private.
There are also lots of great hiking trails, lighthouse tours, and a fun nature center for kids.
Hartman Creek State Park is an absolute hidden gem in the spring, summer and fall. Paddle through the chain of lakes, check out a historic cabin, fish on the ponds, mountain bike, hike the Ice Age Trail, or relax on the beach, all without leaving the park!
Devil’s Lake State Park is my favorite place to camp in the winter. There are only a few sites open in the winter, and there have been multiple times I have been the only one in the park after it closes. Grab a space heater (The sites have electric hook ups.), lots of firewood, and your coziest blankets. Once the lake freezes, it is a great spot to go ice skating, have the hiking trails to yourself, and enjoy the outdoors in the heart of winter.
Dan Dunne, Outdoor UW program manager and outdoor education advisor:
Kohler-Andrae State Park is one of the cooler state parks that I have camped at in Wisconsin. It’s not a terribly long drive from Madison, and it is right on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The best feature of this park is the really nice sandy beaches where you can relax, swim, and enjoy views of the lake. Kinda feel like you are not even in Wisconsin!
Adam Remus, Hoofer club advisor:
I will second a couple spots that my colleagues have already shaed; Peninsula State Park is a really great family destination. It’s super bike friendly with trails that connect the whole park, as well as new mountain bike trails for all abilities. This, along with great access to the shores of Lake Michigan, makes it hard to beat.
Kohler-Andrea State Park is a sandy escape that feels like a Caribbean island right here in Wisconsin.
I will add Governor Dodge State Park for its size and diverse recreational opportunities. Miles of great hiking trails, two beautiful lakes with beaches, and great rock climbing for those who like the vertical path, this park has it all.
Making your Next Adventure Possible
Our Outdoor UW team can help make your next outdoor adventure possible. Headquartered at Memorial Union in Madison, Wis., Outdoor UW offers year-round outdoor recreation experiences, educational programs and equipment rentals to help adventurers of every experience level explore Wisconsin and beyond.
When it comes to camping, you can rent just about everything you need, including tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, camp stoves, lanterns, camp chairs, trekking poles,and more.
Learn more about Outdoor UW camping gear rentals at union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/outdoor-uw/outdoor-rentals/camping-and-hiking-rentals.
