Wisconsin campgrounds offer a variety of fall activities this year, including Halloween-themed events, Oktoberfest celebrations, and exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with Packers “Hall of Fame” stars. As the 2024 camping season winds down, campers can look forward to family-friendly activities across the state.
According to Lori Severson, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO), the variety of fall activities available at Wisconsin’s independently owned and operated campgrounds continues to grow yearly.
“Every year, we see a greater variety of fall activities being offered by Wisconsin’s independently owned and operated campgrounds,” Severson explained.
According to a press release, Gilbert Brown, Santana Dotson, and Eugene Robinson will gather at Backyard Campground in Gratiot on September 20 to sign autographs, entertain guests, and raise funds for the Gilbert Brown Foundation, which supports children’s charities.
Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville will host a breakfast with Packers Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer on Sunday, September 29. Kramer is a figure in the Packers’ dominance during the 1960s, known for executing the famous “Packer Sweep” and contributing to five NFL Championships, including the first two Super Bowl victories.
Guests will have the chance to hear his personal stories, take photos, and enjoy a Packers game-watch party later in the day. In addition, on October 5, Champions Riverside Resort will host a “Packers Meet-and-Greet Extravaganza” featuring several Packers stars, including Eugene Robinson, Earl Dotson, Gilbert Brown, Jared Abbrederis, Santana Dotson, Dorsey Levens, and Craig Newsome.
Glacier Valley Campground in Cambria will offer a special weekend at the end of September for cancer survivors, providing them with free RV and tent camping. This event brings together cancer survivors and supporters in a welcoming environment where they can share stories and support one another. As part of the weekend’s activities, campers will decorate luminaria bags to honor loved ones who have battled cancer.
Happy Acres Campground in Bristol is hosting a “Camping for Cancer” weekend from September 20-22. All proceeds will support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Indian Trails Campground in Pardeeville embraces the Halloween spirit with themed activities scheduled for the last two weekends of September. Campers can look forward to Halloween bingo, a campsite decorating contest, a haunted house, a costume dance, and trick-or-treating. The campground also offers a “not-so-scary” haunted house for younger guests, with lights on and masks off to ensure a more family-friendly experience.
Kinney Lake Campground in Marion will also feature a Halloween camping event during the last weekend of September, followed by community “Trunk or Treat” events on October 26 and November 2. These events will also include a “best-dressed trunk” contest.
Little Creek Family Campground in Fairchild is hosting its third annual “Church Lady’s Potluck Dinner” during the weekend of September 20-22. Campers are invited to bring their favorite comfort dishes to share with others. The campground will also feature a Halloween-themed weekend from October 4-6, including games, crafts, a costume parade, and trick-or-treating for all ages.
The weekend of September 20-22 will be filled with Halloween-themed fun at Merry Macs Campground in Merrimac, including hayrides, candy bar bingo, Halloween slime-making activities, and trick-or-treating.
Pineland Camping Park in Big Flats will be hosting Halloween-themed weekends during the last two weekends of September. Activities include Halloween crafts, campsite decorating, a pet costume contest, a glow parade, and costume contests. The campground will also celebrate Oktoberfest from October 4-6 with German games such as masskrugstemmen and bier pong, as well as music from the Beer & Pretzel Band. The weekend will culminate in an Oktoberfest costume contest, with the winning couple being named Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest. To finish the celebration, Polka Pak will perform for guests.
One of the events this fall is the “Legends Weekend,” which will take place from October 11-12 at Great River Harbor Campground & Marina in Alma and Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville. The weekend will feature appearances from 11 Packers stars.
Fans will also have the chance to meet special guest Brett Favre at Champions Riverside Resort. The weekend will kick off with an exclusive Houseboat Party on Friday, October 11, where guests can mingle with former Packers players.
On Saturday, October 12, the event will continue with a day of fundraising activities at Champions Riverside Resort, including a poker run, silent auction, and gun raffles, all benefiting the Gilbert Brown Foundation.
For more information about WACO, visit wisconsincampgrounds.com.
Featured image by Kinney Lake Campground