Wisconsin’s camping landscape is witnessing campground enhancement, with new campgrounds opening and existing ones expanding their facilities. The Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) reported additional campgrounds and the introduction of new amenities aimed at improving the camping experience across the state.
“Every year, camping in Wisconsin gets better. There are more places to camp, and there are more amenities and attractions to keep families entertained,” Lori Severson, executive director and CEO of WACO, which hosts WisconsinCampgrounds.com, said in a press release.
This development not only diversifies Wisconsin’s outdoor hospitality offerings but also caters to the demands of campers looking for more comprehensive recreational activities at campgrounds.
One of the new additions to Wisconsin’s camping scene is the Geitner Homestead Equine Campground in Sturgeon Bay. This unique establishment, which opened its doors in July last year, is gearing up for its first full camping season in 2024. It distinguishes itself by providing 15 campsites for traditional camping and 14 for campers with horses, complete with individual 12-by-12-foot gated paddocks.
Another fresh face in the camping community is Punch Lake Campground in Arbor Vitae. The campground, which is on a 23-acre, spring-fed lake and surrounded by 112 acres of rolling land, will open its first phase of campsites in May.
Trempy Outdoors in Arcadia will welcome campers starting June 1, with 22 campsites initially available. This 10-acre campground is adjacent to the Newcomb Valley Restaurant & Bar, providing convenient dining options for campers.
These developments cater to a diverse range of camping preferences and activities, from traditional tent camping to unique equestrian experiences and waterfront getaways. For campground and RV park owners, the enhancements and expansions provide new insight into elevating the customer and outdoor experience.
For campgrounds with expansions, Emrick Lake Campground in Oxford highlights its addition of 300 campsites this year, coupled with a new 20,000-square-foot restaurant and bar. The campground, nestled beside a private 38-acre lake, offers a variety of watercraft for recreation, including paddle boats and kayaks, and boasts extensive indoor recreation spaces for both children and adults.
Electrical upgrades and facility enhancements are also underway at several existing campgrounds. Boulder Lodge on Ghost Lake in Hayward, for instance, has upgraded its electrical hookups to 50 amp service and revamped its onsite bar and restaurant. Great River Harbor Campground & Marina in Alma has improved its infrastructure with new gravel on roadways, upgraded electrical systems, resurfaced boat docks, and added a new two-bedroom houseboat to its rental fleet.
Lake Chippewa Campground in Hayward has expanded its recreational offerings with the addition of new pontoon boats and kayaks. This enhancement complements the campground’s existing array of watercraft rentals.
Additionally, Skillet Creek Campground in Baraboo introduced 37 full hookup campsites last year, along with a new one-acre swimming pond. This season, the campground adds four new rental cabins and the Skillet Creek Canteen.
Tilleda Falls Campground in Tilleda has welcomed the latest improvements, including the addition of a furnished glamping tent for romantic getaways and upgraded electrical connections to 50 amp service. The campground has also expanded its recreational equipment with new kayak and paddleboard rentals.
The association represents over 200 independently owned and operated campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts across the state, many of which are family-owned. WACO also offers a travel planning website and a free campground guide to assist campers in discovering the perfect outdoor getaway in Wisconsin.