Admire ancient petroglyphs and kayak in pristine lakes on a Wisconsin Dells camping trip.
Wisconsin Dells is widely known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World”—home to over 20 indoor and outdoor parks offering epic water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. The Wisconsin River runs right through town, passing natural areas like Rocky Arbor State Park, which offers boat tours, kayaking, and canoeing. Zipline tours, biking, and horseback riding are popular activities here too. Explore the area further by heading to Roche-A-Cri State Park for centuries-old petroglyphs, and visit Mirror Lake to wonder at the remarkably still water and beautiful reflections. Campers will find a broad range of camping resorts, camping cabins, and glamping options with free wifi around Wisconsin Dells for easy access to nearby adventures for the whole family.
Just north of Wisconsin Dells, Rocky Arbor State Park offers a secluded camping experience minutes away from the area’s famous waterparks. In the park, campers can find wooded campsites, some with full RV hookups with 30-amp or 50-amp service, plus public showers, toilets, and a sanitary dump station on-site. Surrounded by sandstone bluffs and pine trees, the campsites offer easy access to a network of hiking trails through the 144-acre park. On the other side of the Wisconsin River, find the Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area, which invites boaters to take in the remarkable Cambria sandstone cliffs and rock formations along the gorge.
Famed for its still waters, Mirror Lake is a popular camping destination, especially when its fall foliage is reflected in the water. There are two boat landings on the lake, with canoe rentals near the state park’s concessions. A swimming beach with vault toilets is popular in summer, while forested campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, and sand tent camping pads are available year-round. While many facilities like shower buildings close during winter though. However, snowshoeing along Sandstone Trail, Pulpit Rock Trail, and Wild Rice Trail is a common winter activity.
Head to Roche-A-Cri State Park about 30 miles north of town to visit a remarkable flat-topped and cliff-sided rock island that rises 300-feet above the surrounding central sands plain. Explore the base on the southern face of the rock to view early Native American petroglyphs and pictographs, some of which are estimated to be over 1,100 years old. The rustic family campground is open from late spring to early fall, with a variety of electric campsites, walk-in tent campsites, and pull-thru RV campsites for travel trailers. Drinking water fountains and restrooms with vault toilets are also available.
The most popular time of year for camping near Wisconsin Dells is summer. Many of the public Wisconsin Dells campgrounds are only open seasonally, from late spring to early fall, though some are open year-round with limited facilities. Some private RV parks with wifi, game rooms, and swimming pools operate year-round, as well. The warmer, sunny weather with highs around 82°F draws crowds to the area’s famous waterparks, plus outdoor water activities in lakes and rivers. Camp in winter for a quieter experience surrounded by peaceful, snow-covered landscapes, plus access to year-round indoor waterparks.