The best camping in Wisconsin with wildlife watching

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Planning a camping trip in Wisconsin? Look no further than Hipcamp. With over 800 options available in Wisconsin for wildlife watching, you're sure to find the perfect spot to connect with nature. Whether you're a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or just starting out, our top campsites, like Purplehaze Acres (295 reviews), Camp Escape (223 reviews), and 🦫 Flutterby Farm 👩🏽‍🌾 (203 reviews), offer the best in wildlife watching experiences. Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like toilets, potable water, and campfires. And with prices as low as $5 and an average price per night of $45, your camping adventure is both affordable and unforgettable. So pack your binoculars and get ready to explore the wild side of Wisconsin with Hipcamp.

96% (5.1K) 4,374 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Wisconsin

Bad River Wilderness

1. Bad River Wilderness

98%
(540)
Mellen, WI · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
On the upper Bad River, I have a special location that I'd like to share for others to enjoy. I was fortunate to acquire this land 20 years ago and now that I have retired from the United States Air Force, I can dedicate time to create peaceful campsites along the river. This land was originally railroad property as the railroad companies bought much land in the late 1800's to have options to place their railroads. There is still a railroad track nearby but it has been unused since 2015 and it makes a nice hiking path along the river for many miles to the north into the national forest. There are 3 waterfalls nearby and I will have many signs leading to the waterfalls. There are 4 total campsites on the property, 1 site you can drive to (Eagle Pines), and 3 tent sites that require 1/8 mile hike to 2 sites, and a 1/4 mile hike to the other hike-in site. There is no leash required for good pups. If your pup is aggressive with other dogs or people please leash them when on the hiking trails. If your pups would stay in your campsite no leash is required. Other campers may be hiking past your campsite on the trails that is still over 100 feet away from others campsites. You may run into others on the trails where others dogs may not be leashed. If your dog is aggressive to other dogs even if yours is on leash if you can’t control them please muzzle them.
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Quarry in the Mississippi Bluff MN

2. Quarry in the Mississippi Bluff MN

100%
(521)
Dakota, MN · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
This is a very private location. In its former life this property was a limestone quarry. Evidence of it's history remain with high rock walls on both ends of the property. In the center of the property is about 5 acres that is flat and covered with wildflowers and small trees. There are several good options for camping in this area. Surrounding this area is another 15 acres of hills and trees. We have a scenic overlook open to all guests where you can relax and sit on a wooden swing while enjoying the beautiful view of the Mississippi River below. There is a boat ramp just a mile down the hill for boating or fishing on the Mississippi and the city of La Crosse, WI and La Crescent, MN are each only about a five minute drive. Great River Bluffs State Park and countless other recreational opportunities are just minutes away.
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🦫 Flutterby 🦋 Farm 👩🏽‍🌾

3. 🦫 Flutterby 🦋 Farm 👩🏽‍🌾

99%
(574)
Cashton, WI · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
Once a working farm, now a haven for wildlife and peace. Primitive, laid-back camping experience. Surrounded by Amish farms. Check out our full property for individual campsites descriptions. * 100 acres of rewilded habitat * Spring water * Creekside camping * ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 BIPOC, LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 friendly. All are welcome!
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Amnicon Falls State Park

4. Amnicon Falls State Park

100%
(5)
State park in Wisconsin · 29 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Amnicon Falls State Park.
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Potable water
Big Bay State Park

5. Big Bay State Park

100%
(6)
State park in Wisconsin · 61 sites
Discover Big Bay State Park's scenic shores and lush campgrounds.
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Pine Tree RV campsite

6. Pine Tree RV campsite

Holmen, WI · 2 sites
“could Be Acres” is a small hobby farm nestled in the coulee region of western Wisconsin. The rolling hills provides beautiful views, wildlife and country living.Learn more about this land:This is a hobby farm, nestled in a rolling hill Wisconsin coulee. There is a spring fed creek on the property. The campsite has a beautiful view and is near a hiking trail.
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Amnicon Adventures & Retreats

7. Amnicon Adventures & Retreats

92%
(100)
South Range, WI · 6 sites · Tents, Lodging
At Amnicon you'll find the perfect blend of far-enough-away and easy-enough-to-get-to. We're located at the end of a 5-mile-long dirt road, just 30 minutes outside of Duluth, MN. Our site features 600 acres of protected forests along the Amnicon River on the South Shore of Lake Superior. The wildlife is abundant, and we even have an eagle's nest on site. You'll enjoy falling asleep to the sound of the waves on Lake Superior, and waking up to 118+ species of birdsongs. We have an enormous sandy beach on Lake Superior that's a great place to watch the sunset and have a SMALL campfire. You're going to love it here.
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Purplehaze Acres

8. Purplehaze Acres

98%
(968)
Rubicon, WI · 9 sites · Tents, Lodging
Purplehaze Acres is a 60-acre organic rustic farm in Rubicon, WI and resides at the beginning of the approx. 650-mile Niagara Escarpment--known locally as "The Ledge". We are in close proximity to the Ice Age Trail, and the natural treasures of the great Horicon Marsh, Lake Sinnissipi/Rock River with canoeing/kayaking/fishing, Ledges County Park, and the world-renowned Holy Hill Shrine. Nearby Hustisford ("Husti") offers unique shopping and dining experiences. Need a few organic groceries? Make sure to visit Back To The Best Organic grocer only 3 miles away, featuring food raised on local organic farms including Purplehaze Acres. We offer a variety of camping alternatives, with 7 tent sites, 1 group site, and a cabin. There is potable water, charcoal grills, firepit grates, eggs and, available for purchase, firewood. COMING SOON: Did you forget something? If so, check out our Camp Cupboard Store. Your approach via 1/2-mile dirt drive up the hills and through the woods . . . to not your grandmother's typical house you go. You'll find wonderful vistas, wildflowers, berries, trails up into the woods, a 900' grass runway for aviators on an overall great "peace" of earth. ☮
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West Fork Sports Club

9. West Fork Sports Club

99%
(108)
Viroqua, WI · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Est. 1966, the West Fork Sports Club has been a special place for multiple generations of both local community members and people from across the country. Nestled in between two valleys with 3,500 feet of stream front property on the West Fork of the Kickapoo, we truly have one of the most unique campgrounds you'll ever visit. Having avoided glacial drift during the last ice age, the Driftless area boast beautiful valleys, bluffs and rolling hills that you won't find anywhere well in Wisconsin. We are an Environmental Conservation Club always accepting new members. A temporary membership is included in camping fees and goes toward environmental conservation work and maintaining grounds, free wifi, etc. Our 20 acre property boast 3,500 feet of stream-front class 1 trout fishing on the West Fork of the Kickapoo (a top 100 trout stream in the US). Our entire stretch of stream is fully improved and excellent to fish. We have a healthy native brown trout population. We work with a local school science program to raise and stock brook trout every year. We have resident Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, Oriels, Willow Fly Catchers, Hummingbirds and many other avian species. Nestled between two valleys, we frequently have stunning sunsets. We are far enough way from light pollution to easily see the Milky Way Galaxy on a clear night. The star gazing is amazing and if you keep your eyes up at night, you're pretty much guaranteed to see a shooting star, if not multiple. The West Fork Sport Club is truly a special campground. We're a short 15 minute drive from Viroqua which has a lot of great local shops, the Driftless Café (Owned and operated by Wisconsin Foodie host Luke Zahm) and a fantastic farmer's market. We're 25 minutes from Wild Cat Mountain which has extensive hiking trails. There are also two great vineyards within 15 minutes. Even on a rainy day, you will have plenty of fun options. ***Electric sites and cabins are not reservable through Hipcamp. Please visit our website for more information.
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Electrical hookup
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Interstate State Park

10. Interstate State Park

100%
(4)
State park in Wisconsin · 84 sites
Discover the scenic beauty of Interstate State Park and its outdoor adventures.
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Mirror Lake State Park

11. Mirror Lake State Park

100%
(6)
State park in Wisconsin · 121 sites
Venture into the water for a swim or a day of boating at this Wisconsin state park!
Newport State Park

12. Newport State Park

100%
(10)
State park in Wisconsin · 14 sites
Discover Newport State Park's serene wilderness and starry nights.
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Potable water
Potawatomi State Park

13. Potawatomi State Park

100%
(5)
State park in Wisconsin · 115 sites
Discover Potawatomi State Park's scenic beauty and outdoor adventures.
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Cricket Ranch

14. Cricket Ranch

99%
(346)
Cascade, WI · 5 sites
We are honored to again be named one of the Best Hipcamps in Wisconsin for 2024. Thank you to our guests for your wonderful reviews and helpful suggestions! And a special thank you to one of our guests, Brandon "Da Garbage Disposal" Clark, for featuring Cricket Ranch in his YouTube series "Outdoors Unsupervised: Survival Season 6". Learn more about this land: Cricket Ranch is a crazy combo of Nature's past, present, and future. The property was a farm with 75% of it corn fields until 30 years ago. It has been virtually untouched since then and in just a few decades it has reinvented itself as a forest. Chambers Creek runs thru the west side of the property. As a headwater of the Milwaukee River, it is part of the Great Lakes Basin and a source for Lake Michigan. Wisconsin has identified Chambers Creek as an Exceptional Resource Water (ERWs), Less than 10% of Wisconsin waterways carry this designation. What we do (or don't do) now affects the Great Lakes later. And you'll find fossils in the rock walls of some of the earliest examples of complex life on Earth (from 460 mya, Ordovician, Cambrian). No digging required. Seriously. How they got there is a very long story in the making and involves ancient inland seas, plate tectonics, glaciers, German immigrants, and 19th-20th century farming. Off the Beaten Path @ Cricket Ranch provides a true back to nature environment for campers, sometimes called "backcountry camping". Located on 50 acres of private forest, field, and valley, our campsites are very secluded and separated by acres of woodland. Each layout is unique, embracing what nature has provided. Backpacking (or wagoning) to your camp from the parking area is necessary as the 5' wide paths do not accommodate cars/trucks. Hiking distance from parking area: (1) Camp Cricket is 600 Ft. (2) Haen Hollow is 250 ft. (3) Rocky Top is 700 ft. (4) Grapeline is 1000 ft.  Feel fee to explore the land! We are located near the Niagara Escarpment so, as previously mentioned, you might even find a 460 million year old fossil on one of the field rock walls. Keep it! So we can keep a count of how many are found, and out of an overabundance of curiosity, please let us know and send some pics of your find.   Chambers Creek provides a spot to cool your feet, stone step, or just listen to the relaxing sound of a babbling brook. The creek is overgrown with brush so access is limited but we do have a trail that follows the creek for about 300 yds. We intend to clear some more of the underbrush in the near future to allow for better enjoyment and management of this invaluable natural resource. Near by: Kettle Moraine National Forest is a 10 minute drive, boasting great hiking and the can't-miss-it view from atop Parnell Tower. Lake Ellen has a nice no-fee public boat landing just 2 miles away. The lake has clear water and is stocked periodically with Pike and Walleye. It is surprising how un-busy this lake is so bring your boat, kayak, paddle board, and/or assorted flotation devices and check it out. Our parking area can accommodate boat trailers during your stay.
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Clear Water Camp

15. Clear Water Camp

100%
(219)
Waupaca, WI · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
A private sanctuary with 30 acres located just north of Waupaca's Chain O' Lakes with groomed hiking and/or biking trails. Terrain is varied with ponds, hills, and valleys. Shower, potable water, and rec room available. PLEASE NOTE with heavy rain all wheel drive (AWD) is needed to park next to your site. If you don't have AWD, there's parking by the rec room. We can transport you to your site if there are issues. Firewood is available for purchase in addition to a 24 x 32 rec room/storm shelter. Kayaks and SUPs available to rent too! The rec room offers a fun room full of games (ping pong, darts, and other fun games) and a living room area with multiple TVs. We have a kitchen area with a refrigerator (no water) with snacks, pizza, and beverages available. Head into town for shopping, coffee, and baked treats. Or head to the Chain for crystal clear water, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, skiing, or dining at one of Waupaca's signature restaurants. Clear Water Camping has a rich history. The location is where the stagecoach house (still standing) was built in 1847 to support the nearby granite quarry.
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Terra Growers Organic Farm

16. Terra Growers Organic Farm

95%
(145)
Waunakee, WI · 20 sites · Tents, RVs
Terra Growers is a 100 year-old certified organic family farm located in Springfield WI near Madison. We keep bees, raise free-range chickens and Mangalitsa pigs, and cultivate an extensive variety of orchards, berries and vegetables. Terra Growers features campsites, drive-up and RV sites, and an on-farm store that is open year-round. Our campsites feature comfy sand foundations, shade, privacy, views, and fire pits (if your preferred site doesn’t already have one, we’ll build you one). Most of our sites are “walk up” (we have a hand trolley you can use and/or we’re happy to assist), unfurnished, and have some distant road noise depending on the location of the campsite you choose. If you have specific needs please don’t hesitate to inquire prior to booking your stay. Kindly review our refund policy prior to booking. In the event of foul weather, we can offer a rain check. There is no money-back guarantee.
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Bouressa Family Farm

17. Bouressa Family Farm

100%
(47)
New London, WI · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
There's 2 properties, both beautiful and special. ADDED AMENITIES!!! Shower available! Game Room!! Porta-potty/Outhouse!! Pedal boat on the pond!! AND visit the farm with the CUTEST farm babies!!!!! "The Twenty" is a neat campsite right on the Little Wolf River. This land has been in my family for generations. My dad tells stories of fishing the holes while they made hay when he was a kid. Definitely fishing opportunities, as well as floating down the river (tube, canoe, kayak, sup). There's a nice swimming hole right out from the campsite. The other property is on my pasture-based farm. It's a few miles from the Little Wolf. There is the "FarmStay" Camper, as well as a couple campsites nestled in the woods with a great views of the pastures, woods, and wetlands. We've also recently added a pond that's able to be used by our guests to swim in! There are 100+ acres that can explored on this 100% pasture-based beef operation. We're working on improving the trails. It's beautiful out there! Farm tours and canoe/tube rental available. The surrounding area has a TON of activities to offer for water fun and exploring! Feel free to ask! HipCamp STAR Host!!! woohoo!
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The English Pale Campground (21+)

18. The English Pale Campground (21+)

97%
(101)
Melrose, WI · 8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
The English Pale Campground is located along the Black River in Jackson County, 1 mile west of the Village of Melrose. The entire property only allows guests and occupants who are 21 or older. Sites/house can be booked 6 months in advance. The main campground is 70 feet above the river, so the beach access paths have 14% grade change . We have 5 rustic (no hook-ups) RV/Travel Trailer/Tent sites "up top", a fully furnished “Manor” House, a travel trailer as well as 2 rustic beach sites and 2 rustic river sites that are located along the river. The property is a total of 70 acres, which includes the 4+ acre beach, a mile of river front and trails through the woods that connect them all. IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION: The river edge erosion wall construction is complete however it suffered extensive damage. The area will need to be repaired this summer (July and August) but not on weekends. The English Pale opened in 2021 and is a developing property. In November of 2025 an erosion wall was built along the Black River. This included clearing of a section of the forest, building a gravel access road and an riprap river wall to prevent further erosion. Since 2016 over 60 feet of the riverbank has washed away. ATV/UTV/golfcarts are allow to operate on gravel pathways without any permits. This includes up to but NOT on the beach. A permit from management must be obtained for ATV/UTVs to operate ON the beach. Our property offers a reasonable expectation of privacy and we do not offer day passes as our target guests are campers. We are an adult only property, but not a nudist campground, as that is not our central theme. We do not prohibit our guests from nudity for the purpose of sunbathing on the beach, campsites or sundeck, but nudity is not allowed in general common areas. Part of our nature is allowing discreet nudity for tanning purposes. While we target couples for time together, singles and groups are welcome. This is NOT a party campground, our goal is to let you connect with nature. More campground information can be found on our main web page or on Facebook at The English Pale Campground and Resort. The entire property can be rented by contacting us directly by phone or email.
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Superior Beach Camp

19. Superior Beach Camp

99%
(204)
South Range, WI · 1 site · Tent, RV
Escape to Superior Beach Camp and immerse yourself in the beauty and privacy of a cleared camping area situated above 500' feet of sand and pebble beach on the world’s greatest lake. Agate campsite is very generously sized and is all yours. Surrounded by a mix of poplar and birch with a few white pine sprinkled in, the main camp area is set back from the lake atop a 70' bluff with peekaboo views of Lake Superior. A short walk down a private path from your campsite gives you access to a beautiful Lake Superior beach to swim, skip rocks, search for agates, or just enjoy the panoramic views of the lake and the town of Duluth on the opposite shore. Agate campsite previously featured a "look out point" that has been altered by the natural erosion of the red clay banks that comprise much of Lake Superior's south shore. While you can still access this area, doing so will require more effort and care, and we no longer allow camping on the point. Superior Beach Camp located is 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities and perfectly positions you to discover all the wonders of the Twin Ports. Explore this amazing area or stay at camp, set up your chair in the sand and take in the many moods of Mother Superior. Watch the ships come and go to the sparkly backdrop of Duluth’s city lights. The crackle of a driftwood fire on the beach provides the perfect soundtrack as you watch for shooting stars and the aurora. Stock up on supplies and explore the charming industrial town of Superior, WI – 15 minutes from your campsite. Spend a day mountain biking the Duluth Traverse and touring the the wonderful local dining and tap room scenes of Duluth and Superior. Canal Park, downtown Duluth, is a 25 minute drive. If you’d like to venture further, you could meander up the North Shore. Or keep it local and check out Bayfield and the Apostle Islands – only 75 minutes East. Stop through the charming lakeside village of Cornucopia on your way. Or perhaps you’d like to experience world class trout fishing on the Brule River a half hour from Superior Beach Camp. Maybe Parks are your thing: Amnicon Falls, one of Wisconsin’s most beautiful State Parks, is reachable in 10 minutes by car. Drive a half hour further to Pattison State Park and take in Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall. On the Minnesota side, the magic of Jay Cooke State Park is 30 minutes west (and puts you on the doorstep of legit white water rafting). Whether you're looking for solace and relaxation in a blissful [great] lakeside setting or simply seeking a convenient place to rest your head while exploring the many adventures a stone’s throw from your campsite, there is something for everyone who camps here. Superior Beach Camp is a clean, quiet, peaceful, primitive setting. We appreciate that our campers help us keep it this way; remember to pack in any supplies or provisions you need, and leave no trace when you depart so our next guests can enjoy a clean campsite.
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SKILLET CREEK CAMPGROUND

20. SKILLET CREEK CAMPGROUND

96%
(56)
Baraboo, WI · 3 sites
Skillet Creek Campground – Your Gateway to Devil’s Lake Adventure Located just minutes from downtown Baraboo and one mile from the entrance to Devil’s Lake State Park, Skillet Creek Campground is a family-friendly destination surrounded by the natural beauty of central Wisconsin. Whether you're here to hike the bluffs, explore nearby trails, or simply relax in a peaceful setting, this is the perfect spot to unplug and unwind. One of the highlights of the property is our beautiful one-acre swim pond—perfect for cooling off on a warm day or lounging by the water with family and friends. The campground offers a variety of site options, including wooded tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and rustic cabins for a cozy stay close to nature. Guests will enjoy clean restrooms, hot showers, a camp store with essentials, and plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the outdoors. With easy access to Devil’s Lake, the Baraboo Bluffs, and local attractions like Circus World and Pewit’s Nest, Skillet Creek Campground is an ideal basecamp for adventure or relaxation. Come experience the charm of Baraboo and the wild beauty of Devil’s Lake—Skillet Creek Campground is where your next outdoor escape begins.
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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field