The best waterside campgrounds near Viola, Wisconsin

Looking for the perfect camping experience near Viola, Wisconsin? Hipcamp has over 310 options tailored to your accommodation and activity preferences. With options as low as $10 per night, you can find the ideal campsite that suits your budget. Check out some of our top campsites in the area: The Hill Family Camping (55 reviews), WILD3R Center and Farms (32 reviews), and 10,000 years old! (24 reviews). Enjoy popular amenities like pets, potable water, and trash disposal. Plus, you can indulge in snow sports, paddling, and swimming activities. Start your camping adventure with Hipcamp today!

99% (1.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking for the perfect camping experience near Viola, Wisconsin? Hipcamp has over 310 options tailored to your accommodation and activity preferences. With options as low as $10 per night, you can find the ideal campsite that suits your budget. Check out some of our top campsites in the area: The Hill Family Camping (55 reviews), WILD3R Center and Farms (32 reviews), and 10,000 years old! (24 reviews). Enjoy popular amenities like pets, potable water, and trash disposal. Plus, you can indulge in snow sports, paddling, and swimming activities. Start your camping adventure with Hipcamp today!

99% (1.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Shady Rest Acres

100%

(316)

33mi from Viola · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging · Brownsville, MN

Once the site of the historic V.J. Fetzner Brewery from the late 19th Century. The land is now used as a hobby farm, honey bee sanctuary and nursery to a unique tree species normally not found in Southeastern Minnesota. Remnants of the brewery are still visible. Foundation walls outline the massive structure of the brewery. Nestled in the center of the foundation is the entrance to the sixty-seven foot deep cave that once held barrels of beer and can be accessed by canoe only. Hops have been located on the property and are believed to be ancestors of those raised to make the beer once stored in the cave. The pond that provides access to the cave was dug out in the early 1990's to create a fish out for the Spring Falls Trout Farm that used to exist across the highway. Some of the original brood stock still exist and continue to naturally stock the pond. It is not uncommon to see fish that are five to ten pounds in size. We do not allow fishing from our pond. The residents house is built to scale to the original brew master's house. While the house is only twenty-four years old it looks as though you have taken a step back in time. The name Shady Rest was given to the house by the Brew Master's wife. We thought it was appropriate to keep the name alive. Shady Rest Acres is comprised of twenty-three acres of beautiful woodlands and pasture that are protected forever in the Minnesota Land Trust. The pasture is home to Scottish Highlander cows, two miniature donkeys, five sheep, four goats, honey bees and a flock of chickens. Scottish Highlanders were selected for both their grazing and browsing abilities. They are very docile and make excellent pasture mates to the smaller species sharing the pasture. The cows are excellent forest managers. They clear out invasive species such as Honey Suckle, Buckthorn, and Barberry which can often be difficult to manage. A guided tour with the host can be taken to meet the pasture animals. The forest is comprised of many tree species. Some are unique in that they normally do not grow in this region of Minnesota. The yellow birch is a species normally found in Northern Minnesota. It's bark is golden in color and glistens when the sun hits it just right. We have a cluster of several yellow birch including one that is so big that the bark no longer looks golden but instead is grey and very rough. Years ago the largest of these trees made excellent wood for turning bowls. Blue Beech (musclewood) can also be found on the property. As the name indicates the bark is shaped like muscles. Songbirds and some other species will use different parts of the tree as a food source. Towering white pines also speckle the landscape. Mother pine requires at least two humans arm lengths to encircle the whole tree. She is a favorite resting spot for the barred owl. There is oak, elm, maple, ceders, poplars and numerous other species. Honey bees are an integral part of the landscape. We partnered with a friend and started raising honey bees two years ago in order to do our part to keep pollinators thriving. Their hives are located in the pasture where it has the perfect amount of early morning sun to get them moving and afternoon shade to balance out the summer heat. It is not uncommon to see them pollinating garden plants, trees and wild flowers around the property. One of their favorite feeding spots is the acre and a half prairie which offers a range of plants including big blue stem, wild indigo and baby blue stem, to name a few. Not only are honey bees essential to the food chain but they also provide a very enriching experience when they are observed moving about their hives. There is nothing more relaxing and fascinating than watching these amazing creatures.

2. Bear Hill

100%

(95)

43mi from Viola · 2 sites · Lodging · Lyndon Station, WI

Welcome to Bear Hill There is the Love Shack 15ft by 32ft park model camper Site #2 Just add LULU 5th wheel one slide out on site#2 (the Jayco is gone) Bear Hill is a pet friendly fenced in three acre get away, minutes away from Wisconsin Dells and the Upper Wisconsin River. There is a park model camper at $125 night sleeps 2-4 adults/ 2-3 kids. kids 15 and under free! Tents are available for $20/ night extra with the rental your kids of any age can tent it But PLEASE bring your own sleeping things and relaxing. Let us help you explore the river from a boat or we have 2 kayaks and (1) 2/3 person canoe. Rent or bring your own and we will guide you to where you want to go. Enjoy campfires and grilling and games with family or friends. Feel free to enjoy the local night life as I offer a designated driver to get you home safe and worry free. This is where the road ends and the country begins. Three acres of an enclosed Pet friendly Private Property camping. We offer wood for your campfire charcoal and propane grilling. pizza oven electric FOR A LITTLE EXTRA FEE you may be interested in asking Kevin about a couple Kayak's or the canoe we have. We can drop you off and pick you up at our favorite Swimming Hole. WE also have a boat Kevin can take you out on for an upper Wisconsin River Completely Private owned Fenced in property Credit or cash accepted

3. Blackhawk Park

100%

(1)

175 sites · De Soto, Wisconsin

Discover Blackhawk Park's scenic charm and outdoor adventures.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

4. Goose Island Park

100%

(1)

400 sites · Wisconsin

Discover Goose Island Park's natural beauty and outdoor fun.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Black River State Forest

100%

(3)

99 sites · Millston, Wisconsin

Discover the natural splendor of Black River State Forest.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Viola

100%

(1)

Blackhawk Park Campground

28mi from Viola · 175 sites · Tents, RVs · in Blackhawk Park

100%

(1)

Goose Island Park Campground

32mi from Viola · 400 sites · Tents, RVs · in Goose Island Park

100%

(1)

Pigeon Creek Campground

49mi from Viola · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black River State Forest

Stories from the community

K

Kyle

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Patty and Michelle are awesome hosts. Very available and acommodating if you need anything but totally out of your hair otherwise. Heart's Content was a lovely spot where you could hear the soft trickle of water flowing from pond to pond as you slept. Very close to a lot of cool spots including a great bluff hike in Reno, MN, and great boating/island hopping opportunities at Goose Island in LaCrosse, WI. The farm animals were all very chill and friendly and were very respectful of our space at the campsite, like not wandering in and being all up on us while we prepped meals or anything like that. They'd sometimes graze on the underbrush that rings the site. The goats loved being fed food scraps like carrot/potato skins, banana peels, etc. There was a very clean and well maintained outhouse on the premises and a water spigot nearby with very clean water. Great price on a generous amount of firewood that is stored in a dry shelter. Buy it in person, not through the app. ;)

E

Ethan

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Shady Rest Acres was amazing. I had high expectations and they were exceeded. The donkeys and goats were really friendly when they approached you to check things out and the cows were great to watch. The hosts were super friendly and answered any questions right away with helpful information. Secluded area which was very peaceful and where I could check out the milky way at night. 12/10 would book again

Andrew

August 2025

3 nights at Shady Rest Acres

Perfect place to decompress, with a touch of the farm life. The hosts were kind and available, letting us know how to approach the animals on our own time.

George (if the goats are out of their pen, Sheri is watching them to make sure they don’t jump on your car lol)

D

Dana

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Bear Hill

We had a wonderful time glamping in the Love Shack! The weather was hot, then rainy most of the weekend unfortunately so we didn’t get to spend as much time at the property as we wanted to. It was great to be 15 min from the Dells, so we took advantage of that more than anticipated. The Love Shack has A/C which was amazing. The setting is peaceful, and we loved getting to hang out with the goats - shoutout to George. Sheri and Kevin were fantastic hosts, making sure we had everything we needed and offering help. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway with great hosts and a bit of country charm, this place is definitely worth considering!

J

Jeffrey

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at Shady Rest Acres

We asked if they could supply us with some beverages using hipcamp messaging since we bike packed to the location and they gladly helped us out. The camp site was great, well maintained and easy to find!

Natalie

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Bear Hill

My girlfriends and I had a great time! Kevin and Sheri were so friendly. The love shack was very comfortable, and had everything we needed. Our dogs loved running around the property. Nice get away from the dells which is only a 15 minute drive.

A

Abbey Renee

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Wonderful site adjacent to a farm featuring goats, donkeys, and ducks. Friendly hosts who were welcoming, providing am overview of the amenities. For a quiet getaway in a great location be sure to book with Michelle & Patty.

P

Pamela

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at Shady Rest Acres

Camped at Life is good site right by the farm animals which were super friendly. Fairly private and serene with beautiful stars at night and sunrises. There were a lot of flies but that’s to be expected around animals. Hosts were super friendly.

C

Carrie

July 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Another lovely stay at Patty and Michelle's cabin. It is a great way to enjoy all of the beautiful nature of the area with fewer mosquitos! We stargazed, spent quality time with the cats, goats, and made friends with the turkeys. Looking forward to coming back later this fall.

An important member of the welcoming committee! Just don't touch the belly 😊

B

Britt

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Patty and Michelle were lovely hosts. Gave us lots of ideas upon arrival for local attractions and when there was a possibility of severe weather, briefed us clearly on procedures. Thankfully, we didn't need them! The campsite is very well maintained and defined; plenty of wood chopped and ready to be used (for a very reasonable fee); delightful cast of critter characters around the farm; in the stillness of the night you can hear the water running into the pond below. Our group of 5 had three tents set up and there was plenty of room. The cooking grate on the fire was clutch!

The goats! They stayed mostly penned up during our stay except when our lovely hosts let them out to wander under supervision, which was great for us to get to interact with them :)

D

Darcy

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Bear Hill

Amazing experience!! Sheri and Kevin were wonderful hosts, they checked in and made sure we had what we needed and answered any questions we had. They have pretty much everything you could think of related to camping activities and necessities. From board games to a fire tripod for cooking to firewood and lawn chairs. Really took the stress out of the experience for us. Their goats are so cute and friendly too! We really enjoyed the little hot tub and how cozy the cabin is. The location is great, it feels very private and secluded but it’s only about 10-15 minutes from the main area of the Dells and a Walmart. Sheri made sure to let us know that they were flexible with check out times, and they were overall very accommodating hosts! Would happily come stay here again!

S

Sarah

July 2025

With kids

2 nights at Shady Rest Acres

This place is stunning beyond words. It’s absolutely gorgeous. As soon as we arrived, we regretted only booking for two nights and made up our minds right then and there that we’re coming back more prepared next time and booking the place for at least 5 nights. Patty and Michelle are very kind. They went out of their way to make sure we’re comfortable and have everything we need, and helped us order pizza. The farm, the animals and the scenery are simply outstanding. This place is perfect for both families and couples. It’s all incredibly beautiful and a real nice retreat from the city.

View from the love shack entrance, behind/to the right is a full table and 4 chairs, microwave, and a lamp.

C

Cj

July 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Bear Hill

Man we had a great time! Our trip was slightly different from most of the reviews, we had a fairly packed itinerary family vacation and used bear hill as our home base, we were out and about most of the time and *even* still we loved the hospitality and ended up wishing we had planned down time to hang out. Extremely nice people when we did manage to find some time to talk. They were also wonderful at just giving us our space and making the whole thing feel very private and safe while still being accessible (via phone) if we needed anything. *EVERYTHING* IS PROVIDED, from sheets/comforters, soap, dishes and cookware, to bug spray, hell they even had toys and glow sticks for our kiddo. Honestly we over packed quite a bit as a precaution but genuinely you could bring only clothes and food and be set, they went out of their way to provide all the supplies and conveniences. 15m drive to the dells, and as a bonus you get to turn north on highway 12/I-90alt and immediately leave the traffic behind 🤌 Don't trust Google maps for the address, follow their instructions. Thank you so much Kevin and Sherri, can't wait to see you guys again!

M

Matt

June 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Tremendous experience- lovely place to stay - hosts were great!

R

Rae

June 2025

Tent

1 night at Shady Rest Acres

Amazing hosts with an even better property. It was so cozy and peaceful, giving that “in the woods” feel without being too remote. Couldn’t recommend more!

R

Robin

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Bear Hill

Camper accommodations were more than adequate. Thorough and thoughtful. Pleasant place, hosts and fellow guests.

C

Carrie

June 2025

Group trip

2 nights at Shady Rest Acres

A wonderful place to unwind and connect with nature. I enjoyed looking through the reading material and listening to some of the vinyl records. My kids had a nice time petting all the sweet animals. The studio had plenty of space for the 4 of us. Keep in mind that many of the businesses in the small surrounding communities are not open midweek if that is of interest. Would stay here again!

A

ARTURO

June 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Bear Hill

Lovely place and amazing hospitality. My wife, my dog Bruno and I had a wonderful time and we will come back.

S

Steven

June 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Bear Hill

We had a very nice stay. Hosts were very accommodating, and had all the bases covered. We went on a boat tour provided by them which was very nice. Steven

Sarah

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shady Rest Acres

Patrick and I really enjoyed our time at Shady Rest Acres, a beautiful and well cared for nook of field and forest. The hosts were very friendly and we were happy we followed up on the advice they gave us regarding hiking and food in the local area. Their animals were also very friendly and caused us to laugh many times with their antics but did not disturb us. At night the stars were visible when clear, and owls called back and forth. The sunrise over the Mississippi or behind the bluffs is gorgeous if you are up to witness it. A unique experience we had on their land was canoeing into the old beer cellar, which is actually a cave. We would highly recommend this Hipcamp! Thank you Patty and Michelle!