Sometimes you just want to escape life for a few days on short notice – pack up the car and enjoy nature and not think about things for too long. All of Wisconsin’s state parks have a reservation system and many of them fill up months in advance. But lucky for you, those aren’t the only parks and places to camp in Wisconsin. Here are 15 campgrounds across the state of varying sizes that are first come, first served. So even though the weekend is here, you can still head on out and relax for a few days without having to plan ahead.
- New Wood County Park - Merrill
Wikipedia/johnwurl Set right along the Wisconsin River, the seven campsites here are not reserable and offer gorgeous views. There aren’t a ton of amenities, but this is a gorgeous, secluded spot to get away for a day or two. Located on WI-107, Merrill, WI 54452.
- Blackhawk Memorial Park - Argyle
Yelp/Jack P Nestled alongside Bloody Lake, this park is a bit remote and there’s just one road in and out. But once you’re there, you won’t be surrounded by crowds and you’ll love the easy water access. Located at 2995 County Trunk Y Woodford, WI 53599.
- Calumet County Park - Hilbert
https://www.travelwisconsin.com/county-parks/calumet-county-park-204149 With year-round camping and a ton of in-park activities, this place has to be on your radar. Pads for RVs, 59 sites with electric hook ups, a winter tubing hill and many sites on the shores of Lake Winnebago only sweeten the deal. Located at N6150 County Road EE, Hilbert, WI 54129.
- Castle Rock County Park - Friendship
Travel Wisconsin This park has 200 sites, making it a sure bet when you need to escape on short notice. They’ve got lake and boat access and in the winter, a snowmobile loading zone. This gorgeous location is truly paradise. Located at 2397 County Road Z, Friendship, WI 53934.
- Gordon Dam County Park - Gordon
SuperiorChamber.org An outdoorsperson’s dream, this spot has a boat and canoe launch, a fish cleaning house and a wildlife viewing area. Located at 7201 East County Highway Y, Gordon, WI 54838.
- McMullen County Park - Warrens
Yelp/Leigh A A 1,000 acre park with a 50 acre lake, showers, a boat launch, electricity and 67 sites, along with nighttime security. An absolutely gorgeous spot in the middle of cranberry country. Located at 1703 Atlantic Rd., Warrens, WI 54666.
- Lucius Woods County Park - Solon Springs
Travel Wisconsin This park actually has a performing arts shelter alongside all their other amenities. Half their 24 sites have electrical and water hookups. Great views of Upper St. Croix Lake. Located at 9231 East Marion Avenue, Solon Springs, WI 54873.
- Memorial Park - Washburn
City of Washburn.org Atop a bluff overlooking Chequamegon Bay in a forest of old growth pines, this park has been around nearly a century. It offers gorgeous views of the water, tons of interesting walking paths and 51 campsites. Located at 1 E Bayfield St., Washburn, WI 54891.
- Menomonee Park - Menomonee Falls
WaukeshaCounty.gov There are 35 first come, first served campsites at this park right outside Milwaukee. There is no electricity, but each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Located at W220 N7884 Town Line Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
- Mooney Dam County Park - Gordon
SuperiorChamber.Org Each site here has benches, a fire ring and a picnic table. Close to Lower Eau Claire Lake, there’s a boat launch as well as grilling and picnicking areas. Located at 14293 South Fowlers Circle, Gordon, WI 54838.
- Pecatonica River Trails Park - Darlington
DarlingtonWI.org Right along the Pecatonica River and Tri-County Recreational Trail, this place is an ATV-rider’s dream. Located at 400 Washington Street, Darlington, WI 53530.
- Pier County Park - Richland Center
Google/TedTelios There are jut six sites here, but they are first-come, first-served. There’s a 60 foot rock formation of layers of sandstone in this beautiful park. Located at 17520 State Hwy 80 - Richland Center, WI 53581.
- Smith Lake County Park - Park Falls
TravelWisconsin All the sites here have a fire ring, picnic table and electricity. Located on the Smith Lake section of the North Fork of the Flambeau River, there’s all the water activities as well as hiking and ATV trails. Located at N14763 Omaha Road, Park Falls, WI 54552.
- Thompson’s West End Park - Washburn
CityofWashburn.org Take off for the gorgeous shores of Lake Superior at this city-run park with killer views. There are 45 RV sites as well as tent sites off paved roads. They make camping as easy as possible on 27 acres on the shoreline. Located at 300 8th Ave West, Washburn, WI 54891.
- Veterans Memorial Park - Crandon
ForestCountyWi.gov With 70 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis at the edge of Lake Metonga, this park has a lot to offer. Volleyball, piers, a boat landing and a beach are all accessible from the campgrounds. Located on County Park Rd., Crandon, WI 54520.
Looking for more camp spots? Check out These 10 Rustic Spots In Wisconsin Are Extraordinary For Camping.
Wikipedia/johnwurl
Set right along the Wisconsin River, the seven campsites here are not reserable and offer gorgeous views. There aren’t a ton of amenities, but this is a gorgeous, secluded spot to get away for a day or two. Located on WI-107, Merrill, WI 54452.
Yelp/Jack P
Nestled alongside Bloody Lake, this park is a bit remote and there’s just one road in and out. But once you’re there, you won’t be surrounded by crowds and you’ll love the easy water access. Located at 2995 County Trunk Y Woodford, WI 53599.
https://www.travelwisconsin.com/county-parks/calumet-county-park-204149
With year-round camping and a ton of in-park activities, this place has to be on your radar. Pads for RVs, 59 sites with electric hook ups, a winter tubing hill and many sites on the shores of Lake Winnebago only sweeten the deal. Located at N6150 County Road EE, Hilbert, WI 54129.
Travel Wisconsin
This park has 200 sites, making it a sure bet when you need to escape on short notice. They’ve got lake and boat access and in the winter, a snowmobile loading zone. This gorgeous location is truly paradise. Located at 2397 County Road Z, Friendship, WI 53934.
SuperiorChamber.org
An outdoorsperson’s dream, this spot has a boat and canoe launch, a fish cleaning house and a wildlife viewing area. Located at 7201 East County Highway Y, Gordon, WI 54838.
Yelp/Leigh A
A 1,000 acre park with a 50 acre lake, showers, a boat launch, electricity and 67 sites, along with nighttime security. An absolutely gorgeous spot in the middle of cranberry country. Located at 1703 Atlantic Rd., Warrens, WI 54666.
This park actually has a performing arts shelter alongside all their other amenities. Half their 24 sites have electrical and water hookups. Great views of Upper St. Croix Lake. Located at 9231 East Marion Avenue, Solon Springs, WI 54873.
City of Washburn.org
Atop a bluff overlooking Chequamegon Bay in a forest of old growth pines, this park has been around nearly a century. It offers gorgeous views of the water, tons of interesting walking paths and 51 campsites. Located at 1 E Bayfield St., Washburn, WI 54891.
WaukeshaCounty.gov
There are 35 first come, first served campsites at this park right outside Milwaukee. There is no electricity, but each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Located at W220 N7884 Town Line Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
SuperiorChamber.Org
Each site here has benches, a fire ring and a picnic table. Close to Lower Eau Claire Lake, there’s a boat launch as well as grilling and picnicking areas. Located at 14293 South Fowlers Circle, Gordon, WI 54838.
DarlingtonWI.org
Right along the Pecatonica River and Tri-County Recreational Trail, this place is an ATV-rider’s dream. Located at 400 Washington Street, Darlington, WI 53530.
Google/TedTelios
There are jut six sites here, but they are first-come, first-served. There’s a 60 foot rock formation of layers of sandstone in this beautiful park. Located at 17520 State Hwy 80 - Richland Center, WI 53581.
TravelWisconsin
All the sites here have a fire ring, picnic table and electricity. Located on the Smith Lake section of the North Fork of the Flambeau River, there’s all the water activities as well as hiking and ATV trails. Located at N14763 Omaha Road, Park Falls, WI 54552.
CityofWashburn.org
Take off for the gorgeous shores of Lake Superior at this city-run park with killer views. There are 45 RV sites as well as tent sites off paved roads. They make camping as easy as possible on 27 acres on the shoreline. Located at 300 8th Ave West, Washburn, WI 54891.
ForestCountyWi.gov
With 70 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis at the edge of Lake Metonga, this park has a lot to offer. Volleyball, piers, a boat landing and a beach are all accessible from the campgrounds. Located on County Park Rd., Crandon, WI 54520.
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