Wisconsin State Park System
Outdoor Group Camps

Outdoor Group Camps

Properties with Outdoor Group Camps

State parks, forests, and trails with group sites are listed below. Click on the property name for information about the property. Unless marked otherwise, the following group campsites are for tents only (no wheeled camping units) and do not have electricity.

 

Fees

Outdoor Group Camp Fees

Nightly Fees for outdoor group camp fees are based on the size of group. There is a $9.70 per reservation fee for reservations. Fees are subject to change.

Group Camp Fees—Non-electric sites

For groups of more than 70, add $20 for each increment of 10 people, to a maximum of $300 per group site.

Council Grounds Electric Group Sites

Nelson Dewey and Yellowstone Lake Electric Sites

Fees for Wisconsin Nonprofit Youth Organizations

Wisconsin Nonprofit Youth Organizations may qualify for reduced camping rates. Discounts are only available only through the call center, not the website. For more information, call toll-free (888) WI-PARKS ((888) 947-2757. The toll-free TTY number for reservations is (800) 274-7275.

Group Camping Fee Waivers for Persons with Disabilities

Wisconsin nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is improving the mental or physical health of people with disabilties may be eligible for a camping fee waiver. To apply for a waiver, the group must submit a Camping Fee Waiver Request [PDF] to:

Camping Program Manager
P.O. Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921

The group must apply before arriving at the property and must have a camping reservation. Memorial Day through Labor Day, waivers are available only Sunday through Thursday nights.

 

Reservations

Outdoor Group Camping Reservations

Reservations may be made for camping up to 11 months in advance or as late as two days before the date of occupancy. You can search for available state park campsites statewide and reserve a campsite by using the Internet or by calling the Reservation Call Center. Campsite availability for the date 11 months away become available at 9 a.m. Central Time for both Internet and telephone customers. Reservation Frequently Asked Questions.

Reserve a Campsite Online

The Wisconsin State Park System Camping Reservations website offers campground maps and details about each site. You can search for available state park campsites statewide and reserve a campsite using the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using the website, you can zoom in on the maps and click on a campsite symbol, or click "All the Sites in this Campground" on the menu below a park map and then click the site number.

Reserve a Campsite by Phone

If you prefer a reservation agent to assisty you, you can search for available state park campsites statewide and reserve a campsite by calling toll-free (888) WI-PARKS ((888) 947-2757. The toll-free TTY number for reservations is (800) 274-7275. The call center hours are shown below.

*Holidays include Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day (December 24-25), and New Year's Eve and Day (December 31-January 1).

Holiday Weekend Reservations

A minimum of a three-night reservation is required on holiday weekends:

• Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, the camping stay must include Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
• When July 4 falls on a Monday, the camping stay must include Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights of that weekend.
• When July 4 falls on a Friday, the camping stay must include Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights of that weekend.

One-night Reservations

One night reservations may be made through the call center (not the website).

• Backpack and Outdoor Group Sites may be reserved year-round, up to 11 months before the night you want to camp for one night.
• Family Campsites may be reserved for one-night camping May 15 through October 31 only during that time period within the calendar year.

Customer Service Assistance

To change or cancel a reservation, call the Customer Service Line, (800) 372-3607, during these hours:

Paying for Your Site

Visa and MasterCard are accepted. If you do not have either, you must reserve by phone (not the website) and ask the operator how to pay by check or money order.

There is a nonrefundable $9.70 reservation fee per site per reservation, and a cancellation fee of $5 per transaction. Other forfeitures may also apply in case of cancellation.

You may change the beginning date of your stay or shorten your stay, as long as at least one day of your stay remains the same. There is a $5 fee for such a change. If you want to extend your stay or camp at a different time, you will have to cancel the original reservation and make a new one.

First-come, First-served Campsites

You can identify first-come, first-served sites by going to the Wisconsin State Park System Camping Reservations website. First-come, first-served sites are shown as "Walk-up only" in campsite lists and "W" in availability tables.

Campers can reserve campsites at most Wisconsin state parks and forests. Some parks and forests do not accept reservations and have sites that are available only on a first-come, first-served basis. Check with the forest, park, or trail office for current availability. Due to unpredictable demand, we cannot guarantee that a site that's vacant when you call will still be available when you arrive. You can register for non-reservable family sites for up to 14 consecutive days.

Any reservable site that has not been reserved is also available to campers who arrive without a reservation. The maximum allowable stay will depend on the next date for which the site has been reserved.

All campsites at the following locations are first-come, first-served only:

• Brule River State Forest, 35 sites
• Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area, 3 remote sites
• Elroy-Sparta State Trail, 20 hike-in or bike-in sites
• Flambeau River State Forest, 60 family sites, 34 canoe sites
• Governor Knowles State Forest, 30 family sites, 30 equestrian sites, 4 backpack sites
• Peshtigo River State Forest, 16 sites
• Tower Hill State Park, 15 sites

 

Seasons

Outdoor Group Camping Seasons

Outdoor group campsites are typically open May through October.