Several Wisconsin campgrounds are expanding this year, offering new overnight and seasonal campsites, according to a press release.
“Campsites remain in high demand in Wisconsin,” said Lori Severson, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO). “Several park owners are racing to have their new sites available in time for Memorial Day weekend.”
WACO hosts WisconsinCampgrounds.com, a travel planning website with links to more than 200 independently owned and operated campgrounds that are not listed on most government- run websites.
Here’s a sampling of campgrounds that are planning or in the midst of expansions:
— Glacier Valley Campground in Cambria: This 150-site campground is planning to add another 12 to 20 campsites, which will be available next year.
“We’re also looking at adding geodesic domes, maybe two to three,” according to Michelle Zangara, who owns and operates the park with her husband, Dave. Park amenities include a swimming pond with inflatables, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a 9-hole disc golf course, sports courts, Gaga Ball and horseshoe pits, a dog park and hiking trails.
— Keyes Lake Campground in Florence: Faith Stevens and Roman Blenski are adding 15 more campsites to this 45-site campground, which is located about two hours north of Green Bay.
“We’re hoping to have 8 to 10 of the new sites open by Memorial Day weekend,” Faith said, adding that all of the new sites will be designated for overnight camping. The campground also has an on-site ice cream shop, and Faith and Roman plan to expand their menu to include fresh-baked pastries, pizza and other hot food items. They will also have a coffee bar. The campground, which is open year-round, is directly across the street from 202-acre spring-fed Keyes Lake.
“The lake has a beach and a boat launch,” Faith said. Anglers will find plenty to catch there, too, including panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, Northern pike and walleye. The campground also has access to UTV and ATV trails.
— Maple Bear Campground in Tomahawk: This 62-site campground is adding another 30 campsites this year, which should be completed by late summer, according to park co-owners Tim and Tallie Kloehn.
“The new sites will be a mix of seasonal sites and daily sites,” Tallie Kloehn said. This campground is located next to 70 miles of UTV and ATV trails. Campground amenities include a heated swimming pool, a scenic pond and an on-site bar and grill.
— Red Barn Campground in Shell Lake: The Bestul and Walter families plan to add 50 more seasonal sites to this 150-site campground this summer. The two families acquired the 225-acre campground last year and are making other improvements, too, such as remodeling the camp store and office, which are located inside the 100-year-old red barn for which the park is named. The Bestuls and the Walter also plan to more than double the size of their swimming pond and add more inflatables. Other onsite amenities include a playground with a Gaga Ball pit; a giant chess set; sports courts, including pickleball; miniature golf; and
hayrides. The barn includes an area for activities, such as crafts, potlucks, games and movies.
— Rose’s Enchanted Forest Campground in Wild Rose: This 80-site all-seasonal site campground plans to add another 30 campsites in time for Memorial Day weekend. The family-run campground is located along Wilson Lake and features large wooded campsites, a swimming beach, a large playground, a Forest Friends kids program, themed weekends, outdoor movies, and a camp store.
— Sky High Camping Resort in Portage: This 280-site campground is adding 16 pull-through campsites with winter water capability, which the park hopes to have ready by Memorial Day weekend or between Memorial Day and July 4th, according to park owner Eric Anderson. The park is also adding sewer service to 40 existing campsites. Park amenities include two ponds, each of which is about an acre in size. One pond is for swimming, while the other is for pets and fishing.
“We have lots of people who bring dogs and cats,” Anderson said.
The campground also has a swimming pool and two bars, one of which has food service, as well as pickleball courts, a miniature golf course, and several sports courts, including sand volleyball. The campground is open year-round and is located about a mile away from the Cascade Mountain Ski Area.
About the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners
The Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) is the trade association that represents independently owned and operated campgrounds, RV parks and resorts in Wisconsin, including most of the family-owned campgrounds in the state. The association hosts WisconsinCampgrounds.com, a travel planning
website that features campgrounds, RV parks and resorts not typically listed on state or national park websites. The association also publishes a campground guide, which is available for free in digital and printed formats through WisconsinCampgrounds.com
