Winter camping in Wisconsin state parks
19 of the 124 properties keep campsites open in winter.
Everywhere else, camping is seasonal, generally May to October. Where winter camping is offered, it's often a few plowed sites or one campground loop, so check the note for each property. Reservations are required year-round at wisconsin.goingtocamp.com, from 11 months ahead up to the day you arrive. Each note below is the DNR's own wording for that property.
Northwoods & Lake Superior
- Big Bay State Park: During winter, Big Bay State Park has five plowed campsites (sites 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30) available by reservation only; all sites have electric hook-ups and camping fees apply.
- Copper Falls State Park: The park offers groomed cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing, winter camping and ice fishing on Loon Lake.
- Flambeau River State Forest: In the case of heavy snow, only the lower loop is plowed.
- Straight Lake State Park: The campground parking lot is not plowed during the winter months.
West & Central
- Black River State Forest: Call the Black River State Forest property office for more information about plowed sites or if you have questions about water system availability during your stay.
- Buckhorn State Park: Campsite 8 near the south picnic area is accessible for people with disabilities, has an electric hookup and is available year-round.
- Interstate State Park: Winter camping is available at both the group camp and south campground.
- Willow River State Park: Other winter activities include sledding, ice fishing and camping.
Door County & Northeast
- Governor Thompson State Park: These sites are open year-round for backpack camping.
- Peninsula State Park: Tennison Bay campground has campsites available for winter camping.
Driftless Southwest
- Blue Mound State Park: The Blue Mound campground is open year-round and offers 78 wooded sites, 12 bike/hike-in sites and a rustic accessible cabin for people with disabilities.
- Devil's Lake State Park: Quartzite campground is open year-round.
- Governor Dodge State Park: Ten sites are plowed as staffing allows.
- Mirror Lake State Park: Mirror Lake State Park provides numerous opportunities for winter recreation including trails groomed for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking trails, winter camping and ic
Milwaukee & Kettle Moraine
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit: There is one backpacking campsite open year-round in the forest.
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit: Mauthe Lake campground is open for camping year-round.
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit: Pike Lake has three backpack campsites along the Ice Age Trail that are open year-round.
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit: Winter camping Ottawa Lake campground is the only year-round campground in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.
- Kohler-Andrae State Park: The campground is open all year.
See also: what to do in January and winter camping on the map.
More lists: Winter camping in Wisconsin state parks · Accessible Wisconsin state parks · Wisconsin state parks with no sticker needed · All lists