Hiking near Redgranite runs flatter and sandier than Wisconsin’s bluff country, and that’s the appeal: easy-to-moderate miles through red pine stands, oak woods, and lake-dotted glacial terrain that most people drive right past on the way to the Dells. The marquee route is the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the 1,000-mile-plus path tracing Wisconsin’s glacial edge, and one of its segments runs through Hartman Creek State Park, about 30 minutes from Redgranite on the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes.
For trail access you can walk to from your campsite, Pearl Lake RV Campground by RJourney threads walking trails through its 60 acres of 70-foot red pines, with area trail connections tying into the property during the open season, roughly April 15 through late October. Camp there, warm up on the pines loop in the morning, then point the truck at Hartman Creek for the bigger miles. This guide covers what each trail area is like, how hard it runs, and where to get maps.
Walking Trails at Pearl Lake RV Campground
Pearl Lake RV Campground threads walking trails through its 60 acres, under red pines that top 70 feet, with flat sandy footing that suits an easy morning loop, kids on bikes, or a dog who needs miles. Area trail networks connect through the property during the open season, roughly April 15 through late October, including the ATV and snowmobile routes that lace this part of Waushara County. Leashed pets are welcome on the campground trails (the beach is the one no-dog zone, and the dog park, new in 2026, handles off-leash time). Grab the park map at the office, or download it from the park page before you arrive, since cell service in the area runs thin.
Hartman Creek State Park and the Ice Age Trail
The serious mileage near Redgranite lives at Hartman Creek State Park, about 30 minutes east near Waupaca. The park stacks miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback trails around a cluster of small spring-fed lakes, and a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs right through it. The Ice Age Trail traces the edge of the last glacier for more than 1,000 miles across Wisconsin, and the Hartman Creek stretch is a clean way to sample it: rolling, wooded, and walkable as an out-and-back of whatever length your group tolerates. A Wisconsin State Parks vehicle admission sticker is required, and the park stays open year-round, so the same trails serve fall color hikes in October and snowshoe outings in January. Pair the hike with a swim at the park’s lake beaches in summer, or with the historic Hellestad House log cabin if your walk needs a destination.
Difficulty, Maps, and What to Pack
Trail difficulty around Redgranite runs easy to moderate. This is glacial outwash country, flat to gently rolling and sandy underfoot, without the bluff scrambles you’d find along the Mississippi. That makes it a strong area for mixed groups, younger kids, and anyone breaking in new boots. For maps, the Wisconsin DNR publishes trail maps for Hartman Creek State Park, the Ice Age Trail Alliance covers its route segment by segment, and the Pearl Lake office hands out the campground map. Pack like a midwesterner: bug spray and a tick check in summer, layers in spring and fall, and more water than the mild terrain suggests, since sandy stretches run exposed. Download maps before you leave camp; WiFi at Pearl Lake is capped at 60 free minutes a day and cell coverage is patchy.
Pearl Lake RV Campground by RJourney
Pearl Lake RV Campground by RJourney sits on 60 acres of 70-foot red pines at W4585 S Pearl Lake Rd., across the road from Pearl Lake in Redgranite, WI. Built in 1969 and run for 47 years as Flanigan’s, it draws families back year after year, with multi-generational seasonal sites and guests who have camped here for over two decades. For a best-campsites comparison, this is the most full-featured park in the immediate area: full hookup and tent sites on sand pads, a swimming pond with a water slide and sand beach, mini golf and game courts, and an on-site bar and grill with live music most weekends. One thing to know: it is a seasonal park, open roughly April 15 through late October. If your trip falls in that window, this is the campsite to build around.
Sites & Hookups
Full hookup sites are available with 20-amp, 30-amp, and 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer. Both pull-through and back-in configurations are offered. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. All sites are sand pads, and every one accommodates tents or campers, which makes Pearl Lake a flexible pick whether you are bringing a big rig or just a tent. The largest sites are 40 through 48. Tent camping is available for those who prefer to keep things simple. Extended stay and seasonal options mean you can settle in for the whole summer, and there is no maximum stay limit. Most sites accommodate 2 vehicles, with free overflow parking near the back of the property. A dump station is on-site, free for guests and $15 for the public, along with a freshwater fill station. Keep in mind the park is seasonal: these sites run roughly April through late October, not in winter.
What's On-Site
Pearl Lake RV Campground packs a lot into one property, and the recreation list is what sets it apart from most campsites near Wild Rose, Waupaca, and the surrounding area. The swimming pond has a water slide and sand beach. There is a mini golf course, volleyball and basketball courts, cornhole and horseshoes, an arcade and game room, a playground, walking trails through the pines, and a pavilion and recreation hall. The on-site bar and grill is a gathering spot, not an afterthought, with live bands most weekends during the season and a garlic pizza that gets mentioned in review after review. Saturday morning kids’ activities run all season, with bingo, raffles, themed weekends, and group outings on the calendar. Practical details: coin-operated laundry, ADA accessible bathrooms, 24-hour shower access, propane cylinder exchange, and golf cart rentals. All of it runs during the open season, April through late October.
What Guests Say
Pearl Lake RV Campground holds a 4.3-star rating across 239 verified reviews, the highest of the campsites in the immediate Redgranite area. The consistent theme is that this place feels like a second home. Seasonal and permanent guests form a significant part of the community; multiple reviewers mention returning for years, and several have camped here for over two decades. The family-friendly atmosphere gets frequent praise, along with the clean grounds, well-kept beach area, and welcoming staff. The bar and grill, live music weekends, swimming pond, and pine tree setting round out the highlights.
Other Campsites Near Redgranite, WI
<p>These nearby parks put you closer to the bigger trail networks around Waupaca and the Chain O’ Lakes. Call ahead; availability and policies change.</p>
Hartman Creek State Park
A Wisconsin DNR state park on the Chain O’ Lakes, open year-round. Camping, swimming, horseback riding, and mountain biking, plus the historic Hellestad House log cabin and a stretch of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Sites are electric at most, with no full hookups, so plan for holding tanks. A vehicle admission sticker is required. Reserve through Wisconsin State Parks. Visit website.
Rustic Woods Campground
A family campground in Waupaca with the Rustic Woods Bar & Grill on-site, open to the public and known for its Friday Fish Fry. A workable base for exploring the Chain O’ Lakes; confirm current hookups and rates before booking. Visit website.
Things to Do from Your Campsite Near Redgranite
Pearl Lake sits right across the road, with a public boat landing for fishing and paddling in the warm months. The Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes, a string of 22 connected spring-fed lakes about 30 minutes away, is the area’s signature water destination for boating, tubing, and fishing. Hartman Creek State Park adds lake swimming and quiet paddling on Marl Lake and Hartman Lake.
Hartman Creek State Park has miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, plus a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail running through it. ATV and snowmobile trails connect through the area, and trails tie directly into the Pearl Lake property during the open season. The Mecan and Pine Rivers nearby draw trout anglers in spring and fall.
Waupaca, about 30 minutes away, is the regional hub for dining, shopping, and the Chain O’ Lakes scenic boat tours. Wild Rose and Wautoma round out the small-town stops, with the Mecan and Pine Rivers nearby for trout fishing. The Wisconsin Dells is roughly an hour southwest for a bigger day out with the kids.
Seasonal Guide for Campsites Near Redgranite
Summer (June through August)
Peak season and the heart of Pearl Lake’s calendar. The swimming pond, bar and grill, live music, and full activity schedule are all running. Warm days, busy weekends, and the best campsite availability for full-featured camping. Book seasonal and holiday weekends ahead.
Fall (September through October)
Crisp air, fall color through the pines, and quieter grounds. Pearl Lake and most area private campsites wind down toward a late-October close. A strong window for a calmer warm-season stay; for shoulder-season camping past the close, Hartman Creek stays open.
Winter (November through March)
Pearl Lake and most private campgrounds are closed. Year-round camping near Redgranite means Hartman Creek State Park, with reduced utilities and cold-weather setup. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling replace the lake activities.
Spring (April through May)
Seasonal campsites reopen, typically mid-April. Pearl Lake’s season starts around April 15. Cool, variable weather warming through May, with the swimming pond and full amenity slate coming online as the season ramps up. Trout season draws anglers to the Mecan and Pine Rivers.
Practical Tips for Campsites Near Redgranite
Pearl Lake and most area private campsites run roughly April 15 through late October. If your trip falls in that window, Pearl Lake is the pick. For November through March, use Hartman Creek State Park instead.
Pearl Lake's seasonal and multi-generational sites fill with returning families. If you want a full-summer site, reserve well before the season opens.
Hartman Creek State Park requires a Wisconsin State Parks vehicle admission sticker. Buy a day or annual sticker on arrival or from the DNR ahead of time, and bring more water than the mild terrain suggests.
Cell service is limited around Pearl Lake, and on-site WiFi is capped at 60 free minutes a day. If you work remotely, download what you need ahead of time.
Central Wisconsin spring and fall can swing 30 degrees in a day. Bring layers and be ready to manage your rig's heat on cold nights at either end of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hiking trails near Redgranite, WI?
Start with the walking trails through Pearl Lake RV Campground’s 60 acres of red pines, then drive about 30 minutes east to Hartman Creek State Park for the area’s biggest network: miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback trails, plus a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Does the Ice Age Trail pass near Redgranite?
A segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through Hartman Creek State Park, about 30 minutes east of Redgranite near Waupaca. The trail traces Wisconsin’s glacial edge for more than 1,000 miles statewide, and the Hartman Creek stretch makes a manageable out-and-back day hike.
Can you hike at Pearl Lake RV Campground?
Yes. Walking trails wind through the campground’s 60 acres under 70-foot red pines, with flat, sandy footing suited to easy loops. Area trail routes connect through the property during the open season, roughly April 15 through late October. Grab the park map at the office.
How difficult are the trails near Redgranite?
Mostly easy to moderate. This part of central Wisconsin is flat to gently rolling glacial terrain with sandy footing, kind to kids and casual hikers. The Ice Age Trail segment at Hartman Creek adds rolling wooded stretches without anything technical. Sun exposure and summer ticks are the bigger planning items.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
At Pearl Lake, leashed pets are welcome on campground trails, the beach is off-limits, and the dog park (new in 2026) covers off-leash time. Wisconsin state parks generally allow leashed dogs on most trails with some posted exceptions, so check Hartman Creek’s current pet rules with the DNR.
Where can I find trail maps?
The Wisconsin DNR publishes the Hartman Creek State Park trail map, the Ice Age Trail Alliance publishes segment-by-segment maps for its route, and Pearl Lake’s office hands out the campground map. Download everything before you arrive: WiFi at the park is limited and cell coverage is patchy.
Reserve Your Campsite Near Redgranite
Pearl Lake RV Campground by RJourney is the best-rated campsite in the Redgranite area: full hookup and tent sites on 60 acres of red pines, a swimming pond with a water slide and sand beach, mini golf and game courts, and an on-site bar and grill with live music most weekends. Your trip should fall between mid-April and late October to catch the full season.
See site types, rates, and live availability on the Pearl Lake RV Campground page.
Check Availability (608) 690-5396