Camping near Baraboo puts you in the middle of three of Wisconsin’s biggest outdoor draws. Devil’s Lake State Park, the most-visited park in the state with over 3 million annual visitors, sits 10 minutes south. The Wisconsin Dells waterpark corridor is 15 minutes north. And the historic circus town itself, with its walkable square and the Baraboo River running through the center, fills the space in between. You can pitch a tent, rent a cabin, or pull in a rig and reach all of it without packing up camp.
The trick is finding a campground that handles your style of camping. Tent campers want shade, room to spread out, and water and electric at the site. Cabin campers want a roof and a bunk without hauling gear. RVers want full hookups and pull-throughs that fit a big rig. This guide covers camping near Baraboo across all three, plus the seasonal timing and the trails, beaches, and bluffs that make the area worth the trip.
Why Baraboo Is a Great Place to Camp
Camp Once, Explore for a Week
Baraboo puts Devil’s Lake State Park 10 minutes south and Wisconsin Dells 15 minutes north, with the circus-history downtown in between. You can set up one shaded campsite and reach the bluffs, the beaches, the waterparks, and the town square without breaking camp. Tent, cabin, or rig, the radius is the same.
A Campground for Every Style
Not everyone camps the same way. Tent campers get water and electric at the site, fire pits, and real room between neighbors. Cabin campers get a roof and a bunk without hauling gear. RVers get full hookups and pull-throughs that handle a 40-foot Class A. Devil’s Lake State Park, by contrast, offers water and electric only, with no sewer and a dump station you have to drive to.
Quiet Woods, Easy Highway Access
The resort sits right off US Highway 12, which connects to I-90/94, with no narrow or winding backroads on the way in. Sites tuck into mature trees that hold shade through a humid July, so you get a quiet, wooded camping trip a short drive from the area’s biggest attractions.
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Baraboo RV Resort by RJourney
Baraboo RV Resort works for every kind of camper. Tent sites carry water and electric hookups plus fire pits and picnic tables, RV sites come with full hookups and 30 and 50-amp service, and cabins give you a bed and a roof if you would rather not sleep on the ground. The resort sits on Terrytown Road in West Baraboo, off US Highway 12, in a wooded pocket of the Baraboo Range 10 minutes from Devil’s Lake State Park and 15 from Wisconsin Dells. Sites tuck back into mature trees, so the shade holds through a humid July afternoon, and several guests say the layout reads more like a state park than a private campground. The resort runs seasonally, roughly May through October. Baraboo RV Resort is owned by RJourney and managed by Advanced Outdoor Management.
Sites & Hookups
Camping here covers tents, cabins, and rigs. Tent sites carry water and electric hookups, which is rare for tent camping, plus fire pits and picnic tables and room to spread out: one guest mentions fitting two ten-by-ten tents, a canopy, and two cars on a single site with room to spare. RV sites come in pull-through and back-in layouts with full hookups (water, sewer, and electric) and 30 and 50-amp service, so a small trailer and a 40-foot Class A both have what they need. Pull-through sites let you pull straight in and straight out without backing into a tight spot after a long drive. Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table. The wooded layout is the part guests bring up most: mature tree cover holds real shade through summer, and sites sit far enough apart that you are not stacked on your neighbor.
What's On-Site
For a campground this size, the on-site list runs long. The pool opens Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day. A swimming pond with a floating obstacle course gives kids a second way to cool off. Mini golf, a jumping pillow, a basketball court, a volleyball court, a playground, a dunk tank, and giant chess, checkers, and connect four cover the rest of the daylight hours. The Baraboo Snack Shack handles food on-site, with pizza, ice cream, and quick options. The camp store stocks snacks, firewood, and essentials. There is a pavilion for group gatherings, a game room for rainy afternoons, a dog park, and pedal cart rentals. Themed weekends run the length of the season, from Christmas in July to glow parades, with water wars, potlucks, game tournaments, and craft sessions.
What Guests Say
Baraboo RV Resort holds a 4.3-star rating across 352 Google reviews. Three things come up again and again. First, the tree-lined sites and the shade they hold through summer. Second, the spread of on-site activities (the pool, the pond, mini golf, the jumping pillow) that keeps families with kids busy without leaving the campground. Third, the location: about 10 minutes to Devil’s Lake State Park and 15 to Wisconsin Dells. Returning guests talk about the themed weekends, and some book specific weekends off the activity calendar. Tent campers single out the water and electric hookups at tent sites and the room to fit multiple tents and vehicles on one site.
Other Campgrounds Near Baraboo, WI
Baraboo RV Resort is the full-service pick for tent, cabin, and RV camping, but a few other campgrounds serve the area depending on your style. Availability and policies change, so call ahead before making plans.
Skillet Creek Campground
A 70-acre campground along Skillet Creek about a mile from Devil’s Lake, with RV sites, tent camping, and cabin rentals in a more rustic, wooded setting. The proximity to the state park is the draw: you are camping right next to one of the best hiking and climbing destinations in the Midwest. Fewer resort amenities than a full-service park, but a quieter, closer-to-nature feel. Visit website.
Dell Pines Campground
A family-friendly campground with RV sites, tent camping, and cabin rentals near Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells, and Devil’s Lake. The location splits the difference between downtown Baraboo and the Dells attractions. Cabin rentals are available if anyone in your group needs a roof over their head. Visit website.
Devil's Lake State Park Campgrounds
Three campgrounds (Quartzite, Northern Lights, and Ice Age) inside one of the best state parks in the Midwest, with sandy beaches, quartzite bluffs, and bluff trails right out your tent flap. Water and electric hookups only, no sewer at individual sites, and an on-site dump station you have to drive to. Sites book months in advance for summer weekends. The setting is hard to beat, but landing a site takes planning. Reserve through Wisconsin State Parks. Visit website.
Things to Do While Camping Near Baraboo
Devil’s Lake State Park, about 10 minutes south, wraps around a 360-acre spring-fed lake framed by 500-foot quartzite bluffs. Swim at two sandy beaches on the north and south shores, rent kayaks and paddleboards at the concession stand, or fish for smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. For calmer paddling, Mirror Lake State Park is about 20 minutes north and bans gas motors, which makes it ideal for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The north shore parking lot at Devil’s Lake fills before noon on summer weekends, so arrive early or use the south shore entrance off Highway 113.
The East Bluff and West Bluff trails at Devil’s Lake run about 1.5 miles each, with rocky scrambles and panoramic views from the top, and the park connects to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail for longer day hikes. Rock climbers work the quartzite cliffs. About 15 miles south, Natural Bridge State Park protects Wisconsin’s largest natural rock arch with a short trail to the bridge and a 2.7-mile loop through oak forest. In town, the Circus World Museum sits on the original Ringling Bros. winter quarters with summer big-top performances, and the International Crane Foundation (open May through October) is the only place in the world to see all 15 crane species.
Wisconsin Dells is 15 minutes north, home to Noah’s Ark (the largest outdoor waterpark in the country) plus the year-round indoor waterparks at Kalahari and Wilderness, Upper and Lower Dells boat tours through sandstone formations, go-karts, and zip lines. Closer to home, downtown Baraboo offers a walkable town square with local restaurants, breweries, the restored 1915 Al. Ringling Theatre, and a Sunday Market from June through October. For a quieter half-day, the Wisconsin 400 State Trail runs from Reedsburg through three historic railroad tunnels for easy biking and walking.
Seasonal Guide for Camping Near Baraboo
May through June (Early Season)
Campgrounds open in May. Daytime temps range from the 50s to the mid-70s with cool nights that still call for layers by the fire. Devil’s Lake is less crowded on weekdays, and wildflowers bloom along the bluff trails. The best window for hiking and climbing before summer humidity arrives, and the easiest time to land a tent or cabin site on short notice. Bug pressure builds through June, so pack repellent. Some amenities may not open until Memorial Day weekend.
July through August (Peak Season)
Daytime highs hit the mid-80s to low 90s with real humidity, so tent campers want shade and RVers want 50-amp service for the air conditioning. Pools, lakes, and water features get heavy use, and Devil’s Lake parking lots fill before noon on weekends. Book two to three months ahead for peak weekends, especially around July 4th. Warm evenings are made for sitting around the fire pit, and the campground activity calendar runs full.
September through October (Fall Season)
Fall camping near Baraboo is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. Fall color in the Baraboo Range ranks among the best in southern Wisconsin, and the bluff trails turn gold, orange, and red. Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day and temps settle into the 50s and 60s for perfect hiking weather. Sites open up on shorter notice. Watch overnight lows, which can dip near freezing by late October, so tent campers should pack a cold-weather bag.
Practical Tips for Camping Near Baraboo
Wisconsin restricts transporting firewood to prevent emerald ash borer spread, so buy on-site or in town. Firewood is available for purchase at Baraboo RV Resort and most area campgrounds.
Ticks and mosquitoes are active from late May through September near wooded trails and marshy areas. Treat clothing with permethrin, use a DEET-based repellent, and do a full tick check after hiking.
US Highway 12 runs through Baraboo and connects to I-90/94. Most area campgrounds are reachable from Highway 12 without narrow or winding roads. Check your specific campground's directions for any low-clearance bridges or tight turns.
The north shore parking lot fills before noon on summer weekends. Arrive early or use the south shore entrance off Highway 113. An annual state park sticker covers vehicle admission all season.
A Walmart Supercenter and Menards sit on Highway 12 in Baraboo, about 5 minutes from the resort. Camp stores at most campgrounds carry ice, firewood, and basic supplies.
Baraboo RV Resort runs seasonally, roughly May through October, and is closed in winter. Confirm exact open and close dates when you reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do while camping near Baraboo, WI?
Camping near Baraboo puts you within 10 to 15 minutes of Devil’s Lake State Park (hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and paddling), Wisconsin Dells (waterparks, boat tours, and family attractions), Circus World Museum, the International Crane Foundation, and Natural Bridge State Park. Downtown Baraboo offers restaurants, breweries, a historic theater, and a Sunday market during summer.
Can you tent camp near Baraboo, WI?
Yes. Baraboo RV Resort by RJourney offers tent sites with water and electric hookups, fire pits, and picnic tables, with room to fit multiple tents and vehicles on a single site. Devil’s Lake State Park and Skillet Creek Campground also offer tent camping. Tent sites near Baraboo book up fast for summer weekends, so reserve ahead.
How much does camping near Baraboo cost per night?
Nightly rates at private campgrounds near Baraboo start around $40 for sites at Baraboo RV Resort. Monthly rates start at $500. Devil’s Lake State Park campsites run lower per night but add a vehicle admission fee. Peak summer weekends and holidays typically run higher at all campgrounds.
How far is Baraboo camping from Devil's Lake State Park?
Most campgrounds in the Baraboo area sit about 10 minutes from Devil’s Lake State Park. Baraboo RV Resort by RJourney is roughly 10 minutes from the park, close enough to spend full days hiking the bluffs and swimming the beaches while keeping a quieter, shadier campsite of your own.
When is the best time to go camping near Baraboo, WI?
Peak season runs July through August with the warmest weather and the fullest activity calendars. September and October offer smaller crowds, comfortable temperatures, and outstanding fall color in the Baraboo Range. May and June provide good hiking conditions before summer humidity arrives. Each season has its advantages depending on what you are after.
Do camping cabins near Baraboo allow pets?
Cabins at Baraboo RV Resort are not pet-friendly: no non-service animals are allowed inside. Pets are welcome at RV and tent sites, and the resort has a fenced dog park on-site. Service animals are welcome throughout the park. Always check individual campground policies before booking.
Reserve Your Campsite Near Baraboo
Baraboo RV Resort by RJourney gives you tent sites with hookups, cabins, full-hookup RV sites with pull-throughs, and a location that puts Devil's Lake State Park 10 minutes away and Wisconsin Dells 15 minutes north. Nightly rates from $40 and monthly rates from $500. A pool, mini golf, a swimming pond, a dog park, and enough on-site activities to fill the days you do not feel like leaving camp. The resort runs seasonally, roughly May through October.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Baraboo RV Resort page.
Book Your Campsite (608) 716-4993