Camping Rules

Below is a list of general camping rules for Wisconsin State Park System properties.

Reservations

Camping reservations are required and can be made for the same day of your arrival or up to 11 months in advance of your planned date of occupancy. Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site.

Reserve a campsite online or by calling 1-888-947-2757.

Vehicle admission sticker

A vehicle admission sticker is required for any motor vehicles brought into the property.

Cancellations

Cancellations may be made online or by calling 1-888-947-2757.

If you cancel no later than 3 p.m. Central Time two days before the day of the reservation, you'll be credited a full refund of camping fees but not the reservation or cancellation fees.

If you cancel after that, you'll be credited a refund of camping fees for all but the first night. You will not be refunded the reservation or cancellation fees or the first night's camping fee.

No refunds are made for any part of a three-night holiday reservation once the site has been occupied.

Vehicles and tents at the sites

Motor vehicles are restricted to the designated parking area on each campsite. No more than two motor vehicles (except as many as six motorcycles) are allowed per campsite.

A campsite may be occupied by no more than one recreation trailer, pickup truck camper or motor home. Pickup campers or motor homes pulling a trailer are treated as a single unit.

The number of tents allowed depends on their size and the site. If you're considering bringing multiple tents, call the park or forest office.

Check-in/Checkout time

Campsite check-in/checkout time is 3 p.m. for all outdoor campsites.

Automatic Check-in

Campers should proceed directly to their reserved campsite after the designated check-in time of 3 p.m. Campers will be automatically checked in through their reservation.

DNR staff may periodically stop by campsites to verify check-in. Campers should keep a copy of their reservation on hand or available on a mobile device for staff to verify the reservation.

Campground hosts are present in many but not all campgrounds. Information regarding how to contact property staff or conservation wardens will be available at kiosks located in campgrounds.

Self-Check-in Pilot Project: A select group of parks and forests is currently trialing a new self-check-in process. Campers at participating locations will receive an email on the day of their arrival inviting them to check in online. Participation is encouraged, but campers will not be penalized for not checking in.

Yellow phones

Yellow courtesy phones are available at many properties to help connect campers with a reservation agent and other necessary services. Reservation agents are available via a yellow phone (automatic or speed dialing) from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily from Apr. 1 to Oct. 31 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Nov. 1 to Mar. 31.

Occupying the campsite

A camping unit must occupy the reserved campsite by 3 p.m. on the second day of the reservation and be present for the duration of the reservation. If you do not check-in and occupy your reserved site before 3 p.m. the day after the scheduled arrival date and remain for the duration of the reservation, you will forfeit the site.

Campers on first-come, first-served sites must occupy the site the first night and any consecutive nights they have registered.

Camping party

A parent or parents may occupy a family campsite with their dependent children and not more than two guests or a group of not more than six persons, regardless of age. Designated group sites allow more occupants.

Length of stay

Millions of people enjoy Wisconsin State Park campsites each year. A maximum length of stay has been established to ensure the greatest access to campsites. No one may camp or leave a camping unit in a family campground for more than 14 days in any 21 days.

Minimum Stays

For family campsites, advance reservations booked before May 15 for stays between May 15 and Oct. 31 require a minimum two-night reservation. Sites that are still available after May 15 for the current camping season may be reserved for one night. Backpack sites and group campsites are available for one-night reservations.

A minimum three-night reservation is required on holiday weekends.

Extending a stay

Campers may not extend the departure date of a reservation until they are checked in at the property. If the site is available, extensions can be made through the property office and must be made no later than the day before your scheduled departure. Campers should call the property office directly. Extensions can also be made through the reservation system; however, canceling and reservation fees apply. Any campsite extensions are part of the original reservation and cannot exceed the 14-day maximum length of stay.

Leaving early

If a camper decides to leave early, they may be entitled to a refund. However, no refund will be given for the current night after the 3 p.m. checkout time. Refunds must be made through the property office, and campers should call the property office directly. If a staff member is not present, please leave a message.

Switching campsites

Campers can change campsites in advance using the reservation system. After arrival, campers must work with the property office directly or cancel and rebook online. Cancel/change fees will apply.

Hours

The parks are closed to non-campers between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. All visitors must leave the park by 11 p.m. During closed hours, campers must be in or be en route to their registered campsite. No camping party may set up or take down a camping unit between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Fires and firewood

Campers are reminded that only certified firewood or firewood originating from within 10 miles of the park is allowed into the park.

• Firewood is available for sale at or near most state park properties.
• Certified firewood dealers can be found on the DATCP website.

Fires are allowed in fire rings and grills only. Do not leave fires unattended, and put out all fires before leaving. Do not burn garbage, plastic, glass, cans or other recyclable items. Know before you burn.

Propane camping stoves like the classic Coleman models are generally allowed for use in campsites.

It is important to be aware of fire conditions and use extreme caution during times of elevated fire danger when starting a fire or using a camp stove. A map of the current fire situation throughout Wisconsin can be found on the DNR WisBurn website.

Remember to watch children very closely around fires. When setting up to use an area, become aware of the location of the fire ring. Watch the wind direction to ensure sparks are not getting on flammable materials, and put the fire out if wind changes begin to cause concern. Do not remove hot materials from the fire ring or grill, and make sure the fire is out and the grill or fire ring is cool before leaving the area.

Noise

Please be courteous to your camping neighbors. At no time may noise from a campsite create a disturbance or interfere with other people's enjoyment of the park.

Generator use

• Generator use in the Wisconsin State Park System.

Pets

Pets are allowed in almost all Wisconsin State Parks and Forest campgrounds with a few simple rules. However, they are not allowed in buildings, beaches, playgrounds, picnic areas, shelters or amphitheaters. For more information, see Pets in the state parks.

Fireworks

Fireworks are illegal. Anything that flies or explodes is considered a firework. "Snakes" and sparklers are allowed. Always ask a ranger before using anything that may be questionable.

Recycling and refuse

Plan your camping to produce as little trash as possible. Campsites, buildings and picnic areas do not have trash cans. However, some dumpsters are in the campgrounds for registered campers' use. Bins are also available for recyclable items such as glass, plastic, aluminum and tin.

If you use your own grill, place the coals in an available park grill or fire ring or at designated coal disposal sites.

Permanently remove garbage and recyclables from your site daily to discourage animal nighttime visits. Do not feed animals; feeding conditions them to expect food and causes future problems.

Wastewater

Please collect and dispose of dishes and hand-washing water at a sanitary dumping station or campground toilets. Dumping this "gray water" on the ground is against health and safety rules.

Dumping stations

Dumping stations are available at several properties and are free for all registered campers to use. However, others must pay a $10 fee to use our dump station.

Campground roads

State Statute defines all roads in State Parks and Forests as highways, and all traffic laws apply. Scooters/coasters, Big wheels, skateboards and roller skates are prohibited on campground roads and parking lots.

Bicycles, in-line skates, electric scooters, and registered motorized scooters (mopeds) are allowed on campground roads, and all road rules must be observed (Wisconsin state laws and administrative rules). Motorized scooters must have valid registration, be operated by a licensed driver and display a state park sticker. You may request a courtesy vehicle pass at the entrance station when a scooter is towed into the park.

Damage to property

Campers are responsible for any damage to campsites or other department property that occurs during their stay. Permit holders must report any existing damage upon arrival. Failure to report existing damage may result in liability for unreported damages, and the department may charge additional fees to restore the observed damage.

Eviction

If you or any member or guest of your camping party violate any state law or Department of Natural Resources rules, you may be evicted from the park, have your camping permit revoked and lose any fees you have paid.

Remote, Non-reservable campsites

All state parks, southern forests and state recreation areas are completely reservable. There are no non-reservable (first-come, first-served) campsites available at these properties. Some remote, non-reservable sites remain available at northern forests and flowages. Most of these non-reservable sites are more rustic, backpack or boat-in sites and do not have electricity. Check with the property office to see if these sites are available. Due to unpredictable demand, we cannot guarantee that a site that's vacant when you call will still be available when you arrive.