roadtripper949884

Who would love this park the most?
- People who fish
- People who canoe/kayak
- People who bike
- People who love quiet and solitude
- Tent campers

Who would like this park least?
- Families with small kids
- Folks looking for attractions not related to fishing, boating or dinner clubs
- Full-timers who work remotely and need reliable data

Governor Thompson is the most recently developed state park, and it was revealing to see how contemporary campground designers work these days. In general, all of the sites were about the same size, the electric sites were easy to back trailers into, and the power pedestals were perfectly placed and protected by steel posts. Most telling, there were no double sites to be found. The sites themselves are very spaced apart. This campground was designed for folks (like us) who don't camp with others and enjoy the solitude and quiet. There is no camp host; ice and wood were available through the park office. There were two ADA sites.

The park is fully modern. The sanitary dump can be used from both sides. The shower building, as seen in contemporary design, has external shower access with individual shower stalls. We only saw signs for onsite canoe/kayak rentals, and cannot confirm is they were actually operating. Seven dollars gets you a hefty bundle of firewood, and a double order gets you a wheelbarrow full of wood. Even the vault toilets were a pleasant experience.

The town of Crivitz is 16 miles away, and there is a convenience store about 5 miles away. The area is all about outdoor activities. You won't find much for young children. Fishing and hunting are the big draws, with ATV riding a close third. There are enough Geocaches to keep you busy for the weekend, but May is tick season, and they were abundant. Good thing it was cool enough for long pants.

Full timers working remotely will need cell boosters for reliable data. Sites 22 through 27 are on higher terrain and have the best chance for reception.

This was our first visit here (3 hour trip) and our immediate question is why we waited so long. We love this place, and it will be on our regular rotation.

Camping at Camp Scholler is the ultimate way to maximize your enjoyment of the ultimate aviation event. The following link leads to the main camping information page, but since you came here first, here are some tips.
https://www.eaa.org/airventure/plan-your-eaa-airventure-trip/eaa-camping-and-lodging/camp-scholler

You have to be an EAA member to camp at Camp Scholler. You can join at the camper registration building.

Reservations are only accepted for electric and electric plus water sites. All other sites are first come, first served. Generators are allowed, but there are basically 3 zones for generators: allowed except for nighttime quiet hours, 24 hours, and not at all. These zones are marked on the Camp Scholler map and by signage on the grounds.

When you register, you have to pay for the entire time to the end of the convention, even if you plan to leave early. When you leave, you can get a refund at the exit gate minus a 3 day minimum.

People start leaving on Wednesday. If you get there after that, you might get lucky and find a cherry site near the entrance gate.

No matter where you wind up, you're within 5-10 minutes walking distance to a shower building or convenience store. There are porta potties and dumpsters everywhere. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting one. And they are meticulously maintained.

There is a sanitary dump station with fresh water available. But depending on when you leave, it could be a long wait to dump. Familiarize yourself with alternatives, keeping in mind there are county parks to the south where you can dump for a fee. That's what we do.

At a minimum, bring a bicycle. Or a cart. Or an ATV or scooter. Two notes: if it has a motor, you are required to have a driver's license (though this is not very well enforced). Second, you can't take it on the convention grounds proper. Mobility scooter rentals are available for those who need them.

There are shuttles to the grounds available. But be patient, they can be erratic at times. If somebody driving a golf cart offers you a ride, it is customary that you accept it. You would do the same.

This review is a little difficult to write, and I'll be as detailed as possible because there is much to like about Yukon Trails, but also some things not to like. We have been long time state park campers, and this was our first foray into staying at a private campground. So here's the pros and cons of Yukon Trails.

PROS:
- Friendly staff.
- Nice camp store with a small supply of essential needs.
- Pretty well maintained, though our site had some litter and glitter from some previous guests' party. From the seasonal sites we saw, all of the campers/park models were in good shape and the sites were well taken care of. No signs of derelict units.
- The campground itself has a very good state park vibe. 95% of the sites are under tree cover of some kind. Most of it is tall pines, but we got lucky that our site was in a deciduous tree stand. For the most part, sites weren't stacked on top of each other. There was room to breathe.
- Quiet hours were well observed. Probably didn't hurt that it rained most of the time we were there.
- My children are grown, but I would say this is a very family friendly campground. They have activities planned for just about every weekend.
CONS:
- Not a lot of sites for weekenders. We got lucky I guess. You can't reserve specific sites online. I know that's common with private campgrounds, but government park reservation systems are miles ahead on this front.
- I had always heard how bad wi-fi is at private campgrounds, but that didn't keep me from suckering myself into buying two nights of access for $10. It was terrible. If you're data plan is good, stay with that. I did fine on Verizon data.
- For someone used to camping with electric for $45/night, paying $25 more per night doesn't seem like a good value. Granted, there is the overhead involved with running a private campground, and I've been spoiled by subsidized state parks for a couple of decades.

This is a Thousand Trails affiliate, so there may be some perks for members that I don't have access to. When compared to other private campgrounds in the area, $71 a night is not a bad deal, but I'm a spoiled state park user, so it's hard to get excited about that. I would certainly stay again if I had to, especially considering another "resort" we visited that was quite a bit slummier. That's the thing about private properties, you never really know what you're going to get until you get there.

This is one of the older parks in the state system, and it shows its age. It's located just outside the small town of Cassville, itself a bit off the beaten track. The campground is up on the bluff, and the lack of trails is offset by some of the vistas overlooking the Mississippi River. As there are no amenities or concessions in the park, you'll need to find your own fun. Stonefield Village is a historical site across the road, and there is a ferry to take you across the river to Iowa. But if it's peace and quiet in a secluded campground you're looking for (as it is with us), then this is the place to go. Also, while mosquitos are mainly a weather phenomenon, I have never dealt with mosquitos as thick and fierce as we experienced here. We were at MOZCON 1 the entire time. You've been warned.

Also, pay careful attention to the campsite size when selecting your site. As this is an older campground, you may have difficulty finding a spot for your large 5er or Class A.

Data strength on Verizon was just sufficient enough to stream video. If it's a good meal you're looking for, try the Anker Inn Smokehouse in town. Their bbq is high quality.

Ottawa Lake was our very first campground when we started tent camping 20+ years ago and remains one of our favorites today. The one thing this property doesn't have and really needs: a concession and rental stand. If you need provisions, it's a 10 minute drive into Eagle (albeit a very nice drive especially if you have a sports car).

But that's the only gripe. In the recreation are the beach, picnic area and fishing pier. There's a woodshed for firewood at $6.50 for a bundle. The state forest offers some of the best mountain bike trails in the region. Regular hiking trails are abundant and vary widely in difficulty (this is a very hilly area). Horse riders will love the options available to them. There is even a large, state-owned public firing range located about 10 minutes away. Geocachers (like us) can choose from over a hundred hides within a 10 mile radius.

In the campground itself, the electrical sites are mostly level and well spread apart. Even the partial shade sites have enough vegetation surround them to maintain privacy. The shower building is of an earlier design and probably should be replaced. We're self-contained so we don't use it anymore. There is some road noise coming from Hwy 67; the sites in the higher numbers are farther away from the road.

The DNR is still operating under COVID protocols, meaning you must have a reservation and check-in is contactless. Ottawa Lake will always be on our regular rotation.

Buckhorn State Park is located on Castle Rock Lake, part of the Wisconsin River flowage. Fall colors were peak and they were stunning.

As Wisconsin state parks go, this one is relatively new. And the campground layout demonstrates that very nicely. The sites are very spread out. Our site was more than 60 feet from any other adjacent site. Ours was also a pull through, and there are several in the ground. Just about every site could fit the largest of rigs and the electric was 50 amp service. The very best sites were actually the walk in tent sites next to the lake. Even the tent sites were spacious and level. The bath house is of recent design, with individual showers accessed from outside.

The park had just about every amenity: shelters, 2 boat launches, fishing piers, group camps, and lots of trails. Due to COVID they are not selling wood in the park and the only concession is the canoe/kayak rental. There is a convenience store selling wood and gas just outside the main gate.

You may not see Buckhorn on a list of the best Wisconsin parks, but take it from somebody who's been to 80% of them, this is one of the best.

Lake Kegonsa State Park has two strong pluses: it's location is convenient to Madison, and the lake itself supports any water activity you desire. The park has the basic park amenities, but nothing special, such as a concession stand. The family campground is very mature, and it's in need of a facelift. Our site was difficult to get level on, and the 50 amp outlet on the pedestal was only working on one leg. We were able to fall back on the 30 amp outlet. The best sites in the campground were in the 30s and 40s. Due to COVID, Wisconsin DNR requires all sites be reservable. It's a good park, but not a great park.

UPDATE: We stayed again June 11-13, 2021 in site 91. This loop was closed last season. In this loop (sites 81-96) site 91 would be the only one we recommend. It is a paved pull-through, and while the spot had no shade, there is good partial shade in the grass into the early afternoon. It was also very spacious. The tent sites, by and large, were not very level.

NEW UPDATE: 6/25/23. Stayed in site 89. Verizon data now 5G, but only 1 bar. Could not stream with it. Do not recommend for work camping.

We've been guests here at least twice before, but the first time with the current rig. A couple of protips up front:

- When making your reservation, pay close attention to the vehicle length selector when searching for a site. Our coach snuggled in very nicely; anything larger probably would not fit that site.
- If you are a remote worker, make sure you have your best signal booster equipment! Data as received by a regular smartphone was VERY weak. Yellowstone Lake is located in a remote and hilly area miles from the nearest town, much less highways. Fortunately I didn't have to do any work requiring a connection.

Yellowstone Lake is a fine state park, especially for those who like their water activities. For bicyclists, the terrain is rolling, with isolated 8% climbs. Bring your lowest gears. For geocachers, there are a good number of sites nearby, but be sure to download them so you can use your app in offline mode. The data in many places is nonexistent. Perhaps not coincidentally, the park is in an area with a high Amish presence, so look for small shops with handcrafted Amish goods and watch out for buggies when driving.

Wood is available from a shed for $6 a healthy bundle. One bundle per night suggested.

PROS:
- Secluded location, miles from roads, making for a quiet background
- Well spaced sites, so even the family with 5 kids two sites down is tolerable
- Good assortment of geocaches for hunters
- Great for water enthusiasts

CONS:
- The fresh water fill is a copper tube instead of a conventional hose connection. This forced me to fill from the gravity fill port which on my rig is on the other side. Big hassle. This is the only state park I visit like this and it must be corrected.
- The concession/dairy stand was closed, presumably because of COVID
- The campground is in a hilly area. Can be a challenge for novices when parking their rigs. The pads themselves were fairly level.
- Poor mobile data (I know, that might be a pro for some)

Reservations are available online through the Fond du Lac County website. No headquarters building; checkin was with the camp host on arrival. Firewood available from the camp host.

This is a fine county park, up to the same standard as most of the state parks in Wisconsin. There is no concession, though downtown Waupun is a short distance away. There is an aquatic center and a larger park with picnic shelters adjacent to the campground. There is also a golf course adjacent to the campground. There is a disk golf course which needed some TLC.

There is a shower building which we did not use, but it appears to have been constructed in the last decade and looks in good order. The campground map found online is pretty accurate in depicting the spread of the sites. The outer ring is great if you want secluded sites, and our site (18) was probably the best in the park. The only problem is that the electrical pedestals are close to the front of the site, which limited us from going very deep in the site. There was a ton of room to the rear. Sites in the inner section where much closer together, which is fine if you want to camp with friends, or want to make friends.

What keeps this park from 5 stars is the location of the dump station, which is adjacent to two campsites and the shower building. It creates a traffic choke point if you have more than two vehicles lined up, and it took some good work by the camp host to direct traffic during Friday rush hour. The fresh water hose did not permit a high flow of water; it took 20 minutes to fill the tank. Electrical service is 30 amp, not 20 as listed.

WSP is situated on bluffs that rise 500' from the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. The north side overlooks the city of Prairie du Chien and the west side overlooks the Mississippi River with Iowa (and Pikes Peak State Park) on the other side. The original campground loop, Wisconsin Ridge sits right along the bluffs and, if you are tent camping or have a small trailer, you can get a site with an amazing view. Pay close attention to length restrictions if you're trying to get a site on that loop as there are few that are suitable for trailers longer than 20 feet, and maneuvering can be very tight.

At the other end of the park is the Homestead Loop, which is much more modern, with a recent generation shower building and well spaced campsites that can handle larger vehicles. There is also an indoor group camp, which opened fairly recently and appears to have excellent amenities for winter group camping. That's unusual for a state park.

As for amenities, there's just about everything except a beach. There multiple shelters, and interpretive center, and a concession stand with some food. There, you can rent kayaks and canoes which you really want to do because there is a guided water trail along the river sloughs that border the park. If you are a fan of aquatic wildlife, it's a must do. There are plenty of trails of varying difficulty. There are a couple of falls amongst the bluffs that are worth the hardy walk to reach. If you bicycle, plan for some hefty climbs.

Prarie du Chien is a short drive away and offers some historical attractions given its early history as a trading post settlement.