Camp Your Way Through Fall Colors: 11 Spots in Southern Wisconsin

When Wisconsin's forests begin to glow with brilliant shades of gold, crimson and amber, it's the perfect excuse to spend a few nights under the stars with your favorite people. Whether you prefer pitching a tent or parking the RV, camping is one of the best ways to wake up surrounded by peak fall color.

This guide highlights some of the best places to camp across southern Wisconsin, from the shores of Lake Michigan to the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River—with a few unexpected escapes near the city, too. Before you hit the road, check the Wisconsin Fall Color Report for the latest color updates and discover where autumn is putting on its best show.

Get a Lofty Perspective

Few places capture the magic of fall quite like Devil's Lake State Park. Set up camp with family or friends and wake up to brilliant shades of crimson, gold and orange reflected across the lake. Spend the day hiking nearly 30 miles of scenic trails, paddling beneath towering quartzite bluffs by kayak or canoe or simply gathering around the campsite to soak in one of Wisconsin's most breathtaking autumn landscapes.

To see miles and miles of scenery spread beneath you in a vivid patchwork, head to Blue Mound State Park. Two observation towers on either side of the highest hill in southern Wisconsin offer fantastic bird's-eye views. About 25 miles from Madison, this year-round park offers hike-in, bike-in and even ski-in tent camping in addition to standard campsites and a handicap-accessible cabin.

Want to see a shimmering ribbon of river winding through a sea of brilliant fall color? At Wyalusing State Park, you can camp 500 feet above the meeting of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, where fiery reds, glowing golds and vibrant oranges blanket the surrounding hardwood forests. Wake up to breathtaking autumn views, then hit the trails to experience the season from every angle.

For even more breathtaking views high above the Mighty Mississippi, head a little farther south to Nelson Dewey State Park. Hike scenic blufftop trails, pause to take in the colorful river valley below and share the kind of unforgettable fall views that are even better experienced together.

Plot a Quick Escape Close to the City

Trade the everyday for a cozy fall getaway at Big Foot Beach State Park, one of the last undeveloped stretches along beautiful Geneva Lake. Set up camp beneath colorful trees, spend the afternoon casting a line in Ceylon Lagoon or borrow fishing gear from the park office, then gather for a stroll along the scenic lakeshore path, where brilliant fall color, sparkling water and historic lakeside estates create unforgettable moments together.

Just 40 minutes north of Milwaukee, Harrington Beach State Park on Lake Michigan offers camping through the last weekend in October. You and your group can take in 360-degree views of white cedar and colorful hardwood trees from a small pond and limestone quarry lake inland, then the canopy opens to more than a mile of sandy Great Lakes shoreline.

Kayak to your campsite at Kohler-Andrae State Park to enjoy shoreline views of colorful fall foliage. Once you set up camp (you can also drive to your site),  stroll with your crew through magnificently preserved dunes, woods and wetlands, and expect to see flocks of migrating birds overhead. With year-round campsites and an accessible cabin for travelers with disabilities, Kohler-Andrae is ideal for all kinds of adventures.

Open through the end of October, Lake Kegonsa State Park is considered one of the Madison area’s best-kept secrets. Most of the roughly 100 campsites are heavily wooded and provide a perfect opportunity to surround yourself with fall color.

West of Madison, Governor Dodge State Park is one of the largest parks in Wisconsin, spanning over 5,000 acres in the scenic Driftless Region. Be sure to take the short hike down to  Stephens Falls, which trickles down a mossy slab of rock into a wooded, fern-walled ravine sure to be aglow with spectacular fall magic.

Hide Out in the Woods

Wisconsin’s southernmost state forest, the Kettle Moraine, covers more than 50,000 acres in five units spread across a hundred miles – Northern, Southern, Pike Lake, Loew Lake and Lapham Peak. Several hundred campsites are available here, some through mid-October and some year-round.

Moraines, kames, kettle lakes and valleys dot the pine and hardwood forests and pristine prairies, creating some of Wisconsin’s most breathtaking natural spots. Endless miles of trails offer hiking, biking and horseback riding, along with skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. There’s even a 115-mile designated Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive perfect for taking in autumn hues together.

A bit further to the west, New Glarus Woods State Park offers peaceful camping in the changing timber through the fall season, along with access to the scenic Sugar River State Trail. This little 435-acre gem is directly adjacent to New Glarus Brewing Company, so grab a seasonal beer to complete your visit!

Searching for more fall color adventures? Paddle through fiery autumn foliage on Wisconsin’s scenic waterways.