Wisconsin’s family-owned campgrounds are rolling out a variety of new experiences for the 2025 camping season, from lounging pools with built-in coves to foam cannon parties, floating water playgrounds, and live concerts in the woods. Many parks are also expanding with new cabins, RV sites, and family-friendly amenities.
In this guide, you’ll find highlights of what’s new across the state—unique features, special events, and campground upgrades to help you choose your next weekend escape or summer getaway.
📍 Tip: Visit WisconsinCampgrounds.com to explore over 200 independent campgrounds across the state.
New Attractions & Upgrades at Wisconsin Campgrounds
🌊 Water Fun for Everyone
- Champions Riverside Resort (Galesville): Adding a Wibit floating water park with waterslides and a climbing wall, opening Memorial Day weekend.
- Lake Arrowhead Campground (Montello): Introducing a lounging pool with 11 built-in coves, shady spots, and even a table in the center of the pool. It’s their third pool!
- Pride of America Camping Resort (Pardeeville): Debuting a 5-piece Wibit playground on a 66-acre lake, plus a gem mining sluice and an upgraded snack bar (hello, homemade fudge and ice cream!).
If your family loves splashing around, don’t miss our roundup of Wisconsin campgrounds with water parks.
🏕️ New Campgrounds & Expansions
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort (Caledonia): Introducing two Skydeck Cabins featuring screened porches, lofted decks, and modern amenities like quartz countertops and fireplaces. These cabins offer stunning views of Bear Paw Beach and the summer drone shows.
- Castle Rock Hideaway (Mauston): Opening in mid-May near Castle Rock Lake, with cabins, seasonal, and overnight sites.
- Red Barn Campground (Shell Lake): Added 100 sites and a new activity center, plus ATV rentals, a petting zoo, and floating water sports park.
- Whistle Stop Campground (Marshall): Added 4 new cabins and upgraded existing ones—right next to Little Amerricka Amusement Park.
- Glacier Valley Campground (Cambria): Adding 12 campsites, bringing the total to 152. The campground is also enhancing its natural beauty by planting 250 new trees, including pines, oaks, and spruces.
- Lakeland RV Campground (Milton): Added 18 new pull-through RV sites, accommodating larger RVs and enhancing the camping experience for RV travelers.
- O’Neil Creek Campground (Chippewa Falls): Expanding with three new park model rentals, increasing their rental options to 13 units.
- The R Campground (Oshkosh): Added 30 campsites, bringing the total to 144. A new swimming pond is being installed this year, with inflatables planned for next year. A bouncy pillow is also being added to the campground’s amenities.
- Grand Valley Campground (Dalton): This campground is installing a new pavilion for activities and special events. Park attractions include a swimming pond with inflatables; a heated swimming pool; an 18-hole miniature golf course; playgrounds and a giant chair.
🚗 More Cool Features
- Pineland Camping Park (Big Flats): New RC track and foam cannon for next-level foam parties.
- Jellystone Park – Wisconsin Dells: Introducing a “Downpour Derby” in the splash zone and their first tiny home rental.
- Kinney Lake Campground (Marion): Renovated mini golf, jumping pillow, pickleball court, and new dog park.
Family-Friendly Events & Themed Weekends
Wisconsin campgrounds are more than just tents and marshmallows—they’re planning some seriously fun themed weekends and live entertainment in 2025:
🎶 Music Under the Stars
- Glacier Valley Campground (Cambria): Hosting 40 bands June 6–8 for a Woodstock-style weekend.
- Kinney Lake Campground & River’s Edge Campground: Acoustic sets by Casey James (of American Idol fame) in June.
- Indian Trails Campground (Pardeeville): Celebrating its 60th anniversary with music, food trucks, and giveaways on June 7.
🧘♀️ Special Themes & Experiences
- O’Neil Creek Campground (Chippewa Falls): “Zen Escape Week” with meditation, yoga, and outdoor movies in June. In September, it’s “Mystery Detective Week” with scavenger hunts and cipher challenges.
- Pineland Camping Park (Big Flats): Safari-themed weekend with a scavenger hunt, obstacle course, and exotic animal visits (Aug. 22–24).
Planning Your Trip
Before you book, be sure to:
- Check the campground’s website for themed weekend schedules and activity calendars
- Look for family-friendly accommodations (like cabins and rental units)
- Browse the interactive map at WisconsinCampgrounds.com to find locations near lakes, hiking trails, and attractions.
Final Thoughts
Looking for more ways to make camping fun for your kids? Check out our list of creative camping ideas for kids to keep them engaged and excited during your outdoor adventures.
Have a favorite campground we should know about? Let us know by emailing us at hello@mkewithkids.com or tag us in your adventures on Instagram @mkewithkids.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
