Campgrounds and RV parks near Black Earth, WI

Hiking and biking dominate the area. The Military Ridge State Trail runs past Blue Mound State Park on crushed limestone, and Devil's Lake offers miles of trails including bluff routes above a 360-acre lake. Blue Mound has two 40-foot observation towers and is the only Wisconsin state park with a swimming pool, open in summer. Water recreation is a short drive in any direction. The Wisconsin River is accessible from Buddy's River Resort for paddling, tubing, and fishing, and Devil's Lake has sandy swimming beaches on the north and south shores. Crystal Lake Campground and RV Park sits on the shore of Crystal Lake with a beach, kayak and canoe rentals, and fishing. Family activity centers cluster around Merrimac and Baraboo. Merry Macs Campground is minutes from Devil's Lake, and the free Merrimac Ferry crosses Lake Wisconsin nearby.

Peak season runs from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. Summer weekends at Devil's Lake and Blue Mound book out fast, and demand for campsites exceeds availability on weekends and holidays from May through October. Reservations open 11 months in advance and popular dates fill quickly after the window opens. Spring and fall are the shoulder seasons. Fall colors in southern Wisconsin typically peak in mid-October, when hardwoods turn rust and gold across the Driftless bluffs. Spring can be muddy on trails and cold at night, but campsites are easier to secure. Private campgrounds in the area typically operate seasonally from mid-April through mid-October, so confirm dates with the operator. Winter camping is possible but limited. Blue Mound's campground is partially open year-round with walk or ski-in access to some sites, and at Devil's Lake the Quartzite campground stays open year-round while Northern Lights and Ice Age campgrounds close in October and reopen around April. Water is shut off and shower buildings close during the cold months.

State park sites in this area are rustic by RV standards. Blue Mound has 77 wooded family sites, 12 bike/hike-in sites, and a rustic accessible cabin, with a dump station at the campground entrance but no water or sewer hookups at individual sites. Electric hookups are available at a limited number of sites, including two accessible sites. At Devil's Lake, Northern Lights offers 142 sites with 71 electric options in a wooded setting, plus a modern shower building and a dump/fill station. RV campers should expect some unlevel pads. Private campgrounds are the choice for full hookups and family amenities, with pull-throughs, 30 and 50 amp service, and water and sewer connections common at Buddy's River Resort and Crystal Lake Campground and RV Park. Wisconsin state parks operate a carry-in, carry-out trash policy, so campers should plan to pack out garbage. Firewood restrictions apply statewide to prevent the spread of tree pests.