Campgrounds and RV parks near Waupaca, WI

The Chain O' Lakes drives most of the activity around Waupaca. Hartman Creek State Park sits on part of the terminal moraine of the Wisconsin glacier, with potholes, gullies, and springs feeding lakes that include Marl, Pope, Manomin, and Allen. Paddling, swimming, and fishing are the main draws, and the park has a 300-foot sand beach on Hartman Lake with an adjacent picnic and swimming area. On land, the park offers about 10 miles of hiking trails, including a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, roughly 12 miles of off-road biking trails with a 6-mile singletrack loop, and close to 7 miles of bridle trails. Accessible fishing piers are located along Allen Lake and at Whispering Pines on Marl Lake. Guided boat tours of the Chain O' Lakes operate out of the King area in summer, and downtown Waupaca offers dining and supply stops within a short drive of most campgrounds.

The core camping season in central Wisconsin runs from late spring through early fall. The family campground at Hartman Creek State Park typically operates from early April through the end of November, and most private parks around Waupaca follow a similar April or May to October window. The Wisconsin State Park System keeps some family campgrounds open on a limited basis in winter, but water systems and showers shut down for the season. The Hartman Creek group campground closes December 1 through April 1. Summer weekends fill quickly. Hartman Creek is a popular campground, and reservations should be made early. Holiday weekends around Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day are the tightest windows, and lakeside private parks often book out months ahead. Fall brings hardwood color through late September and early October, cooler nights, and quieter campgrounds. Winter camping is possible at the state park with limited facilities, while most private parks close entirely.

Sites near Waupaca range from open red pine flats to more wooded hardwood settings. Pine loops tend to be open with a soft needle-covered ground, and privacy between sites is limited, especially at the state park. Hardwood loops offer more screening. At Hartman Creek, expect around two dozen electric sites with 30 and 50 amp options, a dump station, drinking water, and two shower and flush toilet buildings in the family campground. Most sites are non-electric. Private parks in the area generally offer water and electric hookups, dump stations, showers, and a camp store, with some seasonal sites having sewer. Wisconsin regulations require campers to use only certified firewood or wood sourced within 10 miles of the park. Cell service is generally usable in and around town but can thin out on the lakes and deeper into the trail network.