Who’s Booking Wisconsin’s Campsites?

One common claim we hear is that Wisconsin residents can’t get a Wisconsin State Park campsite because they’re all taken by out-of-state visitors. But is that really true? As always, we like to deal in facts—so we got the numbers.

The truth is that nearly 77% of all reserved campsites in Wisconsin’s State Park System go to Wisconsin residents. Only 23% of campsites are booked by non-residents—and they pay extra for the privilege, as we covered last week.

Of course, the numbers shift when you look at popular parks and those near state borders. For example, at parks like Bigfoot Beach, Big Bay, Interstate, and Devil’s Lake, reservations are nearly split, with about 52% Wisconsin residents and 48% non-residents. At Devil’s Lake specifically, the number is just over 56% residents.

Some of Wisconsin’s busiest parks, however, still see overwhelmingly resident bookings. At Peninsula State Park, the second most popular park in the state, nearly 80% of campsites go to Wisconsin residents. Even Wyalusing, which sits on the Mississippi River near the Iowa border, still hands out over 80% of its sites to Wisconsin campers.

List for statewide Resident V Non-Resident Camping. — Click the Image To Enlarge

Here are a few more examples:

Mirror Lake State Park – 77.28% WI Residents
Rocky Arbor (Wisconsin Dells) – 68.29% WI Residents
Kettle Moraine North – 87.49% WI Residents
Kettle Moraine South – 72.38% WI Residents
Willow River – 59.10% WI Residents

Why Do Campsites Feel Impossible to Get?

With the vast majority of sites going to Wisconsin residents, why do so many people struggle to find an open campsite? The biggest reason is simple: timing.

Because reservations open 11 months in advance, many hopeful campers never get a chance. But they’re usually not losing out to out-of-staters—they’re getting beaten to the post by their fellow Wisconsinites who booked early.

Another problem that is emerging is that campers are not canceling reservations—they simply don’t show up, leaving sites empty without giving others the opportunity to reserve them. This means that while parks may appear full on paper, some campsites are sitting unused.

What’s Your Experience?

Have you had trouble getting a site? Do you plan your trips far in advance, or do you prefer to book last-minute? Have you noticed empty sites that should have been available? Share your thoughts in the comments or join our discussion on Facebook!

Derrick Mayoleth

For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.

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