Is Buckhorn State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Buckhorn State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Buckhorn State Park before I book?

Yes! Buckhorn State Park has 14 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve.

Are there showers at Buckhorn State Park?

Yes, Buckhorn State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Buckhorn State Park?

Cell phone service at Buckhorn State Park is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Buckhorn State Park have?

Buckhorn State Park has 60 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Buckhorn State Park?

Pets are not allowed at Buckhorn State Park. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Buckhorn State Park?

Buckhorn State Park offers: Showers. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Buckhorn State Park?

Popular activities at Buckhorn State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Buckhorn State Park

4.68

104 reviews

Buckhorn State Park

Top 21% in WISummer

Seasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

B+Report Card

Family FriendlySwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Swimming Camping Wisconsin#2 Group Camping Wisconsin#3 Family-Friendly Campgrounds Wisconsin +7 more

Quick Facts

896 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

60 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Showers

Book on GoingToCamp Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

896 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

60 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Showers

Book on GoingToCamp Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Buckhorn State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

Buckhorn State Park

43.9469, -90.0042

Nearby supplies

Park store adjacent to campground entrance reported to sell necessities (ice, wood, beer) according to visitor reports.

Weather at Buckhorn State Park

Best Time to Camp at Buckhorn State Park

Summer offers warm, shallow lake water with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-80s °F and long daylight hours for swimming, paddling, and fishing. Beach-front walk-in sites and calm coves see peak use on summer weekends. Mosquitoes and horse flies are persistent, so bring strong insect repellent and a shade canopy. Fall brings cooler temperatures, fewer bugs, and lighter crowds, though the water becomes less inviting.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 21% in WI

Warm shallow water, long days, swimming and paddling peak in summer.

Planning Tips

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Buckhorn State Park

Buckhorn State Park sits in central Wisconsin's glacially carved landscape, offering 60 tent sites amid mixed forest, wetlands, and sand dunes. The 300-foot sandy beach and calm lake waters draw families in summer for swimming and paddling. Some walk-in sites provide direct beach access.

Campground includes lakeside walk-in campsites and larger, level sites suitable for family camping; a range of site experiences from secluded walk-ins to roomy sites is reported.

Weather and SeasonsSummer offers warm, shallow lake water with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-80s °F and long daylight hours for swimming, paddling, and fishing. Beach-front walk-in sites and calm coves see peak use on summer weekends. Mosquitoes and horse flies are persistent, so bring strong insect repellent and a shade canopy. Fall brings cooler temperatures, fewer bugs, and lighter crowds, though the water becomes less inviting.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryAncient glaciers shaped this park's sandy terrain, leaving wind-swept dunes that contrast sharply with the surrounding wetlands and prairie openings. Mixed forest provides shade across much of the property. The main feature is a 300-foot sandy beach along shallow lake water that warms quickly in summer. Wildlife inhabits the shoreline and wetland edges. The landscape shifts from dense forest to open prairie within a short walk, all at an elevation of 896 feet.

Geological RegionGlacially formed landscape with sandy dunes, wetlands, prairies and mixed forest (sand-swept dunes from glacial erosion noted).

Scenic ViewsWooded lakefront views, sandy beaches and open prairie/dune areas; many sites overlook or are within short walk of lake shoreline.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com)

Total Campsites60 campsites

Best CampsitesWalk-in sites along the lakefront, including site 21, offer private beach access, shallow warm water for kids, and better breeze to reduce mosquitoes. Reviewers note large, level sites with good spacing throughout the campground.

Need help booking Buckhorn State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

GoingToCamp Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Campground reports note on-site shower facilities (with mixed cleanliness reports), generally large, well-spaced sites and lakeside walk-in sites with beach access. Phone service is reported as available; campers are advised to lock up food because raccoons are common.

Showers

I manage this campground

Things to do at Buckhorn State Park

Buckhorn State Park offers lake-based recreation, hiking and abundant wildlife-viewing opportunities, plus sandy beaches and family-friendly water access.

Swimming4.5/5Top 1% in Wisconsin

300-foot sandy beach and shallow, warm lake water popular with families.

Hiking4.0/5

Trails traverse woodland, wetlands, prairies and sand-dune features.

Boating4.0/5

Calm lake waters and paddling are highlighted; lake-based recreation noted.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Park features wetlands, prairies and mixed forest with abundant wildlife viewing.

Beach activities4.0/5

Main feature is a 300-foot sandy beach along the lake shoreline.

Water Sports4.0/5

Park has a kayak interpretive trail and paddling is a noted activity.

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Dunes, lake shore, forest and prairie openings provide varied photo subjects.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHeavy mosquitoes and biting horse flies in warm months; raccoons active at night (secure food/gear recommended). Typical water hazards for lakes apply but no specific hazards beyond insects and nocturnal wildlife are listed in the provided sources.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.7

104 reviews

Top-Rated

Buckhorn State Park is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are largely positive, praising clean sites and bathrooms, peaceful setting and friendly staff/hosts; some reviewers note issues with cleanliness in specific amenities and minor site maintenance.

Review Summaries

Based on 104 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers frequently mention clean sites and bathrooms, peaceful/quiet atmosphere, helpful staff/hosts, proximity to a store and on-site dining (in reviewers' reports), and good value.

Based on 104 reviews

Common Concerns

Heavy mosquitoes and biting flies; dirty showers with poor maintenance, cold water, clogged drains, and hair; inconsiderate campers leaving messes.[1]

Based on 104 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring bug spray and protection for mosquitoes/horse flies at certain times of year; reviewers also mentioned using provided carts for walk-in sites and bringing quarters for coin-operated showers...

Based on 104 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Overall good place to stay!"; "Very nice place to park your camper"; "Bathrooms are incredibly clean and well maintained."; "My only negative would be cigarette butts everywhere on the ground."

Based on 104 reviews

Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Buckhorn State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Provider

Go if

Families with young kids who want genuine beach access: the walk-in lakeside sites put you steps from shallow, warm water good for wading. Bring a cart for gear and quarters for the coin showers.

Skip if

Mosquitoes and horse flies are brutal in warm months, and the showers get mixed marks for cleanliness and hot water. Campers sensitive to either will find the summer peak frustrating.

Nearby Campgrounds

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Roche-A-Cri State Park

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Roche-A-Cri State Park sits in central Wisconsin, centered on a 300-foot sandstone bluff that breaks abruptly from the flatlands. The campground has 40 sites for tents and RVs, vault toilets, and a dump station. The main draw is the ~303-step climb to the summit overlook and petroglyphs carved into the rock.

Mill Bluff State Park

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Mill Bluff State Park sits on a former glacial lakebed near Camp Douglas, where Cambrian sandstone bluffs rise above 22 campsites. The small, wooded campground offers vault toilets, fire rings, and electric hookups at some sites, plus a spring-fed swimming pond. Expect regular noise from I-90/94, freight trains, and occasional military aircraft from nearby Volk Field.

Elroy-Sparta State Trail

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This 13-site walk-in campground sits directly on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, a 32-mile rail-trail famous for its three railroad tunnels. Sites are wooded and primitive, with picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and hand-pump water. Parking is across Highway 71; you'll haul gear uphill about 0.1–0.2 miles to reach the sites.

Rocky Arbor State Park

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Rocky Arbor State Park sits just outside Wisconsin Dells, offering 91 wooded campsites where sandstone cliffs rise above a short loop trail. The park delivers well-maintained sites with electric hookups, flush toilets, and showers, though interstate noise affects the back loops. Most sites stay shaded and private under a thick canopy.

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19225 NEWVILLE ROAD, ORLAND, CA, 95963-8901, USA

Buckhorn sits on the shores of Black Butte Lake near Orland, a large campground operated by Buckhorn Recreation Area with tent sites, RV hookups, and group camping options. The setting features blue oak woodlands and open shoreline access for boating, fishing, and swimming. Facilities include hot showers, flush and vault toilets, a dump station, and family amenities like playgrounds and volleyball courts.

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Buckhorn Campground sits on Buckhorn Lake in the Kentucky foothills, offering electric and water hookups for tent and RV campers. The small seasonal campground features a swim beach, boat access, and amenities including showers, laundry, and a camp store. Families appreciate the accessible facilities and lake-focused recreation during the warm summer months.

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Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)

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Spectacle Lake Campground sits in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Eagle River, Wisconsin, offering direct access to a crystal-clear lake with a sandy swim beach. This U.S. Forest Service campground operates seasonally and provides tent, RV, and primitive camping options in a foothill setting. Visitors come for warm-water fishing, paddling, and classic north woods lake recreation.

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Bear Lake Campground (Chequamegon-Nicolet Nf, Wi)

4978 Highway 8 West

Bear Lake Campground sits in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Laona, Wisconsin, operated by the USDA Forest Service. This small, budget-friendly campground offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Campers enjoy fishing, a swim beach, and hiking trails through mixed hardwoods and pines that deliver spectacular fall color from late September through mid-October.

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Buckhorn Campground Loop B

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Buckhorn Campground Loop B sits within Chickasaw National Recreation Area at 932 feet elevation, offering 4 lakefront tent and primitive sites managed by the National Park Service. Campers praise clean flush toilets, a helpful camp host, and direct access to lake activities and Rock Creek trails. Reviewers note frustration with reservation-only availability, reporting that reserved sites often remain empty throughout the season.

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Island Lake Campground sits on a 58-acre spring-fed glacial lake within the Huron-Manistee National Forests near Mio. The campground offers 50 first-come, first-served sites at $15/night, with vault toilets but no potable water. Mixed hardwood forest surrounds the lake, and reviewers consistently praise the peaceful atmosphere and spacious campsites.

Buckhorn Campground (Chickasaw)

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Buckhorn Campground sits on the shores of Lake of the Arbuckles in Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur, Oklahoma. Operated by the National Park Service, this large campground offers tent and RV sites with electric and water hookups, flush toilets, and solar-heated showers. Campers come for lake access, with swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking trails throughout the recreation area.

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Gull Lake Recreation Area

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Gull Lake Recreation Area sits in the Mississippi River Headwaters region near Brainerd, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground in the foothills offers electric hookups, showers, and a dump station alongside tent and RV sites. Campers fish, swim, boat, and bike, with fall bringing peak foliage and excellent wildlife viewing including loons and eagles.

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Buckhorn Campground Loop D

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Buckhorn Campground Loop D sits in Chickasaw National Recreation Area on Lake of the Arbuckles at 935 feet elevation, operated by the National Park Service. The campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with electric and water hookups, showers, flush toilets, a dump station, and fire rings. Reviewers consistently praise the exceptionally clean restrooms and helpful camp hosts, with lake views and direct access to swimming, boating, and fishing from the Buckhorn boat launch.

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The Group Campground at McCarthy Beach State Park sits on the shore of Sturgeon Lake between the boat launch and day-use beach area. The waterfront site accommodates up to 50 people with an indoor log shelter, tent space, and pit toilets, surrounded by tall pines that provide shade throughout long summer days.

Reservable

475.841 km

No fees available

Campgrounds

Wisconsin State Parks, Wisconsin

Buckhorn State Park

B+

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 81% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 45 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A+.Staff & hosts
Grade A.Belonging
Grade A.Value

Watch-outs

Grade C-.Scenery
Grade C+.Getting there
Grade C+.Things to do

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Wisconsin grades overall

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Buckhorn State Park appears in our curated guides. Explore more top-rated campgrounds for the same activities and regions.