Elroy-Sparta State Trail

Star3.46
15 reviews
Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Featured in:Best Campgrounds Wisconsin

Quick Facts

1,060 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Wisconsin DNR site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

March 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

March 2026
Elroy-Sparta State Trail
No fees available
Campsite Fees
No official fees listed in source material. A reviewer reported paying about $28 for most sites and about $48 for larger/double sites, but official...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

3.46

Mixed Reviews

Based on 15 reviews

11 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietsites

Some mention

noise

"Mostly positive, low‑frills walk‑in campground favored by trail users for direct access to the Elroy‑Sparta State Trail and its tunnels. Reviewers praise the rustic, wooded sites and trail access but note basic facilities and some access/maintenance and noise issues."

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Campground Map

Elroy-Sparta State Trail

Elroy-Sparta State Trail

43.7457, -90.2812

Nearby supplies
Elroy (small‑town amenities: food, supplies)

Best Time to Camp at Elroy-Sparta State Trail

Pack a light jacket even in summer—the famous trail tunnels and dense tree canopy create noticeably cooler pockets of air that offer welcome relief on warm days. Be prepared for Wisconsin's seasonal mosquitoes and other insects, especially during peak summer months. The campground's primitive nature means you'll want to check current conditions before arriving, as specific seasonal dates aren't strictly enforced.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Forest and rolling farmland likely offer attractive fall color and great trail access.

Planning Tips

    About Elroy-Sparta State Trail

    Escape to a peaceful wooded retreat where the trail is quite literally at your doorstep. This intimate walk-in campground sits right alongside the legendary Elroy-Sparta State Trail, offering adventurous campers a back-to-basics experience with fire rings, picnic tables, hand-pump water, and vault toilets—all just a short uphill stroll from the parking area across Highway 71.
    Small, wooded walk‑in (hike‑in) DNR campground directly adjacent to the Elroy‑Sparta State Trail. Sites are primitive in character with basic amenities (fire ring, picnic table).

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
    Reveal picks

    Reserving a campsite

    Amenities available

    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Vault toilets
    Group Sites

    Activities you can enjoy

    Primary use is direct access to the Elroy–Sparta State Trail for biking and hiking; the trail is known for three long railroad tunnels and rural, tree-lined scenery.
    Hiking
    Biking
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    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsDark, damp tunnels require lights and can be cool; mosquitoes and other insects can be abundant in season. Reviewers reported occasional flooding of the trail culvert/access and sporadic highway traffic noise. The campground is walk‑in only and not vehicle accessible at the sites.

    Weather at Elroy-Sparta State Trail

    Trip Planning Tools

    Set an AlertGet notified when sites open upCheck WeatherHistorical weather dataGear for This TripMatched gear recommendationsPacking ListCustomizable checklist

    Reviews

    From Booking Sources
    3.5
    15 reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Elroy-Sparta State Trail has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Mostly positive, low‑frills walk‑in campground favored by trail users for direct access to the Elroy‑Sparta State Trail and its tunnels. Reviewers praise the rustic, wooded sites and trail access but note basic facilities and some access/maintenance and noise issues.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 15 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Direct trail access to the Elroy‑Sparta State Trail and its famous tunnels; small, quiet, wooded sites with picnic tables and fire rings; simple, rustic charm suitable for bike-and-trail users.
    Based on 15 reviews

    Common Concerns

    For the Elroy walk‑in campground itself, no detailed complaint patterns appear in the limited online reviews.[1] At the closely related Sparta DNR campground on the same trail, campers mention...
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    Based on 15 reviews
    Outdoorithm Community
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    Last updated March 8, 2026
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